Monday 7 November 2016 11:28, UK
Jamie Redknapp believes Leicester are too good to go down, despite managing just three wins in their first 11 games in the Premier League this season.
The reigning champions are performing superbly in the Champions League, with 10 points from their first four games, but are struggling domestically and were beaten 2-1 at home by West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.
And while Redknapp says that Claudio Ranieri's side cannot use their European challenge as an excuse, he admits that it has not come as a shock to him.
"They're only two points ahead of Hull in 18th, so it's not ideal, but a part of me isn't surprised," Redknapp said on Super Sunday. "I did think the Champions League would play a part, but you can't blame that on their performance [against West Brom].
"When they came back to 1-1 they were in the ascendancy and looked full of energy, and if you were going to pick a winner at that stage you'd have picked Leicester. It was just one of those mistakes [from Danny Drinkwater] that can be the difference between winning and losing a game.
"It's very easy to blame the Champions League and it's amazing the run they're on in that competition, but from a league point of view it would almost be better if they went out, because then they could concentrate on their league form.
"They've got to make sure they concentrate, because as easy as you can go and win the league last year, you can then go and get relegated. It doesn't take long to get into the rut they're in.
"Have they got too many good players for it to happen? I'm convinced of that. But they've got to get Jamie Vardy back scoring again, and Riyad Mahrez back into the form he was in. The loss of N'Golo Kante is incredible, he was amazing for them and they miss him so much."
Redknapp was joined by Emile Heskey on Super Sunday, and the former Leicester striker says the Foxes need to get back to basics and start focusing again on just reaching the 40-point mark.
"I think they're probably concerned now, but it's very tight at the bottom so one win can take you to mid-table and you look relatively okay, but then two losses can get you sucked back in again," he said.
"Knowing the owners and some of the backroom staff, I know last year they were looking to get to 40 points, but they kept on winning games. Really deep down they should be looking at the 40 points and then taking it from there."
