Claudio Ranieri calls on 'real Leicester' to show up at Stoke
Thursday 15 December 2016 15:32, UK
Claudio Ranieri has called on "the real Leicester" to show up away from home - starting with Saturday's trip to Stoke.
Saturday's 4-2 defeat of Manchester City at the King Power Stadium was a reprise of last season's Premier League title-winning form, but the champions followed up by losing 1-0 at Bournemouth on Tuesday.
Leicester have lost seven of their eight away games in the league, while the other ended in a draw at Tottenham, and they next face a Stoke side with three wins from their last five at home.
"We know we played eight times away and only one point. It's unbelievable," Ranieri said at his pre-match press conference. "Our style doesn't change, but our away form should be better.
"We have to react, to improve. I'm sure we will. I'm desperate. I'd like to give to our fans a very good Christmas Day.
"Stoke are a good team, they move the ball quickly with good players. They are strong, but I want to see the real Leicester. Which is the real Leicester? Man City, Bournemouth or the others? I want to see a reaction.
"We need to be determined. We're a team that can make a good match when we win a lot of first and second balls."
Ranieri insists the only "medicine" for Leicester's poor away form is to "work, work and work", but their chances could be helped by the return of Kasper Schmeichel this weekend.
The Foxes' No 1's last league game was that draw at White Hart Lane, but he is back in contention after recovering from a fractured hand.
"Kasper trained very well today," said Ranieri, who still has a concern over Danny Drinkwater (knee). "I will check on him tomorrow. He feels good. The hand is okay."
