Claudio Ranieri focused on maintaining Leicester's team spirit
Friday 30 October 2015 09:20, UK
Claudio Ranieri feels Leicester's team spirit has been the vital ingredient in their Premier League success this season - but admits there has been some luck along the way.
Ranieri took over from Nigel Pearson at the King Power Stadium this summer with expectations of another battle to avoid relegation from the top division.
But they go into Saturday's clash with West Brom in fifth place and as the league's most entertaining side, with their 10 league games so far having featured no less than 37 goals.
Conceding 17 goals has been a problem for Ranieri, but he faces a bill after offering to buy the whole squad pizza when they kept their first clean sheet, which came last weekend against Crystal Palace.
Talk of pizza was on the menu at Ranieri's press conference on Thursday, when he said: "I think the most important ingredient is team spirit. The second most, is enjoyment. So that when they come training, they work hard, but they enjoy it.
"And maybe on the top - a little bit of luck. It's like the salt on the top! The fans are the tomatoes. Without tomatoes, you have no pizza.
"I think they deserve this pizza. It's good to get together for something good. This could help to make a very good team spirit for each other. I pay, so they are happy!
"I have offered rewards before in the past at other clubs and it is a good opportunity to sit down together. It helps the team bonding."
As for Saturday's game, the Italian added: "All the Premier League matches are tough. It's good though - it's an interesting season.
"West Brom close all the space well, press well and counter-attack well. We must be careful if we want to win the match."
