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Read Graham Potter's Leicester City programme notes

Head coach reflects on the frustrations of the last fortnight.

By BHAFC • 06 March 2021

By Paul Hazlewood
Graham Potter believes Albion's hard work on the training ground will pay off.

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Graham Potter looks back on our recent matches against Crystal Palace and West Brom, as well as our previous meetings with Leicester City in his notes for tonight's match programme.

Graham Potter

Tonight we welcome Brendan Rodgers and Leicester City to the Amex, hoping to get back to winning ways, after two frustrating results against Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion.

Defeat against Crystal Palace was a tough one to take; in all my time in football I have rarely seen a team dominate that way in terms of possession and chances, but end up with nothing. The timing of the winning goal only added to what was a very frustrating night.

By Paul Hazlewood
Albion's last two matches have ended in frustrating defeats.

Similarly at West Brom, we created enough chances to win the match – highlighted by our penalty misses – but came away with nothing to show for our endeavours.

However, there has been plenty to be pleased about in terms of both performances, but it is up to us to find the answer to the constantly posed question of how do we keep on turning good performances into wins.

We have made good progress this season, but we will continue to strive to improve and to find the cutting edge that will start delivering the results that we know this team is capable of producing.

Playing at this level, there will always be bumps in the road, and that is how we should reflect on those two defeats. It is harder to accept defeat having put in such good levels of performance, especially given the high levels of performance we have seen this season, but I have every confidence in the group of players we have here at the club. We will stick together, keep working hard on the training ground and aim to turn those positive performances into positive results.

By Paul Hazlewood
Albion prepare for this Saturday's match against Leicester City.

We have another tough encounter tonight against a Leicester City team who have performed very well this season. I am a big admirer of Brendan Rodgers’ footballing ethos, and it’s no coincidence that his side are again pushing for a top-four finish.

When we visited the King Power Stadium earlier in the season, we were distinctly second best on the night, but showed the strides we have made since by competing very well in the recent FA Cup game between the sides. If we show the same endeavour and spirit that we displayed in that game, then we will give ourselves a good chance this evening.

By Paul Hazlewood
Zak Emmerson celebrates his stunning late winner against Chelsea.

Finally, I would like to mention the recent excellent form of our under-18 side, who won all three of their fixtures in February, against Southampton, Arsenal and West Ham. Mark Beard has done an excellent job with his team, and the same can be said of Shannon Ruth and Andrew Crofts, since they stepped up to take the reins with the under-23s.

As I’ve always said, there’s a pathway to our first team here – and it’s good to see our younger players making the most of the opportunities given to them. I look forward to seeing continued improvement from the players in both sides as the season continues.

Enjoy the game.