Voices on the game... Leicester

In our new feature here on tottenhamhotspur.com, we bring you some of the key opinions on each fixture ahead of kick-off, featuring a selection of voices from inside both clubs involved and the wider footballing world. Here’s what’s being said ahead of Saturday’s Premier League trip to Leicester City (12.30pm)...

John Percy

Midlands football reporter for the Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph

“Leicester City are one of the teams who have been strongly backed not only to break the top six, but the top four this season. They spent well again over the summer and despite the sale of Harry Maguire to Manchester United, they still have a very young core in the squad alongside the experience of the likes of Jamie Vardy, Jonny Evans and Kasper Schmeichel.

“This is a game I really think Leicester need to win to make a statement. They had a draw at Chelsea (1-1, 18 August) where they should probably have won and had a game that was really hyped up last week at United where, by all accounts, they were very underwhelming and lost (1-0). So if they are to live up to the expectations a lot of people have put on them – myself included – they probably need to win on Saturday to underline that they are going to be in the mix. For Spurs, a tremendous win last Saturday against Palace was followed by a bit of a give away at Olympiacos on Wednesday night. These games always have that little extra spice now since Leicester won the title and there have been some great matches between the teams in the last few seasons. As I said though, I just think Leicester need to make a statement in this one.”

Harry Winks

Spurs midfielder

“Ultimately we’re unbeaten in three games. Ideally we want to come away with three points from every game but we’ve still got a bit of momentum where we haven’t lost and it’s what we need to work on – building a bit of momentum where we don’t lose. In terms of the Premier League, going to Leicester after a win against Palace is obviously going to be good for our confidence, so hopefully we can take that into the game and get another win.

“It’s going to be a technical battle in midfield against the likes of (Youri) Tielemans. Leicester are a side that like to play and keep the ball and they’ve got technical players, especially in midfield. It’s going to be a fight first and foremost but we have to be technically good enough to deal with them, to be able to keep hold of the ball and try to dominate them. It’ll be a tough battle but one that everyone is looking forward to.”

Jamie Vardy

Leicester striker

Asked how he’ll approach Saturday’s contest, Vardy said: “I won’t approach it any different to how I would any game. I’ll always be making sure that I give 100 per cent. I have to be aggressive, trying to upset the defenders and hopefully I’ll win the ball back as high as possible so that we’re straight onto the attack. I know what my strengths are and I’ll be making sure that I use them to the best of my ability.”

Mauricio Pochettino

Spurs manager

“They are a very good team. After winning the Premier League, they have rebuilt the team. Today it’s a different squad, new mentality, new manager and a great manager like Brendan (Rodgers). That is why it’s going to be tough.”

On the quick turnaround following the midweek Champions League draw at Olympiacos, Mauricio added: “We need to recover and take the best decisions. There will be no excuses. That is why we have a big squad – players who feel fresh, some will repeat, some will struggle to recover and they will rest. What’s important is that this is not an excuse. We are going to arrive in good condition on Saturday and we’ll be ready to fight against Leicester. The most important thing is to recover well, sleep, good nutrition and be ready again with energy to fight against a very good team like Leicester.”

Brendan Rodgers

Leicester manager

“I would rather talk about the great job Mauricio Pochettino has done. I had a good chance to see where he was at (during his time as Liverpool manager) at that early stage of his career at Tottenham and I look now where he is at and what he has achieved in the period he has been there is exceptional.

“I look at (Spurs) then and quite a lot of the players are still there now. The improvement Mauricio has given them, the development he’s given them, the status he has given the club, he has done a brilliant job and will continue to do that.”