On The Ball: Defence is Rodgers' best form of attack

Brendan Rodgers (with Jamie Vardy at Elland Road on Nov 2) is a former evangelist for possession football, with his side scoring five goals at the Etihad and four at Elland Road with 28 and 32 per cent of the ball respectively. Vardy, especially, rev
Brendan Rodgers (with Jamie Vardy at Elland Road on Nov 2) is a former evangelist for possession football, with his side scoring five goals at the Etihad and four at Elland Road with 28 and 32 per cent of the ball respectively. Vardy, especially, revels in the space behind the defences of ambitious teams. PHOTO: REUTERS
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"Because I am a British manager, we probably got lucky." Brendan Rodgers was reflecting sarcastically on Leicester's 4-1 evisceration of Leeds earlier this month.

It betrayed a sense he feels deprived of the credit he deserved. A man mocked more for some of his pronouncements than his management could complete a grand slam of away wins against much-lauded imports today.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on November 22, 2020, with the headline On The Ball: Defence is Rodgers' best form of attack. Subscribe