Dean Smith knows time is not on Leicester’s side as they fight for survival
By Nick Mashiter, PA
Boss Dean Smith admits Leicester are ‘in the last chance saloon’ in their bid to ensure Premier League survival.
The Foxes go to Newcastle on Monday three points from safety with two games left.
Everton’s 1-1 draw at Wolves on Saturday means the fight for survival will go to the final day, regardless of the result at St James’ Park.
Victory will take the Foxes out of the drop zone and above the Toffees on goal difference and Smith is aware of the magnitude of the game.
“We are pretty much in the last chance saloon with a game against Newcastle,” he said, with the Foxes hosting West Ham on the last day on Sunday.
“Disappointment and frustration are the two words I’d say I’ve seen. But we are running out of games to put that right and the players know that.
“When I came in here for the last eight games, if someone had said to me ‘If you win at home the last game of the season (to survive), would you take it?’ I probably would have.
“Hopefully we can get there but we have to get a performance and a result against Newcastle.
“There are things we’ve looked at, things we’ve done. When there is no pressure on the ball, you don’t push up like we did for the first goal against Liverpool.
“There’s an awful lot we’ve done in the classroom in terms of video analysis and we’ve done some stuff on the pitch as well.
“I’ve always said to the players that mistakes are going to happen, from both teams. People are going to make mistakes and you need a helping hand from your team-mate once you make that mistake.
“We probably haven’t been in the positions to help each other out as much as we would like.”
The Magpies need a point to wrap up Champions League qualification while Leicester know two wins from their final two games will seal survival, barring a huge goal difference swing in Everton’s favour.
Smith added: “It’s just a big game. We know what’s at the end of it. I don’t think there’s anyone here who’s not aware of that so our focus is to go there and put in as good a performance as we can.”
