Kasper Schmeichel believes Leicester City’s lows could help them achieve the ultimate high with Premier League glory.
The Foxes are top of the table after being bottom at the same stage last season, only avoiding relegation with seven wins from the last nine games.
A convincing 3-1 win at Manchester City on Saturday has made them surprise championship favourites this time around – and left their big-spending title rivals “nervous” and under more pressure according to boss Claudio Ranieri.
And Schmeichel, at the club during Leicester’s struggles in the Championship, says they have now set such high standards that conceding a late goal to Sergio Aguero soured the superb success against his former team.
When will the nerves kick in for Leicester? Some disagreement between @martinkeown5 and @jjenas8#MOTD2 https://t.co/tGA0gGJLGM
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) February 7, 2016
The Danish keeper said: “Of course we are disappointed with that – and shows we want more because that would have been six out of seven clean sheets in the league.
“We are disappointed by that, but we will enjoy this win. We have got a squad that has been together for a while and been through some highs and lows and those times bond you together. We all get along well and that shows on the pitch.
“A lot of us have played in the lower leagues and we are in the Premier League now so there’s no reason not to enjoy it. Of course we are good enough to be there [at the top]. We are confident in every game and that’s been the same all season.
“We take one game at a time and that’s not going to change. We don’t need to show anything or prove anything, it’s about collecting points at the moment and seeing where that takes us. We are not getting ahead of ourselves.”
Schmeichel insists the focus will be on the next game against Arsenal, who are five points behind.
Boss Ranieri revealed he highlights his side’s mistakes to keep them grounded and their past survival fight could be a crucial factor in landing a first top-flight title.
“I don’t know exactly if the pressure was bigger last season, but I would think yes because if you don’t survive and go down it’s difficult to come back,” he said. “That is helping the spirit now.
“Last season was a big, big pressure for them. Now they can remember the pressure they faced last season, they can smell how it was and stay calm this season. Leicester’s starting line-up at City cost just £22.25million (Dh120m) and a style of keeping things simple and providing the spectacular was summed up by the performances of two-goal defender Robert Huth and Riyad Mahrez, who claimed a fine solo effort.
“Top-class players are capable of special things and he’s definitely that,” Schmeichel added of Mahrez. “Of course he will be up there [as a Player of the Year contender], but everyone’s playing their part.”
