Leicester City boss Dean Smith makes bold ‘doesn’t matter’ Everton claim ahead of crunch final day
Leicester City boss Dean Smith has claimed that the pivotal Everton clash with Bournemouth on Sunday “doesn’t matter’ in regard to his priority of guiding his team to a win over West Ham United, as reported by the Liverpool Echo.
The Foxes’ head coach needs his team to secure a victory and hope that the Cherries can secure three points of their own at Goodison Park if they are to stay in the top flight.
It promises to be a day of drama and emotion as the battle to avoid relegation comes to a conclusion on the final day of the Premier League campaign.
When asked if he would be tracking the Everton game, Smith was adamant that his sole focus would be on what happens at the King Power Stadium and within their own control, even though their fate will be dictated by other matters, elsewhere, and on Merseyside in particular.
“No, not at all, I don’t need to,” he said.
“As I say, I will concentrate on our game and be fully immersed into our game and the tactics of our game to make any changes needed to try and win the game.
“What happens elsewhere I’ll know after the final whistle. It’s a similar message sent to the players on the pitch, with full concentration on getting all three points and not thinking of what could be happening elsewhere.”
“We just have to concentrate on our own game. It’s simplistic, we have to win, it doesn’t matter what is going on at other grounds. Just win.”
Get real
No one will be taking Smith’s comments seriously.
Of course, they need to win their own game first, but how can they not be tracking what is happening at Goodison when it could have such a pivotal effect on Leicester’s future?
All he had to say is that they will be aware of the score but that it is out of their hands.
To deny or ignore it is just foolish.
As it is, the Toffees are in the driving seat with Sean Dyche rallying his troops to secure the win that will ensure Premier League football returns to Goodison next season.
It is a clear advantage over Leicester as well as Leeds United, who need to beat Tottenham at home, before they can look to benefit from any slip-up by Everton.
The pressure is on and it’s all about the result, nothing else matters for Dyche and his men who will be roared on by a raucous capacity crowd on Sunday afternoon.