Leicester City

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Former Leicester City striker David Nugent says he did not see any "fight" or "work-rate" after the Foxes went 3-1 down against Brentford at Gtech Community Stadium in front of new manager Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Speaking on BBC Radio Leicester's When You're Smiling podcast, Nugent said: "It was a hard watch, especially towards the end, after such a positive start. It just felt like the players gave up. The third goal killed us.

"In the second half, we didn't even lay a glove on them. [Stephy] Mavididi came on and looked sharp. Luke Thomas was excellent throughout - even though we were beaten 4-1, he kept their danger man [Bryan] Mbeumo really quiet.

"It is frustrating because sometimes, in these games, you need that fight and I didn't see that. When the team is struggling, you are looking for someone to make a tackle or close someone down. I didn't see any work-rate."

On Van Nistelrooy being in attendance, Nugent added: "It's not ideal getting beaten 4-1 when you have your new manager watching in the stands. He is probably thinking: 'On Tuesday, what am I going to do?'

"He probably looked at that performance and saw two players who made an impression. It is not enough. You need to show the new manager you want to play for this club - and I didn't see that.

"I saw 60 minutes of players looking like they didn't want to be outside on the football pitch.

"I've played in games when you are 4-1 down and it is hard to keep going, but you have fans that have travelled from Leicester all the way down to London. They will respect you more if you show effort on the pitch.

"The least you can do at that scoreline is try your hardest, but I didn't see any of that."

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It is one of the most eagerly anticipated dates in the football calendar as Premier League and Championship clubs join the FA Cup action from round three.

The draw will take place on Monday, 2 December from 19:00 GMT and can be watched live on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's five Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from Friday's game between Brighton and Southampton.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Crystal Palace 1-1 Newcastle United

• West Ham United 2-5 Arsenal

The latest When You're Smiling podcast has landed.

BBC Radio Leicester's Jack Rafferty has been mulling over Leicester City's latest Premier League defeat with former Foxes striker David Nugent, who says the game was a "hard watch after such a positive start".

Plus hear post-match reaction from caretaker boss Ben Dawson.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Defender Conor Coady has admitted that Leicester's squad are in a "dark place" after their 4-1 thumping at Brentford.

Kevin Schade's first senior hat-trick and Yoane Wissa's leveller completed the Bees' comeback in west London on Saturday afternoon.

Facundo Buonanotte gave the Foxes a shock lead against the run of play, but the hosts raced into a 3-1 lead before half-time with Schade completing his treble just before the hour.

Defeat - a fifth in their last eight games - came in front of incoming new manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, who watched on from the stands.

The squad were also criticised for their Christmas party in Copenhagen last weekend, with caretaker boss Ben Dawson confirming they had been spoken to by the club this week.

"We are in a dark place at the moment. We have got to pull ourselves through it and look at ourselves in the mirror," Coady told Sky Sports, with Leicester City 16th in the Premier League and one point above the relegation zone.

"We will see new manager in training tomorrow. There is a full season to go, the new manager is coming in tomorrow and we have to go from there."

Van Nistelrooy sat next to owner Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha at Gtech Community Stadium, after his appointment was announced on Friday.

Dawson will debrief Van Nistelrooy on Sunday, with Coady "looking forward to" working with the ex-Netherlands international.

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Leicester City have won just one of their last 15 away games in the Premier League (D5 L9), keeping just one clean sheet and conceding 34 goals (2.3 per game) in this spell.

Facundo Buonanotte has scored four goals in 11 Premier League games for the Foxes, as many as he has netted in 40 appearances for his parent club Brighton in the competition.

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Leicester City caretaker boss Ben Dawson has been speaking to Match of the Day following the defeat: "As expected. We knew coming here about Brentford's home record and the crowd getting behind them.

"We got ourselves in front with the goal and decision-making in key moments have contributed to the scoreline. Not so much the first one, but the second one we are down to 10 men and then the third just before half-time.

"They hit hard. We showed some good play for some parts of the game.

"The thinking was to try to get three points. We reassessed everyone and thought that the best way was to go out to get three points."

On whether he has had any contact with new manager Ruud van Nistelrooy: "Only last night, we exchanged a few texts and we'll catch up tomorrow.

"A bit of a challenging afternoon. It can be a lonely place stood on that touchline, but everyone was excited when the announcement was made yesterday so hopefully that positivity continues."

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Leicester City defender Conor Coady has been speaking to Sky Sports following the heavy defeat: "We weren't good enough. We are conceding too many goals and not creating enough chances. We are in a bad place, but only we can get ourselves together. We are in a dark place at the moment.

"We have got to pull ourselves through it and look at ourselves in the mirror. We have got to look at ourselves. We will see new manager in training tomorrow. There's a full season to go, the new manager is coming in tomorrow and we have to go from there.

"We need to get better at a lot of things. We are not doing things well enough. We can't accept that as a club, as players and as a team. We need to really build and get better."

On the mood in the dressing room: "Down - but there's a lot [of players] who need to take responsibility. We need to speak to each other and get the best out of each other.

"We've had a few team meetings this week, just the players. We have to do that because we have to look at ourselves, that's what good teams do. We're not showing that we are a good team at the moment.

"We are giving too many chances away - the whole team. I look at myself individually and there's a lot of players that need to do that too."

On Ruud van Nistelrooy coming in as manager: "We are looking forward to it, having a new manager come in and show us where we need to get better.

"We've been here before and we have to take responsibility and try to get better."

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Brentford fans, let us know your thoughts, external

How did you think you performed, Leicester supporters?, external

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Five matches make up Saturday's Premier League action, and we will bring you every moment.

• Brentford v Leicester

• Crystal Palace v Newcastle (listen on BBC Radio 5 Live)

• Nottingham Forest v Ipswich

• Wolves v Bournemouth

• West Ham v Arsenal - 17:30 (listen on BBC Radio 5 Live)

Kick-offs 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.

For week 13, he takes on boxer Sunny Edwards who is a Chelsea fan.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Ruud van Nistelrooy has now been confirmed as Leicester's new manager, and he will be in attendance at Gtech Community Stadium.

The smart move would probably have been to distance himself from this game because, with five wins and a draw so far, Brentford have got the best home record in the Premier League this season.

If you are Ruud, you jet in after the game - Heathrow Airport is not far away - and jump on the team bus for the trip home after the Foxes get pumped.

I have got some sympathy for Steve Cooper over his dismissal by the way. Leicester were always going to struggle this season.

There are all sorts of stories flying around about how the players never bought into his methods. Maybe there is an element of it where the Leicester players think they are better than they are, but they certainly need to improve their timing.

There are photos of the squad out in Copenhagen this week for their Christmas party, and if they are holding that in November then something is wrong - although I must admit we have had the decorations up at our house for three weeks already.

Edwards' prediction: 1-2

I reckon Leicester will find something here, there will be a reaction to seeing the manager get sacked.

Read the full predictions and have your say

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Ruud van Nistelrooy says the history of Leicester City is "impressive" after being unveiled as new manager.

The former Manchester United striker has signed a three-year deal at King Power Stadium but will not be in charge for Saturday's trip to Brentford. Rather, he will be in the dugout for the first time on Tuesday at home to West Ham United.

"I'm proud, I'm excited," Van Nistelrooy said. "Everybody that I speak to about Leicester City Football Club is enthusiastic.

"They have great stories about the quality of the people working at the club, the supporters and, of course, the recent history of the club is impressive.

"I’m excited to start and to get to know everyone and give everything I can."

Foxes chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha added: "Ruud’s experience, knowledge, and winning mentality will undoubtedly bring great value to us, and we look forward to supporting him in achieving success for our fans and our club.

"He joins a club with a rich history, passionate supporters, and a talented squad, and we are all excited to see the impact he can have as we embark on this new chapter together."

For teams down at the bottom, some have that player who can save them and others are missing that talisman.

Wolves have got Matheus Cunha. If they can really get him firing, we saw last season how important he was to the team. The goal at Fulham at the weekend was one that affected that result. If Gary O'Neil can get him back to his best, he could be their potential saviour this season.

On the other hand, I do not think Southampton have that player. They relied heavily on Adam Armstrong in the Championship for goals, but I do not think he brings the same qualities we saw last season when he was able to get a consistent run of goals. Yes, Southampton are a great possession-based team but they do not have that player that will get 20 goals.

With Ipswich, they have got Liam Delap with all his attributes and they also have Omari Hutchinson too who can contribute towards the goalscoring the team needs.

When I look at Everton, I do not see them having that talisman, that player that is going to get you the goals, but as a team they have a knowhow in the Premier League. That is so important when you are fighting at the bottom. That is what Everton collectively as a team and boss Sean Dyche know how to do.

Crystal Palace have got Jean-Phillippe Mateta, they have got Eddie Nketiah, there is Ebere Eze too if they can keep him fit, so I am not worried for them. They have got a lot of injuries which has not helped and they lost two key players in the summer, but I think they have enough. If they can get players back fit, they can go on a run again like we saw at the end of last season.

And then there is Leicester. They have only really got Jamie Vardy who is ageing but does know how to score goals in the Premier League. They are struggling and I feel out of the teams battling relegation, it is Leicester and Southampton who have not got a talisman that can save them.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Caretaker managers are in an impossible position, especially when everyone is aware of the incoming new boss.

Ruud van Nistelrooy is due to be named at Leicester's new manager, replacing Steve Cooper after he was sacked on Sunday, but Ben Dawson will take charge for Saturday's game at Brentford.

Facing the media on Friday, Dawson, a former Newcastle coach, kept his answers clear and concise, although in his position there is a recognition from both sides there is little he can say definitively.

Yet he was strong and assertive when speaking about Leicester players' behaviour at their Christmas party in Copenhagen at the weekend.

He deflected questions about Van Nistelrooy and his imminent arrival but was able to show a glimpse of his character, revealing he was at laser tag with his family on Sunday afternoon when he was told of Cooper's departure.

Dawson only joined from the Magpies in July and could also follow Cooper out of the door at Leicester, depending on the make-up of Van Nistelrooy's backroom staff.

He has a chance to show his credentials as a Premier League manager at Brentford on Saturday.

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Leicester caretaker boss Ben Dawson discovered Steve Cooper had been sacked while at laser tag with his family.

The former Newcastle coach was asked to take the Foxes' first team while he was relaxing during a Sunday trip out.

Confirmation of Cooper's exit came in the afternoon and Dawson had to maintain his cool having been asked to take charge.

He said: "I was at laser tag with my two boys and my wife and a group of grassroots players and parents. I tried to look relaxed and calm. Then the news breaks publicly and you face a lot of questions.

"I just tried to digest the information, reach out to Steve, Alan [Tate] and Steve [Rands] and check they were OK.

"Like the players it's my time off, I'm trying to spend a bit of time with my family, switch off and detach so I can come back refreshed and ready to go."

Phil Cartwright
BBC Sport journalist

Leicester City first-team coach Ben Dawson has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game at Brentford (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On Steve Cooper's departure: "It was a little bit unexpected. Obviously I've had a few messages back and forward with Steve - first and foremost just to check that he's OK. It's never nice when three good people lose their jobs."

• He continued: "The focus has very quickly shifted to getting back in with the players, preparing training and looking forward to the game on Saturday."

• Dawson said he has not been told how long he will be in charge of the side, and on reports that Ruud van Nistelrooy is set to become the next Foxes manager, he added: "We probably know as much as you [reporters] do at the moment. We're just focusing on the game."

• Asked what priorities a new manager will have - other than winning games - Dawson said: "In these situations, it's more about stability. The one thing everybody at a football club wants at these times is some certainty. As soon as a decision is made, everybody can get behind that person and move forward."

• On the fallout from the players' trip to Copenhagen last weekend: "The lads had a couple of days off and it's their decision what they do with their time off. The issues mentioned, the club have dealt with [it] pretty quickly early in the week and everybody's moved on. The lads have been really professional, worked well and we're looking forward to the game."

• Asked if the current group of players is good enough to stay in the Premier League, Dawson replied: "Absolutely. I see them work every day, they're good footballers. At times you need a bit of luck here and there - that balances out across the season - but from what I see on a daily basis, their endeavour and quality, I think they've got more than enough to stay in this league."

• Harry Winks is "recovering well" from his injury but unlikely to feature against Brentford.

• On the Bees: "They've got a really good home record this year. Previous experiences of going there have always been that it's a tough place to go and the crowd create a really good environment for a Premier League game."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Former Foxes striker Matty Fryatt is sceptical about Ruud van Nistelrooy as Leicester City's new manager, with the club still yet to officially announce the appointment.

Speaking on the latest When You're Smiling podcast, Fryatt said: "I didn't see this coming at the start of the season! I'm not entirely sure on him, in terms of him being unproven and where Leicester City are currently at.

"He was obviously a fantastic player. He always played at the top with Manchester United, Real Madrid and those types of teams.

"He was head coach at PSV but it is usually a three-horse race in that league, so that means being at the wrong end of the table is unfamiliar.

"You look at the other managerial candidates, especially Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, they never really cut it at Premier League level.

"But the Leicester City board might be looking at it and thinking in the same school of thought as the route of Mikel Arteta, Enzo Maresca, Kieran McKenna and Michael Carrick. They might be hoping that route has something behind it.

"Obviously he will get the respect for his player career, but I'm not sure as a manager because it is something different.

"The club has acted swiftly. Previously, in their relegation campaign, they were a bit late in terms of sacking Brendan Rodgers. I think it needed to be changed sooner, so they have acted quickly this time and obviously identified Van Nistelrooy as their man."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds