Rodgers tells average performers, Ndidi and Iheanacho they are in relegation fight 

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has told his Leicester City players, including Super Eagles duo Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi who performed poorly against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, that they are in a fight for Premier League survival after a fourth straight loss saw them move closer to the relegation zone.

A 2-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest means City are now just two points off Southampton in 20th spot, with the bottom clubs bunching up after Saturday’s action. With the season now at its halfway point, Rodgers said he and his players cannot ignore the reality of their situation.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Rodgers said: “Absolutely (the club is in the relegation battle). I said that afterwards (to the players). Let’s not pretend you’re not.

 “It’s a long season for us. I have to be honest with you. If you look at our form and where we’re at, then of course it’s a worry.

“But there are still so many games to go. If we can get back the players that give a different dimension to our team, then we can push on again. At the moment, with what we’ve got, it’s a real challenge.

“It’s very competitive. We’ve said it before, but you’ve seen Southampton beating Man City this week. It’s a very competitive league. If you want to be in it, you have to fight to stay in it, and that’s what we aim to do.”

The latest defeat in their run of four may have been the most difficult to take, given it came against a local rival and a fellow bottom-half side. Brennan Johnson scored twice in the second half for Forest after Harvey Barnes had let a couple of big moments go begging.

“It was a disappointing second half,” Rodgers added. “They had two chances and scored them and we had two and didn’t.

“First half, we started well. We were strong when we had to be, which is what you need in a derby game. We had Harvey’s opportunity. We looked fine, confident in our play.

“Second half, we never started. We were slow in our passing. We still had a chance to go in front, but the big disappointment is we were somehow so open in the middle of the pitch for the opening goal. We stressed, against Nottingham Forest, it’s about defending the counter attack. We covered the spaces well in the first half. But in that moment we lost our concentration when we lost the ball and they broke right through us.

Meanwhile, pundits say the duo didn’t perform well in the match. They gave Ndidi four out of ten and described his performance thus, 

“He was too eager to win the ball back at times, conceding fouls and leaving the defence unguarded as a result. There was one awful pass in the second half that nearly led to a Forest goal, but he did at least compose himself after that. He’s still some way off his best self though. And Iheanacho who was scored five out ten was described thus,”Picked up the ball in nice areas, but didn't do anything