Mahrez: "I don't think we can win the league"

[Art Morte]

Leicester winger Riyad Mahrez has dismissed his team's chances of winning the Premier League, despite being top.

The Foxes narrowly avoided relegation last season but are two points clear at the summit after 15 games.

But Mahrez, who took his goal tally to 11 with Saturday's treble at Swansea, is more concerned at getting the eight more points needed to reach 40, a total usually enough for survival.

"I don't think we can win the league," he told BBC World Football.

"We just need to get the 40 points and then after that we will see."


Now, I don't think too many people believe Leicester are going to win the title. But should Mahrez be saying that he doesn't think they can win it? Topping the table after 15 games doesn't happen all by accident. Shouldn't he be showing a bit more fighting spirit than dismissing their chances just like that? And bringing up the 40 points as still the only goal to reach when you've got 32 points before the half-way mark just sounds a little dumb as well.

In my opinion he should be a bit more bullish about their chances and give the fans a boost rather than basically be saying that "we're going to start losing games soon".

What do you think about his quotes?

 

[Stevencc]

The only thing he should've changed is the "can" to "will". Other than that, that's how I'd want my players to speak to the press rather than have something potentially come back at the end of the season to make them look a bit of a c***.

Behind the scenes the team will still be buzzing and believing in themselves no doubt.

He's going to look a right c*** when they win the league.

 

[johnnytodd]

this is Fergie esq...........brilliant son brilliant

 

[JimJams]

I somehow think the fans will forgive him for playing down our chances at "Winning the fucking league" when he's banging in hat tricks and supplying Jamie Asbo. The 40 point target is the first target, Ranieri has been saying it for months, then when we hit that, reassess.
I also don't think anybody is going to be asking him or any of our other players (Inler aside) to show more fighting spirit given what they've done in 2015. We could be out of the top 4 come new year, but given that when tinkerman was appointed we were roundly assumed to be doomed for the drop then being around the European spots is great.
So I don't think we'll hang him just yet. But maybe point and laugh if we do go on to win the lot.

 

[johnnytodd]

I somehow think the fans will forgive him for playing down our chances at "Winning the fucking league" when he's banging in hat tricks and supplying Jamie Asbo. The 40 point target is the first target, Ranieri has been saying it for months, then when we hit that, reassess.
I also don't think anybody is going to be asking him or any of our other players (Inler aside) to show more fighting spirit given what they've done in 2015. We could be out of the top 4 come new year, but given that when tinkerman was appointed we were roundly assumed to be doomed for the drop then being around the European spots is great.
So I don't think we'll hang him just yet. But maybe point and laugh if we do go on to win the lot.

there will be many on here eating their words regarding Leicester...........some of us had faith from the start

 

[snortingfrogs]

If we can't win it I would love to see Leicester win it.

 

[Avatar]

if they don't lose any players, they can make the champions league. united are poor, chelsea are out, and Leicester are deservedly in first place in december. If they are still in the top four by jan, you have to say they are contenders. They are a bit like Celta Vigo.

 

[Tesl]

Well Leicester won't win the league, so what he said is totally reasonable.

Only a Liverpool fan would be recommending he should instead live in a fantasy world where he believes they will win the league every year ^^

 

[thespus]

"Since Fergie retired, Leicester City have spent more days top of the Premier League (17) than Manchester United (10)."

 

[AtaturkOzgutson]

Well he's completely consistent with his manager, which is a reassuring sign.

And Leicester clearly won't win the league. Top 6/8 finish beckons.

 

[Art Morte]

I just find it boring if players don't believe in themselves and the team. I don't mind neutrals saying "they won't win it, won't even finish in top-4", but players are supposed to have some fighting spirit. The equal of what Mahrez said would be Aston Villa players saying "we will get relegated". What kind of a message does that send to the fans? Your responsibility as a player should be giving your fans hope and telling them you players are giving it your everything and believe in your chances. Saying "yeeeeeah, we know our place, and it's lower down" is just wrong towards the fans, in my opinion.

 

[thespus]

The equal of what Mahrez said would be Aston Villa players saying "we will get relegated".

No. It isn't.

 

[JimJams]

Well he is a boring fucker that Mahrez.

 

[ThisTinpotLeague]

If he had said that they were going to win the league, you can guarantee there'd be a thread on here taking the piss.

What he says to the press is irrelevant if it is an agreed strategy from within the club. And if it isn't an agreed strategy from within the club, they need to look at themselves.

 

[JimJams]

Why?