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Craig Shakespeare says Leicester have endured a tough run of fixtures

Craig Shakespeare, manager of Leicester City
Image: Craig Shakespeare says it has been a tough start to the season for Leicester

Craig Shakespeare believes Leicester's difficult run of fixtures at the start of the season provides some context to their disappointing run of results.

However, the Foxes manager believes his side should have secured more points and is looking to head into the international break with a positive result at Bournemouth on Saturday.

Leicester have won only one of their opening six Premier League matches but these include games against Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool.

The 53-year-old said: "I think the fixtures we've had does help explain the run we are on but we are disappointed because we wanted a better points return.

Jamie Vardy reacts to his penalty being saved against Liverpool
Image: Jamie Vardy missed a penalty against Liverpool in a 3-2 loss

"We knew at the beginning of the season, when the fixtures were put out, that it was going to be hard.

"We knew we were up against some of the top teams and we knew what to expect, so there's no point harping on about it.

"You have to move on and we're over that but that doesn't mean that any of the games coming up are any easier.

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"Bournemouth are a very good side but they haven't made the best of starts either, for whatever reason.

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Leicester 2-3 Liverpool

"But we are concentrating on ourselves, and our strengths, and we will head down there with confidence."

Leicester lost 3-2 at home to Liverpool last Saturday - a few days after beating the same opposition in a cup game - with Jamie Vardy missing a 73rd-minute penalty.

But Shakespeare does not think the failed spot-kick will affect the England striker too much: "Because of his character, I think he can get over it quite easily, very quickly.

"Of course the disappointment is still there but I think he's the type of person who will not shy away from taking the next one."

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