By kickspoll 
Leicester City have experienced a resurgence, securing back-to-back Premier League victories, including a 3-2 win over Southampton, which pushed them six points clear of the relegation zone. Despite this positive momentum, one topic has sparked debate among fans: why Ricardo Pereira has not been starting.
Steve Cooper addressed the situation ahead of the East Midlands derby against Nottingham Forest. When asked about Pereira’s limited playing time and James Justin’s selection over him, Cooper provided a measured response.
“You want fans to debate,” Cooper said. “But we go through those decisions with team selection. There’s always a question to be asked—it’s just part of performance. If every position had competition as strong as JJ and Ricardo battling it out, we’d be in a good place.”
Despite Justin being at fault for Southampton’s first goal, Cooper defended his choice, emphasizing that the defensive weaknesses on the right side are not solely an individual issue but a team concern. “We never focus on individuals; it’s something we’re aware of and working on.”
Leicester will be looking to secure their third consecutive win in Friday’s derby, which could see them rise to ninth place in the Premier League.