Bassett warns Foxes players

Bassett wants a huge improvement at Leicester

Dave Bassett has warned his Leicester City players that reputations count for nothing at Filbert Street.

Bassett issued an ultimatum to his players after taking over as manager from the sacked Peter Taylor.

Leicester face Chelsea (away), Liverpool (home) and Blackburn (away) in their next three matches - and Bassett expects an improvement.

He said: "The players start with a clean slate. They've got to impress me now.

"Yes, I understand certain players have got reputations and you respect that.

"But really it's how they perform on the field from now on that counts. That's how they are all going to be judged.

If players fall below standard they won't be in the team

Dave Bassett

"It's how they perform against Chelsea, Liverpool and Blackburn that matters, whether they've got international caps or whether they've done this or that in the game.

"I don't have favourites. I never have done. Nothing is personal with me. I just pick the team that I think is going to win the game for me.

"I rate Dennis Wise highly - but it's not because I had Dennis at Wimbledon that I am going to persevere with him.

"I respect him enormously and am glad that he is here but if he, like any other player, is not producing then I am going to say 'you're not going to play'.

"He knows that. When he was at Wimbledon he didn't play if he didn't perform, but that goes for anyone in the squad."

Bassett added: "First and foremost, I'll be looking for a performance on Saturday at Chelsea - individually and as a team.

"Most of my teams are passionate, show that they care and are prepared to work hard. I'll be looking for that. If players fall below that standard, they probably won't be in the team.

"I come open-minded to Leicester and everybody will get a chance. But we have got to have a plan and the team has got to play to a system I think is going to be effective for them."