Leicester City's Jamie Vardy has sent out a defiant message to the Premier League: "We don't fear anyone!"
The striker said City have not been fazed by facing the Premier League's heavyweights during their tough start to the season and believes their performances against Everton, Chelsea, Arsenal and especially Manchester United proves their strong mental approach.
"We fear no-one," he said. "You can't fear any team because, if you do, there is only going to be one result – and that's a loss.
"We know how good we are and that we will always create chances.
"We look at teams, their strengths and weaknesses, and look for ways to exploit them.
"I think we have made a pretty good start.
"We go out to try to win every single game. That is the only way we know how to play.
"We all have the same attitude. We will fight until the last minute and run through a brick wall for each other. That is how it should be."
Vardy has certainly not been a respecter of reputations so far this season and his all-action display against United, in particular, summed up his approach.
"I don't know any other way to play but to be aggressive and run," he said.
Vardy earned City two penalties in that game and had another shout for a spot-kick turned down at Crystal Palace a week later.
Vardy won a host of penalties last season as well and, while he has been criticised for going down too easily inside the penalty box in the past, manager Nigel Pearson said the penalty outcomes were due solely to his style.
"Jamie won a lot of penalties last season due to his aggression and his pace," said Pearson.
"Players have to be very careful about contact in the box.
"I look at the penalties from last year and, I have to say, people did moan but if you look at them and review them all, you would be hard pushed to find a penalty that definitely wasn't a penalty.
"If you are looking at Jamie for instance, his commitment and pace in the box is such that
it commits defenders. I think you will find in the Premier League defenders have more nous.
"You hear a lot about simulation but I think the players are aware of the dangers of simulation this season.
"We will have to see how the season develops in terms of whether penalties are prolific or not. I have not seen too many players going down too easily so far. The only thing I have seen so far is that players getting around the referee seems a little more common in the Premier League than the Championship. That is only an observation, whether that is right or wrong."
