Justin admits Maresca methods have taken some getting used to

James Justin has had to adjust to a completely new way of playing under Enzo Maresca at Leicester — but he knows the Italian's methods are paying off.

Maresca left Pep Guardiola's Manchester City to join the Foxes following their relegation last summer and has led them to a seven-point lead at the top of the Championship.

Full-back Justin, 25, is back enjoying his football regularly again in the second tier after putting an injury-hit period behind him.

And ahead of a huge clash against title rivals Ipswich tonight, he told LiveScore: "It's been a lot different to what I've been used to. I've only had a handful of managers in my career so far.

"He's brought in his own methods and his own style of play and he's very keen on that. 

"I'm adjusting to doing things that I've never done before. So it took a bit of time to adapt.

"But now that I'm in the swing of things, I feel like it's a great style of play.

"You can look at how we've been doing this season and it's paying off."

Just like Pep

Maresca, 43, was Guardiola's No2 during City's historic Treble win.

And Justin has been one of the players to take on an inverted full-back role for the Foxes — tucking into midfield when in possession to create an overload — a tactic the former Juventus midfielder has brought over from the Etihad.

Asked if he sees parallels between the legendary Catalan and his own boss, Justin replied: "Yeah, of course. 

"I feel like a lot of teams have started to play a similar way now, moving one of the full-backs inside or a centre-back up into midfield like he [Guardiola] does with [John] Stones at City sometimes.

"So I feel like a lot of teams are going that way now because it gives you more security behind the ball when you're attacking. 

"I can definitely see things that are very similar when I watch City play to when we're out on the training field or on matchdays."

Back in the EFL

While Justin's football upbringing was in the EFL with Luton, this is the one-cap England international's first season in the Championship.

He admitted: "I have been so used to playing or being involved in 38-game seasons for a long time now. 

"I couldn't even remember what it was like playing 46 games at Luton because it was a good five years ago now.

"So it was definitely a shock to reality when you're playing Saturday to Tuesday so much.

"Every game has been difficult. You have to be on your game or else you could get hit with a sucker punch."

Foxes being hunted

Leicester's season suffered a rare low point last time out as they were beaten 3-1 by Midlands rivals Coventry in just their fourth defeat.

Justin knows teams come with extra motivation when they face the 2015-16 Premier League winners and is expecting a similar challenge when the Tractor Boys visit this evening. 

The Foxes ace said: "Everyone wants to beat us when they come to the King Power Stadium. It's something that we've had to get used to."