Van Nistelrooy ‘Very Happy’ with Victory, Highlights Areas for Team Development

Ruud van Nistelrooy spoke to BBC Match of the Day following his inaugural victory as Leicester City’s manager against West Ham. He stated, “I’m very happy. In the end, you look at the result and the three points, in the position that we are in, are vital.” He emphasized the demanding nature of the Premier League, noting that “everything has to be right” in every game. The team’s focus must be to “train and develop our defence, our counter attack, our possession.” Van Nistelrooy acknowledged West Ham’s periods of dominance and the scoring opportunities they created, remarking, “It’s something we have to look at and do better next time.” He identified “togetherness, hunger, energy and spirit and fighting for every inch” as a crucial foundation for competing in the Premier League, adding, “I saw that. That’s the foundation we have to build on and without that it’ll be impossible to get where we want to go.” The manager highlighted the significance of “defensive shape,” explaining that West Ham’s “very flexible build-up” made “the timing of the press quite difficult,” requiring “time and co-ordination to get that right.” He observed that “Many times we missed the moment to press.” He concluded this part by stating, “Lots of things to work on but very happy with the three points.” When asked about the role of the fans, van Nistelrooy responded: “When you see a team that is competing and fighting together, it will have an impact on the stands. When you get that behind you and there is connection again it is vital. It drove our performance.” He noted that “The early goal helped, but there were so many duels, tackles and blocks. That’s when fans applaud you. It’s a non-negotiable for us moving forward – that is the attitude [needed].”