Foster: City Aiming For ‘Maximum Points’ In The Run-In
Aiming for a strong end to the 2023/24 campaign, Leicester’s penultimate home game sees them welcome fourth-placed Man Utd to Filbert Way this Sunday afternoon (3pm BST kick-off).
The Interim Manager discussed the fixture and the mood within the Foxes’ camp during Friday’s press conference with the media…
Two good goalkeepers
Janina Leitzig's injury a few months ago paved the way for Dutch shot-stopper Lize Kop to make her mark in between the Leicester sticks and has impressed with some big saves, despite the team failing to keep a clean sheet in five games.
Now the former Bayern Munich ‘keeper is back in training and fighting for that jersey, Foster spoke about the importance of competition between two good choices for a place in Sunday’s team.
“I think the no.1 spot is still up for grabs for both of them because competition needs to be there in training,” the Interim Manager explained. “At the moment it is a case of who trains best.
“Lize [Kop] has done well over the last three games and prior to that when Janina [Leitzig] was out but it’s about who’s right for the shirt and who is the right fit for the game ahead.”
Reflecting on Arsenal
Last time out, Leicester found themselves on the wrong end of a 3-0 scoreline at Emirates Stadium, as Arsenal's quality shone through in the second half of the Barclays Women's Super League fixture.
Disappointed to switch off at crucial moments in the game, the English coach admitted that the finer details are still the Foxes’ weakness but believes a positive week of training has put the team in good stead to face the Red Devils.
“I think it’s about coming up with those solutions when we’re hitting those specific periods of the game in what we do,” Foster continued. “For instance, if there’s fatigue, but at the weekend I think it was a concentration thing and communication.
“We know it’s important, we’ve conceded around a similar time over the course of the season, it’s not just the last few games. We know that when we get to those moments in the game, it’s about making sure we’re switched on.
“The ‘keepers are so important because if we’re getting to those last periods of game, where the opposition are chasing a goal, we need to make sure they can see what’s going on.
“But it filters up the pitch, starting with our press and working backwards from there. It’s key from our backline that we stay aware of what’s going on. For example, picking up players on crosses, but the players have been brilliant, and I have every faith that we can solve that problem.”
Looking at the run-in
Three games remain for City who have already guaranteed WSL football next season following Bristol City’s narrow loss to Liverpool last weekend. But that doesn’t stop Leicester aiming for a high finish in the standings, with seventh place still up for grabs.
Foster added: “The message to the players has been to aim for maximum points. There’s three points between us and seventh place so although we had the top six aim, seventh is still within our grasp.
“The only way we can achieve that is by taking maximum points from those last three games. The players are hungry; there’s been that frustration because the performances have been there, it’s just been the small details to let us down.
“That’s where the frustration comes in, but it just makes the team even more determined to finish the season strongly.”