‘Continue To Grow’ - Van Nistelrooy’s Pre-Newcastle Message

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‘Continue To Grow’ - Van Nistelrooy’s Pre-Newcastle Message

Ruud van Nistelrooy is aiming to build on the good work done during his first two games in charge when Leicester City travel to take on Newcastle this weekend.

2024-12-14T07:00+00:00

by Sam Jones

Published

14 Dec, 2024

‘Continue To Grow’ - Van Nistelrooy’s Pre-Newcastle Message

Ruud van Nistelrooy is aiming to build on the good work done during his first two games in charge when Leicester City travel to take on Newcastle this weekend.

Sam Jones

2024-12-14T07:00+00:00

‘Continue To Grow’ - Van Nistelrooy’s Pre-Newcastle Message

Ruud van Nistelrooy is aiming to build on the good work done during his first two games in charge when Leicester City travel to take on Newcastle this weekend.

Sam Jones

2024-12-14T07:00+00:00

‘Continue To Grow’ - Van Nistelrooy’s Pre-Newcastle Message

Ruud van Nistelrooy is aiming to build on the good work done during his first two games in charge when Leicester City travel to take on Newcastle this weekend.

Sam Jones

2024-12-14T07:00+00:00

‘Continue To Grow’ - Van Nistelrooy’s Pre-Newcastle Message

Ruud van Nistelrooy is aiming to build on the good work done during his first two games in charge when Leicester City travel to take on Newcastle this weekend.

Sam Jones

2024-12-14T07:00+00:00

Saturday’s meeting with the Magpies at St. James’ Park (3pm GMT kick-off) represents the Dutchman’s first away fixture, having remained unbeaten against West Ham United and Brighton & Hove Albion last week, collecting what could be a vital four points for the Foxes.

‘A continuous process’

Fielding questions from the media at LCFC Training Ground.

Speaking in Thursday's pre-match press conference, the 48-year-old referenced the benefit of a full training week leading into the battle with Newcastle, allowing more time to prepare and focus on key priority areas as he seeks to ensure City continue their upward trajectory.

“It’s been great to use the first two games to work on what we try and achieve,” he told reporters in Seagrave. “Of course, the results are one, that’s always important, but also from a development point of view, the different areas of the game - if it’s in build-up or the final third, or defending in the box.

“In our attacking formation, those phases have been evaluated from the games. We took it into training sessions to further develop. We had a good week. We had four days of training before Saturday’s game where we can work on things. It’s a continuous process.

“The progress of the last two home games and the results and confidence, I want to take that into this game and especially the development of certain areas of what we’ve been working on.

“In the end, the progress of the individuals and the team will give us the best chance of winning points. I believe that’s the next step that we have to take on Saturday.”

‘They have quality’

It ended in an entertaining 3-3 draw with Liverpool in Newcastle's last home fixture.

Discussing the clear threats posed by Saturday’s hosts, City’s Manager believes Newcastle may be in a false position in the table given their attacking qualities, with Eddie Howe’s side sitting 12th heading into the weekend’s fixtures. He also paid tribute to former Newcastle manager Sir Bobby Robson, who managed van Nistelrooy during his time at PSV.

“The only memory I have from St. James’ Park is a big one and an important one and that’s Bobby Robson,” he reflected. “Walking into the tunnel, there’s a statue of him outside, but also inside.

“Leading up to this game, my thoughts went back to the year I had with him at PSV Eindhoven. He was just a wonderful man and a great manager. Thinking of him makes me smile so I will go there especially with that thought.

“I focus all my energy on my own team, but I look at Newcastle’s squad and we know how strong they can be at St. James’ Park. I look at the individual qualities and I don’t think we should focus so much on where they are in the league, but more the potential that they have.

“It’s clear with the potential of players they have. If you look at their offensive threat, [Alexander] Isak scores, [Anthony] Gordon, the midfield power they have with Joelinton, [Bruno] Guimarães, [Sean] Longstaff and other options to come in from the wings.

“They have many options and quality. [Miquel] Almirón is always one to watch, of course, with his ability. We have to be prepared for that. In that sense, it’s a great squad.

“They have a lot of options to start and coming off the bench and we have to be spot on to have a good game on Saturday. It’s good for us to come up against such a good opposition and continue to grow ourselves.”

‘We need everyone’

Jannik Vestergaard has come into the side alongside Conor Coady under van Nistelrooy.

With both Wilfred Ndidi and Boubakary Soumaré unavailable for the trip to the North East, Leicester will have to field a new midfield partnership on Saturday, and van Nistelrooy was keen to point out the importance of every player within the squad.

“We have different profiles on the pivots that we can use for different games,” he explained. “Now options are limited because of suspension and injury, so then you deal with the players that you have. We have profiles there with Skippy (Oliver Skipp) and Hamza [Choudhury] who can play in those positions.

“We have other players who can potentially play there from the backline or maybe from the wings. We have got some options and we’ll see what we come up with on Saturday.

“I think it’s important to get a good [central defensive] partnership going, a partnership that is experienced and leads. They played very well, like all of the starters. And the impact that the subs made in both games was just as important. They changed the game. I’m very happy with that reaction from the squad.

“We have very good options and profiles with Wout [Faes] and Caleb [Okoli]. We are going to need them all over the next month. Wout was also important with the games that he came on in quite early on against West Ham and Brighton. He fulfilled a very good role coming off the bench.

“Caleb, we know his potential and his qualities as well. But it’s the same as the pivots - with injury and suspension, we need all the players on board. We know what the Premier League is like. There will be many games coming thick and fast over the Christmas and New Year period. The FA Cup is around the corner and we need every player ready to play.”

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