‘Extra Motivation’ - Van Nistelrooy On Saints Clash

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‘Extra Motivation’ - Van Nistelrooy On Saints Clash

Ruud van Nistelrooy wants to move forward and end 2024/25 on a positive note, ahead of meeting Southampton at King Power Stadium on Saturday (3pm BST kick-off).

2025-05-03T09:00+01:00

by Sam Jones

Published

03 May, 2025

‘Extra Motivation’ - Van Nistelrooy On Saints Clash

Ruud van Nistelrooy wants to move forward and end 2024/25 on a positive note, ahead of meeting Southampton at King Power Stadium on Saturday (3pm BST kick-off).

Sam Jones

2025-05-03T09:00+01:00

‘Extra Motivation’ - Van Nistelrooy On Saints Clash

Ruud van Nistelrooy wants to move forward and end 2024/25 on a positive note, ahead of meeting Southampton at King Power Stadium on Saturday (3pm BST kick-off).

Sam Jones

2025-05-03T09:00+01:00

‘Extra Motivation’ - Van Nistelrooy On Saints Clash

Ruud van Nistelrooy wants to move forward and end 2024/25 on a positive note, ahead of meeting Southampton at King Power Stadium on Saturday (3pm BST kick-off).

Sam Jones

2025-05-03T09:00+01:00

‘Extra Motivation’ - Van Nistelrooy On Saints Clash

Ruud van Nistelrooy wants to move forward and end 2024/25 on a positive note, ahead of meeting Southampton at King Power Stadium on Saturday (3pm BST kick-off).

Sam Jones

2025-05-03T09:00+01:00

With our fate already sealed, coming to terms with relegation is not an easy task, but one which requires lessons to be learned in order to head into the last four games – and towards next season - with a clearer mindset, as van Nistelrooy outlined in his pre-match briefing with the media on Thursday.

‘Intensity important’

Not the performance or result we wanted against Wolves.

Our 3-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux last Saturday left City back to square one in terms of the performance level produced, now working hard to rectify the problems which have plagued a disappointing campaign.

“It’s clear we’ve been addressing it for a couple of weeks now,” the 48-year-old commented to reporters inside LCFC Training Ground. “We want the season to end as positively as possible within the situation of relegation, because it will continue next season and it’s also preparation for next season and in that sense it’s an interesting fixture.

“We’re responsible to do our jobs in the best way possible, together with staff and players. Focusing on the day-by-day job and doing it the best you can do within the circumstances is all we can do at the moment. You learn an awful lot. The lessons learned are important to use to move forward and that’s what it’s about.

“Being in the job, independent of success or not having success, you learn every day. When you can learn every day, you can improve and that’s one of the most important things in our jobs. And to prepare the game for Saturday. That’s also the focus that we have within the bigger picture.

“Of course, [we want to] react on a disappointing performance against Wolves, especially first half. Although we conceded two, we were much better in the second half. That intensity is important to take into the Southampton game on Saturday.

“The reaction after half-time was good, because it was addressed immediately at half-time and that is important to address and that was the reaction. Moving forward into Saturday’s game, it’s to do the same.”

‘Find the motivation’

Vardy's 13-year Foxes story is almost at an end.

As Jamie Vardy’s approaching departure grows nearer, just two home matches remain in Leicester blue for the legendary figure. City’s Manager reiterated the need to give everything possible in the final games in order to honour his legacy at the Club.

“There’s a combination of motivational factors that I think are important to consider,” he explained. “The best possible farewell for Jamie, competing against a Southampton side that we will also face next season, and finish the season on a positive as much as possible and taking these moments into next season.

“That is why we have to find the motivation and show those actions and behaviours on the pitch on Saturday. It’s up to us as well, I always say it. With the stature that Jamie has within this Club, the farewell of the best-ever player and most successful in the history of the Club, that will take care of itself.

“We should show performances like the ones against Brighton and Liverpool in the sense of intensity, aggressiveness and willingness to play. Of course, the extra motivation is to get the best possible farewell to Jamie and he deserves that. I think the players will show that on Saturday.”

‘A great opportunity’

The Polish shot-stopper is set to be back between the sticks.

With Mads Hermansen sidelined due to an operation on a groin injury, Jakub Stolarczyk is set for game-time between now and the end of the season, as he did for a spell earlier in the campaign. Opportunities have arisen for other Premier League debutants, too, including young attackers Jeremy Monga and Jake Evans, who are likely to be involved further in the coming weeks.

Van Nistelrooy: “He (Stolarczyk) proved in the games that he played; I think it was 10 games more or less. He developed himself into a Premier League ‘keeper. Those games he showed he is a Premier League keeper.

“It’s a great opportunity for him and he is another homegrown player who is going to play four games. Add that to the games and experience he already had; it’s a good situation to make that decision now.

“The three appearances for [Jeremy] Monga that he had so far are really valuable. Jake [Evans], with the injured wingers, he will be part of the squad again. [Luke] Thomas and [Kasey] McAteer can continue their minutes and improve, Jakub the same.

“It’s important to use these minutes for them and others to develop and show themselves to take into next season.”

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