‘Motivated To Perform’ - Van Nistelrooy On Forest Bout

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‘Motivated To Perform’ - Van Nistelrooy On Forest Bout

Ruud van Nistelrooy has assured there is plenty still to play for in the remainder of the Premier League season, no more so than against Nottingham Forest this weekend.

2025-05-09T09:00+01:00

by Sam Jones

Published

09 May, 2025

‘Motivated To Perform’ - Van Nistelrooy On Forest Bout

Ruud van Nistelrooy has assured there is plenty still to play for in the remainder of the Premier League season, no more so than against Nottingham Forest this weekend.

Sam Jones

2025-05-09T09:00+01:00

‘Motivated To Perform’ - Van Nistelrooy On Forest Bout

Ruud van Nistelrooy has assured there is plenty still to play for in the remainder of the Premier League season, no more so than against Nottingham Forest this weekend.

Sam Jones

2025-05-09T09:00+01:00

‘Motivated To Perform’ - Van Nistelrooy On Forest Bout

Ruud van Nistelrooy has assured there is plenty still to play for in the remainder of the Premier League season, no more so than against Nottingham Forest this weekend.

Sam Jones

2025-05-09T09:00+01:00

‘Motivated To Perform’ - Van Nistelrooy On Forest Bout

Ruud van Nistelrooy has assured there is plenty still to play for in the remainder of the Premier League season, no more so than against Nottingham Forest this weekend.

Sam Jones

2025-05-09T09:00+01:00

The first of three remaining fixtures, the outcome of Sunday’s trip to the City Ground certainly matters to both sets of fans, who will be eager to claim East Midlands bragging rights. And while the Foxes have pride on the line, Forest are looking to secure European qualification.

Speaking in his pre-match briefing with the media, City’s Manager outlined the expectations on his squad heading into the clash with Nuno Espírito Santo's side, a 2:15pm BST kick-off.

‘A very good performance’

A long-awaited three points on Filbert Way.

A morale-boosting victory for the Foxes on home soil, the 2-0 victory over Southampton saw Jamie Vardy and Jordan Ayew on target last time out. And with momentum now with his side, the 48-year-old saw plenty to build on further, having also seen signs of improvement in the preceding weeks.

“It was a good day,” van Nistelrooy reflected. “Before the game we were speaking about the run of home results and the lack of goals. It was a cycle that we wanted to break, which we were very motivated to do and it happened.

“The relief is from winning a game; that felt important. Getting back to that feeling again of winning a football match in the Premier League. I think it was a very good performance from the team.

“Scoring twice, a clean sheet and another moment for minutes for Academy players - Jakub [Stolarczyk] coming back in goal with a clean sheet. A win feels good and we wanted to prove a point against one of the rivals we’ll have next season.

“We had some pressure on us to win it because they are below us and we had to show that we were capable and we did. It brought some positives and some important moments that we can take into finishing this season well and also into the next.

“We can’t undo the season and the disappointment of relegation, but what is important is that we’re looking ahead and that players are motivated to perform and finish this season in the best way possible and bring it into next season. That’s the shift and they did well on Saturday.

“It was clear that we were going to be relegated, although we always kept fighting, and we changed the narrative into next season, shaping the future in the Brighton game, the Liverpool game and the Southampton game.

“A change in performance at Brighton resulted in a point. Liverpool was also a good performance from our side against the champions of the Premier League, where many of the young players showed their development as well, which is obviously important.

“We felt against Brighton and Liverpool, they were the performances we were looking for. The first half against Wolves was totally off it, the second half was better. I’m not only talking about the result in the end, but the performance on its own, where you can see a team that is fighting and doing everything they can and that is the performance we look for.

“That sparks into the stands as well, into the away end, and at King Power Stadium and that’s what we want to continue for the next three games.”

‘Compete & fight’

Searching for a first win on the road since beating Spurs.

Important to back up claiming a first win in 12 league games, van Nistelrooy also acknowledged the significance of this fixture to the Blue Army, knowing he can count on the more experienced heads in the dressing room to outline just what it means.

“Obviously, Sunday is another moment and there are three more to play in the next three weeks,” the former PSV manager explained. “It is a big challenge for us to get to those performances again and it’s important for us and especially for the fans.

“In football, the sentiment of your fanbase is important. You have to link with that and know what is important for your fans and the Football Club that you represent. For sure we’re taking that into account and we want to do it justice. That’s us showing up with everything we have.

“The performances that we’ve spoken about, you’re giving something to the supporters and the reaction is there. That’s what you’re working for in the end. Sunday is another one that is very important for us and the fans. It’s a big motivation for us to do well.

“In the dressing room, there will be players speaking about it, reminding everyone how big this game is for the Club and also staff members who have been here for decades will remind the players.

“The responsibility you have as the Manager of this Football Club is that you are doing everything you can in the interests of the Football Club. That’s the way that I approach it and that’s what the supporters can rely on, that I do that. The job from day-to-day is developing and performing in the short-term.

“It’s a derby, a special game for both fanbases. Forest being in a position where they can reach Champions League qualification or a European place is obviously a big thing for them, so they will be totally ready and favourites given where they are in the league and where we are.

“But we want to perform to our best and show that we’re going to compete and fight and show ourselves to the away fans to make it a good afternoon.”

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