Van Nistelrooy: I Liked The Mentality

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Van Nistelrooy: I Liked The Mentality

Ruud Van Nistelrooy once again reiterated the fighting spirit within his Leicester City team as vital to claiming a point against Brighton & Hove Albion.

2024-12-09T08:50+00:00

by Sam Jones

Published

09 Dec, 2024

from King Power Stadium

Van Nistelrooy: I Liked The Mentality

Ruud Van Nistelrooy once again reiterated the fighting spirit within his Leicester City team as vital to claiming a point against Brighton & Hove Albion.

Sam Jones

2024-12-09T08:50+00:00

Van Nistelrooy: I Liked The Mentality

Ruud Van Nistelrooy once again reiterated the fighting spirit within his Leicester City team as vital to claiming a point against Brighton & Hove Albion.

Sam Jones

2024-12-09T08:50+00:00

Van Nistelrooy: I Liked The Mentality

Ruud Van Nistelrooy once again reiterated the fighting spirit within his Leicester City team as vital to claiming a point against Brighton & Hove Albion.

Sam Jones

2024-12-09T08:50+00:00

Van Nistelrooy: I Liked The Mentality

Ruud Van Nistelrooy once again reiterated the fighting spirit within his Leicester City team as vital to claiming a point against Brighton & Hove Albion.

Sam Jones

2024-12-09T08:50+00:00

Leicester City drew 2-2 with Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday
Jamie Vardy and Bobby De Cordova-Reid both netted late on
Ruud van Nistelrooy reflected on gaining a positive point
It’s now four points from a possible six under the new Manager

The Foxes, two down with less than five minutes to play following strikes from Tariq Lamptey and Yankuba Minteh, produced a scintillating comeback thanks to a goal apiece from Jamie Vardy and Bobby De Cordova-Reid in the latter stages of the contest, to earn a 2-2 draw.

Speaking following the full-time whistle at King Power Stadium, City’s Manager felt pride in the way Leicester responded to going behind, coming out for the second 45 with renewed vigour and energy, which ultimately paid off.

“The players deserved a point, especially based on the second half,” van Nistelrooy analysed. “We went for it, we were 1-0 down but, right from the start of the second half, we were pressing, we were playing, we were going for goal.

Celebrating a late comeback.

“We did the defensive transitions really well to win the ball back quickly and play forward from there. It was an excellent performance. It was 2-0 and that was a big blow, but the players reacted without thinking and getting carried away with the 2-0.

“We got one back and it’s compliments to the whole squad. Based on the second half, the performance was really good, it was excellent. Of course, you concede one but that didn’t take anything away from the second half.

“We were improving in the things that we want to do better. The players were thinking about playing the game, continuing and I liked their mentality. It paid off.”

Vardy and De Cordova-Reid claimed a goal and an assist each, with City’s No.9 keeping his composure in front of goal before unselfishly laying one on a plate for the substitute minutes later.

The 48-year-old explained: “That pass was amazing. I thought he was going to finish it one-on-one, but he saw Bobby and slid it in. It was a tap in and he made sure it was a 100 per cent goal. He didn’t risk missing and that’s the team player he is and the captain he is.

The Foxes remain unbeaten under Ruud van Nistelrooy.

“I can’t blame the team on the two goals [conceded]. The first one was top corner and you have to compliment Lamptey for a brilliant goal. The second one, we were well positioned for a counter attack, with Victor [Kristiansen] in a good position.

“He got back and blocked the shot, but got caught. Those are not mistakes and they happen in games. We carried on playing and stuck to the plan and it paid off.”

Reflecting on his first seven days in the job, the Dutchman took stock of a positive start, with City now positioned five points above the bottom three ahead of facing Newcastle United next Saturday.

“It’s been a hectic week,” he admitted. “New ideas in, two games played, training sessions to prepare. Massive compliments to everybody at Leicester City for welcoming me, for helping in any way possible and for the players to connect with each other in the new set-up. It’s been a great week.

“I don’t think we have to look at the table and how many points. It’s good that we take four points ourselves and that’s the focus. We take the four points and the players put in great performances as a team and as an individual. That is the target moving forward and we’re going to approach every game like that.”

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