Steve Cooper speaks to the media at Leicester City’s training ground (Image: Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)
After a game in which he was in the spotlight, the focus will be on the other dugout when Leicester City head to Manchester United.
Steve Cooper was the story of the game when City lost to his former side Nottingham Forest last Friday. But when he takes his team to Old Trafford in the Carabao Cup, the attention will be on Ruud van Nistelrooy, as he takes interim charge for the first time, following Erik ten Hag’s sacking.
Amid the turmoil, City could take advantage and move into the quarter-finals of the cup. Cooper will be discussing that when he sits down with the media on Tuesday afternoon, with the City boss to give his thoughts on the situation at United, as well as the latest news on injuries.
We will have all of the updates on our blog below. Cooper is due to take his seat at 1.30pm.
Benefits of a cup run?
“We’d love to have a good cup run. If we have a good cup run, there’s so many good things to be gained from it. The excitement of going to United, winning and getting to a quarter-final, that’s what we all want. What’s coming for the rest of the week, we’ve got to use our squad. I think a cup run would be brilliant for the club and for the players.”
Responding to Forest loss?
“It can be harder after highs because that’s when complacency kicks in. When you get a positive result, I get paranoid about working even harder. It’s easy to work hard when you have a setback. That’s the requirement of the job. I’m even more obsessed after a positive result. The thought of thinking I’ve cracked it gives me the shivers. If you don’t like the lows and the setbacks, don’t put yourselves in this world of Premier League football. You’ve got to take it on and try to be consistent. We have to deal with the present and then move forward with the plan.”
Keep playing that way?
“That is the modern game. You have tweaks and adapt, but within your ideas. We have done a lot of good things. We just want to be a strong competitive Premier League team. We have to deliver on matchdays. You have to be seen to make progress even when results aren’t what you want. Let’s hope we have more good days than bad days and that’s what will happen when we get it right. I see great understanding and commitment from the guys.”
Change in profiles v Forest?
“For sure the first half, once the game settled, we controlled the game. It was two styles against each other. We put ourselves in a position to attack the second half. But that wasn’t the case. We made some mistakes, and not just with goals. We allowed the game to look how they wanted. First half we did some really nice things. We’d like to have been more creative. It was a pity we didn’t capitalise on the position we were in at half-time. The positions were different, but the shape was the same.”
What would it mean to win?
“A lot. It meant a lot to get through the other rounds as well. We might have made changes but we believe in the squad. We want to give the right opportunities at the right moments. It’s about a culture you have to commit to every day. Over the course of time, we’ll get better. Our approach to any game we play, we want to be at our best. Our way is to approach any game with the same expectation and performance level.”
Preparations changed because of United change?
“It hasn’t changed because if we get our game right, it can have a positive influence on any game we play. We’re striving to get to a point where our play is the dominant play of any game. What we want to do hasn’t changed. It’s a talking point with the change in manager, but it’s not something we’re overthinking or focusing on.”
Need to build momentum again after Forest?
“It was a setback, but the Southampton and Forest games are great examples of what’s to come. We’ll have games where we get brilliant results, and we’ll have the opposite. That’s the nature of the league. We have to make sure we stay on task. We’re really disappointed how we let the game slip away from us. At half-time, there was the possibility of getting a win. That was disheartening when I watched the game back. But we have to make sure it doesn’t deter us from the journey we’re on. Whatever’s gone has to be used to make you stronger going forward.”
Changes like the last rounds?
“Maybe, yeah. The difference is that it’s an away game on Wednesday and then we’re away at the weekend. It’s times like this you have to utilise the squad. All focus is on tomorrow and make sure we’re set on that.”
How to prepare for an interim manager?
“We won’t overthink that. If you do, you can go to loads of places that might be miles from what they do. When you’re up against a new manager, it’s a good chance to show your own qualities and work. There’s even more reason to focus on ourselves. We have players who can have good moments and have an impact on games.”
High pressure job at United?
“Any job, you feel the pressure. Once you go to a club, you take on the responsibility of what it means to the people. Whatever the size of the club, you feel it. But we’re all about preparing for a cup game and to get through to a quarter-final. The atmosphere will be really good and we have to try to thrive in that moment. We’re looking forward to that.”
Ten Hag?
“Whatever level you work at as a manager, it’s a demanding job and the highs and lows are extreme. You feel for managers when there’s criticism and when they lose their job. It’s never nice to see because you know how hard and emotional it can be. It’s a high-profile job and the scrutiny is intense.”
Kristiansen?
“It’s not too bad. It’s a muscle injury to the groin. It’s going to be a little while but at least it’s going to be days and weeks rather than longer than that. The scan showed it could have been worse than what it is.”
Injuries?
“Jannik is available again. He had a bit of a stutter with his ankle. He’s back with the group. He’s an experienced player. We’ll see what’s what in terms of availability.”
What’s on the agenda today?
Here’s what we’re expecting to be discussed this afternoon:
- The fitness of the squad and where Kristiansen and Vestergaard are in their recoveries
- Selection and how Cooper will treat the cup now the level of opponent has risen
- The disarray at Man United and whether City can take advantage of that
- Further reflections on Friday night’s defeat to Forest
Steve Cooper during a press conference at Leicester City’s Seagrave training ground (Image: Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)
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