West Ham United Head Coach Julen Lopetegui admits Tuesday night’s Premier League trip to Leicester City poses a unique challenge, but insists his team are fully focused on bouncing back from Saturday’s Arsenal disappointment with a bang.
The Hammers fell to a 5-2 defeat at the hands of the title-challenging Gunners at the weekend, following a chaotic first half at London Stadium, but could make it two away triumphs in a row with a strong performance at King Power Stadium.
Victory over Newcastle United at St James’ Park in their last away game yielded a number of positives, and while clear he is reluctant to dwell on the past, Lopetegui – who will be back on the touchline after serving a one-match touchline ban against Arsenal – is hopeful of another eye-catching performance under the lights.
Earning the full share of the spoils against newly-promoted Leicester will be no mean feat however, particularly as Tuesday’s encounter is set to mark new manager Ruud van Nistelrooy’s first in the hotseat.
The Foxes parted ways with Steve Cooper last month, and after watching from the stands against Brentford at the weekend, former Manchester United star Van Nistelrooy will be looking to quickly eradicate a run of three straight league defeats, and four in five, that sees them sat 16th in the standings on ten points.
With a fiery atmosphere expected, an enticing match-up surely awaits, and with little over 24 hours to go until kick-off Irons boss Lopetegui sat down with the gathered press to discuss the fallout from the weekend, looking to get back on track, and his approach for the visit to the East Midlands.
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