‘Mentality, Focus & Belief’ – Cooper Speaks On Saturday’s Challenge
A first Premier League win of the season against AFC Bournemouth on Saturday would go some way to achieving that aim, with the Foxes currently locked on three points and hovering above the bottom three at this early stage of proceedings.
Ahead of that King Power Stadium encounter with the Cherries, a 3pm BST kick-off on Filbert Way, Cooper spoke openly around the current mentality and how he hopes to reverse a trend of not picking up the results that everyone at the Club desires.
‘Build on the positives’
Keen to show Leicester have what it takes to compete at the level required, City’s Manager spoke in Thursday’s pre-match press conference about how being strong in the face of adversity has been his message to the group.
“I don’t think there’s anything beneficial from being negative,” he told reporters. “In this situation, which can be classed as a tough time, you have to be positive. We have to take responsibility for improving results and being in the league position that we want, we shouldn’t ignore that.
“But we’ve also got to make sure that we really believe in what we’re doing and build on the positives that have been in our performances, while addressing things that we need to improve on as well.
“We want to thrive in these moments. There’s nothing better than coming through a difficult time. When you do, you’re in such a better place because of the learning that takes place. There’s no doubt you sometimes don’t feel it when results aren’t going your way and you’d like elements of performances to be a bit different, so it’s not always easy to take.
“But there’s also an awareness that some really important learning takes place and when you do get through it, it does allow you to have a better longer term. I keep saying to the players about what an opportunity we have now to get through this little spell, come through the other side and allow us to kick on, but we’ve got to get through it.”
‘A good motivation and spirit’
Close on several occasions, late goals have so far denied Leicester a maiden league success of 2024/25, but while coming up against the Cherries - knowing the threats that they pose – won’t be easy, it presents an opportunity in front of home support to make a mark.
The Welshman continued: “As always in the Premier League, there’s an opportunity. For us it’s to get our first win, get some good results and climb up the table. That’s what our present ambition is, to attack that fully and I see a really good desire from the guys.
“There’s a really good motivation and spirit and, in the right way, a desperation to get that win and hopefully kick on from there. But that’s the first port of call. We need a result, for sure.
“We’re in a world where results dictate so many things. Behind that, we have to look at the preparation, the performance, the review, that’s our job. But in the end, that’s to get a team performing well enough to win games.
“We’re really committed and want to get the right result going into the international break. We want to attack it and we’re desperate for our supporters to see a team win and play well in the process. We’ve got to take responsibility now for making that happen.
“We’re very much one game at a time and particularly with the international break coming up, we’re just focused on Bournemouth at home. All attention is on the detail of what we believe it takes to win.
“That’s a big part of our work this week and we really hope we can deliver that for us and the supporters and everyone else connected with the Club this week.”
‘What it takes’
Netting eight times so far this term, no side in the bottom half of the table have scored more, though only Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers have conceded more, with an emphasis on keeping clean sheets and preventing shots on goal just as essential to gaining positive results.
“One of the most important things is clearly keeping the ball out of your net and putting it in the opponents’,” the 44-year-old added. “We’ve been good for a goal or two in games and creating big chances and we’ve got to keep that going and strive to improve on that.
“We’ve got be stronger to not get in a low block in games as quickly as we have found ourselves sometimes and then not let the opponents turn that into chances. That’s the constant cycle of game preparation and improvement and we’re no different to anyone else.
“That’s a big part of us going forward. You have to have game plans and deliver and you’re coming up against good teams and good coaches week in, week out, but it’s also a situation where mentality and focus and belief is key and standing up to get the job done.
“We’re trying to become a Premier League team again, not just a Premier League club. We’ve got to deliver a Premier League performance on the pitch on a weekly basis. Some bits have been really good but others we have to get better at. That’s the challenge for myself and the team and the staff.”