'We Have Quality In The Group' - Miquel Previews West Ham

LCFC Women
09 Nov 2024
2 Minutes
Despite offensive injuries, Amandine Miquel believes that LCFC Women must focus on their positive defensive stability when they face West Ham United.

Ahead of matchday seven in the Barclays Women's Super League, when City travel to Chigwell Construction Stadium to meet the Hammers, the Manager spoke to the media at Belvoir Drive and below are the main talking points...

Dealing with injuries

The Manager confirmed that Sam Tierney has sustained an ankle injury.

During Thursday's press conference, Miquel announced that Sam Tierney sustained an ankle injury against Brighton & Hove Albion, which adds to a growing injury list.

Having to deal with the current situation as it is, the former Stade de Reims Manager believes there is enough quality in the squad to earn positive results. 

"Ideally, you don't get them (injuries) or especially at the same time but we do have a lot at the moment so we have to adapt," Miquel admitted. That's why we have a squad of 24 or 25 players, it's to be able to face those rare problems.

"But we are in that situation so we have to do the best with the players that we have. We have a lot of quality in our group and we have to face every opposition very positively."

Replicating their Perth performance against West Ham

Putting five past the Hammers in pre-season.

The previous meeting between the two sides came in pre-season when City ran out 5-2 winners in the Perth International Football Cup; with five different Leicester players scoring at HBF Park.

Now into the competitive season, Miquel remained positive about producing a similar performance: "It feels like a long time ago (since we played West Ham in pre-season) and we are in a very different situation now than we were in Australia. We have to adapt and make sure we put in a performance that is as good as the one we put in then.

"Even though we have injuries, I think that we still have a good team to get the result. As with any team, there can be moments that individuals can help you out, like Yuka Momiki scoring against Everton, but if you don't have the players around you, maybe those moments don't happen."

Defensive capabilities

The Manager commends the defensive effort from the team.

Having only scored twice in the WSL this term, the Foxes do boast a strong defensive record, which the Manager believes will stand them in good stead to take points from the capital this weekend.

"I think we are really pleased with our defensive work," Miquel explained. "Even against Brighton, and I know it was a loss, it was close and we could've scored and got something at the end.

"Most of our injuries are on offensive players so we need to focus on the defensive aspect because in that area, players are feeling well and we have a lot of options. 

"Some are even playing higher up the pitch for us and I think it is important that we can rely on everyone which is what we're doing well. We often focus on what isn't working well but we also have to be able to say that what is working well is our defensive part and maybe be a little bit more patient to have offensive success."