Leicester City manager Ruud van Nistelrooy has backed underfire goalkeeper Danny Ward after he was jeered by home fans during Leicester’s 3-0 home defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Ward, 31, has now conceded six goals in one-and-a-half games since replacing Mads Hermansen at halftime of the 4-0 defeat at Newcastle last Saturday.
The Wales international was Leicester’s number one for most of the 2022-23 season when they were relegated to the Championship before eventually losing his place to Daniel Iversen towards the end of the campaign.
“It doesn’t make it easier for him, of course, and the team,” Van Nistelrooy said after fans cheered sarcastically when he caught a loose ball for his only save of the game in the 83rd minute.
“Of course, we all understand disappointments from the crowd, but it shouldn’t go to one player. Booing and being disappointed with the result is a fan’s right to show their emotions and we all do that, but when it is targeted to one person that is something that is hard to see.
“He kept his composure very well over the course of the game. It’s not easy when something happens like that and when you catch a ball and people start cheering or and boo you on a personal level.
“When it gets personal like that, I think he handled it very well, and he’s the first one to look in the mirror, like all of us. They all want to do well and perform and give their best for the club. Sometimes, it doesn’t work out,
“It never crossed my mind, (to take him off to protect him). It’s good to stick together as a squad and as a club. I’m sticking with my players.”
Leicester are 17th in the Premier League, two points above the relegation zone. They are next in action against league leaders Liverpool at Anfield on Boxing Day.
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