Leicester City manager Ruud van Nistelrooy has expressed his determination to keep the club's hopes alive in their battle against relegation, despite a disappointing performance that saw them lose 2-0 to West Ham. The defeat leaves Leicester five points adrift of safety in the Premier League, and their recent form—having lost 11 of their last 12 league matches—raises concerns about their ability to turn things around. Van Nistelrooy, however, remains hopeful, stating, "We are still in this fight, mathematically we are there and we keep fighting as long as we can."

The Dutch manager acknowledged that the team's performance was lacking, especially in the first half, where they struggled to create scoring opportunities. He emphasized the need for improvement, stating that simply showing up for one half of a match would not suffice in their current situation. The urgency of their predicament is compounded by a challenging upcoming schedule, featuring tough fixtures against teams like Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Newcastle.

Despite the grim outlook, Van Nistelrooy's players, including defender Wout Faes, maintain their belief in avoiding relegation. Faes highlighted the importance of focusing on each game and the necessity of starting to win soon. However, critics are skeptical, with former Leicester players and pundits voicing doubts about the team's capabilities. As the season progresses, Leicester has a steep hill to climb, and the next few matches could prove crucial in determining their fate.