If you were returning to play in goal in the Premier League after a seven-week absence, the last opponent you would want to face was Manchester City.
But that was the task facing Adrian on Sunday, when he was back between the sticks for West Ham United for the first time in six top-flight matches.
While the runaway champions deserved their 4-1 victory, the Spaniard was not helped by City’s first two goals came via a deflection off Patrice Evra and an own-goal from Pablo Zabaleta.
Gabriel Jesus and Fernandinho added unstoppable second-half strikes to rub salt in the Hammers’ wounds, but the No13 was in philosophical mood as he reflected on the manner of the defeat at London Stadium.
“They showed that they are champions and showed their quality, they played to another level and we conceded we also conceded our first two goals to a deflection and an own-goal,” Adrian said. “After we scored to make it 2-1, we were into the game, but then the first half finished and we conceded a third and a fourth and they played passing football and we tried to defend as well as possible.
“They showed the quality and the pace they have all season and they have great goalscorers and top-quality players to defend and the style they play is hard to stop for 90 minutes.”
I will work hard to give the manager a decision for the next one and I hope I can play until the end of the season
Adrian
Next up for West Ham is a trip to the King Power Stadium to face a Leicester City side who have collected just one point from their last four matches and lost 5-0 at Crystal Palace on Saturday.
While it may look to be a favourable fixture on paper, Adrian says the Hammers cannot and will not take the Foxes lightly.
“Leicester is an opponent more in our league. We have to get points as soon as possible and we will move onto the next one.
“We can’t forget the City game because we have to learn from our mistakes, but we have to go to Leicester with maximum confidence and strength to get the three points there.
“We know they lost 5-0 on Saturday, but their last result doesn’t matter. We also lost, so we have to prepare as well as possible this week.”
With Joe Hart eligible again, Adrian knows he may have to make do with a place on the bench again, but the Spaniard’s professionalism means he will be ready to play, whatever David Moyes’ final selection decision is.
“I tried to help as many times as possible. It’s hard when you concede four goals and you can’t be happy with the result, but I’m happy to be back in the team and playing again after a few games out.
“I will work hard to give the manager a decision for the next one and I hope I can play until the end of the season.
“The best thing in football is that you have another game and we have our next one on Saturday and we need to give our best.”