Looking back, how do you analyze the Derby?
It’s the first time that I’ve been really disappointed because we didn’t do what we wanted to do beyond the vagaries of the workforce. Even if we regretted a lot of absentees, we got pushed around in all areas of the game, including athletically in the first period. In second, we existed better even if it was not enough and there is still a long way to go. Against Nantes, I had already felt tension. We play our skin in L1 every minute of play, so we must not miss a single one!
How to remedy this situation?
By being convinced that there is talent and that we have collective strengths to promote! The group is aware of the danger but we have to score points, time is running out. You have to play all periods consistently. We must be much better than during our last meetings and be less tense. In our situation, all the matches will be pivotal, that’s why we will have to show a better version of ourselves. The coach that I am must do a lot more as well.
How do you view the late match that you will play in Angers this Wednesday (7 p.m.)?
It’s not a direct confrontation because they have a lot more points than us but we will have to keep the clock ticking. I hope this time will be the right one and that it will be followed by others. We are lucky to be the only ones to play, so a victory would allow us to take points from everyone. Ryad Boudebouz and Denis Bouanga will be back for this meeting.
Chaque joueur peut passer du statut de cadre à celui de héros.
What is your message to the players in this period?
I have organized regular exchanges with each player and I realize how much ASSE means to each of them and how much our situation worries them. I’m not necessarily happy and positive every time. It’s part of the build, that doesn’t mean I don’t believe in players or sustaining. We all work with a real desire to improve. We will become more competitive with the returns from the CAN and the recruits. We must take this situation as a chance: each player can go from the status of executive to that of hero. We are extremely determined. There are so many matches left to play, so many points to win. It does not look like an impossible mission even if the margin is reduced each time we lose some along the way. Mathematically, we still have every chance of maintaining ourselves!
Will you soon be able to count on the qualities of Romain Hamouma?
Romain will have an impact on the end of the season once he gets rid of his physical problems. At first, he will be a “super sub”, that’s for sure, but I want to count on him in all matches. When he has scratched some playing time and his injuries have subsided, he will have more playing time. We will count on everyone and on Romain, that’s for sure. In the space of a session he did with the group yesterday (Monday January 24), we were able to measure that he is one of those rare players who have this ability to move well between the lines and be unpredictable. for opposing defenders.
LDoes the return of supporters to the Cauldron fuel your optimism?
The return of full stadiums, families who come to the stadium in joy and with the hope of seeing their colors win, of course that counts! Professional athletes are used to playing in noisy stadiums. Especially in Saint-Étienne! There are not many places in France where things move like that. We hope that this return of the supporters to the stadium will earn us points.