“How did you get through the week, when there was talk of your personal future at the club?
I ignored what was happening and stayed focused on my work. I know that we are not having good results (Nantes remains in 9 matches without a victory in L1) and that I am on the front line. This is the responsibility of the leaders. As long as I’m here, I work. As we are not well, you will have understood that it is in my best interest to concentrate on my work, and what’s more, we are playing PSG. What consumes my mind is how we can have a good match, produce a much better performance than the one against Le Havre (0-2), even if we know that it is complicated.
The performance against the HAC recalled this feeling of helplessness experienced last season…
Yes, but the scenario didn’t help us. The first goal is largely avoidable. We concede goals from individual errors. The first ruined our plan. And then we had a lot of balls but we were never able to do any harm. I understand, we have lost the thread a little. There is certainly a loss of confidence. We are mentally fragile. The events that took place, with the match stopping, did not make things easier with the players either.
“As long as no one tells me: ‘it’s over’, I’m here and happy, combative doing what I do every day. »
There is a Nantes context and a waltz from the coaches. Here, the first thing we think about is that the coach is going to jump, right?
If you want to ask me the question, I’m not going to give you the answer! This is not my domain. As long as no one tells me: “it’s over”, I’m there and happy, combative doing what I do every day. I’m not telling you that I slept well (after Le Havre), but I’m not wondering if I’m going to jump or not. I’ve never received so many messages asking how I’m doing, but I’m fine! Sportingly, I’m not happy but I have a job and fantastic luck. No one has ever given me gifts, you have to go get things.
What are you going to look for at the Park?
We are going to face the ogre, the team which is crushing Ligue 1, which has not lost a match, but it is going to be a football match. Everyone calls us losers, but that’s what’s happening outside. We’re not saying we’re going to win there, but we’re going to show some temperament. And keep the 0-0 as long as possible, and you never know in football.
Are your players giving up?
What is very important is that I look at the players when I greet them in the morning at breakfast. I don’t see them being defeated. And I’m cash, we tell each other things. They are aware of the situation. We have players who have already experienced this type of situation, with virulent supporters. We’re not above ground, we see what’s happening.
“You’re not allowed to come, stay in the stands. Express yourself up there. If you want to yell, shout, jeer at us, insult us if you want, but don’t come on the lawn. »
Do you understand the reaction of the ultras of the Loire Brigade?
Of course I understand them but I condemn the way they acted. The land is forbidden. You’re not allowed to come, stay in the stands. Express yourself up there. If you want to yell, shout, jeer at us, insult us if you want, but don’t come on the lawn. We cannot sanction the club, the players and sanction ourselves. This is not possible. I understand the anger but there are things you should never do. What are they going to do? Coming to attack us? What does that mean? Are you a thug? It’s forbidden. Coming hooded is not normal. Does that mean you’re ready to do serious things?
The commission was rather lenient with Nantes, which will be entitled to its supporters for the derby against Rennes…
Yes, I’m glad she only granted a partial closure of the stand
. The committee took into account the fact that the match went to the end. And above all, there was no violence. »
Senegal
