Benjamin Booker
In the lead-up to a high-stakes encounter with Manchester City, the manager sat down with the press to discuss squad fitness, the challenges of the AFCON, and the mental shift required to turn strong performances into three points.
Despite a recent run where leads have slipped away, the mood in the camp remains one of focused determination rather than anxiety.
Squad News: AFCON Absences and a Key Return
The squad faces a selection test with the departure of Aaron and Malik (and notably Wan-Bissaka) for the Africa Cup of Nations. While losing players of such caliber during a busy period is a blow, the manager was quick to highlight his ready-and-waiting replacements.
- The AFCON Factor: “I’m happy for them… but of course we’re going to miss them,” the manager noted. “It was already in the schedule, so now we have to deal with the situation.”
- Next Man Up: Kyle Walker-Peters and Ollie Scarles have been identified as the “natural options” to fill the voids.
- Injury Boost: In positive news, Nicolas Füllkrug returned to partial training today. His season has been stop-start due to minor injuries, but his presence back on the grass is a welcome sight for a front line seeking consistency.
“Confidence comes much easier when performances turn into results. What we need now are points. With points, the players relax, confidence grows, and things improve.”
Closing the Gap: From Performance to Points
The elephant in the room remains the recent trend of failing to see out games. After scoring first against the likes of Bournemouth, Brighton, and Aston Villa, the team has struggled to hold on until the final whistle.
The manager admitted that while the Villa game served as a strong reference point for the level the team can reach, “small details and mistakes” have been the difference between winning and drawing.
- Game Management: “What’s been missing is managing the game and closing it down—turning a good performance into a good result.”
- Mental Focus: “Earlier in the season we were conceding first; now we’re scoring first. The next step is holding onto leads. The game lasts 95 or even 100 minutes—concentration is key.”
Facing the Champions
The challenge doesn’t get any tougher than Manchester City. While much of the external talk centers on how to stop Erling Haaland, the manager is taking a holistic approach to the fixture.
- On Haaland: “We don’t isolate one player—it’s about how we compete against the whole team.”
- On City’s Form: “They are a very good, very talented team with a very good manager. It will be very tough.”
Despite the “noise” surrounding the upcoming January transfer window and rumors regarding Füllkrug’s future, the manager was adamant that his focus is purely on the nine points available before the new year, starting with City this Saturday.
The Road Ahead
With a crucial run of games that could define the battle at the bottom of the table, the message from the dugout is clear: One game at a time.
“We’re doing many good things during games, but we’re missing key aspects when it comes to closing them out,” the manager concluded. “We’re working hard, helping the players improve, and many of them are reaching the levels we expect.”
