We got the thoughts of the gaffer ahead of Tuesday night's trip to Bolton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup.
ON CARDIFF POINT
“It’s always a tough one going into the first game of a new season, there are a lot of question marks. But it was a good presentation from the guys, with areas where we need to get better and will get better.
“We know what to expect in a game at Cardiff and we stood up well to that. It’s a good point and a positive start for us.”
POTENTIAL FOR CHANGES AT BOLTON
“It’s very likely that some of the other guys will get some minutes. It’s about fitness and looking after the players, taking care of them. It’s a long season.
“It’s all about development of the team and it can be so fragile. It’s so important that each of our players show their individual characteristics. But it’s about the team performance in the end, and how each player understands his role in the team.”
ON HECTIC SCHEDULE
“When you’re not in England, you look at all the games, and wonder how they manage three games in a week! But it’s a real challenge and it’s a mentality that I like, trying to manage all this and finding a way to win in our style.
“The most important thing for me is seeing the progress of our players, in terms of getting used to what we are trying to do here. To see them in the game tomorrow will give me a big answer about my players.
“I want to see the attitude of winners in every game. I don’t care which players are on the pitch, I just want to see us get that win.”
LIAM KITCHING & BEN WILLIAMS' RETURN FROM INJURY
“I feel that Ben and Liam did an awesome job, having not played for such a long time. We were never certain how they’d get through it, but both gave a really good presentation of themselves and knowing that we have them both back now is a big plus for us.
“But we must remain careful with them, as I said earlier. They need to get in the rhythm of games and will only get better as we move forward.”
ON AARON LEYA ISEKA & OBBI OULARÉ
“We have to get them both fit and used to the way that we want to play. Both of them have lots of quality, but to get that quality from them on the pitch, we have to get them in the right shape. Both physically and in terms of knowing our style.
“They’ve not been with us too long and haven’t had the games that our squad have this summer. I’m sure that when we do see them, we will have a lot of fun with them over the course of the season.”
THE RETURN OF FANS
“When we talk about English football it’s all about passion, emotions and being a part of something special. There’s so much tradition and history and I am so glad we had so many of our fans with us, in a place that’s so far away.
“I think they saw a fighting performance and they’ll be pleased with what they saw from us. That makes us feel good, that we are together on this journey.”
