Poya Asbaghi spoke to the press ahead of the visit of Reading this weekend.
ON PREPARATIONS FOR READING GAME
“The preparations are like we’d usually do against any opponent. This is one of those games where we’ve had a lot of time to prepare in between games. So, in terms of preparation, we have had some good time to talk about our identity, but as well talk about our next opponent – a little more time than we’re used to; that’s the positive part.”
ON READING GAME
“I think everyone understands the table and where we are and who are our direct opponents. If we were about to lose this game, it’s not like we would give up – we’d have eight points to make up with seven games left, and bigger miracles have happened.
“We know that if we win, it will be a really good win for us. But I cannot say that we will fight more in this game than we did against Sheffield United or Bristol City because that means we didn’t give 100% against Sheffield United or Bristol City – we gave 100%.
“We try to always give 100%, so it’s not about fighting more, it’s just about understanding the situation; young players handling pressure, and I will be really impressed if our players can end up doing that on Saturday.”
ON INTERNATIONAL BREAK
“This is the same for every team in the Championship – everyone had the same time off. For me, I’ve not really had the time that I’ve had now to have the collective training for a long time, so in that way, this break was really welcome to go through things as a collective and still have enough time to talk about our next opponent.
“I think the team appreciated this time, but I think most teams in the Championship would say that.”
ON SUPPORTERS
“I hope the fans come and mobilise in a good way. I’ve met some fans here and there, and it sounds like they are really eager to come and support on Saturday – I hope it really shows, and I hope we can create a good atmosphere from the first second of the game, pumping the players with confidence.
“If we win a throw-in or lose a throw-in, that the players feel like the fans have their backs, otherwise this is going to be a game on neutral ground – we have to use the home game to our advantage, and I am pretty confident that our fans also know the situation and will try to help us in every way they can to get the margins on our side on Saturday.”
ON INJURIES
“Aapo Halme is out for approximately another two weeks; he had a reaction in training. We have Cauley, of course, who is waiting to come back; it’s still a little bit too early for Cauley, and Victor Adeboyejo who is back in collective training, so we have a lot of players to choose between – probably more than we have had since I have been here.
“It’ll be a decision for the starting 11, and it’ll be a little bit tougher than it has been for me to decide who is going to be on the bench.”
