The Press Room at El Requexón today hosted Real Oviedo Head Coach Cuco Ziganda's pre-match press conference, ahead of the Las Palmas fixture.
How is the squad doing? Is the poor run of form affecting the team?
- The squad is fine. It does affect us, with regard to morale, but we have to prove ourselves on the pitch. The team has a good attitude and we are hungry to turn the situation around.
Do you feel like you are being hurt by refereeing decisions at key moments? Do you believe that the club should take some action?
- I have never discussed referees, we have to focus on our own matters. Nobody knows the rules we have to follow with VAR, it depends on luck in each situation, and it's not falling our way. It's not my place to talk about them. I just have to coach and give the team the tools. That's the only thing I should be focusing on.
With only one victory so far this season, how much blame do you think should be given to the team and how much is owing to refereeing decisions?
-I think about the team. There are days when there are other issues, but we mustn't think about them. We conceded two goals from set pieces the other day and that can't happen. Those were our mistakes and that's what we must work on.
What has the club (directors, sports management) said to you following recent results? Do you feel like they still have complete confidence in you?
- What they've told me is that they believe in my work and they show they support me. We know that results are key though, and we are only thinking about Las Palmas. That's the only thing that matters to us. Confidence and hard work, and the results will come. Certain situations are making things difficult for us.
On Wednesday, you commented that you would be questioned more or less depending on the club's objective. What is the real objective for this Oviedo side?
- The objective is to prepare for Las Palmas. We had a real objective at the start of the season, but now it is to get points to get out of this position. We have to build a good team, with home-grown players and experience. That is the objective.
One victory in nine matches is obviously not what was expected. What is happening with the 9 new signings?
- There are some who are participating more and others less, but they are all the same. I pick whoever I see as best prepared, since they are at a better point than others. We will look at it little by little. The players who play here are the ones I see as the best choice in each moment.
Do you feel that the defensive solidity that so characterised the team since your arrival has been lost?
- Yes, in recent matches we have made mistakes. People talk about that, but I don't see the other teams doing more than us in matches. We have good patterns of play and good movements learnt off by heart, but individual errors are costing us a lot. Performances haven't been bad, but the results have been.
Are you worried that the specific, but so blatant, defensive errors could have too much of an impact on your players' morale?
- That's why we are professionals and that's why the Coach is there. We have to live with positive results and errors. There are a lot of points left to move up the table with. We have to turn this form around.
Are you approaching the Las Palmas game as a 'cup final' on a personal level?
- No, a final is all or nothing. I am approaching it with excitement and hunger, and with the idea of playing with tempo and going for the win. Las Palmas will make things difficult for us.
Have you decided who the keeper will be in Las Palmas? Have you spoken to Femenías to explain the situation?
- I speak with all the players. I know who is going to play in Las Palmas.
Which of the team's matches has been your favourite so far this season? Which game would you like them to use as a model for the game in Las Palmas?
- I liked how we played against Cartagena, in Albacete, and at the start of the Logroñés match too. Those matches are still in my mind. There were very good things there, but the main thing is the results. That is what we live off.