Real Oviedo Head Coach Cuco Ziganda today appeared in the Press Room at El Requexón.
How has the week been following last weekend's win at Las Palmas?
Victories boost you in terms of morale and confidence; it's the vitamin which strengthens you. We needed it for many reasons, including the league standings. It's good for us in our heads and also good going into our next match.
There was talk of a turning point after the Las Palmas game. Is Sunday the time to prove it?
That would be great. All of the training sessions and all of the matches have to reflect our day-to-day work. It's a good time for it. We have to be decisive and show ourselves where we want to get to. It seems like every day is an end of year exam and that's not the case, but we have to move up the table to gain confidence and put in good performances.
Could the Real Oviedo performance in Las Palmas lead to a change to the initial plan of using a 4-4-2?
We will see. It went well the other day. We could run directly and with quality. We have to see now whether we can coordinate all of our front men, give a sense of threat, and create chances. One option is to go for the same thing again, but playing with two strikers is also a viable option.
What did you make of Carlos Hernández's match in Las Palmas? Will rotations in the heart of the defence by a constant theme this season?
Carlos put in a fantastic performance. He concentrated very well and gave us a lot of security. He had a great match. He was hungry to participate and show that he is ready to fight for a place. There is a lot of competition in defence and we will see how we go with rotations. I have confidence in any of them playing.
Do Real Oviedo feel more comfortable playing on the counter?
We are probably like all of the teams, in that we feel more comfortable when we have space to run into. All of the teams in this division are well-equipped and it's not easy to create chances, and that's why I think we may feel more comfortable. Our way of playing is about pressing and going after matches.
The team had a few matches where they struggled to create danger. Did you have any chats or emphasise any particular aspect of the game with the attacking players during training sessions, so that they take more risks?
We work every day, independently of results. We have to have a plan and carry it out, whether or not things work out as we want, and we must keep believing in it even if things aren't going our way. We are still yet to see where we can get to. I don't think we know where we can get to today. We took a step forward the other day, but we have to make our ideas fit.
What do you make of the fact that at the NMR Carlos Tartiere this weekend you will face a team which, according to the statistics, likes to have the ball?
We are going to have to be very good and together in defensive aspects. We know that whichever team doesn't have the ball will suffer from fatigue. Castellón's matches are being decided by the odd goal, and they have been in matches right up until the final minute. They threaten and they like to have the ball. We have to be on top of them and make them uncomfortable.
Castellón are in bad form. Can you make the most of their difficult league position?
We said that about Logroñés and ended up losing. Every match is different and we have to make the most of our strengths. We mustn't think about Castellón's form, but rather the fact that they will come here motivated and will ask a lot of us. We have to demonstrate the path we want to follow.
Will the absence of Marc Mateu have a huge impact on Castellón's game?
He's an important player, but I don't think he will be a critical player with their whole squad. I believe that the squad and the core are the most important things.
Do you think that the team needs more solidity and home victories, given that they haven't had a good home performance for some time?
It's the same topic again. Performances and results. Results haven't been good, but if you analyse our home performances then they haven't been bad. We can't conform with too little. We have to give a bit more and look for consistency of performances and results. There are things we can take from those games, though.
You have always highlighted Nahuel's willingness in the day-to-day work. Do you think he is a player who is capable of doing big things in the division on a consistent basis?
Coaches and squads are here to get the best out of everyone. You have to believe in the ability and the condition of each one to get the best out of them. Nahuel is a match-winner, but we know that he isn't going to score two goals every day. We would like him to have consistency and continue with this confidence and motivation.
Leschuk hasn't yet had the luck to score his first goal. Are you worried about it, or do you think that, due to his playing style, it won't affect his performances?
He's a player who gives you a lot, in addition to the possibility of goals. Gustavo works and creates space. We are going to ask him for goals though, we can't ignore that. As well as his hard work on the pitch and all the things he gives us, he also knows that he has to score goals.
When will Rodri be able to train at the same tempo as his teammates?
We will see. We are hoping that he will be back next week, or within two weeks. We have to be careful about a setback, particularly when it comes to contact.
Having now completed a quarter of the season, do you think the league will be more broken up this year? What is surprising you most about the league so far?
The normal thing is for the teams that are up there to stay up there, and then there will be surprises, teams that will move upwards. We have to bring consistency to our results and performances and to our idea of a team that will allow us to achieve the best performances possible.
Ahead of the Las Palmas game you discussed the team's objective for the season. What should it be, in your opinion?
The objective, given where we are, is to get out of trouble. The final objectives get decided in April. That is the true objectivity of football. We will finish wherever our ability allows us to. Our main objective is to beat Castellón.