Cesar Peixoto is seeing a commitment and determination from his new players to do the hard yards in a bid to adapt to his new style of play.
The head coach has reached the end of week three with his new group, and having worked them hard physically, but also embedded his vision for the group tactically this season, he’s been impressed with the response.
Following relegation last season, Peixoto is changing a mentality and approach going into a fresh campaign and is confident the first positive steps are behind made during the start of the summer.
On pre-season progressing nicely
“It's been tough, but good. The guys are working hard, like I want, with the right spirit to train with the right mentality, strong mentality. We want to improve a lot, but the start is very good because the players understand the way I want to work, day by day.
“We have a lot of information to put in the players about our idea of the game, but also in terms of physicality, it’s important to have a strong pre-season because the season is long, many games, and sometimes we don't have time to train and this pre-season is the key point for the team and players, in terms of physicality, to start in a good way to fight to three points game after game.”
On his players rising to the challenge
“I'm very happy with the response of the players because the players have worked hard and understood since the first moment I talked with them that this is how I want the team to train and play, and the players are committed, which for me is important because if you train hard, you go to play hard, and this type of mentality I want in the team and the players are amazing with these kinds of things. Everything I ask, the players try to do in the best way, a strong way, the way we want. I'm very happy with the commitment of all the players.
“I studied all the players, but it’s not the same as working with them on the pitch, and I'm happy with the quality we have. We're going to bring more players to help us build a strong team, a quality team, but these players are showing me character, commitment and quality, and this is important for me. Also, I try to make my rules, I try to make a good environment with all the players and staff, and I'm happy with the feeling of all the people, it’s important that everyone understands the mentality I want in the club, because I believe in maximum freedom, maximum responsibility. Now I start to see and feel it in the club, in the team, and it makes me happy, with hope and trust to build a good family, and after a great team.”
On his aims in the friendlies
“I look to see the way the team is at the moment. I want to see the players compete and see the level the team is at at the moment, and try to improve physicality also, try to improve tactically, it’s important for us if because we’re turning the way of play of the team, and in these games it’s important to see how the team is in that moment and the best way to improve the team, to put the team in the highest level to attack the season.”
On his new arrivals
“Kieran is a key player for us. A lot of quality, a lot of experience, a leader, talking a lot with the guys, so he’s important for us. His experience is important, outside and inside the pitch. I'm very happy with him. Rafiki is a player with the characteristics we want, strong one versus one, with a lot of running, technique, scoring and assisting – it’s important all season. When we bring players, they’re to help improve the team, and these two guys have the quality to improve the team. Also, Raul is a key point for us, at the moment he’s on holiday, but for sure he’s a quality player and he can help us to improve the team and to fight for the Premier League.”
