GREAT EXPECTATIONS

Regis Le Bris did not set any targets for his team before the Premier League season kicked off, but our blistering start to life in the top flight means that some fans are setting their sights a lot higher than a relegation battle! The gaffer praised his team's willingness to learn and the high standards that have been set in every training session.

ROTATION V EVERTON?

“We will see. We want to stay ambitious. Obviously with many games, we have to manage game time but probably until Everton it will be tough to have the players from AFCON. There will be Rei (Reinildo) because Mozambique lost yesterday, but we don’t know for the others.”

ENERGY LEVELS AND DEPTH

“It is difficult for us and it is difficult for our opponent as well. It is an interesting period, they showed great consistency even across this long spell because it is really hard. Even if the players are tired, they like playing football. They are good players and they want to show this ambition, even across tough periods. They are tired but they want to play!”

BAD TRAINING SESSIONS

“Before Newcastle for example, it was bad and they were frustrated because they wanted to be ready. It was really interesting from our side to feel that they were really frustrated because of their standards. We want to get better and when we are not good, even in a training session, they don’t accept that. It is really positive.”

EXPECTATIONS

“Yes, it’s really positive, but it’s clearly that the target is not reached yet. We want to go as quickly as possible to this 40 point target and after that, we will see what can happen. I think the ambition is really high but we have to stay humble. It is always about this balance. If we are a bit less involved in our principles and our energy then we know that because this league is so demanding, we will be punished. It is a good balance.”

AFCON

“I have watched many games of this AFCON. I enjoyed Mozambique against Nigeria. Mozambique have to be proud of their style of play, they were ambitious and played with good energy but Nigeria were really good. For Rei, he will probably be a bit disappointed but it was a good tournament for them. We will have Bertrand (Traore) and also Noah (Sadiki) and Arthur (Masuaku). So, another good experience and I repeat that positivity attracts more positivity.”

SECOND HALF OF THE SEASON COULD BE EVEN BETTER

“Yeah, I hope so. I think we have the ability to get better. Many areas to develop and with this period after the AFCON, we will have five or six more options. I hope the squad will continue to evolve and keep the same ambition to get better. But I think for the opponents, this will be the case as well. It is always like a race so we will see.”