Luis Enrique: "We need to pick ourselves up"

04/27/2012

CONSISTENCY
The problem has been our lack of consistency in the league. We've been up and down and that has distanced us from our main goal. This is without a doubt the problem.
POST FIORENTINA
What I really think? I can no longer say. In the press conference after the Fiorentina game it's true that I wanted to speak from the heart. I thank the journalists who asked me questions because had I spoken without any prompting I would have said things I shouldn’t have done. Now though I've put my coach's hat back on.
NO REGRETS
I've never had any second thoughts about coming here to Italy. It's an absolute pleasure to be the Roma coach because it's a big club with great support and a fantastic team behind it. Can we still turn it around at the end of the season? Of course I think we can turn things around. But there's only one way we can do it. We need to win on Saturday and then win our remaining games. For the moment we're in seventh place in the table and that's where we deserve to be based on what we've shown. But I think that while there's still a chance to reach a target then you need to work to achieve it and our target now is to qualify for the Europa League.
A FEELING OF UNREST
What do I think about the banners protesting against me at Trigoria? I'm not thinking about who's behind them, I think it's normal that the fans are unhappy. This always happens in the world of football when a team's performances are not up to scratch. I've said it before and I'll say it again, our fans have given us unbelievable support throughout the season and the support has been better than the team's performances. I'm approaching this period of discontent as any professional should, by continuing to work as hard as I can to do what I believe is best for the team. Will we get booed on Saturday night? I maintain what I've said, the fans are perfectly entitled to show their disapproval and I think it's justified given what we've shown so far. We had another disastrous first half against Fiorentina but they supported the team. We were better in the second half and we showed fight. The fans expect us to sweat for the shirt and that's exactly what we need to do on Saturday and indeed always. That's the way it should be.
AHEAD OF ROMA V NAPOLI
Stekelenburg is still struggling with his shoulder and I think he's unlikely to play tomorrow. The game against Napoli is a game which will be tough both for our opponents and indeed ourselves considering where we are in the table after our recent performances. But it's a match which will once again allow us to try and qualify for European football next season. Just as I did yesterday, I will obviously speak to the players to get them as up for it as possible. We've got a lot to improve upon between now and the end of the season. We need to pick ourselves up and finish as high up the league as possible.
FUTURE
Can my position change? We're all going through a tough period and now it's time to stay close to the squad. We'll look at all the problems come the end of the season, we'll try and resolve them and we'll see what happens. I realise I have an unusual relationship with the press but I don't know if I can change.
THE REAL ROMA
There's no doubt that this year has been an exception because the club has new owners and a new coach. This is the first year under Roma's new management. I think many aspects have been pleasing even if you can't see that from the league. Had we won on Wednesday we'd have been just two points off third place. People are angry, yes, but I think right up until the 85th minute we'd have still been in it had Osvaldo and Totti both scored. It also needs to be pointed out that we've spent the entire season between fifth and seventh place. I think the owners have laid the foundations this year for a significant project. I'm sure that this club will win things in the future. What sort of Roma will we see next year? It will be a Roma for the Romans, a Roma for the fans, just as it's always been.
CHARACTER
I know that at times it's seemed like we've been fragile or lacking fight, but it's one thing looking at it from the outside, it's another when you see what is actually going on. I know we have flaws, of course we do, but I saw the right spirit before the game. Then it became a lot more difficult once we conceded. Wednesday's game sums up our season perfectly. At times we obviously didn't show enough character but you can't just go out and buy that at the supermarket.
FITNESS
I think my players' fitness is where it should be at this stage of the season. I'm very happy with my players' fitness and I think we're one of the best-placed teams in this regard.
RESPONSIBILITY AND ADVICE
As I've always said I'm the first in the firing line with regards to what's happened to the team this year. Do I have some advice for the lads? They need to improve a great deal to be at the level that's expected of this team, this club and these fans.
CONFUSION?
I'm in no way confused, I'm just thinking about my football. There have been times when the team has looked lost but I've said it before, and I'll say it again, the coach is responsible for all of that.
LUCK
Do I feel I'm due some good luck? You need to make your own luck. I've told you, I'm not superstitious. Clearly I've not had a lot of luck this season but I've not moaned about that. If we're on 50 points, it's because that's where we deserve to be.
SUPERSTITIOUS
Why did I make that superstitious hand gesture while I was watching Wednesday's game? I was watching the game with my arms folded and I didn't even realise I was doing it. I'm disappointed with what I read in the press because they misinterpreted it. I know the press watch our every move but I'm telling you there was no superstition behind that gesture, it was purely accidental.
KJAER
I'm very happy with Simon, he's a player who came here after two big seasons at Palermo, then a drop in form in Germany. I'm happy with the way he's conducted himself this year. Of course he's had some tough moments, but I'd like to congratulate him on the way he's been able to pick himself up after the mistakes he's made, and he's never given up. Simon is still only 23, he's played with huge pressure on him this season but he’s coming on a great deal and he's been a key player for us in the last few games. He's got great potential and I hope he has a big future.