patrick vieira manager
Given that we have record numbers of Covid-19 cases this week, how are you and your team?
We know that the cases are rising and with the doctor at the football club we are talking about how important it is to follow protocols. We are trying to make everybody aware of it and we are communicating. The job being done by the doctor and his team has been good so far. Knowing that the cases are rising, we need to be more focused and vigilant than we were before.
So you haven’t got anybody currently with Covid-19?
No, we did the test this morning and we are all fine.
Vaccination status as a factor in recruitment – how disruptive can that be?
This is a situation that has been like that for the last two years. We will have to find solutions. I don’t think that will be a massive, recruiting players or not, I don’t think that will be the final decision. But knowing that if you’re signing players that are not vaccinated, that it will take ten days of isolation before you start training the team. This is something obviously we will take into consideration. But I don’t think that will be the final call to sign a player or not.
How important was Everton victory?
I think every game that we are going to play in this busy period will be massively important. But it was good to win the game against Everton because losing the last three was difficult for us and we wanted to bounce back and I think we did it in a good way. And now what is important is to focus on the next one. We know how good Southampton are, we know how well they can play and it’s going to be again a different challenge but we have to be ready for it.
What sets Conor Gallagher apart from others?
I think it is his determination to progress. Every time he is putting his feet on the field he wants to improve and challenge himself. We know his quality. He can do the box-to-box, he can score goals. But what is really impressive with him is the work ethic in training every day. When you have that kind of determination to challenge yourself to improve you will have more chances to succeed.
What do you look for in a captain?
I think as a manager you always want your captain to be one of the leaders – a positive leader on and off the field. You will want the captain to set the example and obviously, the captain always has a special relationship with the manager. But to have that you need to be a positive leader
Are you enjoying playing with a home crowd and had you missed that from your playing days?
No, I don’t miss my playing days at all. I think as a player when you play at home and especially Selhurst Park with the fans and the atmosphere I think this is a drive for the players. This is of course one of the reasons why we are doing well at home.
What’s Conor Gallagher like to coach?
It’s a manager’s dream to have a player like Conor. When he is on the field he will give everything. He is focused, he is concentrated and he will always give his best. I think this is something that for me is really important.
Does he remind you of anybody from your playing days?
I think he has his passion for the game when he is on the field like Ray Parlour. But he has the quality and finishing of Frank Lampard.
He and Jordan Ayew had 29 passes between them – pleased with that?
Yes, I was really pleased because those two had a really good, strong relationship on the right-hand side. And that’s what we need to build as well on the other side of the field. So the balance will be better and allow us to be stronger.
What what are you expecting from Southampton?
I think the loss they had was quite tough as I think they played well. They played some really good football and created chances- they are a that plays on the front foot. It will be a different challenge to the one we had against Everton but it will be a challenge that we have to be ready for because if not we can get done by a good side.
Injury news?
Joachim started training with the team so he will be in the squad tomorrow. Luka is feeling better he will be in the squad as well. The only one who is injured at the moment is James McArthur
Tyrick Mitchell substitution on Sunday, tactical or injury-related?
No, that was more of a precaution but he is fine.
Surprised by Will Hughes’ performance?
Yeah, I think there’s more to come, I think the more he will play the better he will be. I think this is a position where there is competitiveness. And this is what is good because I think the competitiveness that we have in the midfield will bring the best of each one of them and that will be really good for the team. I was and I am really pleased with the game that he [Hughes] played. And now it’s important for him to maintain that performance and to be even better.
Will he be fine to start tomorrow?
We didn’t make any decision. The last two days in training was more about recovery and tomorrow we will see how players are feeling and then we will make a decision. But this morning, like two days after the game, everybody’s feeling a bit stiff. But there is nothing to worry about.
