#PLStories- Christian Stellini on Oliver Skipp, when Antonio Conte will return, his phone call and VAR after winning against Chelsea #THFC
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antonio conte happy
What are your thoughts on that performance and has Antonio called?
Yes, Antonio called immediately, straight after the game. He was really happy because he has suffered a lot, but now is week Antonio is back so we are happy for the win, we are happy for that and we have to give many compliments to the players because they played a great match.
That’s now four wins from four with you in charge, does that give you belief that you can be a manager one day?
No, it gives me belief about the team. So that is the most important thing. I feel that the team follow the process Antonio create and they take more responsibility without Antonio. This is what I believe in.
Have the team grown in having to be without Antonio?
Yes. It is like a teenager that has to become mature. The team react in this way and they take a lot of responsibility. Everyone, players that play and players that are sometimes not playing. This is why I am glad to stay here and to keep the chair of Antonio warm.
Oliver Skipp was great today, how important was that for his process?
Since we arrived here, Skippy surprised us in that moment. In January last season we lost Skippy for a long time, the rest of the season and when Skippy start this season he was not fit very well but he worked hard. He is a great guy who work 100 per cent every day. He needed time and the opportunity. When he had the opportunity, he showed to everyone the way and the confidence he has in himself. This confidence came from the work he does every day.
Will Antonio arrive back before or after the game at Sheffield United and will he arrive back to a team more confident that before his departure?
Yeah happier for sure because we had a good game. We played a great game but the confidence was fine also when Antonio stayed in Italy. We have to follow the momentum and stay and be consistent in the performance. So this is what we spoke with the team a lot but the performances were good also before and sometimes not consistent. Now we are consistent and we have to follow in this way.
What did you make of the red card and the confusion around it?
Immediately when it happened, for me it was clear the referee needed to give him a red card but the referee was so good to explain immediately and the fourth official as well what happened on the pitch and why they needed time to take the right decision. They needed time because they first needed to understand who was the player. VAR helped find out who was the player who pushed Emerson. Also for the referee, it was a red card. Then VAR calls him back again to say to check if it was violent or not and the referee went to the screen to check this and he decided it was not violent.
Do you think it was the right decision? Have you seen it?
No I have not seen it. For me it is fine what the referee decided because he went to the screen. Many times we discuss the referee not using the screen and the VAR is not involved. We are not lucky because every time the VAR is involved, it is against us and not in our favour but this is only about lucky, not about what happened on the pitch. I am happy because the referee was good to explain us and keep everyone calm.
The Leicester game aside, it feels like the defence is solid again. Has that come from working with them more as a unit?
It is more about unit work and work and helping each other. More than defensive situations, it’s about this. It is about transition and how quick you are to recover position. Sometimes like today from the start it is about to cover the space quickly, slide and break the line together. Working together, it’s more about this.
Two academy players scored today, what do academy players bring to this team that maybe others don’t?
This is an example for all the academy players that are now working with a dream to try to arrive here. The players who score today are important to show to everyone that if you work well, if you work hard, if you believe in the club and in yourself, you can arrive to reach this target. It is not easy but you have to improve yourself and need to look at the type of players like Skippy.
Just to double check, do you think Antonio will be back for the Sheffield United game or for the weekend?
This is the only thing I don’t know. My feeling is he will be back this week but I don’t know when.
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