An earlier seed had been planted on the goalkeeper and Gracia was only too happy to take the conversation back to his under-fire goalkeeper. It seems clear the number one will reman his number one tomorrow.
Javi Garcia said: “I believe in my players, but I don’t believe because only I want to tell you now in front of you (the media). I believe because, from my first day, they showed me quality, the way they really want (have desire), the way they compete. In two games it doesn’t change for me. I know we had two bad games or even the second part against [Crystal] Palace and the last game against Liverpool. I can I accept that, but in the rest of the games, we competed well. Some of them with losing, some of them winning, but we competed well. That’s the right way for us. I believe in all my players. You asked me about the ‘keeper, you asked me now because we’ve conceded 11 goals and it is not fair to look at the ‘keeper when we conceded the goals, it’s not fair. When we concede, conceded all the team. When we score, scored all the team and it’s something I want to say to give value to my players and especially all the ‘keepers we have in this moment we’ve conceded 11 goals.”
Changes away from the penalty box are to be expected tomorrow, however. Gracia would admit the team needs to see some intervention from him given what’s gone on in the last three halves they’ve played.
Javi Garcia said: “I thought a lot because we need to change something. We need to give something to the team because the team need it in this moment, to change something. It’s something we spent time [on] this week, but after it’s easy because, at the same time, it’s easy because if I choose some players or others, all of them, I am sure, will be a good selection.”
