Mehdi Nafti: "Consistency is key. The players believe in what we're doing and we're on track"

C.D. Leganés manager, Mehdi Nafti, spoke before a press conference ahead of the Pepineros' 17th league game to be played this Monday 22nd November at La Romareda at 21:00 (CET). "My assessment would be that the team has looked very coherent in the last three, that they play responsibly and have the desire to get out from under. The most important things are consistency from here until Christmas and to keep improving".

Speaking on Monday's opponent, Nafti highlighted their recent from: "a string of tied results, but three straights wins in their last three and they'll be more optimistic about their future now than they were a month ago. I don't know what buttons they pressed; that's a question for their manager. What I focus on are the buttons I can press for my squad". For the Pepinero coach, "we're getting more and more people on board, the players believe in what they're doing and our absentees are recovering. We can also be optimistic about the future as long as we don't let our guard down. But I don't fixate on the table; I look at the performances in training and matches".

When questioned on recent results, the manager commented that "I never talk about a 'loss', a 'win' or a 'draw' because results are borne from the work done throughout the whole week. If we respond as we should and do things correctly we'll absolutely win more than we lose; right now, we're on track". Regarding players' participation in the Zaragoza fixture, Nafti said that "being a starter doesn't mean anything, I'd prefer it if they played for five minutes and followed their instructions, that they have faith in what their jobs are, because that is what develops the best kind of competition between the players. It takes a lot to make it onto the pitch for kickoff, let alone the teamsheet. The most important things are to get points and always contribute".