Pepe Mel has declared that Real Betis’ fans should be proud of their players’ achievements so far this season.
The players came under strong criticism for losing the Seville derby 5-1 in Week 12, but have followed that up with a wins against Real Madrid and Deportivo to move back into the Champions League positions.
“The group of players at this time are waging a spectacular campaign for Betis, with some usual issues along the way too,” enthused the Coach after his side’s 3-2 win away at Riazor this weekend.
“The Betis fans must be proud of them. 25 points from 14 games is something I dreamed about in the summer.
“The team fights together and are quick on the counter-attacks. Both teams [on Sunday] were bold when taking decisions, both went out to win the game, and we have been lucky.”
However, Mel once more refused to get carried away and look too far into the distance.
“Right now the only thing on my mind is Barcelona. When we look forward five or six games, this team go wrong.
“This is a young group and we must focus on the immediate future, which is what we are concerned most with. The important thing is that Betis is far from the relegation zone.”
Joel Campbell scored the winning goal and prompted some words of encouragement from his boss.
“Although I have been angry at the Costa Rican, when a player is on a plane the whole time it’s normal that they do not know [what to do].
“When they can spend a long season without leaving they become another member of the squad because they pick up our way of playing.
“I think it will be good for everyone, for Costa Rica and for Betis to have a player, who if he does well will be playing at Arsenal next year.”
