Juan Antonio Anquela has admitted that this week’s training camp was in reaction to a ‘desperate situation’, but not one he will walk away from.
The club took the entire squad, minus Antonio Floro Flores, on a four-day training camp near Malaga in preparation for the weekend’s home match with Real Sociedad.
The Andalucians go into Week 16 having slipped back into the relegation zone, after a run of just four points collected from the last 24 available.
“Yes, we needed the tranquillity this retreat offered. Anything to get away from everything, now that the issue has become so difficult,” Anquela told Mundo Deportivo today.
“Let’s see if we can now join the team together in all facets. Above all we seek to be relaxed, to talks with each other, to show that we are not doing as badly as the statistics say.
“So we have had more time together and we will see if that has helped, because the truth is we are a bit desperate in this situation.”
A difficult situation it may be, but not one that has Anquela any more anxious than normal, with speculation that a defeat could signal the end of his tenure in charge.
“I am always calm. I think we are doing things right, we are working hard and the football will reward us, if not now then soon.
“To me, I am preparing for this game exactly the same. If it is a must-win for my job or not is something that you [the media] talk about. I will not fight it. Our football is working well, but it is about the results, there is no getting around it.
“Is this a final? No, we’re not at the end yet, what it is is a very difficult game. We have to face up to it as we have been doing with the other games.
“The only thing missing from the team is the result to accompany the good performance. We know that tomorrow may be the day that our form changes, but we always respect our opponent.
“We need to score with the changes that we get. You have a chance, then another, then another…it is logical and obvious that you will then see negative thoughts.
“If we are down where we are in the table, though, it is through merit. We all want to change our form.”
