Hard work between games

It sounds simple, but we’ve just been focusing on working hard at the training ground, and speaking to and supporting the players.

It’s been really frustrating for all of us, especially when you see the application and effort of the players. Against Wolves on Tuesday, I thought the commitment was there, but at any level of football, if you concede goals, it can affect everything.

We’re all hurting, because we came out of pre-season in a positive place and results haven’t gone our way since then. We have to accept that, and we’re not shying away from it, because we understand the results-based business we’re in, and that things haven’t been good enough.

We know it’s up to us to change things, and we’ve been working really hard to put things right. The players are responsible enough to understand what they’ve got to do. We’ve done some good work, and we’re looking forward to the weekend.

I do think we’ve done a lot of good work in terms of the culture and the foundation of the group being better. There’s connection and commitment in this team, and I believe we’re not far from a performance and a result that gets us moving in a different direction, that ultimately is the key to building trust and turning things around.

 

Taking on the Tricky Trees

They’ve done a brilliant job over the last few years. They were almost ridiculed for spending a lot of money when they were promoted a couple of years ago, but I think they’ve proven that they know what they’re doing.

I think what they’ve done has shown the gap between the Championship and the Premier League, in terms of how you have to invest in your team to compete, which they’re doing now. They stabilised, and then they had a brilliant season last year. Now, they’ve got a really powerful, well-organised team, with lots of talented individual players, so we know we’re in for a tough game on Sunday, but we’re looking forward to it.

 

Respect for his opposite number

Nuno [Espírito Santo] has done a brilliant job there.

I know his career well, having come up against him a few times over the years, and he’s certainly very well respected among other coaches, because of the experience he’s gained and the jobs he’s done at different clubs. He’s definitely done a brilliant job at Forest.

 

Exciting Fernandes signing

I think he brings quality, character, desire and personality to the squad. He’s someone we’ve known about and watched for a while, and we’re delighted to have him here with us.

I think our fans will really like him. He’s at an exciting stage of his career, he’s already got some Premier League experience, and we’re looking forward to him taking the next step with us.

Last season didn’t go how he or Southampton would’ve planned, but I think every experience you have in life, good or bad, is an opportunity for you to learn and develop, and get stronger. I’m sure he wouldn’t have enjoyed the experience last year, but I think it’s made him more determined, more aware of how difficult this league is, and of how difficult being a top professional player is.

He’s got ambition, he’s got humility and he’s got professionalism, so I think he’ll take every experience he has and use it to improve.