Alioski speaks:-
Same players as last year
Last year we have many players with old mentality, but this year is a new year with a new coach.
Stronger mentality this year?
Yes. The mentality was not like it is now after five or six games. Last season we would worry, but after we beat Stoke we had the mentality we are really strong. The staff, how they speak with us, this mentality changed for all players.
Stopping the rot of last year's run of defeats
Last year when we won we were lucky sometimes, but this year we are winning by more. I am sure we cannot lose more than two games in a row because we are so prepared. These coaches prepare us really well. When we don’t play very well we bring a reaction. Like after Swansea. Norwich was unbelievable. Coaches told us the mistakes and each player is focused to respond.
Important to respond immediately?
We win on Friday, but it’s not easy. They know how strong we are. We play the best football and we show this always in the games.
Dressing room frustration?
Each player was frustrated. Good when each player thinks it’s bad we lose. We know what was wrong and we know the mistakes we made. The players know which mistakes we made in the game.
Birmingham problems?
The press we wanted to do, the aggression we normally have, was not there from the beginning. We lose the aggression, the press we normally do. First half we didn’t have it. It was not easy from 2-0 down to come back, but we know which mistakes we made and we are prepared for the next time.
Derby matches
I enjoy all games. It’s a derby. We go for victory, it’s Sheffield and next it’s Hull. We are a big team and they are scared. Not easy for us to play against the teams we will play. Nice for the supporters down there. We want to show a good performance.
Bielsa reaction to Birmingham
Better not to lose with Bielsa as a coach. He hates this. He believes in us. He tells us what was not good. How he says this is different. We know now next time we lose we have a hard week. Sometimes you lose, but good to have a coach who hates losing.
Jack Harrison thoughts
I like him. He is a very good player. Good technique. Quickly in this team, inside, he do very, very well. Also a good person, not only because he play. He works hard and you see this on the pitch. I hope he will help us in hard times.
Enjoy the left?
It’s not the first time I play left. It’s my side. The difference is I can come in and shoot with my right boot. On the left you can do all of the work. It’s not a big difference. It’s new for me to always be on the left.
Where can he improve
I can improve in the attack and be more aggressive. We train good with the tactic. Automatically I help in defence. I can do more in attack. It will come.
How pleased personally over the season?
We started good. I am happy. I do always give 100 per cent. I helped my team with my performances if I work hard. I will always be better. I learn every day. Hardest games and we must show character and always be on the straight. We must always work harder and play good.
Earn a starting spot with high level?
It’s better you don’t think about it. You work hard and then see if you’re in the team or not.
Ever fitter?
I lose weight and fat. Not only me. At the beginning you think it’s not important, but you see from how much we run how fit we are.
Different to other coaches?
Each coach has a philosophy. Everyone different, but Bielsa is different with how the staff work when he’s not here, on the pitch around the building. Each player is happy he’s here because we can learn many things from him. I hope with the new things we learn we can stay where we are.
Responsibility for the defeat - he took it
Nobody thinks the coach will say this, but this is good for the players, they like this. We know, as players, we were not very good. The coach trusts us and he does something he thinks he sees is good, but maybe it’s not like this.
Given confidence?
The confidence is here. All players must believe under Bielsa. We believe. We work hard and do all the things we want to go up and, of course, we believe.
Response to defeat
It’s my second year now. We see a difference, but the players are all the same. The coach changes many things here. We work really hard. All players here are different, not only me.