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'Play well for the green jersey'
says Sauzee
by John Campbell
IN HIS FIRST
REAL PRE MATCH PRESS CONFERENCE, since being thrust into the
limelight last week, new Hibs gaffer Franck Sauzee took time to
explain some of his philosophy on the beautiful game of football and
stressed that for him, the 100% commitment and application of his
players to the green jerseys of Hibernian is of the utmost importance.
Looking relaxed and happy after his first full week in charge Sauzee
explained
"The players have shown me this week that they are very happy in their
minds and mood and we have worked very hard on the training pitch with
a view to getting the right result against St. Johnstone on Saturday.
I was happy with their reaction to last Saturday's defeat because they
have not been down about it. They know they played well in terms
of commitment and we had only 10 men for a lot of the game and yet
looked the better team at times."
There
is little doubt that had Paco Luna not been sent off at East End Park,
Hibs may well have been able to secure at least one point from the
game but it was not to be. At least Sauzee has no new injury
worries to take on board as he confirmed in saying
"Everyone
is fit and I am in a happy position with that. I was asked if my
first week as Manager had been strange but it has not really.
With Donald I have worked hard with the players and have spoken a lot
to them about their application and their mentality about the game.
I am a great believer that you cannot improve as a player unless you
have the ball at your feet and although the pre season training is
tough and necessary I think only some work is needed each week to
maintain that and working with the ball becomes the important thing.
We have worked on situations they might encounter during a game and I
hope they will be more prepared if these situations arise but they all
involve a ball and not just physical exercise."
Franck holding court (sns)
Clearly in his many years as a top flight player, Sauzee has
encountered a variety of training methods and seems of the continental
school where working with the ball is all important. Many
Italian and Spanish sides are well known for getting their players
physically fit and then just keeping them that way with sensible
exercise and diet, whilst concentrating on ball work. If Sauzee
is introducing that to Easter Road then more power to him for doing so
as the phrase "he has a good engine" really just means he can run all
day but he has very little footballing talent. Looking at the
current crop of players there is an abundance of footballing talent
and Sauzee is already setting out his stall to ensure best use is made
of that ability.
"Footballers can get better with practise but not if they don't even
have a ball at their feet! A piano player gets better if he
practises and footballers are no different. This approach is
something I have grown up with over the years and although I recognise
the importance of physical fitness it is not the be all and end all in
football. The players have adjusted well to my wishes and Donald
Park has worked out some good exercises to make these things happen.
It will take time for my ways to get across but we will get there."
The
new Manager has been preaching happiness and togetherness from the
moment he was appointed and already that philosophy is coming through
in training where the players are working very hard but are more
relaxed about the methods being used. "I have asked them to
conduct themselves as professional sportsmen both on and off the park.
Responsibility is one of my favourite words in football and all I have
asked is that my players take responsibility for their actions on the
park - even if they have made a mistake they should take
responsibility and they should learn from it. Off the park they
must look after themselves and be professional too."
Speculation this week that Alen Orman might be asked to join the
Nigerian World Cup Squad brought a smile to Sauzee's face. The
mere thought of the Bosnian who took Austrian Nationality actually
being allowed to then turn out for Nigeria certainly had the genial
Frenchman chuckling. "I'm
aware of this from the newspapers but I feel it is pure speculation.
We have not received any official approach from the Nigerian FA but in
any event part of my role as Manager of Hibernian is to protect and
assist my players and I have spoken to Alen and have told him he is a
very good young player; that we have many important games in the next
few weeks and that he will get into International reckoning in time as
he will improve. Anyway, <huge smile spreads across his face as
he goes on to say> he is not Nigerian is he? I cannot complain
that people think they are good enough to play for their country but
someone else's country?"
Sauzee then uttered the words that all Hibs fans want to hear when he
said he wanted his players to concentrate 100% on Hibernian and to
"have the mentality to play well
for the green jerseys of Hibernian. I want them to have the
highest respect for this Club and for its wonderful supporters"
As to
the game in Perth tomorrow - my prediction is 3 - 1 to Hibs as the
League climb begins in earnest!
Hibs.net was fortunate enough to spend a further 30 exclusive minutes
with the man himself and the interview provided a fascinating insight
into the mind of a footballing genius. The outcome of that
meeting, as revealed by the Editor yesterday, will be a two part
interview - released on Christmas Day and New Years Day and all I can
say, to tickle your appetite, is its the best Christmas present
Hibs.net could ever have hoped to offer!!
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