Aguirre concerned for young players

Matt Jones - Editor 03:03 29/10/2016
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  • Javier Aguirre coached Al Wahda from 2015-17.

    Victory and the margin of it is sure to act as a confidence-booster after a 2-1 defeat to Al Wasl a week ago, but the former Atletico Madrid coach wants his players to use the Blue Wave walloping as a springboard rather than an excuse to ease up.

    “We are out of the bad results but we still need to win three or four games. We still have problems,” said Aguirre, whose side travel to Sharjah on Wednesday.

    “Normally with the three points the week is different, you can relax. Fortunately for us we have a game on Wednesday so there’s no room to relax. I hope, not for me, but the pressure is lifted for the players. They deserve to have the pressure relieved and the three points.”

    Aguirre has been around football for many years, so is used to the harsh glare of the spotlight when things are not going his way and speculation surrounding his job – of which there has been plenty in recent weeks following a below par start to the 2016/17 season.

    Criticism of his team during a testing start, however, and low morale led the Mexican to worry about the mental health of his young players, such as 2015/16 Arabian Gulf League Young Player of the Season, Mohamed Al Akbari.

    “I’m an old man, I know how this game works, but I have young players who can be afraid to play the ball or make mistakes,” said the 57-year-old.

    “I understand the rules of the game. For the young players especially it’s important to keep winning or at least playing well. Of course you cannot always win, this is normal, but today this is good for everybody, especially the young players.

    “I admit there was pressure, for me and my players, because we were ninth or tenth. The players were tense, it was a tough week, there were many speeches and talk on social media but today we played with big heart and intelligence.”

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