Eddie Howe and Fabian Schar on Newcastle attempts to get UCL campaign back on track against Dortmund
Eddie Howe and Fabian Schar on Newcastle attempts to get UCL campaign back on track against Dortmund
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00:00 Good evening and welcome to our press conference ahead of tomorrow night's match against Borussia Dortmund.
00:10 We'll start with Sky Sports and if you want to ask a question please raise your hand and we'll come to you.
00:16 Hi Eddie. Hi Keith.
00:18 How are the lads all feeling physically and I guess emotionally after what has been two huge performances and two huge wins for your team in the last week?
00:27 Yeah, I'd say very good. Physically I think we'd be fine.
00:33 We haven't done any training, we prepared the game tactically but physically laid right off the players which we have to in this moment.
00:42 Emotionally very good, obviously feeling good about the last two results.
00:47 So fine Simon?
00:53 You obviously don't have your injury problems to seek at the moment. Dan Byrne got injured with his back at the weekend.
01:00 How is he ahead of this one? Is there any chance of him featuring?
01:03 Unfortunately not. Dan will be out for some time I think.
01:06 So it's another long-term problem. A couple of months is sort of a speculative number for us.
01:17 He landed on his spine. I think he's got a problem with the base of his spine so a huge blow.
01:23 I guess a huge blow for you in terms of what he brings to the team but also his character behind the scenes and what he's like in the dressing room.
01:30 Yeah, absolutely. He's been gigantic for us since he signed for lots of different reasons as I've continually said.
01:38 His character, his determination to win, his experience and his versatility as well.
01:44 So it's not just one position we're losing, we're losing his ability to play centre-back as well.
01:49 But it's something we have to roll with.
01:52 OK, anyone else? Lee Ryder?
01:55 Eddie, it's two years since you've taken over as the new Castlemaggio.
02:01 Would you have believed you'd be in Dortmund two years after that?
02:05 No. As I said, when we took over the vision was very short-term, it was can we stay in the Premier League?
02:14 And we hadn't won for some time. So it was firstly getting that first win and building the confidence from there really.
02:21 And once it came, I think we steadily improved.
02:25 But to be in this point so soon after those moments is something we don't take for granted.
02:32 You've instilled so much belief back into the football club, a lot of people say you've got the club back now.
02:38 That must give you immense satisfaction.
02:41 I think the whole feeling at the club gives us immense satisfaction.
02:46 The working environment the players have got, the culture we have at the training ground is very strong.
02:50 The relationships are really strong through the spine of the club,
02:53 which I feel for a successful football club gives you the best opportunity.
02:57 And most importantly, I think the relationship with our supporters and the players and us is really healthy and it's in a good place.
03:04 I think that combination is so strong for us at the moment.
03:08 Just finally, on the game tomorrow, a lot of people saying it's a must-win because of the situation with Dortmund overtaking.
03:17 Do you see it that way?
03:20 It's inbuilt in me, I think every game is a must-win.
03:24 The term is probably overused in football because I just feel that's the only way we prepare.
03:29 We prepare to try and win every game.
03:32 We never have anything else in our minds, so that's what we'll try and do in this one.
03:36 OK, I'm going to go to Jordan and then Luke.
03:39 You mentioned the injuries there as well, obviously you've got Emil Kraft unavailable alongside Mark Ritchie.
03:46 How do you pick a bench tomorrow? I've counted, you've actually got 16 first-team players unavailable.
03:53 Yeah, like that really. You just see who's fit and who's available.
03:57 We've added a couple of younger players to the squad, but we'll go with that.
04:02 That's all we can do. I think you're always going to get injuries.
04:06 I think the problem for us is a lot of the injuries we've got currently are on the longer-term scale,
04:11 which means there's no relief coming around the corner, which then leaves every game that you play...
04:18 You're in a dangerous position, but we wouldn't have it any other way.
04:24 I've said we've really enjoyed the games that we've had,
04:27 it's just the games have come at a cost recently, with injuries that you can't prepare for.
04:31 So Dan again going up for a header, falling on his back, that could happen at any moment.
04:35 But unfortunately for us it's come at the wrong time.
04:38 You mentioned Damian Ozil, a left-back on Matar,
04:41 what's the diagnosis, how long will he be out for potentially?
04:44 We don't know 100 per cent, I think he's seeing a specialist tonight,
04:47 but we'll get clearer information.
04:49 It's not going to be a short-term fix for Mat, he will definitely be out for...
04:53 I'd probably say around three months, but again that's a rough estimate.
04:59 Just to give you guys...
05:01 He'll be around that figure regardless of whether he has surgery or not.
05:05 We'll go to Luke and then Scott Wilson.
05:08 Hi, I was going to make a joke about you turning up on time for this game,
05:13 probably now with all these injuries it's taken the wind out of my sails a bit.
05:17 Sorry to draw you back to what happened at the weekend,
05:20 but Mikel Arteta's comments are still causing quite a stir back home,
05:24 it's everywhere, all over the media.
05:26 Have you had any further reflections on it, on what he said on Saturday evening about your victory?
05:33 No, I've had no reflections because I've been preparing for this game
05:37 and looking immediately at Dortmund and reflecting on our game against them,
05:41 which was just a short time ago,
05:44 and trying to get their margins in our favour from that, because it was a tight game.
05:47 There was very little between the two teams, I thought,
05:50 but they deserve to win ultimately,
05:52 and now we have to try and play better than we did a couple of weeks ago.
05:58 And with these injuries, your squad is stretched now, isn't it?
06:02 It's fair to say that you are really, really stretched in key areas.
06:06 We are, no denying that.
06:09 I think we've been stretched for a few weeks,
06:12 but with every player that we lose the problem looms a little bit larger,
06:17 because if we lose players from this position then we become in a very difficult position.
06:23 But there's nothing we can do, there's no transfer window.
06:27 As I say, a lot of the players have longer-term issues,
06:30 but the players that we do have have stepped up and they've all given more,
06:34 and that is the mentality we're going to need in the coming weeks.
06:37 All we can do is approach the next game in the best way we can,
06:40 and then the international break will come at a good time.
06:43 But we'll get very little relief from that in terms of players back after that.
06:47 Just one more about Arsenal, if I may.
06:50 Jamal said that he was very disappointed that people wouldn't shake his hand after the game.
06:55 What did you make of that?
06:56 I haven't seen that, Luke.
06:58 Scott, and then Matthew Roosebeck.
07:01 Eddie, you say about reflecting on the first game and the margins being tight.
07:06 How much do you feel you can tweak the way that your side plays?
07:10 Because it feels like, to a certain extent, Newcastle style is Newcastle style
07:15 in terms of pressing high, trying to be adventurous with the ball.
07:19 Is it easy to be able to make those kind of tweaks?
07:24 We always make tweaks for every game, for every opponent, because every game is different.
07:30 No two games are ever the same and we never prepare that way.
07:33 So as much as it might be difficult to see that, which I understand it would be,
07:38 unless you're seeing how we work, there will always be in-game changes, pre-game changes.
07:46 Looking back to the Dortmund game, it is a useful exercise, I think, the first game.
07:51 But it's not definitive because they may change the way they play,
07:55 we may change the way we play.
07:57 But I think it was two evenly balanced teams going against each other.
08:02 That game could have gone either way.
08:04 Of course we hit the woodwork a couple of times late in the match.
08:07 But I think the players have a good idea of what to expect.
08:09 They are a top team and they've got players that can hurt us.
08:13 So I think there's full respect from us, but hopefully we can get the margins on our side this time.
08:18 Matthew and then Martin Hardy.
08:26 Trent Owen has done well for you in recent weeks and came on at half-time for Burn at the weekend.
08:32 How ready would you say he is for the Champions League,
08:35 because he hasn't featured for you yet in the competition?
08:38 I think Tino's a very good player.
08:41 I think he showed that coming on to a difficult moment on Saturday,
08:45 because that game was evenly poised, the atmosphere was red-hot.
08:50 He's playing against a very good opponent, he's come on and he's done really well again.
08:54 And Kieran did really well as well, having to switch his position.
08:59 So we'll make the decision based on all the information we have
09:05 in terms of how we go with the team selection.
09:07 And fingers crossed the back four is unaffected.
09:10 Joe Willett made his comeback for you from injury in the previous match
09:15 against Dortmund in the Champions League.
09:17 After having a couple of outings since then,
09:20 what sort of level would you say he's at in terms of his fitness?
09:24 I'd say he's done really well.
09:26 I thought he made a real positive impact coming on against Arsenal.
09:29 Of course he played a part in the goal.
09:32 But his all-round performance and physical wellbeing has looked really strong,
09:36 so I'm delighted with his return to the team.
09:39 He always gives us a different balance in midfield,
09:43 he always gives us something different that we haven't got.
09:46 Martin Hardy and then Chris Wolf.
09:48 You're in Dortmund in the Champions League,
09:51 you've beaten Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal in recent weeks.
09:55 Does it bother you if you upset them,
09:57 or is that part of the process to become a regular team at this level?
10:01 Upset the...?
10:02 The English teams.
10:04 We've got no desire to upset anybody, just to try and win.
10:08 And however we do that, I've got no issue with that
10:11 as long as we do it within the spirit of the game.
10:13 We are competitive, we're hugely ambitious,
10:18 and a full compliment to the players on how they handled Saturday.
10:23 And is the desire you have matched by your players in terms of progression?
10:27 Yeah, absolutely.
10:28 I think you can see that from how we've performed,
10:32 the spirit within the group.
10:34 I think the players have handled themselves magnificently this season
10:37 in difficult situations.
10:39 Chris and then Craig.
10:42 Hi, Eddie.
10:43 Hi, Chris.
10:44 For Sandro, have you had clarity yet
10:46 as to whether he's allowed to play in friendly matches going forward?
10:49 I know you said he was going to be potentially involved with the team flying places.
10:52 Has he come out on this trip as well?
10:55 No, he hasn't travelled with us.
10:57 He trained this morning, and trained well.
10:59 Have we got clarity on that?
11:00 We haven't yet, Chris, no.
11:02 And in terms of, obviously, there was the information on Friday
11:05 that the FA are going to look into it as well,
11:07 has there been anything further that the club's heard on that?
11:10 Nothing that I'm aware of.
11:12 OK, Craig.
11:13 Eddie, you've been on the receiving end of some perceived VR injustices this season and last.
11:20 Do you see the worth in clubs' recent statements, such as Arsenal did?
11:24 I'm not going to comment on that.
11:26 That's nothing to do with me, how another team decides to handle that situation.
11:34 I know we've been here before, but I heard you refer to this morning as 'athletico townside',
11:39 which is a nod to the old Diego Simeone comparisons in light of Saturday.
11:43 What do you think about that, and is it a case of,
11:45 "You guys will do what you've already done to win a football match"?
11:48 Does that show versatility, almost?
11:50 Sorry, I missed the start of that. Who said that?
11:52 We just mentioned something on 'athletico townside' you referred to,
11:56 a nod to Atletico Madrid.
11:58 We just play the game, Craig, honestly.
12:02 I think we play hard, I think we play the game in a really strong way,
12:06 because we want to win, but I think we play fair, and we'll do the same again.
12:10 Damien Spurman, about the pack?
12:13 Firstly, can I just ask what kind of response you'd expect to what happened to Borussia Dortmund?
12:24 You're a long way away, Damien. That's what the problem is.
12:28 These things can happen, and I thought it was a really good game,
12:34 actually, watching it back. I thought Bayern played very well.
12:38 They got the goals at a good time for them,
12:41 but it was two really good teams going against each other.
12:44 I think when you come here, one thing we're guaranteed is a brilliant atmosphere
12:51 to play the game in. I think we will be prepared for that,
12:54 but then managing that through the game will be all down to our performance,
12:58 and how well we perform in the match and how well we start is going to be key.
13:01 But certainly we know the power of the home fans here.
13:04 Secondly, just going back to Martin's question about ruffling feathers,
13:09 does your message have to be as a group that get used to where we're here to stay?
13:13 No, we're not intentionally ruffling any feathers. We're just trying to win.
13:19 As I said, I want the players to stand up for each other.
13:22 I want them to play competitive football.
13:24 I want us to be strong in certain moments, which we have to be.
13:27 I think we did all of those things on Saturday.
13:30 We've got no issue at all with how we played.
13:32 OK, a few to finish. Simon Bird, then Oscar.
13:35 Hi, just a back to the Jamal comment after the game on Saturday.
13:39 He said he was fuming that Jorginho didn't shake his hands.
13:42 Should players always shake hands after the game,
13:44 no matter how competitive and tough it's been?
13:47 I can only speak for myself, I can't speak for other people.
13:53 I'd always like to think I'll shake the opponent's manager's hand
13:56 as a mark of respect to him, but that's just how I feel.
13:59 Would you always shake hands? Obviously you would.
14:02 Yeah.
14:04 On the injury situation, can you keep playing this core of your first team
14:09 repeatedly every three or four days, or will there become a breaking point
14:12 where you've got to throw some younger players in and mix the squad up more?
14:16 I think we're running out of younger players to do that with, Simon.
14:21 I believe players can.
14:24 I think Liverpool showed not so long ago in the Champions League,
14:27 the Premier League, they went on all fronts and they played, near enough,
14:31 the same group of players.
14:33 We're almost having to do that through necessity at the moment.
14:36 It wouldn't have been my preferred option,
14:38 I would love to have rotated with the real strength of the group,
14:41 but, yeah, we're not going to be able to do that for a while.
14:44 Last few, Oscar, and then Aaron.
14:46 Eddie, the England squad is out on Thursday,
14:49 Anthony Gordon continues to knock on the door.
14:52 Based on his form this season, do you believe he's deserving of a first?
14:57 I'm sure he'll be in the frame.
14:59 I'm sure he will be, because Gareth has been at a few of our games,
15:02 he'll have seen first-hand how well Anthony's doing.
15:05 But he's competing with very good players in his position as well,
15:09 that has to be noted.
15:11 So, let's wait and see what Gareth does.
15:13 You imagine Gareth will probably be watching tomorrow night,
15:16 surely performing on a stage like this can force his hand somewhat?
15:20 There's no better place to do it for Anthony,
15:23 or for any player wanting to get into the international team.
15:26 So this is the stage that you want to perform on.
15:29 Aaron?
15:30 Eddie, obviously we saw Kieran Tripp move to left-back the other night,
15:35 given the injuries you've just mentioned at left-back,
15:38 do you see you having to do that more regularly from the start
15:41 in the next couple of months?
15:43 It's an option for us.
15:45 I'm not going to say with any certainty what we're going to do,
15:48 because I'm not going to give my team away.
15:51 But, yeah, that's one of the options we have.
15:53 Another option is Lewis Hall,
15:56 what have you made of his start in the last couple of weeks,
15:59 and how close to him is he probably filling in for Burnham in the Premier League?
16:03 Again, Lewis would be another option for us.
16:06 I'd go back to the Manchester United game,
16:08 where I thought he started the game really well,
16:10 he was a real attacking option for us, scored a great goal.
16:15 So, yeah, I think he's in a good place.
16:17 OK, that's all we have time for, guys.
16:19 Thank you very much, everybody.
16:21 Nice to see you.
16:22 Cheers.
16:50 There's a way some come in now.
16:52 Good evening, everyone.
17:18 Fabian will answer any English questions in English and German in German,
17:22 and then translation will come simultaneously through the headsets.
17:25 We'll start with you, Keith, when you're ready.
17:29 Fabian, how are you feeling after the weekend?
17:32 It's obviously been an intense time for the players,
17:35 I know you had the rest at Old Trafford last week,
17:38 but how are you feeling physically and mentally,
17:41 and what is a very small squad just now,
17:43 given the amount of injuries that there are?
17:45 Yeah, I'm feeling good, actually.
17:47 Obviously a win always helps.
17:49 I think especially winning against a top team gives you a boost in confidence,
17:56 and obviously over the last few weeks I think the team does really well.
18:00 Everyone who steps in the team performing on a high level,
18:05 and I know we have a few injuries,
18:09 but I'm really proud of the team and the quality we have,
18:13 so I'm looking forward to tomorrow.
18:17 The manager was just telling us a moment ago about Dan,
18:20 the fact that he's going to be out for a few months with his back injury.
18:23 For someone who plays alongside him,
18:26 you've got to know him very well over the last year or so.
18:29 How big a blow is that for you guys as a team?
18:32 Yeah, a big blow to be fair.
18:35 Obviously Dan is so important for us, he's been brilliant,
18:40 and obviously not just on the pitch but also off the pitch.
18:44 So, yeah, another blow in terms of injuries.
18:50 But now there is time for other players to step up,
18:55 and obviously I'm really confident in the team.
18:58 Just finally from me, what are your experiences of playing here at the stadium?
19:06 Well, the game I played we lost, so not great to be fair.
19:11 No, I mean the stadium I know is going to be very tough for Newcastle tomorrow.
19:19 When we play at home, obviously the crowd gives us so much,
19:28 so it's going to be the same for them tomorrow.
19:31 But we have to focus on ourselves and just forget the noise and what's going on around us,
19:40 and just focus on our performance.
19:43 What has it been like over the last few weeks to play alongside Jamal Lassells again at centre-back?
19:52 Yeah, I think it's been brilliant with his stepping in
19:58 and his performance on a really high level.
20:01 So I'm really happy for him as well,
20:05 obviously before it wasn't probably easy, not playing too much.
20:11 I know how it is, I was in similar situations maybe.
20:15 But he's so professional and obviously a great character off the pitch as well,
20:22 and I think he performed really well.
20:24 So, yeah, I'm really happy for him.
20:27 Sven Botten's injury has meant that you've moved from the right of central defence to the left.
20:32 How comfortable are you with that positional change?
20:35 Well, it's going all right.
20:39 Maybe it's a bit different when you play the first game,
20:43 but now I've been in that position a few games,
20:47 so it's not too big a difference if you're playing on the left or the right.
20:53 So, yeah, I'm really confident.
20:56 Scott, and then Chris.
21:01 Hi, Fabian.
21:02 There's been a lot said over the last few years about money that Newcastle have spent and things,
21:08 but if you look at the team that played at the weekend,
21:10 Jamal, yourself, Sean, Callum, Jacob before he went off,
21:15 you've got players there who have gone on this entire journey with Newcastle.
21:19 What do you think it says about you as a group?
21:22 And just talk a little bit about the kind of journey that that group of players has been on with Newcastle.
21:30 Well, I think it's just improvement from not just the club, also every individual.
21:35 I mean, since the last two years, we've been on a brilliant journey, to be fair,
21:41 and everyone stepped up.
21:44 I think the togetherness we have in the squad, I've never had this in my career before.
21:53 It's unbelievable.
21:54 Everything's unbelievable, so I'm just really happy to be part of it.
22:00 I think that's the same for many other players.
22:04 We just try to fight for each other, and I think we've been so much better
22:11 and so much improvement over the last few years.
22:14 That's just great to see.
22:17 And how much praise do you think that Eddie and the rest of the coaching staff need for that?
22:23 Because at various stages, a number of that group have been written off.
22:28 Are they going to be sold? Are they ever going to make it at Newcastle?
22:31 And yet here you are, playing Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.
22:34 Yeah, obviously, I would say the main character are the managers.
22:41 They've done unbelievable.
22:43 They just made it possible, the way they're coaching, the way they put this group together.
22:52 The togetherness we are in now, I think that's huge praise for them.
22:58 Obviously, I speak for myself, but I wouldn't be in that position possibly without him.
23:07 So I'm just really thankful for him and obviously the club that they brought him in.
23:16 I just try to give everything back, what I can do, and just leave the heart on the pitch.
23:25 Hi Fabian, obviously you played European football earlier in your career,
23:31 but when you signed for Newcastle, did you envisage yourself playing in the Champions League
23:35 with the club, given where they were at the time?
23:38 Probably not, no, to be honest.
23:41 At that stage, I wouldn't even think about it.
23:46 It was different times.
23:48 Also the years I played, the first three or four years in Newcastle,
23:54 were almost more or less you play against relegation, which is obviously very different.
24:02 That makes it even better for myself to still be at this club, which I love so much,
24:13 and now playing in the Champions League and having these good times over the last few years.
24:19 I'm just enjoying the moment.
24:22 You mentioned how much you love the club.
24:25 Obviously, you've said before you had some tough times when you weren't in the team.
24:29 Where does this stage in your career rank in terms of enjoyment and fulfilment?
24:34 Yes, definitely the best time of my career, to be honest.
24:39 Just playing in the best league, playing for myself, I feel really comfortable.
24:49 I feel like a second home, I've said that a few times.
24:54 I've been here now over five years, so I feel really confident.
25:01 Obviously, the city and the club gave me a lot, and I just want to give something back.
25:09 Just see the enjoyment also for the fans and the good times they have.
25:15 I think they really deserve it, and I'm just really thankful for that.
25:19 Craig, and then Lee.
25:23 Obviously the night against Paris Saint-Germain was arguably the highest point of your career.
25:27 At Newcastle, you then go into the Dortmund game, and it's totally the opposite.
25:31 Not for you personally, I mean as a team.
25:33 That's a reminder of how difficult this competition is.
25:35 Can you just compare the two nights from the high of Paris to the low of Dortmund,
25:40 and what happened there?
25:41 Well, it's the Champions League.
25:44 We have a very tough group.
25:47 Obviously, against Paris I think it was probably one of our best games and performances.
25:55 Then you see what Saint-Germain's Park can do as well.
26:00 I just want to see this picture, because that's where we want to be,
26:07 and the level we want to be game by game.
26:11 Obviously you can't reach it all the time, but that's the process we're in.
26:16 Obviously we can learn a lot from the Dortmund game and do it better next time.
26:22 On Saturday we saw a different side, you guys, a nastier side perhaps at times.
26:30 Do you guys enjoy playing like that, playing hard when you have to?
26:33 I enjoy to play whatever it takes to win a game.
26:38 Sometimes it's what's needed.
26:42 A game can go different ways, and I think we know what we need to do.
26:49 Sometimes it's not, obviously, you play unbelievably nice football.
26:54 Maybe sometimes you have games like Saturday where it's really tight,
26:58 and details and a lot of fouls, I would say.
27:02 And things off the pitch as well, which I don't really care about,
27:06 because at the end it's just the three points that matter.
27:10 Obviously we were really happy to keep them in Newcastle.
27:14 You played in Newcastle when you played five at the back,
27:20 parking the bus in relegation battles,
27:23 but now it's been a much more attacking style, which obviously you enjoy.
27:27 How much happier as a person does that make you on a day-to-day basis,
27:32 knowing you're going to play this good, entertaining football?
27:38 Well, the most entertaining for me is good results.
27:42 Obviously we have better results now than we had a few years ago.
27:47 I don't really care how you get a win or how you play.
27:52 Like I said, on Saturday it wasn't probably our best game,
27:56 but we won and it was perfect for us.
28:00 I'm just enjoying being on the team, like I said,
28:06 obviously the way we've been through and where we came from and where we are now,
28:10 it's just really nice to see and obviously I want to continue like that.
28:15 You obviously always wanted to stay at the club,
28:18 but did it come to a point where you thought you might have to leave the club?
28:22 There was a time when your contract situation was in the air, wasn't there?
28:26 Well, obviously there was a time where I was thinking what was going to happen,
28:31 because I was in a difficult situation,
28:34 I wasn't sure if the club is still here for me or they still want me to be fair.
28:42 But as soon as the new manager Eddie walked in, I thought,
28:48 "That's my chance." I kind of knew him before,
28:52 so since then everything has changed and I'm just really glad for the moment.
28:58 Would you complain if you finished your career as a Newcastle player?
29:02 Complain? No, I mean, I would love to, to be fair.
29:07 You signed a two-year contract at the club a year and a half ago,
29:17 what's the current situation on that and how keen would you be to extend that?
29:22 Well, he just said what the situation is,
29:26 and I said how much I love the club, how much I want to be here.
29:32 So I think I don't have to say anything else.
29:36 You've beaten Manchester United, Man City, Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal,
29:45 how great is the desire of the players to keep doing that?
29:48 Because as a footballer you want to win games,
29:52 we want to achieve things and I think we've seen last year what's possible.
29:58 For that you have to beat the best teams in the world,
30:04 and especially now when I speak for tomorrow,
30:07 this group is so tough, so you have to compete against the best teams and win games.
30:14 That's why you play football.
30:16 And we all saw how tough it was on Saturday,
30:19 do you think other teams in England have been unsettled
30:22 or unhappy at the rise of Newcastle at the minute?
30:25 I don't know, and I don't really care to be honest.
30:30 It's just...
30:32 I'm not thinking what other people or clubs think about us,
30:40 I just try to achieve the best possible thing for Newcastle as a club,
30:46 and I think we're doing quite well and just focusing on that.
30:50 Finally, can I just ask, what are players' thoughts on VAR at the minute,
30:54 because there's so much controversy?
30:56 Do the players talk about it and what are their thoughts?
30:59 I think the media speak more than us players, to be fair.
31:05 I know there's a lot of things going on, decisions,
31:09 people have different opinions and stuff like this,
31:14 but as a player you're on the pitch and you want to play football
31:18 and you can't really change anything.
31:21 So I think for us it's best just to focus on the game and forget the rest.
31:28 Obviously sometimes you have decisions where you're not happy with,
31:35 but there's nothing you really can do, so forget it and just focus on football.
31:40 Oscar, to finish off, please.
31:42 You've alluded to the tough times you had here before Eddie came in,
31:46 you're out of the side considering your future,
31:49 here on the eve of the huge Champions League game,
31:52 have you proved the former manager wrong?
31:54 I don't know. You have to ask him.
32:00 I think I've had two great years now under Eddie,
32:07 I think I've performed on the highest level and I've improved a lot under Eddie.
32:15 He made me a better player and obviously when the team is doing well
32:19 it's easier as a player to improve.
32:22 I'm just happy to see the way the club has been and where I was as well and where it's now.
32:32 There was this perception that maybe you couldn't play in a back four,
32:37 what did you make of that at the time?
32:39 Are you able to laugh now at those?
32:41 I don't know, who said that?
32:43 There was this idea potentially under the previous manager that you weren't comfortable in a back four.
32:47 Yeah, well, I feel quite comfortable in the back four.
32:52 Did you say a minute ago that you knew Eddie before?
32:57 Before he joined the club, did you say a moment ago you'd had dealings with Eddie before?
33:02 Yeah, we had contact before when he was manager at Bournemouth.
33:07 A few years ago, yeah.
33:10 Thanks very much everyone.
33:13 Thank you.
33:15 [BLANK_AUDIO]