How have you adjusted to living in the UK?
“I am enjoying it a lot in this part of my career. It is amazing working here in football, but my life is 80 or 90 percent football, but I feel very well. [In the other ten percent] I tend to watch the game of football.”
How important was the World Cup break for the current form?
“I think it was crucial to change everything. We had the opportunity to work with the players who stayed with me [who didn't go to the World Cup]. It was very important. I remember very well the friendly game against Aston Villa [in Dubai] and I understood that game and I understood that something was changing.”
Where’s the biggest improvement been this season?
“The big improvement in the last two months is in mentality. Now we have another level of confidence, not arrogance, because we are Brighton, we are not a top, top team. But to achieve and fight for the top target, you have to have top confidence in yourself.
“We are improving now, but you can understand my work by watching the game against Tottenham, seeing the personality in a big stadium, against a big team.”
Do the players believe they can qualify for Europe? How do you know?
“Yes, yes, yes. They believe in a good target. I see it in the way they talk to each other on the pitch and in the dressing room. I see it by the way they are frustrated when we draw a game and especially after a defeat. Those, for me, are good signals.”
Is Tariq Lamptey available?
"He is not available to play. It's bad, bad news for us. He's important for us, because he has different characteristics, different qualities to Joel Veltman."
How important is Danny Welbeck?
“Very important, like Adam Lallana for players like Jeremy Sarmiento, and for the other young players. He is very important on the pitch, I know when people see the first 11 before the game you question ‘Why is Evan Ferguson not playing?’ but Danny Welbeck is playing very, very well.”