FCBARCELONA.CAT

29.08.2007 21:44

Txiki: “Well thought out hard work”

Jordi Clos

Speaking to the members’ representatives at the club’s general assembly, Txiki sketched out the measures that he’s taken to ensure sporting success returns to the Nou Camp this season.

Txiki Begiristain defined the efforts of the technical staff in preparing for this season as “a lot of well thought out and well planned hard work. It’s been a hard summer, but we have seen the kind of reaction we wanted from the players. We’ve got a lot of competition for places in a strong squad and a good academy system too”.

Overconfidence

The club’s sporting director put last year’s disappointing campaign down to: “a loss of intensity and some overconfidence”, but insisted it was not due to “ bad planning”, given the quality signings of Zambrotta, Thuram and Gudjohnsen. Txiki did admit though: “we didn’t see the danger signs. We did notice a bit of relaxation in the squad”.

Putting things right

In order to avoid a repeat of last season’s mistakes, Txiki announced “we’re putting back in place the control and fining systems in the squad to try and recover the group feeling and guarantee a good image for the club. We will intervene if we detect any let up in the right attitude, intensity or hard work – that’s another reason we’ve increased competition for places in the squad”.

New signings

Txiki also ran through the summers’ new signings (Henry, Gaby Milito, Abidal and Touré Yaya), insisting their presence would give the squad a much better balance and reiterating the players’ real desire to join the club. In addition, Txiki drew attention to the presence of the three youngsters promoted from the reserves - Giovani, Bojan and Marc Crosas, all of whom have featured prominently in the pre-season. Txiki also detailed the departures of Belletti, Maxi, Gio, Giuly and Saviola, as well as the loan deals for Olmo and Rubén.

As for any further departures, Txiki explained the difficulties caused by “the players resistance to accept that their time at Barcelona may have come to a close”.

Barça B: training and results

Begiristain had begun his speech referring to Barca B, who will be playing in Tercera division next season: “the objective this season has to be to get promotion – we need to train up the youngsters, but also to get results”. He went on to explain the disappearance of the C team in order to “make us more competitive”, adding” we also have to ensure a correct loaning policy”.