Head Coach Adrian Heath
On the valuables taken from the Leagues Cup tournament…
“Bongi’s [Bongokuhle Hlongwane], the performances of Joseph Rosales in a few positions have been really, really good, and the fact that we were down to the last eight of 47 teams that started the tournament. I’m sure there were another 39 that would’ve preferred to be where we were on Friday night. The disappointment was the way that the game ran away from us. Up until the sending off, there was nothing in the game. In fact, I was starting to think we’d weathered the storm and we were starting to get a real good foothold in the game. But, decisions like that change the outcome of games. I can’t deny that two or three of the goals [conceded] were down to poor defending, poor decisions making from our point of view.”
On an unlocked element of Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s offensive game…
“I think it’s a little bit of confidence and more importantly, a little bit of composure. He’s not really wanting to rush himself. You heard me saying that to him last year, he’s got to be really natural, not try and force it and not try to make sure that something’s happening that’s not. He’s relaxed a lot more in front of goal. Confidence is a huge thing and now it feels like he’s going to score every time he plays. He keeps getting himself into the good, one-touch finish positions and if he keeps doing that, he’ll have a chance of hopefully getting 20 goals in all competitions because where he is now, that’s what he’s got to aim for.”
On NYCFC’s couple-week break and approaching the match at the weekend…
“They’ll be fresh. But sometimes turnoff weeks… do you over-work, do you under-work? That’s the secret and I’m sure they’ve played games internally. It’s never easy. It’s always a little bit different with playing on the baseball diamond [Citi Field]. But they’ve got good players, young players. [Maxi] Moralez is back as well which will be a big boost for them. I’m a big admirer of him as a player, [he] makes things happen. It’s never easy against New York City and I don’t think it’ll be any different this weekend.”
On if he makes tactical adjustments according to playing at Citi Field…
“I think it’s more difficult for the players because you’re used to everything being so symmetrical and then everything [at Citi Field] is on an angle but the field is still in that shape but the stadium is on a different angle. Speaking to some of the players, at times when they’re trying to hold a line on the back, they’re losing their bearings a little bit. But it’s the same for everybody else so don’t use it as an excuse. Let’s get on there, try and get our form going again and make the playoffs.”
On the impact of Teemu Pukki’s off-ball movement unlocking channels for others…
“I’m sure Bongi [Bongokuhle Hlongwane] would be the first to say that he’s benefitted from a lot of the movement that Teemu [Pukki] makes. We’ve spoken to Bongi, when Teemu makes that near-post run and takes the defenders with him, can he come into that space that he’s vacated and he’s doing really, really well at that. But Teemu’s goals will come if he keeps making the right runs, which he does. He keeps getting himself in there [the box] and had a couple of good chances the other night. Normally, they go in and they will eventually.”
Defender Hassani Dotson
On the takeaways from the Leagues Cup tournament…
“We should be confident and know that we can compete with anyone. It’s not the way we wanted to end the tournament but if we fixed a couple of plays, we could’ve gone even further.”
On how the team feels after a couple days of rest…
“We’re motivated trying to get a run of wins together and try to make a playoff stretch.”
On getting a good result returning to regular-season play…
“At this point in time and where we are in the team standings, we want to win as many games as possible and climb the table as quick as possible.”
On playing again with Jan Gregus…
“It’s a familiar face. We get along well. It’s about trying to capitalize on what we had before he left because we were making the playoffs, we were a good team back then. We know his quality and what he brings to the table so just trying to bring that into the team and get some results.”
