Before the match against Málaga that will serve to end the Stage Potter at the Marbella Football Center, David Fernández attended Diario As. With Fernández We talked about the new season, the preparation for it, the new coaching staff and all the news from AD Alcorcón.
– In the absence of a day to finish the Stage and a week to start the League, how do you rate this strange preseason?
Well yes, it is being a strange preseason. Everything changes a bit: the start of training, the entrances and exits of the facilities… But we are trying to prepare ourselves as best as possible for the start.
– Does one get used to the protocols?
The truth is, no. Especially the worst thing we had was at the start of training having to do them alone. Also going home without showering after training … I don't know what that will be like in winter. We know what it is and we assume it. We are also privileged because our sport is back… We try to take it as well as possible and hopefully in the coming months all of society will move towards the normality of before.
– We have seen some joke in the concentration … Is there a good atmosphere?
(Laughter) That's what these stages are for too, right? That good atmosphere, that joy and knowing each other more is important. Making a group is essential for the development of the year. In Alcorcón there has always been a good atmosphere and we take great care of this. In the jokes to the new ones, reggaeton has prevailed a lot, but hey… we veterans can't fight with that (laughs)
– What does Mere ask of you in training? What potter football are we going to see?
The coach with clear ideas and the footballer is just what he wants. The Míster wants a very solid team in defense and consistent, but without giving up the ball. A fast team in transitions too. We are getting to know each other and assimilating ideas. We are going to be a team that likes to have the ball and possession. We are growing little by little.
– Are we going to see a team with a variety of drawings or a favorite one?
Mere wants a versatile team. We have worked on several drawings, but the coaching staff gives us a clear but not the only way of playing. We are adapting very well to the Míster's ideas and I think we feel very comfortable with it.
– What would you highlight from the day-to-day work with Mere?
We have all been pleasantly surprised by his group management. It is a very human and accessible coaching staff. They are very very demanding, but that is important and necessary. The truth is that we, the footballers, are delighted with the way they transmit what they want and deal with each and every one of them on a day-to-day basis.
– You couldn't be more unlucky with preseason games. Tomorrow Malaga is the last touchstone, but of the previous three you have only played one.
Well yes … This is the great handicap. Unfortunately there were in two rivals, Rayo and Cádiz, contagion problems and it could not be. It was a shame, but for that we are working a lot in training. We have to adapt and that's it. Malaga is playing tomorrow and we hope it will be a useful game.
– Why should this Alcorcón fight?
What we have to do is think about the day to day. Short-term goals. It is a strange season, the teams are not closed… We have to fight to achieve permanence as soon as possible. I always say that in the last quarter of the year is when you fight for something. If we get to that part saved we will see what we can fight for.
– Saying permanence does not mean having no ambition
Think that there are only four or five teams that come out with that obligation of promotion and many of those do not go up. It is a very even competition, with historical teams, others with very important budgets … The competition puts you in your place. It is not easy to add those 50 points of salvation. It is extremely complex. We are a low budget, but a hard-working and ambitious team. It has a lot of merit that Alcorcón has been in Second Division for so many years in a row. Look at the great teams in the league this year or the ones that dropped last year. It is a very beautiful competition, but very difficult. Adding 50 points is very complicated.
– You are a dressing room with a very interesting mix of youth and seniority… What's more, I think there is a group of young debutants in Second Division but with many games and years in Second B or in other Leagues.
Veterans try to welcome them and get them into the dynamics of the category as soon as possible. The Club has signed young people with great hunger and desire and with great quality. On a day-to-day basis we try to contribute by example. We have a mixture of seniority and youth that I think will contribute a lot. The youngest need a period of adaptation that is unavoidable but the help of everyone in the dressing room I hope it will make it easy. They have a lot of potential and quality. Alcorcón is a fantastic place for them because it is a springboard club for many players.
– We still have no audience
It's a shame … But the situation in which society lives is what it is. Football without an audience is less football. I hope everything evolves well … the situation improves … they can return … At the moment it is time to adapt for La Liga.
– Mirandés the first rival
Well I think that all teams have the unknown of how we are going to get there. Strange preseason, unsealed templates…. We all arrive with that uncertainty. Mirandés has changed their coach, but in that field they always have to suffer. He is a difficult opponent and the one who minimizes mistakes and errors will be closer to victory.
– Arribas sounds for many teams. Are you trying to isolate him and not get distracted?
He's very focused… As you know he's a very mature boy for his age and he's very focused. Personally, he deserves the best and as a professional he has tremendous conditions to play football, but he is also a hard worker and a good kid. Last season he proved his worth, but we are all sure that he will give a lot and has room for improvement. He is very focused. We are all taking care of him and covering him, but he is very very focused. We would love for him to stay because he is a very important player for Alcorcón who brings us a lot but whatever happens we know that he will do very well because he has a lot of football on his legs.