Gerard Nus: Idrissa Sylla is a great striker, I'm so lucky to have him

The young Spaniard is confident of turning things around against the high-flying Nizams.

After a terrific start to this season, NorthEast United find themselves in seventh position after being winless in the last five matches of the Indian Super League. Head coach Gerard Nus looked desperate to return to winning ways when they take on Hyderabad FC next. The Spaniard was confident about his team's performances until now, as he addressed the media ahead of the match. 

Thoughts on Hyderabad FC

Speaking about the Nizams, Nus was full of praise for the way Manolo Marquez's team have performed this season. Nus said, "We analyzed Hyderabad FC and know that they are a good side. We analyzed what they do with ball possession, set-pieces and take everything into consideration. We will try to be at our best both offensively and defensively. 

"We know that Hyderabad FC have a fantastic squad. Aridane (Santana) is always a threat up top, along with (Joel) Chianese and they play in different systems. They are a difficult side to play against, as they are really good with the ball. We have to be at our best in all aspects of the game, if we want to take something. We are going to go with full commitment and determination for three points because we want to win," he continued.

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Lack of intent in last match

The Highlanders lost 0-2 against ATK Mohun Bagan in their last match and a lot of critics as well as supporters have claimed that the players did not show much intent after going down. However, the Spanish tactician does not agree, as he feels that it was only two instances (set-pieces) where they lost the game. "I disagree on this. I think we are a team well-organized and know how to defend. 

“We were controlling a lot of aspects of the game during the majority of the 90 minutes. But, two set-pieces cost us the game. It is something we are working on. We have to get better and keep improving things. We need to improve on both attacking and defending."

ALSO READ: Manolo Marquez: It’s good news that not only Aridane is scoring goals

Thoughts on Idrissa Sylla

Although Idrissa Sylla has scored twice this season, he has missed a host of chances, including penalties. Therefore, supporters have started raising questions on his quality. However, once again Nus has backed the Guinean forward and feels that they need to focus on creating more opportunities. 

"Sylla is a great striker and I am so lucky to have him. Everyone wants the strikers to score goals every day, but it is not about them scoring always. I am confident with him and also with the rest of the players that we have in the squad. 

“But, what we can try doing better is keep creating chances in different ways. This then makes it hard to defend against us. Sometimes, you get fewer chances but you score more, but many times you get more chances and fewer goals. We have to keep creating and it's going to be fine."

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The Spaniard added how the players have been full of motivation and zeal to perform despite the losses. "It is not hard to motivate players because they are professionals and they want to get better every single day. 

“So, we have a good group of players and they have a big desire to get better. Tomorrow we have a chance to prove it and we need to have that confidence, as we are in a good direction. In this league there aren't many games and so not a lot of time to think," Gerard Nus concluded. 

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