FCBARCELONA.CAT

17.09.2007 14:21

Deco asks for patience

Anna Segura

Deco insisted today that there was no need to panic after Barca’s unspectacular start to the season, making it clear that after just three games it was far to early to start drawing any conclusions.

The Portuguese midfielder spoke to the media at the Nou Camp today and pleaded for patience from the fans: “it’s a long season and trying to draw conclusions so early on isn’t good. There’s no need to get desperate about things”.

Keep on working hard

Following Sunday’s goalless draw in Pamplona, there’s been a fair bit of criticism, but Deco believes: “we were just missing a bit of definition up front. We know we have to work hard to put that right, which is what we are doing in training”. It’s on the road that Barça have had most problems so far and Deco reckons: “teams just defend well and try and hit us on the break. We’re looking to build a team that doesn’t allow the opponents to create many chances and is more aggressive in attack – that’s what we working towards”.

Ronaldinho

Deco also dismissed any speculation about Ronaldinho following his substitution on Sunday night, reminding reporters: “Ronaldinho played in both Brazil’s games and is one of the players who had to travel furthest for his international games. The boss has to think not only about winning the game in hand –in this case against Osasuna –but also about the next one and just how tired his players are . That’s not an easy job”.

Put last year behind us

Deco also refused to be drawn into comparisons with some of last season’s errors: “ we can’t keep looking backwards, let’s analyse, criticise if need be and talk about this season”, an attitude he echoed when questioned as to Real Madrid’s start to the season: “we just have to concentrate on our game. If we’re worried about them already, we might as well not even turn up”.