Since Cappy will no longer be able to provide his great service of covering the pre-match press conferences, here is Ruben Selles' pre match press conference for the Birmingham match tomorrow summarised by our AI overlords.
Reflection on the Bristol City Defeat
Ruben Selles clarified that after reviewing the game, he did not see the loss as a result of a "defensive thing," but rather an issue with the team's play in transition. [0:28] He elaborated, stating the main problem was "our shape and our behavior when we... lose the ball." [0:36] Selles confirmed that the team has been "actively working and correcting those issues" in training to ensure it doesn't happen in the future. [0:44, 0:49] He also acknowledged that while pre-season was strong, the team couldn't translate those performances into a competitive match, explaining you can never emulate the "stress" and specific situations of a league game during pre-season. [1:23]Team News and Player Updates for Birmingham Clash
- Team Rotation: For the cup match against Birmingham, Selles confirmed there will be changes to the starting lineup due to the short recovery time. "I will make some changes. I will keep some of the players in the lineup," he said, noting that having only two days to recover makes the situation difficult. [4:20, 4:15]
- Djibril Soumaré: The new signing is fit and set to make his debut. Selles confirmed, "he's ready to play" and "he will have minutes tomorrow." [4:36, 4:54]
- Rhys Norrington-Davies: When asked about the player being jeered by some fans upon being substituted, Selles said he had spoken with him and other players. He described Rhys as a "professional" who will "accept that kind of situation in the best way he can." [3:24, 3:26] He explained the change was a tactical decision to "change the dynamic of the game," not a reflection on one individual. [3:40]
- Michael Cooper: Selles put an end to any speculation about the goalkeeper's fitness, stating unequivocally that he is "fully fit" and has been training without issue. [12:56, 12:59]
- Jack Robinson: Addressing rumors linking the captain to Wrexham, Selles was firm in his position. "No one should go before we get anybody in," he stated, adding, "as much as I understand, Jack is our player and right now he is our captain." [8:41, 8:56] He sees him as a key part of the squad for the immediate future.
Transfer Situation: Incomings and Outgoings
- Incomings: The priority remains strengthening the defence. "We are looking for those defenders to strengthen the areas, and that's exactly where we are," Selles said. [5:18] He confirmed, "The club is actively in the market," but as of the press conference, there was no new news to report. [5:24, 5:29]
- Outgoings: Selles delivered a strong message regarding potential departures, stating, "I would be very disappointed if someone goes out before someone comes in right now... we cannot allow that to happen anymore." [7:04, 7:12]
- Recruitment Strategy: When looking for new players, Selles emphasized the need for leadership and experience in the division. He stressed the importance of finding "a good mix" of talented young players and experienced professionals who provide a "platform for the other ones to... to grow." [10:06, 10:15]
