Nuno on improved form, dealing with setbacks and 'almost crazy' set-pieces
· Yahoo Sports
West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo has been speaking to the media before Monday's FA Cup fifth round tie against Brentford at London Stadium (kick-off 19:30 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
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- Nuno confirmed they are "assessing day by day" forward Pablo but he is "improving a lot". After the midweek win over Fulham, he added they are "recovering, assessing and then preparing".
- The Hammers boss said "it was not me, it was the players" when asked about the side's improving form, adding that "the results are helping" the better "atmosphere and mood".
- On how they have become better at bouncing back from difficult results: "We've been able to react well. It's not possible every time but to bounce back from poor performances is always important, especially in the fight we are involved in. We saw against Fulham that the players reacted well after Liverpool, so hopefully it continues. What we want to avoid is setbacks, so let's keep this flow as long as we can."
- Following Tottenham's result against Crystal Palace, Nuno insisted that while they watch all the games, they know they "cannot influence anything, we are just spectators, so it doesn't mean anything for us". He added: "We are still in the same situation. We have a lot of work in front of us."
- With opponents Brentford strong at set-pieces, when asked about the current debate around style of play in the league, Nuno responded: "It has changed. What referees are allowing from set-piece situations is almost crazy. I think they should review it. I think they should come to the clubs and speak to the players."
- He added: "They need to try to really explain to them what is a foul, what contact is and how far you can go with contact, so that the players are more clear on their actions - because we are seeing things that are not normal. I consider many of them fouls."
- As a former goalkeeper, Nuno was asked about how he finds balance when coaching players about what they can do in the box: "Not long ago, a contact on the keeper inside the six-yard box was considered a foul. It was the laws of the game. Now, it has changed totally. I'm glad I don't have to play now because it is really, really hard on them. It is not just because we are playing Brentford - all over the league, as mangers, we have worry and concern about it."
How to follow the FA Cup fifth round on the BBC
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[BBC]