After a disciplined and thoroughly deserved draw at AEK Larnanca, Jimmy Thelin was delighted at the improvement shown by his side in Europe.
“The way the players behave today as a team, with the tactical discipline, not getting caught up in emotions and stress was really good, and that helped get some good opportunities in transitions. It was two big chances, we have one and they have one in the end. It was maybe a fair result.
“It was a really strong opponent at home. They are a really good team. They beat Crystal Palace in the last game, we lost 6-0 away, so the improvement from the team, I’m really pleased with that.
“In the last period now, we have played six games and lost two. We are going in the right direction, more and more players start finding the rhythm. We get really stable away. Now we just have to keep working so we get a better result at home also.
“We still have a lot of things to improve and keep growing, but the belief has always been there. If you make this improvement, of course it’s different opponents, but it’s still really good. It’s more about how we play, how we manage the game, when should we speed up the game, when should we control the game, even without the ball sometimes, which areas, how do we act in the press, how do we arrive to their box.
“So step by step the players are growing and play better and better as a team also. Every individual always grows in the context of a good team. It’s important to try to be in the European competition every year for this too. I think it’s so important to grow. And you should never give up competitions. It’s still there, so we have to focus now and try to reach that and go through.
“Another clean sheet, that’s so important. We have to start and build from that and then improve the team in all aspects. But the way they’re fighting for each other, it’s a more mature team now. They understand that’s a really, really important part of football. It’s fighting on the pitch, fighting for your space, fighting for defending your goal, and this kind of thing has improved a lot.
“The fans were here again in big numbers and they understand how we played. How we shared the experience with the fans after the game, it’s so good to see that everyone in the club wants to grow and how we have to support each other.”
There was a special word for Dylan Lobban who had another fine game to go with his debut at Kilmarnock.
“Dylan has worked so hard. He was waiting for his chance in the team. When you get the opportunity, you have to take it. He has been, today maybe he was one of the best players on the pitch. He’s so calm. He’s acting so mature. He doesn’t get stressed in the wrong moments. How he kept the focus for 95 minutes today was a really, really strong performance.
“What Dylan has done is his improvement in his physical capacity. He’s always training extra. He has pushed. He has wanted to play earlier. He didn’t, and he keeps pushing. We are there to support him, but how he acts, how he pushes, how he never gives up, and then when there’s a chance, an opportunity, because he deserves it, he’s ready. He has grown a lot and he has had help from the players.
“I think role models are always important on the pitch, and in the dressing room. I think this age mix, in my point of view, is always the best one, because you need the future also on the pitch, but you also need to learn and get some help from the experienced players, because everything has to go in a cycle. Sometimes when an experienced player doesn’t play, and a young player plays instead of them, they’re still there to support.”
