Jean-Louis Gasset: "Start another streak"

How did you come to terms with the setback in Lille?

We didn’t give it our all against Lille. That mistake has consequences when you face quality players. This defeat is a hindrance because we had three consecutive victories, but we didn’t play this match hard enough to earn a good outcome. Too many players played below their performance levels. So, when you face a team in top form with two quick wing strikers, it’s bound to be difficult. But in the same way we didn’t get carried away after our three consecutive victories, we didn’t fall apart. I find the reporters very harsh after a defeat. You have to be positive, I have to find a balance. We’ve only conceded two defeats, which includes the one in Paris.

What do you think of Loïc Perrin’s performances?

Loïc is the symbol of Saint-Étienne, he represents the values of this club, he’s had good times and bad times and he’s often lifted the team during these moments. Against Lille, he was not the only one that played below his performance level but he’s a very good player and a good captain. If the six or seven youths who work with the professional team are progressing extremely quickly, it’s because players like Loïc (Perrin), Mathieu Debuchy and Wahbi Khazri are there.

Will your team be vengeful this Sunday against Rennes?

The objective is to start another streak. We have to repeat the match against Monaco because we weren’t far from what we wanted to do. But every match is difficult in Ligue 1 and every team has weaknesses. We have to minimize them together and improve our strong points by working hard. We have to impose our game, our rhythm, our intensity and we have to defend better collectively because many teams have the same means as us. We have to be uncompromising in our stadium, we have to surpass ourselves in order to reap points and earn a streak like the ones we’ve had in the past.

Could the fans’ strike put your team at a disadvantage?

That does not go in hand with the instructions that I gave to my players: start strong in order to put the fans on our side but I understand the fans’ need to protest. Everyone should sit around a table in order to discuss matters between intelligent people and find a solution that satisfies everyone. For me, the solution is discussion. As I’ve said Football should be a celebration. Playing in a stadium that shakes is extraordinary. The Cauldron is magical because of that so I hope that the stadium will push the team to surpass our adversaries for the whole 70 minutes.

What is your opinion of Stade Rennais, your adversary?

They had a timid start because the arrival of Niang and Ben Arfa took a long time to finalize and because the UEFA Europa League wears you out. But when you see the sums of money spent by the club, you see that they’re ambitious. They’ve been very powerful for a few seasons and they’ve been waiting for the right for their breakout season. It’s a team that resembles our own.

How will the Verts manage to hold back their adversaries’ offensive assets?

The difference in regards of our last match is that Mathieu Debuchy will be back. With Debuchy, Saint-Étienne didn’t lose and only conceded two goals. He’s a good player, but beyond that, he’s someone that urges others on. We must not also forget that we played our last match without our only two lateral players capable of playing on the right.

Is Robert Beric included among your possible choices for the match against Rennes?

Since August 31st, Robert Beric has once again become a full-fledged member of the team. He’s a young man who I like a lot. I’m thankful for what he’s done for the club and I see him work every day at the training sessions. But at the beginning of the season, I couldn’t put Khazri in place, restore Diony’s hunger and mind and have Gueye make his mark at the same time. We have four players for one position anyway. But I saw him come back from the selection grinning from ear to ear and with a surplus of confidence. This morning (Friday), he was very effective in front of the net. I might take advantage of that shortly (smile).