Why 'the sound of training' is different

It was reported in the press this week that our players came together for a night of team bonding, as everybody pulls together to improve results this season. 

When asked about that get-together during Friday’s press conference at Carrington, to preview Saturday's match at Everton, Amorim admitted he is more interested in our training sessions and improvements being made. 

“For me, it is more important in training and what I see in training is that they are improving, they are creating relationships – even the sound of training is different,” Ruben told reporters. 

“But we have to use that in the game, we have to see it in the game, we have to take that step. I feel it in training, that we are bonding and we are understanding the way we want to play, but then in the game I feel that we struggle a lot.”

Asked specifically how the sound of training is different, Ruben continued: “The sound, when you are in practice, when you are just exercising, you feel the sound, people are talking, asking for the ball, giving directions, talking to each other. And you can feel it in the environment. 

“If you spend your life as a football player and as a coach, even the sound of the training is important. So I feel we are changing that but, again, everything resumes to the game on Sunday or Saturday. It is important to use that in the game.”

The press conference moved on to Ruben’s system and the process of implementing a new philosophy. He gently pushed back on the suggestion he does not waver from his approach. 

“The first point is, make no mistake, I just want to win games,” said Ruben. “That is the point and then I teach what I know, that is also clear with me. So, when I say I stick with my beliefs, it’s the way I train, the way I see football and I try to transmit that to the players. 

“It’s nothing that I will not adapt. Because we will adapt, sometimes we have goal kicks that are short plays and then, in some games, long balls because the opposition is pressing a lot. I try to adapt to the players that I have and my focus is to win games, especially in this moment.”

Asked where the squad can improve this season, Amorim concluded: “What I feel is that sometimes I don’t feel improvement in the team and then we have some games when it is more difficult, but you feel that we can play, we can create situations. 

“That is a good thing. But I think in this moment, when you watch the games, you can see there are more problems than solutions. I think that is clear, but I think, when we play some games, that things are there and we are capable. But we have to be consistent and that’s it.”

Watch part two of Ruben's press conference from 22:30 GMT on Friday.