Club News

Mel: It's all about small margins

Baggies boss says players in good shape for United test

PEPE Mel is confident the ‘small’ details he has been working on with his players both on and off the pitch can lead to something ‘big’ against Manchester United tomorrow (ko 12.45pm).

The Baggies boss reckons a series of meetings with his troops, coupled with positive training sessions, are proving vital in building chemistry.

A fortnight since earning a 1-1 draw with Fulham, Mel reckons his 17th-placed team is in good shape to tackle the current Barclays Premier League champions.

“It’s important for me to know the chemistry between the players and myself," he explained.

“The meetings are part of my role as head coach.

“The most important thing for a head coach is players – I’m extremely interested to find out what they think. And it’s intelligent to try to adapt the style of play to what they most want.

“They are small details but they will make us better because it will make the players more comfortable.”

The Spaniard added: “I have a lot of confidence and belief in the players and belief that everyone here is working together and that things are going to go well.

“My relationship with the players is very good. The players haven’t won games on the pitch because of very small margins.

“But they have done everything possible to win those games.

“I understand players. I was a football player, so I understand.

“For me, the most important thing is that tomorrow on the pitch the play is good. We need to turn draws into victories.

“Winning games changes everything and by full-time tomorrow we could all be here smiling.

“It could actually be good for us that a big team is coming here to play.

“I think the most important thing is the players are ready to compete and realise it is possible to win.

"The last big team to come here were Chelsea and we played well against them.”