On this side of the room, we look at these games as six-pointers, how do you see them from your side of the table and inside the camp?
Yeah, as you say, it's a very important game, a crucial game in this important moment of the season. Of course we give the value of the game what it is for us. We are really focused on it.
Is it the perfect game in the situation where you are, because you have the opportunity in you own hands to potentially, aid your fight for survival?
You never know, there are six games left. All remaining games are important, you never know where you will be able to get points. But of course, playing at home, in the next game, we have to be focused, knowing we are playing Leicester and they are coming from a win. It will be a demanding game for us.
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Dean Smith has spoken about keeping the crowd quiet at Elland Road, how do you harness the home crowd? Recent home matches have not been good for them.
What I can say is that playing at home we feel really good because we always have the unconditional support of our fans and I'm sure in this game will not be different.
Can I ask about the goalkeeper - Illan Meslier got a lot of criticism for his performance at the weekend. In particular his role in the two Fulham goals, how has he reacted to that?
He reacts well. As usual, he always trains well. He has a very good character. Of course, always trying to improve like the rest of the players and in this case it's no different. We are conceding a lot of goals in the last games and it's something we need to do better. In the last press conference we spoke about that as well, it's not only about the keeper, it's about the team, we need to defend better and I think is we defend better, the keeper will be better as well.
Does he keep your backing as the number one here?
I back all my players and I decide the players for the next game.
This game tomorrow and the game against Bournemouth, will these games define your season?
Yeah, I think maybe I'll tell you only the next game. Just the next game because we prefer to be focused on the next. We know the next three points, we need the next three points and we have to focus on that. After this game, we'll speak about the next but now we prefer to be focused on the importance of the next game.
Liam Cooper and Max Wober were positives from the weekend, how would you describe their influence coming back into the side?
I'd just say I think they played well last game. They came from being out of the team for different reasons but both have the experience, in this moment, the team needs. The quality as well. Important players during all the season and I think in this moment of the season even more.
Have they been able to train because they looked like they picked up some knocks?
For the next game we have some players, who in this moment, I'm not sure if they'll be able to play.
Criticism is everywhere after three defeats, you've defended your players all along, how do you keep them believing that this is going to change?
I think all of us can feel we're living in tough moments in the most important part of the season but at the same time we know - I remember when I arrived, nine games ago we were second-bottom, emotionally in a difficult moment as well. We were able to change that dynamic and now, we can do it again after these three bad results. We can change the dynamic and try to come back to the good results.
Do you need help Javi and what sort of support have you had from the management of the club?
No, I only need points.
Something has to change doesn't it to come out of this rut, does your approach have to change now going into tomorrow night's game, particularly the start?
Yeah I try to look for the players in the best condition to compete because we have to recognise that we need to compete better if we want to achieve better results. We need to change something but the solution is not always to change players. We have to find a way to have a better balance, like we did in many other games. With a good balance we'll be closer to better results in my opinion. The solution is not always to change players.
Meslier is still young, especially for a goalkeeper, do you have to speak to him individually, do you have to treat him differently because of the problems he has at the moment?
I treat all my players differently because they're different and I speak in different moments and different days with them about different things. It's my job and I have a good relationship with my players. When they need me I'll always be there.
The midfield came in for some criticism at the weekend, is Adam Forshaw fit enough to come in?
He played last game, then he's available. After, we have to know if a player is coming from a long-term injury to be in his best condition, he needs time. In this moment we don't have time. We have to take the best of our players in the condition they are.
Do you feel that you need to take decisions to protect your players, particularly if they are in poor form at such an important moment?
What I feel, my players are working very well day in day out, every day. As I said before, when I arrived nine games ago, I could feel they wanted to change the dynamic, they wanted to do everything to get the results. Now, that doesn't change. Of course we are coming from three bad results. The atmosphere, the spirit of the team is the same. I think we have very good players, like the rest of the teams, the rest of the players, they have ups and downs and we have to manage that. Even more with young players. As I tell you before, if they need my support, I'll be here to support them because they need it. Not only when we won some games, important games for the club, but now they need the support when they're not in the best moment. To break this vicious circle, we need to break it and we need the support. After that, I'm sure they'll be back at their best level.
Is it more difficult to develop your younger players and Under-21s because the games mean so much and the pressure would be high?
I agree that there are better moments for these young players because in this moment to accept they have to accept a big responsibility and I don't think it's fair for them. They have to grow but in a better moment and situation. If we need them, they'll play. I believe in all of them but I believe it's better for them to grow in other atmospheres.
Before you came to Leeds, they'd not won in ten Premier League games, when you came in you had three wins in six games. Does that run that you had previously convince you the players have the belief, ability and desire to stay in the Premier League?
I feel they have all you're saying. They have the belief, the desire. Sometimes, the other day I told them, when you feel something for someone, you have to do something. Let them know you feel something for that person, but you have to do it. Now of course, nobody will doubt your desire, your commitment. Now is the time to show it, to do it. It's the moment. After the last three defeats we have to do something different. Let the people know the desire you have, in the moments in the games you have to do it. In training I can feel it, then we have to demonstrate on the field in the next game.
So there's a good atmosphere at Thorp Arch and now it's just about transmitting that to the matches?
Yeah, that's the key. Try to take our work here to the competition. Of course, it's hard because you're competing against good teams, against teams that have objectives but it's not easy and we have to make changes to compete better.
There was a lot of fan anger at Fulham, how damaging can it be for your side if the crowd grow frustrated tomorrow night? How badly do you need them to stay by your side?
I told you after the game, I can understand the supporters are angry but at the same time I know they will support the team. I don't have any doubt about that. I don't have any doubt.
Are you concerned your side can handle the pressure if they don't start well tomorrow night and the crowd does grow unhappy?
If I can say something to the fans, it's support the players because they need them.
We're right down to the crucial part of the season where three points can change the entire picture. Does that mean this game is bigger than the cup final you managed at Watford?
All the games are important. For me, the next game is the most important. In the moment I'm living, I put everything into the next game, in this challenge. The next game, the next six games are my life. We are concentrated on that. What I lived in my past was good in that moment and they're good memories for me, but now the present is important.
When things were going well with Leeds you said you were having two or three hours sleep a night, are you getting any at all now?
I'm getting the same. Not too much. But I have time in June, I'll sleep.
You knew this would be a hard job, is this proving a harder job than you first thought?
I'll enjoy my job. I prefer to be a player than a manager and I can't do it. But, I try to do my job knowing there are good moments, bad moments and in this moment we're working hard because there are many people in this club, workers, all the people that are around the club deserve to remain in the Premier League. Thinking that, I have to give everything to achieve the objective.
You said you just needed points not the support of senior management, but have they come to you and offered you support and words of encouragement at this crucial stage?
Yeah, I do my job in the training ground. I can see Victor, Angus around the team, after the game, before the game, all the game, supporting the team and supporting me. What I can say is what I said before, I will be very happy for these people because I know the effort they're doing to finish well.
Is this when you find out about how much character and strength are in your team tomorrow, it's a big mental examination for your side?
Mentality is important because in these two days we don't have much time to prepare for the next game. It's more important than other kind of work you can do. Of course you have to prepare for the game tactically but mentally I think now the team need this support. That's the reason, because I tell you I would like to ask the supporters to support the players because in this moment they need them.
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