Joao Henriques: I’m not bothered at all by a descent in these con…

João Henriques, AVS coach, says the team will focus on winning points, without looking at the standings, at a time when the Vila das Aves team is practically condemned to relegation. The first real test is this Friday (8:45 pm), in the opening of the 30th round, with a trip to Vila do Conde to face Rio Ave.

How will the team approach this final stretch?

We will do our job, just as we did again against Vitória, knowing that (staying in the league) is not in our hands. We want to be a competitive team and fight for points until the end, feel the team’s growth and improve our efficiency, bringing honor to the club and the competition.

Rio Ave is in good form.

“Rio Ave has already settled its accounts and is coming off its best run of results of the season. They have quality players and, after a more inconsistent period, have achieved good consistency and the results have followed. They will be very difficult to face.”

Points in Vila do Conde could delay verdict.

This was a challenge that, from the outside and based on the numbers, few people believed in. I believed in the people and the structure, and I continue to believe, because since I arrived the team has improved in many aspects: it stopped conceding goals as often as it used to, now keeping a clean sheet on several occasions, and it started earning points.

Does demotion tarnish a resume?

I’m absolutely not bothered by relegation under these conditions. The work that has been done is clear to everyone. It was a constant struggle to pursue other objectives, and it was a challenge as a leader to get the players’ heads towards those objectives. We are on the verge of avoiding a catastrophic situation, aiming to go beyond 15 points. I came knowing the risk. If it went well, it would be extraordinary. Regardless of the league table, the work has been good, managing to reverse a situation that was in a very negative spiral, and I feel very good every time I come here.

Joao Henriques also revealed that he will only be without the injured Baroan for the visit to Vila do Conde.