Andrés Fernández: 'It’s time to keep climbing, not to relax'
The UD Almería goalkeeper insists there is room for improvement, including 'controlling games better' and 'conceding fewer goals'
UD Almería goalkeeper Andrés Fernández, steering clear of complacency and self-satisfaction, made it clear that 3 consecutive wins are a starting point rather than a finishing line: 'Obviously, the higher you are in the table the better, because that means you’re winning matches. But this is a time to keep climbing, not to relax or think everything will just end up this way. We have to work hard and take it game by game. Our full focus is on beating Córdoba CF on Saturday.'
Speaking in the press room at the UD Almería Stadium, the keeper pointed out the team’s clear margin for improvement: 'We’re conceding too many chances to our opponents. That’s a fact, the data is there. So we need to work harder collectively and improve that aspect, because anything that reduces the goals we concede and the chances we allow will lead to more wins and give us a better shot at achieving our objective.'
The Murcia-born goalie expanded on that idea: 'When we go ahead on the scoreboard, we have to become a team that gives nothing away. That’s the area we’re working hard to improve.'
Mr Fernández saved a crucial penalty in the win over FC Andorra, and when asked about that moment, he said: 'I’d love to win games without the goalkeeper having to make headlines, because that would mean the team had delivered a great performance both defensively and offensively. I’d never experienced conceding so many penalties without saving one. I was really eager and a bit frustrated, so thankfully it came at a key moment in the match. The strike was good, but I committed fully because we had studied the opponents' style of play in great detail.'
Another home fixture awaits this Saturday and once again the focus is sharp: 'They’re doing things very well. Their matches are always demanding because Córdoba CF press man-to-man and don’t overplay the ball, they attack quickly. They’re at a point where results are going their way and they’re a side we respect and that game motivates us. They have to see that we’re very strong, and we’re going to show that,' the 39-year-old concluded.