First full week with the team. How much of a difference does that make?
"At least we have some time to train with a few things that I wanted to start implementing.
It's nice to have a few more players back as well from injuries and a bigger group where
we cannot just be match, post-match, recovery, pre-match all the time so I am pleased. And
when the weather is like this, it's even better.
What challenge do you expect from Roy Hodgson?
"Every time I played there as a player, I suffered, it was always tough, tt was a very
competitive stadium. He's a manager with incredible experience and what he's doing there again
is very impressive and it will be tough."
What's the team news ahead of this game?
"Not really news, I don't think we're going to get anybody back in the squad. I think
a few will be 50/50 for the following games probably but not much news."
How's Hector?
"Hector is a little bit better. He trained partially today with the team but still not there."
Back to back wins, what's changed since you took over?
"The first thing I wanted to change was the energy around the team and around the club
as well. I think this is slightly better than how it was - or much better I would say - obviously
the fact that we are winning games helps and what I'm seeing at the training ground is
much more like what I want to see."
You're the youngest manager in the league, Hodgson is the oldest, is there anything you can learn from him?
"From Roy, absolutely everything. It's incredible how he deals with situations and to be living
with this pressure for such a long time, the way he handles it and behaves himself, the
way he puts himself across and how respected he is around all the players and clubs is remarkable.
"So (I have) big admiration for him."
Do the club intend to confirm on the record that you are opening talks on a new contract with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang?
"I was very pleased to read those comments (Aubameyang's programme notes). He knows exactly
what I think about him and obviously he's a massive player for us. But at the moment
we're in the middle of the season and we haven't discussed anything further on that at the club."
Would you intend to hold talks at the end of the season?
"My intention is to keep Auba obviously because I know that if we keep Auba with us, we're
going to be stronger and closer to winning football matches. That's the only thing."
Are you confident he would sign an extension?
"I don't know, we haven't discussed that. But I'm confident that he's very happy here
because that's what he said in the media."
Can you confirm whether there will be any significant investment?
"I don't know, I'm not expecting big things. I'm expecting big things from the players
I have at the moment, the players that are recovering from injuries. That's the biggest
expectations from my side, they're there. If we can find something to help us go through
the season in a more balanced way in certain areas, and is helpful, we'll look at the options."
But you are actively looking to strengthen?
"Yeah, we always have to be looking because obviously we have some bad injuries for players
who are going to be out for a long time. We have to see if we can find options there."
What's the latest on Emile Smith Rowe possibly going to Huddersfield?
"We are assessing the situation with three of them [young players]. We are evaluating
all the offers that they have from different clubs, where would suit them more and if it's
the right time for them to make that step. In the next few days, we will tell you exactly
what will happen."
Is that the same with Tyreece John-Jules and Eddie Nketiah?
"Yeah. And with Eddie it's the same situation. I sat down with him and was very impressed
with him. I think it was a great challenge for him to work in that environment in Leeds.
I think he's become a much better player, a much more competitive player.
"Then the decision to make now is whether it's better to send him out for another five
months to realise his potential and have him ready for next season, or keep him here. It's
something we have to discuss in the next few days."
Will the players start as slow vs Palace as they did vs Leeds?
"I hope not! They haven't started slow this morning and I hope it's not the case."
What was the reaction in training after your team talk (vs Leeds)?
"Very good. To be fair, they've been training really, really well. The spirit is up, the
level of confidence is good and they seem in a good place."
Will you be speaking to your players about how they defend vs Wilf Zaha because of the amount of penalties they've won vs Arsenal?
"One of the things to be aware of, 100 per cent. We know Wilf and the type of talent
he is. When he gets isolated in one-on-one situations, we know what he can do. Of course
it will be part of the gameplan."
Is he (Zaha) a player you would like to have?
"I think he's a terrific player and I think the impact he's had in the Premier League
in the last few years has been phenomenal. His ability to create chances on his own is unique."
Will you plan to keep Martinelli or let him join Brazil's Under-23s?
"Well, in the middle of the season it's never ideal for players to go to that type of tournament.
We'll discuss with the club whether there's an obligation, whether that's something that
the player really wants to go to and we'll make a decision on that."
Is it time to put a run together before facing Chelsea to reach the top four?
"It's the only option we have. We want to have the aspiration to reach that, we need
a lot of games in a truck and we have to start now."
Would you have to sell to buy in terms of transfers? Could Shkodran Mustafi leave?
"We're not thinking to sell. There's nothing concrete at the moment on the table, as I
said, I'm focusing on the players we have now and this transfer window is a little bit
tricky and things might come at the end. But I don't know which way."