[h=3]Garcia tells Albion to play without fear[/h]5:00am Thursday 8th May 2014 in Albion By Andy Naylor
Oscar Garcia wants his players to enjoy their play-off semi-final against Derby
Albion head coach Oscar Garcia has told his players to show no fear as they chase the Premier League dream.
He wants them to relish the double-header against Derby County in the play-offs, rather than shrinking.
The Seagulls finished 13 points and three places adrift of Derby in the table but Oscar says that is no reason for apprehension in front of a packed house in the first leg at the Amex tonight.
The Spaniard said: “I will ask them. If someone has fear to play in this kind of game he will not play, because you have to enjoy it, you have to fight. We deserve to be here, we are good enough to be here and we will fight for our chance.
“It’s a game to enjoy, to enjoy fighting to win the game but, if you have fear to play these kind of games maybe you should be something else, not a player.”
Derby were the top scorers in the Championship with 84 goals in 46 games and completed a double over Albion but Oscar’s side had the second-best defence behind only promoted Burnley.
Oscar said: “We know that we are not favourites, we are the underdogs as they finished third and are the top scoring team in the league.
“They beat us home and away but in football anything can happen and with the players we have, everybody can trust that we will fight for our place.”
Albion are expected to still be without first choice right-back Bruno (groin) and midfielder Dale Stephens.
Oscar said: “We have a few players on the injury list but we have to wait to see who will be available.”
The second leg is at the iPro Stadium on Sunday and the winners face QPR or Wigan in the final at Wembley on May 24.
Original article
Albion head coach Oscar Garcia has told his players to show no fear as they chase the Premier League dream.
He wants them to relish the double-header against Derby County in the play-offs, rather than shrinking.
The Seagulls finished 13 points and three places adrift of Derby in the table but Oscar says that is no reason for apprehension in front of a packed house in the first leg at the Amex tonight.
The Spaniard said: “I will ask them. If someone has fear to play in this kind of game he will not play, because you have to enjoy it, you have to fight. We deserve to be here, we are good enough to be here and we will fight for our chance.
“It’s a game to enjoy, to enjoy fighting to win the game but, if you have fear to play these kind of games maybe you should be something else, not a player.”
Derby were the top scorers in the Championship with 84 goals in 46 games and completed a double over Albion but Oscar’s side had the second-best defence behind only promoted Burnley.
Oscar said: “We know that we are not favourites, we are the underdogs as they finished third and are the top scoring team in the league.
“They beat us home and away but in football anything can happen and with the players we have, everybody can trust that we will fight for our place.”
Albion are expected to still be without first choice right-back Bruno (groin) and midfielder Dale Stephens.
Oscar said: “We have a few players on the injury list but we have to wait to see who will be available.”
The second leg is at the iPro Stadium on Sunday and the winners face QPR or Wigan in the final at Wembley on May 24.
Original article