Jorge Jesus speaks in lengthy interview with Sporting TV

Jorge Jesus sat down with Sporting TV this Wednesday for an extensive interview. Here is what the Alvalade coach had to say in full:

"I feel like all Sporting CP fans should be feeling right now. Based on the season we have been having since what happened in Estádio da Luz, Sporting CP has suffered in terms of quality. In the middle of that we had some issues with refereeing. Our fans saw us play a lot of quality football in our first season and we tallied 86 points, which beat the record. I have won the league a few times without that many points."

"We won the Super Cup and we came into this season confident. On matchday 13 and 14 we started dropping points, which was partly our fault. We didn't play as good as we could have against Braga and in the Champions League, but there were also a few decisions which pushed us to a points tally which does not reflect where we should be."

"The main reason for the bad results was refereeing, I have no doubt about that. Even in our last match in Madeira, we won, but the refereeing team didn't let it happen. We scored a third goal, but it turned out to be a negative result due to a decision which was out of our control. Of course there are also technical reasons which have contributed and some players who were fundamental were transferred out, but we made a good start to the season. From there we had to bring in players, who took time to adapt. With some less than brilliant results a lack of confidence took hold. We had a really strong spine in the team with William, Adrien and João Mário down the middle. This year one of those players is not longer with us and that influences how we play."

"These things influence confidence and as soon as you don't win as many games, the fans start asking themselves why the team isn't playing as well as it was. At times where we are in the league has damaged confidence, but that is part of a player's life, as well as mine. We have to work through it, but of course it is harder when you aren't turning in the wins. That is the kind of mental work that we have to do with the players and that starts with the confidence of the fans. It isn't easy and the margin is minimal when you don't win. The fans have to help us though this."

"While it is still possible for us to win the league we will believe, but of course the table is in favour of the team at the top. We will take each game as it comes and I am convinced we will get through this with a bit of teamwork. We will not throw in the towel. We believe in our capability to get to the top and that is what I wanted to say after the match against Marítimo."