Paulo Oliveira speaks with Sporting TV in a lengthy interview

Paulo Oliveira sat down for an extensive interview with Sporting TV this week. In a relaxed discussion, the central defender started with an appeal for trust.

"Have confidence in the players. They have the quality and character needed and sooner or later they will make everybody smile. Through this negative period we have got together and it is down to us to find solutions. We haven't had to change a lot, because everything we have always done has been with professionalism and sincerity", said Oliveira, going on to respond to a question on how he views himself personally: "I am a relaxed and hard working kind of person. That is part of my personality and I don't want to change it. We mature as we get holder and that is how I approach things. My main characteristic is reading the game and I try my best to understand what might happen."

Oliveira already has a Portuguese Cup and Super Cup to his name in Alvalade and that final win in Jamor is one of his most memorable moments. "The fans really believe in the club and when we win it is great to see how they celebrate. The Portuguese Cup, with the way it was won where we thought everything was lost, was really special", continued the defender, adding an analysis on some of the toughest strikers he has ever faced: "I remember Diego Costa when we played against Chelsea, but also Bas Dost while he was at Wolfsburg. We have spoken about it already and we laughed about a tackle I made that almost ended up with an own goal. It is funny, but thankfully now he plays for my team."

Paulo Oliveira hasn't been a regular this season, but he sees that as a sign of the healthy competition available across the squad: "Sporting CP hsa a lot of quality options for the same position. We fight for a place in the team and it is up to us as players to show that we deserve the confidence of the coach and the president. It is a healthy bit of competition between us."