Jorge Jesus complements the impact of the latest Sporting Academy starlet

"This Moreirense side is really good. They beat FC Porto here and Benfica as well in the League Cup. They have some really quick players and it was a hard pitch to play on", said Jorge Jesus at the final whistle on Sunday night, after inspiring his side to a comeback with the introduction of Daniel Podence after the break.

For the Alvalade coach, his side were always likely to find winning form sooner rather than later. "Sporting CP has been improving. against FC Porto we played well and against Paços as well. We are still making a few mistakes in defence, but more on the individual level", said Jesus, before focusing more specifically on some of his players: "Alan Ruiz had a great game and young Daniel [Podence] coming on made a massive difference. He have us more width and mixed it up down the right flank. It was where our goals came from and this team will never concede a defeat. We had a great second-half, like we did against FC Porto. The difference today was that Casillas wasn't on the pitch."

Jorge Jesus praises the performance of his youngsters and sets the tone for the future

Jorge Jesus used his pre-match press conference this weekend to set out his approach for the rest of the season, highlighting the importance of bringing through you players and securing a Champions League spot.

"We are finding our way right now with these younger players, while looking towards the future. We have already got a few months of work under our belt with them now. Rúben Semedo and Gelson are already started in the team and the three that have come back from loan [Daniel Podence, Francisco Geraldes and João Palhinha] will be part of the future of this club. We are playing better now and I think we did very well in the second-half against FC Porto. Hopefully we will carry on in the same tone now and push for a Champions League spot", opened the Alvalade boss.

Focusing on Moreirense in particular, Jesus warned against underestimating Augusto Inácio's team who have already claimed the League Cup this season: "This will be a game typical of some of the others we have already had this season. They are on an upward curve right now, they have won a title and they have played well against the big sides in the league. It won't be an easy game, but hopefully we will show what we have been doing during the week on the training pitch and get the win."

Jesus finished with another analysis of his long term plans for the club: "To win titles you need individual quality. As this club has a lot of quality coming through the youth team, it is easier to make that happen. We have to find the right balance between bringing through young players and expectations. For example, Alan Ruiz and Bas Dost were priority and we are really happy with the investment we have made in them. We are improving and claiming back our confidence now."

Jorge Jesus praises his side's second-half rally in Estádio do Dragão

Speaking in his post-match press conference at the final whistle in Estádio do Dragão on Saturday, Jorge Jesus dismissed the final result, particularly after his side's spirited second-half display.

"It was a great game between two good teams, with two really distinct halves. FC Porto, particularly in the first-half, scored two. They didn't dominate us, but they scored two goals from situations where we should have done better. In the second-half we completely dominated and we had chances, but Casillas won the game for them. FC Porto didn't win because they were better, the fair result would have been a draw", opened the Sporting CP coach, adding: "It isn't easy to be losing 2-0 and play like we did. There was a clear foul against Palhinha in the second-half and a handball in the area, which are two situations which influenced the game. Despite that we can't take merit away from FC Porto or Sporting CP. We used a very young team today and maybe we paid for that a bit."

Jorge Jesus confident going into the weekend's visit to FC Porto

Jorge Jesus will lead his squad up to FC Porto this Saturday (20:30), on Liga NOS matchday 20. For the Sporting CP coach, confidence is the dominant feeling pulsing through Alvalade.

"A classic is always that little bit more important. We are two really good sides, regardless of what the league standings show. We will go into this feeling confident. Winning in Porto isn't something new for us, but we know it will be complicated. What matters is that we show personality and stick to our strategy", opened Jesus, continuing: "There is so such thing as a game of life or death in football. Teams go through their ups and downs throughout the season and a win can provide a real lift. We have to take each game as it comes right now and we can win in Porto."

With William Carvalho forced out, Jesus is likely to bring in Palhinha. "William has been a key player for over the past year and a half, so we won't hide that. However Palhinha, if he plays, will definitely do well. This is how players grow and we believe in him", affirmed the Sporting CP coach, adding a word on the recent contracts agreed with Gelson Martins and Sebastián Coates: "They are two crucial players for us. Coates was only here on loan, but we seem to have moved on from that. Gelson was a different situation and we were not worried about losing him. The president's decision gives that extra bit of stability for us."

Jorge Jesus praises his side's return to winning form

Speaking in his post-match press conference on Saturday after his side's return to business as usual, with a 4-2 win against Paços de Ferreira, coach Jorge Jesus proved understandably pleased with the performance.

"It was a great first-half, maybe the best this season in Alvalade. We scored three quality goals and were great technically and tactically. We played some quick and creative football again, a lot of which was down to Alan [Ruiz] while he could keep up physically. We did the hardest part and went 2-0 in front. Our emotional levels were a bit low, which happens when you don't win. I told the lads at half-time that it was important to score one more, but we then let in two goals and it shook us a bit", said the Sporting CP coach, going on to reflect on the booking of William Carvalho and the resulting absence from the coming visit to FC Porto: "It was a shame. He hardly touched the player and all he did was step on the end of his boot. The match against FC Porto isn't decisive, but we will have to play well."

Jorge Jesus confirms the return of Geraldes and Podence and looks ahead to the weekend's action

Opening his Friday afternoon press conference with an analysis of his squad, Jorge Jesus revealed that Francisco Geraldes and Daniel Podence are on their way back to Lisbon after a spell out on loan: "Geraldes and Podence have been authorised to come back. Not because of how we are playing right now, but because they have developed over the last six months and we think they can bring something extra. They are quality players who have the potential to be part of the future of this club. In a squad of 24, a total of 11 players are from our youth system."

Jorge Jesus went on to lend his backing to the current reshaping of the squad and an investment in youth players: "Last year, when we were doing well, nobody accused me of not investing in young players. This season we have already used Rúben Semedo and Gelson Martins a lot and two more players can break through now. Some players have left us this January because they were focused on other objectives and in those cases myself and the board have decided what to do."

Speaking more directly about the weekend's opposition, Jesus proved confident keeping the three points in Alvalade: "Paços de Ferreira are a well balanced team, with objectives different to ours. They are really good from set pieces and we will have to give away to least amount of fouls possible, which will limit their chances on goal. The fans have been great in showing belief in us and I am sure they will be with us tomorrow as well."

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."

Jorge Jesus highlights his side's improvement in Saturday's draw against Marítimo

Jorge Jesus spoke with the press in a flash interview at the final whistle on Saturday. The Alvalade coach liked what he saw on the pitch, despite a harsh final result.

"It was a good match. Marítimo are a good team, but we were better today than we were against Chaves. We were really close to our usual form. Marítimo were really good from set pieces and that gave them two goals, so we were always chasing the result. We did score a third, but the linesman didn't want to give it. Today I can't point the finger at the players and say they didn't want to win, because they did. Credit to Marítimo, because they played well", opened Jesus, adding: "We have fewer and fewer matches to play and the points gap is growing, which makes it all the more difficult. We have to take each game as it comes and there are still a lot of points to win."

Pedro Madeira Rodrigues sets out his idea for the senior team coaching role

As part of his electoral programme presentation this week, Pedro Madeira Rodrigues announced that he plans to break ties with Jorge Jesus should he win the race for the Alvalade hotseat. The decision was taken following Jorge Jesus' inclusion in Bruno de Carvalho's Honour Commission.

"Bruno de Carvalho should not have invited him and Jesus should not have accepted it. However, that is what appears to have happened. Jesus should be focused on the team and not on the elections. The team has to be isolated from the electoral process, which is what I have been trying to get across. He chose his side and that has consequences. The immediate consequence is that Jorge Jesus will not be my coach when I enter office on the 4th of March", affirmed Madeira Marques, adding: "Jorge Jesus is a man of character and he will stand by his word. I have no doubt about that whatsoever."

To finish, the presidential candidate set out his idea for a replacement: "I will look for a coach who fits into a profile we have already identified and who can serve Sporting CP, to get the club winning again."

Jorge Jesus on the weekend's Liga NOS action

Jorge Jesus sat down with the press this Friday ahead of the weekend's Liga NOS matchday 18 trip to Marítimo (Saturday, at 18h15).

Although a tough challenge, the Sporting CP coach is fully focused on the three points: "The match will be difficult for a few reasons. Firstly, because we are a bit behind in the league and we cannot drop any more points. On top of that, Marítimo are really strong at home. However, we are ready and we know we cannot let more points slip away", opened Jesus, continuing: "I wouldn't say that everything is lost right now, but we have to take on our responsibilities. As a coach, I am responsible for results, but this will not be a season to forget. Every coach goes through bad spells and this isn't the first time it has happened to me. The only way to get out of it is if we all show a bit of confidence, especially the players. We had a superb season last year and we created some big expectations, but obviously the book stops with me. I trust my players to get out of the situation we are in."

To finish, Jesus spoke about president Bruno de Carvalho's visit to the dressing room after the first loss in Chaves: "Presidents go into the dressing room before and after the match, which is completely normal. I couldn't be there and the president usually speaks to me at the end of the match. I wasn't there, so he spoke with the team captains (Adrien Silva and William Carvalho). The president is the head of the club and he has every right to do that, because the coach wasn't there. Our relationship honestly couldn't be better."