Slaven Speaks - Astra Giurgiu

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Slaven Bilic faced the media ahead of the UEFA Europa League play-off tie against Astra Giurgiu at the new Stadium on Thursday night.

Bilic was asked about the latest team-news, the search for a new striker and the Club's chances of reaching the group stages of the competition.....

What is the team news ahead of the Astra Giurgiu game on Thursday night?

SB: “We played on Sunday so we will wait and see who is going to play on Thursday. We will put out the strongest possible side because for us the game is top priority and we want to qualify.

“We are just one game from the group stages and we are not thinking about the Manchester City game and resting players. But we have to see who will be available.”

Do the likes of Dimitri Payet and Manuel Lanzini have a chance of playing in the Europa League game?

SB: “It is difficult. Maybe one of them will be on the bench, but it is more likely they will be fit and will participate in part of the game on Sunday.”

What are your views on the Astra Giurgiu game on Thursday night and is this a game you are expected to win?

SB: “We were not totally happy with our performance in the first leg but we still came away with a 1-1 draw and if we want to qualify we have to beat Astra at home. We should be confident and I expect us to win.”

You have managed to win your first two competitive games at the new Stadium. How much will that help you going into the Astra game?

SB: “The results help and so far we have managed to win both of the competitive games which helps the confidence and makes it feel like our home ground.

“We should enter this game with that state of mind knowing it is one game and everything is possible. I expect us to build our confidence and to play a good game and beat Astra.”

There have been injuries to Andy Carroll and Andre Ayew and there is a lot of talk about the Club trying to sign a new striker. Are you any closer to signing someone?

SB: “We have a couple of players we are trying to do a deal with. We are in a period where we are missing a number of our offensive players. We are short of numbers, but after the international break some of them should be back.

“In terms of signing someone we are not panicking but if something good comes up for us quality-wise, long-term-wise and financial-wise, we are going to act.”

Juventus and Italy striker Simone Zaza’s father is reported as saying his son would welcome a move. Have there been negotiations?
 
SB: "I am not going to tell you the details, but we were linked with him last year also. He’s a top player, I like him, and I was here last year so it tells you everything. We were in contact with him last year, it didn’t happen, we will see this year."
 
Can you throw any light on the Club's reported interest in Wilfried Bony?
 
SB: "He’s an option, because he plays the position that we’ve tried to sign a player, even before the injuries.
I don’t negotiate, I just say to the Chairman and Tony Henry, we talk and then they do it!"

Would it be a problem if you didn't manage to bring in another player before the transfer window closes?

SB: “We are not going to sign someone just because we have to act now. The longest injury we have is Ayew and we expect him to be fit by December 1. It is not tomorrow but that time will past. If you are talking about Carroll, Cresswell, Payet, Lanzini they will all be back very soon.

“We have to be optimistic and cannot moan about the situation because that does not help. We will do something if we can in the next few days, without panicking and that is exactly what we are doing.”