Press news in...

Good afternoon, everyone! Happy new season. It's that time again... the first press conference of the new campaign is upon us.
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PC on Carabao Cup - "It doesn't matter to me if it's the League Cup, FA Cup or the league, it doesn't matter. We want to go far in every competition."

*PC states he will field a strong XI tomorrow*

PC on pre-season - "It has been really positive, despite the contact injuries we had. The injury for Ali Ahmed last weekend was a huge blow. But we have players coming back, who I didn't get to work with last season like Ante (Crnac). Papa (Diallo) is also on the way back."

PC - "Ali has been influential as a player and person since he arrived. He's a happy person, who has good vibes. We will miss that for a long while. We are still talking inside the club (for solutions)."

More from PC on Ali - "Ali is a special person with a strong mentality. He's had tough moments in his life already. He was devastated coming off the pitch. Ali is reacting really powerfully as he wants to come back stronger than before. We've got examples of that like Ben Chrisene (coming back stronger), that's his mindset."

*PC confirms Mo Toure came to him and Ben Knapper shortly after Ali Ahmed received the news asking to take his number as a show of support.*

PC on cover for Ali Ahmed - "It always works like that. If somebody gets injured then others get chances. We will have more discussions with that. If we can replace Ali from inside it's a really big step. Our recruitment team is also looking at other options."

PC on Ante Crnac - "We need a good plan with him. I've seen a player who loves to play football and has really good technical skills."

*Pelle Mattsson trained all week, so will be available.*

Papa Diallo and Kellen Fisher have trained some of this week. Both will be part of an internal game on Sunday, which Crnac will also feature in. Clement confirms Fisher is ahead of schedule. Jovon Makama has also been working indiviudally on the pitch. PC says "positives" to take.

PC on Darlin Yongwa - "People in France were surprised he came here. We convinced him with the project and the ambitions of the club. He got offered a new contract with Lorient, but he wants to play European football at some point in his career and win leagues. He was also attracted to football in the UK, so it shows this club is on the right track."

*PC says Darlin Yongwa will not play tomorrow. The defender has had no pre-season and been training alone. However, his test stats this morning were positive.*

PC - "Physically a lot of players are in a better place than last season. I see it when we do physical tests and in their body composition. I hope a lot will come back and you will go he looks different to last season. The biggest challenge for me this season is keeping squad unity though with new ambitions."

PC on new season - "I love this job as it's about winning and losing. If it's friendly games you can only make players better. After a competitive game you also get to celebrate and we want to create that again this season. I'm excited to see our fans back at Carrow Road."

PC on Paul Warne - "I know he's a Norwich fan, so it's the game of the year for him. They will come full of confidence after last season. We respect that but go in with our own ambitions."

PC on fans - "There will be tough moments. That was the case for Coventry when they came to Carrow Road last season, they went on the bus with heads down. We need to show our fans we are fighting from minute one to the last for these colours. Their support can help this young squad."

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That is everything from the City boss at Colney this lunchtime, we go again tomorrow!!!!

Posted By: DrDublin, Aug 7, 15:38:51