Almeria vs Elche preview - Elche not deflated

Posted Friday, October 03, 2014 by PA

Elche coach Fran Escriba has denied his side are feeling deflated after losing three straight and insisted they will head into Saturday's game at Almeria "with the same hope as if we had won three games in a row".

Elche's downward spiral began with a harsh defeat at home to Eibar, in which they had 15 shots and enjoyed 63 percent possession, and continued with a 5-1 hammering at Real Madrid and a last-gasp defeat to Celta Vigo.

But Escriba believes his side have no other option than to go to Almeria and attempt to reverse their fortunes.

"There are three very important points at stake and we're not thinking about anything other than winning," he told reporters.

"Despite the three defeats, we go into the game with the same hope as if we had won three games in a row, even though it has been a very tough week. Now we have to be mature enough to realise that we have to move on and look ahead to what is coming next.

"It's not strange to lose three games in a row in the Primera Division, just as it's not strange to win several games in a row.

"This is a very even league and anything can happen in one game. We played much better against Celta than the scoreline suggests. We're going to try and correct our errors in defence and try and be more clinical in front of goal."

Almeria head into the match in confident mood after beating Deportivo La Coruna with virtually the last kick of the game.

The win at Riazor saw Francisco Rodriguez's side record their second best start to a season in the top flight, but they are still searching for their first home win of the season.

The hosts have a full squad to pick from, while Elche have just the one absentee, the injured Aaron Niguez.