Granada CF vs Elche preview - Olazabal happy with signings

Posted Friday, January 30, 2015 by PA

Granada goalkeeper Oier Olazabal believes the club have invested well over the January transfer window but has stressed the need for the team to start picking up points, starting with Saturday's home game with fellow strugglers' Elche.

The Andalusian side are bottom of the Primera Division and without a win since September but have responded to their situation by signing a total of six players this month, adding wingers Daniel Candelas, Lass Bangoura, Robert Ibanez, midfielder Ruben Perez and defenders Emanuel Insua and Juan Cala.

"There has been a change in the atmosphere in the team with the arrival of the new players and we have all noticed it," Oier said at a pre-match press conference.

"We have a good squad now but what matters the most are our results. We need a little more confidence, we need everyone to give a little bit more and then the victories will come."

Elche occupy the final position outside the relegation zone, with two points more than Granada, and Oier believes it is vital his team bring an end to their winless drought on Saturday, so they can stay close to the group of teams fighting to avoid relegation.

"We have to beat them, we need the three points and if we win on Saturday we'll join the fight with the six or seven other teams with a bit more confidence," added the goalkeeper.

"Being bottom of the league is not good, we have to get out of there as soon as possible. Every point is important, but even more so now. As soon as we manage to get off the bottom we'll have a different mentality and more energy."

Granada coach Abel Resino avoided defeat in his first game back in charge of the club by drawing 2-2 at Deportivo La Coruna, but against Elche his side will be without Jeison Murillo, Eddy Silvestre, Hector Yuste, Ruben Rochina and Riki through injury. However, defender Jean-Sylvain Babin and striker Jhon Cordoba have been passed fit for the match.

Elche will be hoping for a better result against Granada than the 6-0 thrashing they endured at the hands of Barcelona last weekend but have a total of three players suspended - defender Domingo Cisma, midfielder Faycal Fajr and top scorer and talisman Jonathas de Jesus. Midfielder Pedro Mosquera is also out, through injury.