Mendilibar: It'll be tough, but we're ready to go out and win
Eibar welcome Granada to Ipurua on Monday in an 20:45 kick-off
Speaking today in his pre-match press conference ahead of Monday's clash against Granada CF (20:45 kick-off), SD Eibar coach, José Luis Mendilibar, insisted that, "It'll be tough, but we're ready to go out and win".
Mendilibar spoke of his side's current focus, "We're well placed in the league and the sides around us are all looking up the table. We're just focused on beating Granada, and if we manage to do that, we can then start to think about other things".
The Armeros' boss has been pleased with what he has seen of his side of late, "I see the the team as being in very good shape and long may that continue. If we achieve our target, I hope that we don't then take our foot off the gas and that we continue to give every last ounce".
Mendilibar expressed his hope that his charges evidence the same bravery they showed against Valencia last weekend. "We have to try and play our game, get down the flanks, go on the attack and be ready to get on the second balls. In short, we have to be ourselves".
Despite having rejoined the rest of the squad in training, Kike García won't play any part against Granada. Elsewhere, Antonio Luna and Nano Mesa have been declared fit and are available for selection.
Meanwhile, the Eibar boss expressed his delight at Sergi Enrich's contract extension, which keeps the striker at the club until 2019. "He's a very important player. Not just because of his goals, but his influence on the dressing room and his importance within the group. You've got to take all of that into account".
Mendilibar went on to insist that the current Granada side bears little resemblance to the team that the Armeros came up against in the first half of the campaign. "They brought a lot of players in during the winter transfer window and they've practically put a new team together". In terms of the playing style employed by the Andalusian outfit, he noted that, "They're now stronger at the back and their forward players do a good job. What's more, they've got some pace in their side and they can hurt you on the counter-attack".
"They play differently at home to the way they do away from home. The personnel doesn't change all that much, but when they're at home they play a higher line and put you under more pressure. In contrast, on the road, they sit back and look to break on the counter. We'll have to see how they approach the game here at Ipurua".