A disappointed Emmanuel Ntim was interviewed after Valenciennes were beaten at home by Toulouse in the French Ligue 2 on Saturday.
Valenciennes were outclassed at their own backyard by the table toppers. They lost 3-1 for their 10th defeat of the season and are two points above the relegation zone.
The right-back featured as a central defender and lasted the entire duration of the game. After Ntim was asked a number of questions and he provided answers.
Emmanuel, is it a logical defeat for Valenciennes against the leader?
They gained confidence from the first leg [Toulouse won 1-0], they weren't as strong as today. We take a set-piece from the start, it's annoying. It was strong in front."
Did you feel that it was very hard on the pitch as well?
Honestly, I didn't feel it was hard. We just take a set-piece at the start, the second goal we give against. We made three mistakes, and we paid him cash. It's normal.
VA conceded a lot of goals at the start of the season from set-pieces, you scored two this Saturday…
Personally, as a defender, it pisses me off (sic). These are things that can be avoided. Whoever takes the set pieces in front (note: Van Den Boomen), honestly, he is strong. It's annoying but we have to work on that for the next time.
Is it a setback for you, or does it seem logical to lose against Toulouse?
If so, we are disappointed to have lost. We're going straight back to focus on next week. We know that there are fifteen matches left to play, always with the hope of changing things.
Can we draw positives from a meeting dominated by the leader quite logically?
Yes, already the kicks stopped, we know that we must do better. We have improved our offensive side from set-pieces, we must continue. We also have to work on our possession of the ball.
In what Toulouse offers, are there things that can inspire you?
They keep the ball well. There they are confident, the fact that we are not well, the confidence is not the same with us. We lost against the leaders, we must not lower our heads and go back to fighting next week.
Precisely it is a very important trip to QRM that awaits you, facing a direct competitor...
We cannot say that it will be an easy match, because Quevilly is a good team. In the league, they are good. It won't be easy, they won't let go, but neither will we. Every match is very important to us. We will try to take the three points there.