Jonny Otto urges Alavés to look forward despite relegation zone woes
The Alavés defender remains optimistic despite his side slipping into the drop zone for the first time this season after their narrow defeat at the Metropolitano.
Alavés find themselves in the relegation zone for the first time this season, but defender Jonny Otto is keeping the faith despite their concerning form.
Seven defeats in nine matches
Things are looking proper dicey for Alavés right now. Their defeat to Atlético Madrid at the weekend was their seventh loss in their last nine La Liga outings, sending them into the relegation places for the first time this campaign.
Despite the concerning slide down the table, Jonny Otto struck a surprisingly upbeat tone after the final whistle at the Metropolitano.
“The team is working hard, fighting, and if we continue like this, results will come,” the Galician defender insisted, showing the kind of optimism you’d expect from someone who’d found a pony in their Christmas stocking rather than a player whose team is in serious bother.
Atlético analysis
Reflecting on the match itself, Jonny acknowledged that Atlético had them pinned back for much of the first half, with Alavés struggling to retain possession or build attacks. The situation worsened after the break when, similar to their previous defeat against Villarreal, they conceded early in the second half.
However, he pointed to their improved attacking display after going behind, creating several clear opportunities against an Atlético side with an impressive home record.
Transfer talk dismissed
When questioned about potential January reinforcements, Jonny was having none of it:
- Defended the current squad depth
- Praised the technical staff
- Highlighted the quality of substitutes
- Emphasized the importance of fan support
Looking ahead
Despite their precarious position, the defender remains convinced they can turn things around, starting with their next home fixture. With the table being tight at the bottom, Alavés know that a couple of positive results could quickly lift them clear of danger.
The immediate focus now shifts to their upcoming home match, which Jonny believes is a must-win to kickstart their climb away from the drop zone.