'We conceded too many goals to win the title'

On finishing third...
"First of all congratulations to Chelsea and to Carlo Ancelotti and his players. They won the League and I believe that they played very well for the whole season so congratulations to them. For us it was important to finish well. We did it and we didn't need to speculate on the defeat of Tottenham. I am very happy that after the World Cup we don't have to play a qualifier for the Champions League because it is a very sensitive game and the games are getting hard every year.

"For us if you look a long way back we have done beyond expectations. But of course we are still frustrated because one month ago we were in touch with the title but didn't win it. Overall, we had a season with a good attitude, strong character - the team has improved a lot on that front. Overall we conceded too many goals to win the title. We did not have the players available in the last six weeks to fight for the title. When you go into the final sprint you need your squad available."

On what was the difference between the top two and coming third...
"I believe we had too many injuries. When you have six players not available in the last six games and in the Champions League Quarter-Final you can get away with it for one or two games but it does not work on a longer basis. It's a shame because went out in the Quarter-Final of the Champions League against the holders and we were beaten by Chelsea and Manchester United who have strong squads. We were just a fraction short."

On if he believes he must strengthen his squad in the summer...
"We want to improve in quality. It is not necessarily a big number of players needed and overall I believe you don't win the title when you concede 40 goals."

On which positions he believes need improving...
"Leave that to me and come back in July and you will see. When you come back for the Emirates Cup you will see."

On the fans' reaction to Lukasz Fabianski...
"That is part of the learning process. I believe you want the fans to be positive but you feel there is enough quality there to be exceptional keeper and he responded well and had a quality game. It is not easy to play at such a young age under such pressure. In the last three weeks he is already a different player to three weeks ago. There is a massive talent there."

On the three defenders who are out-of-contract this summer...
"I don't yet. Players who are free [to sign for who they want] decide what they do."

[Sunday, May 09, 2010]

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