Thorup: - We must take points in every game

The last third of the Superliga kicks off on Saturday afternoon when Esbjerg fB welcome FC Copenhagen to the Blue Water Arena. Esbjerg coach Jess Thorup has great respect for Copenhagen, but that does not in any way mean his side will surrender the fight; the need for points is high in effort to ensure another season in Denmark’s top flight.

by Joe Short
Since FC Copenhagen last met Esbjerg, the Jutland side have said goodbye to head coach Ove Pedersen, and promoted Thorup as his replacement from assistant manager. FCK.DK had a chat with Thorup who, after Pedersen had not won a match in 12 games, took up the vacant manager spot and won his first game at the helm:

- After many matches without a win it was clear that the squad lacked confidence, and although everything can be done to look after the players physically, there is nothing better than a victory to boost the squad. It was really good that we could once again sing the familiar victory song in the changing room after the win over FC Nordsjælland. There’s no doubt we’ve got some faith back in the team.

Thorup will not hear about a ‘walkover’ just because it's FC Copenhagen coming to town; in Esbjerg you go for the three points every time:

- Since I joined I said we had 12 very important matches to come. We must take them one at a time, and we think we can get points in all of them. Although we have great respect for FCK, and we know very well they are the best team in Denmark – having seen them play in the Champions League – we will still go into the match with the attitude that we must take points in every game, regardless of opponent.

Before Thorup joined, Esbjerg went 12 games in a row without winning. Seven of the matches ended with a draw, and so it could have been so much better for Esbjerg had they claimed victories instead of single points. But this ‘if only’ attitude, according to Thorup, is not healthy:

- Even though we’ve come close many times, it’s important for us to realise where we are in the table compared to our opponents. We must appreciate that we really are in imminent danger of being relegated. It is important to look ahead: to look at the 11 games we have remaining, and believe in ourselves that we can be safe come 29 May. But one thing is certain, and it is that you will see an Esbjerg team fighting for the cause right to the end.

A high attendance is anticipated for Saturday’s clash and, according to Thorup, there are several explanations why:

- Firstly, we got the win we needed last week. There is also a new manager now and having Copenhagen here is always a spectacle, perhaps even more so since many have followed FCK on television in the matches against both Barcelona and Chelsea. All this has helped to arouse interest in football here in Esbjerg, and we are going to need the support, both on Saturday and in the remaining ten matches in this season.

But can Esbjerg claim maximum points against the Lions this Saturday? And if so, how will this boost the team for the rest of the season?:

- Should we succeed in beating Copenhagen, it may well be that the victory gives the players an extra boost for the coming matches. We are all in this together and hope that we can generate a cluster of wins to stay safe, so why not start on Saturday afternoon?

FC Copenhagen v Esbjerg fB
Copenhagen are clearly ahead if one looks at the past 37 matches between the two clubs. The Danish champions have won 20 of the 37 clashes; eight have ended in a draw while Esbjerg have claimed all three points on nine occasions. The aggregate score is 60-37 in favour of the Lions. But bearing in mind that the match is played at the Blue Water Arena, Esbjerg have the potential to score goals and grab points. In the 17 matches played in Jutland, both clubs have won five, with seven draws.

Esbjerg this season
Esbjerg are currently in 11th place in the Danish Superliga. They have 20 points from 22 games, equal to 12th placed AaB. The victory over FC Nordsjælland was extremely important to Thorup’s squad, for they are now just three points off Nordsjælland in 10th position. Esbjerg's 20 points have come via four victories (2-0 over AaB, 2-1 over Silkeborg IF, 3-0 over AC Horsens and later 2-1 over FC Nordsjælland) and eight drawn games. Esbjerg have scored 25 goals this season, conceding 35. Lars Winde is expected to retain his position in goal for the club who relied upon Lukáš Hrádecký for many parts of the autumn season.