Javi Montoya: “If we are on form the match against Arcos CF has to be ours”

Betis B has strung together four consecutive victories, grounded in part by the great defensive strength Óscar Cano's men have. One of the participants in this run of positive results is the keeper Javi Montoya, whose performance in last Sunday's match was crucial to the team maintaining a clean sheet. The Betis goalkeeper who is already focussing on the next match against Arcos CF, said in a statement to the Club's official website that if the team is “on form”, the three points should stay at the Luis del Sol Training Centre. To this end, Montoya added that the key is for them to “go out there with our 'heads in the game' defensively right from the first centre kick”, and more specifically in “dead ball situations”.

 

The match against Arcos CF: “We must go out there with our 'heads in the game' defensively right from the first centre kick and in any dead ball situation. We didn't score in the away match but at home we should be able to do some damage to them and score. We have talked about the first round match against them and the technical staff have gone to watch some of their matches recently, but this week we have centred more on ourselves and doing things right. If we are on form the match has to be ours”.

Three consecutive matches without conceding a goal: “I'm really happy about that. For me it is the best moment when a match finishes, we have won and we haven't conceded a goal, but that is not just my doing. My team mates work very well in defence and that makes it easier for me. I would like to get the Ricardo Zamora Trophy in my category”.

A good run of results: “We need to keep going like this and take the top spot in the standings. But we realise that this is a tough competition. We weren't the only ones to have a slump in December, the same thing happened to the leaders and other teams at the top of the league. Not only that, there are other teams who didn't seem to be in the running who are now fighting for a place in the play-offs”.

The standings: “It just goes to show what a good season we are having. A few weeks ago it seemed unlikely that we would have an option to lead the standings and now we have a shot. Not only that, we have also distanced ourselves form those in fifth place. In the next few weeks we are going to be playing some direct rivals in the standings so we have the chance to get the top spot based on our own merits”.

Opinion about yourself: “I think I am having a good season. Was very keen on coming to the club and I have always tried to let it show in what I do, I am going to continue to do so in order to take steps towards achieving my own goals”.

Atmosphere in the changing room: “There is a happy atmosphere, not just because of the good run of results but also because we are a close-knit group of players. There is always someone who can get a smile out of you even when things haven't turned out the way you would have liked. We must hold on to the group atmosphere which is sure to be the cornerstone to us getting promotion”.