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There was massive media interest in Huub Stevens' press briefing at De Herdgang on Tuesday afternoon, ahead of Wednesday night's cup tie against AZ in Alkmaar. 'AZ are in a great form, but Cup football has created its own history.'
'Focus on a good result'
Before Huub Stevens and his staff began gearing up the team for Cup action against AZ in Alkmaar on Wednesday night, they had a good long talk. 'But it's now up to the players to get our season going again. We must focus on a good result in Alkmaar', said PSV coach Huub Stevens. PSV slipped to a 1-0 defeat against AZ in the league earlier this season. 'But each game is different and cup football has created its own history. We play a team that is in a great form, but when we beat them, we will get our season back on track. Stevens does not consider Louis van Gaal's team as hot favourites to win the Cup clash, although the PSV coach admits that AZ are in blistering form. 'Expectations at PSV always run high. Unlike AZ, we are not in a flow. When we faced them in the league, it was quite different, which proves once again that things can change very rapidly in football.'
Simons and Bakkal doubtful
Stevens continued: 'We will be out to end a poor run. But we have been handed a tough Cup draw, away against AZ.' But the PSV coach claims there is no room for doubt. 'We have taken the positives out of the N.E.C. game, although we did not pull off a good result on Saturday. I blame our poor performance to a lack of mental fitness. It's about time to get a result, which will boost our confidence.' PSV will miss some first team regulars in Alkmaar. Nordin Amrabat en Jérémie Bréchet are stepping up their rehabilitation programmes and Eric Addo and captain Timmy Simons are doubtful for Wednesday night. Simons bounced his head yesterday and didn't feel well. 'We'll wait and see how he feels today. Otman Bakkal is also doubtful and faces a late fitness test at training.'
Shortest route to European football
The Brazilian Jonathan Reis scored his second double in a row for Young PSV on Monday night, so media representatives inquired after the young striker's progress. 'He is not completely match-fit yet. He has been on the sidelines for a long time and needs more time to return to full fitness.' PSV are heading into another busy period of vital fixtures. They will first take on AZ in Alkmaar before they make the trip to the Amsterdam Arena on Sunday to face leaders Ajax. 'We will focus on the next match first as we are keen to return to winning ways. The cup campaign is the shortest route to European football.' AZ v PSV kicks off at 8.45pm at the DSB Stadium in Alkmaar.
