Wisła Płock’s manager, Mariusz Misiura, has appealed for a more balanced perspective on his team’s performance. He insists that many clubs would gladly trade places with Wisła Płock. The team are preparing to face Motor Lublin on Sunday, aiming to break a streak of two losses.
Misiura Responds to Doubts About Team Ambition
Misiura responded to a journalist’s question about whether the team still had the desire to achieve more than just a mid-table position, following a defeat to Pogoń Szczecin. The journalist questioned whether they still wanted to fight for something more than just “some place” in the table.
Misiura stated that he had a positive meeting with the team’s senior players. He highlighted the fact that numerous teams would be grateful for a league position that guaranteed them a chance to play in the Ekstraklasa next season. He added: “Ten teams are praying today to have ‘some place’ in the table, which will give them a chance to play in Ekstraklasa in the next season.”
The manager stressed the team’s humility and acknowledged their significant achievement as a promoted team. He said that the defeats to Pogoń and Radomiak do not indicate a lack of commitment to achieving a higher league position. Misiura also pointed out the challenges the team faces, mentioning that Łukasz Sekulski is likely to play with pain-killing injections to support the team.
He said: “I had a fantastic meeting with the leaders of the dressing room… I am glad that I have such leaders in the team – they realise how big a thing we have done as a newcomer.”
No Narrative of Weakness
Misiura was keen to dispel any notion that his team was underperforming or lacking in desire. He said, “I don’t want to justify us, but we also have our limits. We give our all, we are in the place we deserve.”
He added that he did not want the team to be perceived as uncaring in defeat or only motivated by victories. “I don’t want to create a narrative that since we lost the last two matches, we don’t care anymore. What would be the point of training so hard, fighting, winning for so many months, for someone to give up now or not want to,” he said.
Misiura defended his players. He was determined to prevent the perception that the team was having a poor season. He noted a lack of humility in their environment, adding that there is a constant expectation to immediately compete for ambitious goals.
Focus on Development
Misiura stated that the team’s performance on the pitch will determine whether they deserve to qualify for European competitions. He also stated that it will show whether they are ready to compete for the highest honours or still need further development. He said, “The pitch should decide whether we deserve European cups, whether we are already a good and formed team enough to play for the highest goals or whether we still need to develop in many areas to deserve it.”
He reiterated that the initial aim was promotion. He said: “When we started working, our goal was promotion. And that was said from the beginning. This is the overriding goal. We got promoted.”
Misiura added that Wisła Płock were widely predicted to be relegated. He added: “After the promotion, wherever we turned, Wisła was the first candidate to fall. First. We were supposed to fall with a bang. And we were already sure of staying up 5-6 matchdays before the end. It’s a fantastic result.”
Misiura concluded by saying that while they are aware they can achieve more, he does not want a narrative that suggests he, or any of his players, are underperforming if they do not qualify for European competitions. He said, “We are aware that we can do something more today, but I don’t want the narrative that if we don’t make the cups, then I am a weak coach, Sekulski is weak, Kamiński is weak, Leszczyński is weak and the team is weak.”