The midfielder of Poltava’s Vorskla Artem Chelyadin commented on his team’s performances in the current season.
— How did Vorskla manage during the national team break?
— We rested after a marathon of 4 matches over 12 days. This break allowed us to regain strength and delve a little into the structure of the game. I think the break will benefit us. During the pause, we practiced on synthetic turf, without special loads. Starting Monday, we began preparation for the match against LNZ.
— About Maximov’s return. You witnessed Yuri Vilyovych’s first arrival. Did the young guys manage to handle the increased demands?
— It’s not only the young players, but all of us need to prove our place. If you are in order, you will definitely play. For Vilyovych, the most important thing is that you contribute to the team. He is a coach who will always demand the maximum, there are no favorites. Everything must be proven on the field.
— Vorskla has changed three coaches in the last year. Is it difficult to adjust to a new style every six months?
— I know for sure that this is only beneficial for me. From each coach, you can take something new for yourself. Working with Skrypnyk and Dolhansky, I felt support and complete trust, and then everything depended on me.
— Why couldn’t Vorskla boast a stable performance?
— We lost a lot of points where we shouldn’t have, due to psychological factors, when the result weighs on you and you don’t feel confident on the field. You worry about the team and the outcome, and you start to get nervous. If we had taken more points, it would have been easier for us, and the game in our performance could have been better.
— What caused Vorskla’s instability?
— We went into every match to play for victory. Everyone gave it their all. Psychology decides a lot in football. Now the championship has leveled out, and the matches are won by those who make fewer mistakes at crucial moments. We, in turn, made more mistakes. Initially, we conceded a lot from set pieces, when everything seemed to go in. I don’t really like this word, but we were unlucky.
— The first round of the championship is almost over. Which matches do you remember as particularly strong?
— In my opinion, the best game in the last six months was in the Ukrainian Cup against Dynamo (Round of 16, 1:2, — ed. note). We had chances near the opponent's goal, made a mistake near our own, and lost. You can play poorly and win — and no one will say a word, because the result is on the scoreboard. Here we are left with memories and the understanding that we played well. Now we need to learn how to achieve results even against top opponents while playing this way.
— How do fans react to recent results?
— Perhaps I haven’t hit the hot hand, but in the city itself, people approached and only spoke words of support. Although after defeats, I always sit at home. (Smiles).
— At home, you can't hide from online hate.
— Yes, I agree. I read everything. There will always be criticism for failures. Players themselves understand when there’s a defeat for which they shouldn't be ashamed, and there are completely unsuccessful matches. In the game against Kolos (0:1), we deserved all that criticism because we played below our capabilities. After being knocked out of the Ukrainian Cup — everyone wrote that we did well. An adequate fan knows how to analyze a game and has the right to “vacuum us” when we play poorly.
— How do you personally perceive what’s happening with Vorskla?
— I go through everything very intensely. Before matches, I can get myself really worked up. On the field, you don’t feel that pressure, but there’s always anxiety before the game. With the starting whistle, I pull myself together, but after matches, there are no emotions left. I just want to sit and zone out on one point.
It all depends on the result. Look at Oleksandriya: how they are charging ahead, having gained psychological confidence in their own abilities, and showing very good football.
— Vorskla doesn’t know what to do with the ball near the opponent's goal?
— You watch European football: someone receives the ball on the flank, controls it, shifts, and scores into the “9” — goal. In our case, we may not even get to a shot. We want more goal-scoring opportunities in the final third and to convert them.
— What can Vorskla contend for in the championship?
— The club’s management is doing everything they can for us to achieve results on the field and fight for high positions. We need to win a few matches in a row — and the situation will turn in another direction. There’s no big gap in the standings. There’s almost half a season left to correct everything.
Oleksandr Karpenko