Danny Namaso, the 26-year-old Cameroonian winger signed by AJ Auxerre this summer, has taken on a leadership role to help his team avoid another stressful relegation battle. The player outlined his responsibilities in an interview as the club sits 15th in Ligue 1 with just three points from four games.
Head coach Will Still views Namaso as a leader within a very young squad. The Cameroon international, who has twelve caps, does not see himself as a big speech-maker. "I am not someone who gives big speeches in the dressing room but I talk with everyone." he said. He believes his time at FC Porto taught him how to handle the pressure of big matches.
Namaso stressed the importance of collective defensive solidity, a lesson learned from the team's tough start to the season. He stated that attackers must be the first defenders. This mentality paid off in their last outing, a 1-0 win over Nice on September 12th thanks to a goal from Cameron Archer. That victory lifted Auxerre off the bottom of the table. The winger admitted that reliving last season's scenario, where survival was secured on the final day, would be mentally exhausting for the group.
The player will join the Cameroon national team at the end of September for Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Comoros and Congo. His goal with the Indomitable Lions is to give pleasure to the supporters and dream of a World Cup. For now, his focus is on Auxerre's next Ligue 1 match, a home game against Stade Brestois 29 this Saturday, September 19th. The full schedule can be found on our fixtures page.
With only five goals scored and eleven conceded, Will Still's team needs to find a better balance quickly. The detailed team stats show that the top scorer this season is Cameron Archer with two goals. Namaso is relying on his experience to pass on his way of reacting in tough periods. "I know the pressure of big matches and how to handle complicated moments. I must transmit my way of reacting in those periods," he stated. The club hopes this influence will bear fruit in the upcoming match against Brest, who are seventh in the standings.
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