Cueto :"Win in front of Toulouse would be an achievement"

While they are currently ninth in the standings, Sale hasn’t won a match any more for one month. Are you anxious about the chaotic beginning of this championship?

Mark Cueto: Not really worried because we’ve never lost a match by a long chalk. But the snag is that we can’t push through actions.

Can you explain your offensive deficiency by a lack of good players such as Chabal, White Fernandez Lobbe or Bruno that you didn’t still replace ?...

MC: These world-famous players played a huge part in the success of the club. They can’t be easily replaced so it needs a while to put down roots especially for young new players. There’s no need to say that our club is suffering from theses losses and has to get over them.

Does it mean that you are currently short of leaders ?

MC: Our club has counted up for nearly ten years seven highly talented players such as Andrew Sheridan, Sean Cox, or C harlie Hodgson. I think we’ve got enough experience to run the business.

So what’s wrong with you ? Did you completely alter your game strategy ?

MC: Our game strategy is almost the same as last year, so we can’t use this argument as an excuse. We must keep cool and have more guts in order to be more efficient. However I keep confidence in the future even though we’re still searching for our bearings.

But in the eyes of your previous assertions, your win over Toulouse would be really an exploit.

MC: Defeating Toulouse is an exploit in whatever case. Stade Toulousain have been one of the two best European sides for more than ten years, thanks to their efficiency, the huge power of their pack and the influence of outstanding individuals. Nevertheless we’ve got our own idea on the way we could defeat them…

And what about this idea ?

MC: I’m only a little soldier carrying out instructions. I never can talk about tactics. You’d better ask Kingsley Jones for further information. The only thing I can say is that Cardiff showed us the way to defeat Toulouse last year.

What are your further ambitions this season ?

MC: Going out of the pool and qualify for the quarterfinals. Not easy when facing such sides as Toulouse, Cardiff and Quins. But I’m still thinking we can do as well as in 2006 and qualify for play offs. Anyway H Cup is a different tournament, and we’re to get back players of great talent this weekend, you will have a look around this Sunday.