Gary Neville annoyed by reporting of Valencia training ground incident
Wednesday 2 March 2016 11:36, UK
Valencia head coach Gary Neville has expressed his disappointment at the 'sensationalising' of a training ground incident.
Footage filmed through a gap in a gate showed goalkeeper Diego Alves and centre-back Ruben Vezo having to be separated by team-mates in Monday's behind-closed-doors sessions.
It was reported by the local press that the pair almost came to blows.
However, speaking ahead of Wednesday evening's trip to Malaga, Neville said he has had more heated arguments with his five-year-old daughter and was unhappy with the way it was covered by the media.
"You always see arguments from time to time on the training ground but it did not come to anything," he said. "It does not reflect the atmosphere that we have here. The dressing room is very united. It's more together than it has been at any time this season.
"You watch training or the U13s, U14s, U15s, and you will see this kind of thing happen three or four times a week. It's a nonsense that this can be made into something sensational - it was forgotten about in three or four seconds.
By sensationalising a story it's unhelpful and something I don't think we appreciate, but we can't stop it if people want to hide behind walls
"I am disappointed as it's something we feel harms Valencia, the fans and the players. By sensationalising a story it's unhelpful and something I don't think we appreciate, but we can't stop it if people want to hide behind walls.
"This happens two or three times a week and if we are going to sensationalise it into something big I have no need to explain myself next time when you ask why training is closed for much of the week."
The incident occurred in the wake of Valencia's 3-0 La Liga defeat to Athletic Bilbao, a result that brought an end to Los Che's winning run.
Valencia will look to get back on track on Wednesday evening at Malaga and Neville is seeking a response.
"It was a big disappointment because I don't think we deserved what we got, but sometimes that happens in football and we have to make sure we respond quickly," he said.
"We have a tough game at Malaga. Both teams will be desperate to win and all the focus is on the game and the right response would be for us to win.
"We need to get results and win consistently to allay the fears the fans have and that's the only way we will quieten critics.
"The league table will change every week but we have to make sure our confidence is high and belief remains strong and we perform as we have been doing in the last few weeks."
