Yaroslav Vyshniak: "Against "Kolos" in Kovalivka play the second number"

In the last five rounds of the UPL, "Kolos" managed to make a breakthrough, scoring 13 points out of 15 possible.  Our team led this section under the leadership of Yaroslav Vyshniak, who was approved as the head coach a little over three weeks ago.  Yaroslav Vasyliovych told about the main moments of his work in an interview with the ua-football.com portal

- You led the team at a difficult time.  What problems did you pay attention to in the first place?

- The main problem we had to face was that "Kolos" scored a few points, which is why we came very close to the relegation zone.  Further steps were aimed at trying to move away from the danger zone and score as many points as possible.  The game was built to achieve a result that everyone has probably seen, and many have even criticized.  But I think that in this situation you can understand me and the team.

- In six rounds you managed to significantly improve the situation, thanks to which "Kolos" rose to eighth place.  Is there moral satisfaction from effective work?

- Of course.  A positive result always adds optimism, it contributes to the formation of a good microclimate in the team.  We can say that thanks to the victories there was a positive, the mood improved.  This is very important for us, especially in the current situation.  So we went on vacation in a good mood.

- During the autumn stage of the championship, "Kolos" lost a lot of points in home games.  Have you already managed to find out the reasons for such a paradoxical situation?

- If you take it globally, you can't say that "Kolos" is a veteran of the Premier League.  When we entered it, we played "from the opponent" for the first two seasons.  Before that, each of them was meticulously disassembled, trying not to let him play his game.  We were newcomers, and even a draw was a good result for us.  Due to its efficiency, "Kolos" squeezed the most out of what it created.  Plus, we managed to use the standard positions, thanks to which we "pulled out" a lot of games.  This allowed him to score points and occupy high places.  But it should be noted that in the summer six players left the team at once - Pavlo Orikhovskyi, Denys Antiukh and four leased people - Vladyslav Kucheruk, Mykyta Kravchenko, Yevhen Smyrnyi, and Yevhen Isaenko.  All these guys were important in the game "Kolos".  They gave us speed, a quick transition from defense to attack, which is what we were famous for.  Due to the change in the vector, which according to the decision of our management provided for the abandonment of leased players in large numbers, there was a restructuring.  It was not possible to replace these six guys who were prominent figures in "Kolos".  And this, too, became apparent.  In addition, over the last year, the teams began to treat "Kolos" in a completely different way - not like in the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons.  They perceive us not as a novice, but as a combat unit.  Against our team in Kovalivka they play the second number, which is still inconvenient for the wards.  This is due to the fact that you need to rebuild the game and select players for the style of play number one.  All this is not so simple and is not done so quickly.  Faced with such difficulties, we had to play some home matches as the number one player, as a result of which the opponent caught us on counterattacks.  When we lost, it was not a defeat by a large score - we lost by one or two goals.  In particular, it was in the matches with "Olexandria" (0:1), "Mariupol" (1: 3), "Lviv" (0:1).

- The big defeat with the account 0:7 from Kyiv's "Dynamo", probably, strongly struck on psychology of football players of "Kolos".  How long did it take for morale to return to normal?

- Such defeats remain in the history of the club.  It was really painful.  We were all very worried about this defeat.  It is recalled that in the debut season of "Kolos" in the Premier League it was 0:6 against "Shakhtar".  In this game we created moments, ran forward and tried to look good.  But then "the pitmen" gave us a good lesson in Kharkiv.  In the mentioned match of this season with "Dynamo", the situation was such that we were more disappointed with the attitude to the game and the way everything flew so easily into our goal.  It was painful to see how we looked on the football field.  Needless to say, we have suffered such a great defeat for a very long time.  It remains a rolling pin in the heart for a long time.  I don't know about the players, but the coaching staff still remembers this defeat.

- Which of the matches played under your leadership would be an asset?

- All of them, for sure.  I am glad that the team cheered up near the end of the first round.  It was obvious that the guys were trying to fix the situation we all got into together.  This was noticeable in all matches without exception.  In the final decade of November there was a period when we played three games in one week.  They first met with "Desna" in Chernihiv, then returned home at night.  On the same day, they went to Uzhhorod to play with "Minaj", where they pulled out a difficult draw.  And returning to Kovalivka, they played with "Veres" in two days.  In each of these meetings, as in the following - with "Metalist 1925" and the same "Minaj", no one will blame "Kolos" that he did not want to correct the situation.  Yes, it may not have been bright or impressive, but it was reliable and rational.  Why I am especially happy is the achievement in these matches.

- For the period from June to early September, the team was joined by a group of attacking players - Anatolii  Nuriev, Diego Silva, Nika Sitchinava and Renan.  However, for the entire autumn part of the championship, all four scored only 5 goals.  Isn't that too little?

- When we bought these players in the summer, we hoped that they would all be able to bring us results at once.  As an assistant in the coaching staff, we always had close contact with Ruslan Kostyshyn, and we discussed all this.  Unfortunately, it took them much longer to adapt than expected.  Not to offend the guys and their previous teams, here's what.  In their clubs, they turned a blind eye to the fact that they could play one game well, the second not in the best way, and the third to fail, no one changed them.  They were undisputed leaders in their teams.  In Kovalivka, they could not be given such a status, and they faced competition from the boys, who won fourth place in the Premier League with "Kolos".  They could not find themselves in this competition for very long.  But still, at the end of the autumn segment of the championship, each of the four named by you was distinguished by effective actions, which confirms the correctness of their acquisition.  We hope that all of them will continue to progress and bring great benefits to "Kolos".

- Which of the players from the nearest reserve can soon declare themselves in full on the main team?

- We have a U-19 team led by Oleksandr Pozdieiev, with whom we are in constant contact and if possible watch games with his wards.  Among them are guys who in the near future may prove themselves in a way that will apply for a place in the application of the main team.  We will take together a few young players who were listed in the staff of "Kolos" in the last rounds.  We are counting on them and hope that they will be able to compete with the main players.  Of the young, I can mention Kyrylo Fesiun, who showed himself quite clearly at the gate.  When he had to take their place, he did not spoil the impression, playing not for years confidently.

We hope that Yevhen Danyliuk, Jose Martin and Oleh Kryvoruchko, who were included in the protocol of matches of the last rounds, will also be able to prove themselves and compete.  Besides them, the name of Stanislav Morarenko, who returned to "Kolos" from a lease in Khmelnytsky "Podillya".  He has scored several important goals, having played a number of good matches this season.  The guy will have a chance to prove himself at the meeting.

- The tasks facing the "Kolos" do not involve the team being in the middle of the standings.  Is it possible for the team to at least partially correct the situation in the spring part of the championship and try to get closer to the leading group?

- Definitely: such a task will stand.  What declares it?  The previous championship, when "Kolos" took a high fourth place.  It is clear that it is always difficult to go down, and it is a pity that I had to dive to the bottom of the standings.  But again, we are slowly getting out of it, and now there is hope that, having intensified in the winter, we will be able to get out of this situation with dignity.  I am one hundred percent sure that our players do not want to put up with it in any way and intend to correct this situation.  As well as the coaching staff and club management.  Therefore, in the winter we will make every effort to qualitatively prepare for the spring part of the 2021/22 season and as a result be as high as possible in the standings.

- In many clubs, players are deprived of bonuses or fined for failing to complete the task for the season.  In "Kolos" such nuances in contracts of football players are registered?

- You know, there are contracts, but there is the wisdom of the club's management.  I can say that "Kolos" has a wise president.  Andrii Zasukha is closely watching what is happening with the team.  He may not delve into some things on the football field, but he is able to clearly determine when the team is trying and fully committed to the game.  It is difficult to do in this regard.  As for sanctions, there are no such sanctions in "Kolos".  They can be applied only to those who do not want to play or are unprofessional.  I think that the president has done very wisely, finding an approach to footballers and doing everything to interest and encourage them when it is difficult.  This once again shows that he is together with "Kolos" in different periods - both successful and difficult.  Andrii Anatoliyovych does not turn away and does not look for an excuse to simply fine or punish someone.  He sees the situation and understands that the young club is temporarily in this situation.  With his attitude and decisions, Zasukha helped to make the team achieve better results.

- Are there any personnel losses waiting for "Kolos" this winter?

- Yes, there will be changes in the team.  I can already say that "Kolos" will leave five people, one of whom is Vitalii Havrysh.  However, this loss can be called an acquisition.  The fact is that ending the player's career, he becomes an assistant head coach.  The rest of the names will be fully clear after the New Year, when the transfer window will open.  Then we will announce those who will leave the club, as well as the names of the players with whom we will sign contracts.  I hope the new guys will help us.

- Which positions are the most problematic?

- There are no such problems so that there is no one to play.  But there are positions that you want to strengthen.  I would like to be strengthened by extreme defenders who are able to support attacks from the depths, as well as several midfielders who can hold the ball, develop the attack and support it at a second pace.  And, of course, I would like to have a person at the forefront of the attack or in a position "under the attacker", who can give a good pass or complete the attack himself.  We will try to strengthen all these positions this winter.  Let's see what happens.  We will try to select the rest of the players in the summer.  Today we have a good team, which, in my opinion, needs only a point reinforcement.

- Many people drew attention to an interesting fact: your confirmation as the head coach coincided with the news published by the "Football 1/2/3" channel about the appearance of new owners at Odessa "Chornomorets".  Were you appointed after it became known that a possible alliance of "Kolos" with Roman Hryhorchuk would not take place?

- It is difficult for me to say, because I was not present during the negotiations.  This question is more to the club's management.  When there was talk of various candidates for the role of head coach, I, like all football fans, learned about it from the media.  And how it all really happened, how and how far the leadership of our club has progressed in these negotiations and how closely it has communicated with one or another candidate - I do not know.  But I can say that it was not easy to lead the team at that time.  I have a calm attitude to it (it's part of my job), but it had a negative effect on the guys.  It is difficult to lead a team when people are in uncertainty.  By eleven o'clock, when we have to train, many people have already read on the Internet that there are two or three candidates for the role of head coach of "Kolos".  Of course, this distracts players from work.

- It turns out that you were once told: the prefix "acting"  in your position is removed and you are confirmed in the role of head coach?

- So.  That was before the game with "Veres".  Andrii Anatoliyovych went into the locker room and said that such a decision had been made.  And after the match it was officially announced.

- Where will "Kolos" hold the winter training camp?

- The retraction cycle will take place in the second half of January in Kovalivka, and then we will have a three-week training camp in Turkey.

Author - Viacheslav Kulchytskyi, UA-Football