Striker glad to be back and contributing to promotion push
Exeter forward Guillem Bauza spoke of his delight to be playing first-team football once again, having had to endure a frustrating season on the sidelines to date.
Bussy was in the starting XI against Aldershot – his first start at St James Park since the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy against the Shots earlier in the campaign – and he is just glad to be back and making a contribution towards the common cause. Having had to endure much of the season watching on, the Spaniard is relieved to be back amongst the action and is looking forward to getting started in earnest.
“I’m really happy – it’s been a tough season for me,” said Bussy. “I’ve had a few muscle injuries, but finally I think I’m fit enough to be back week-in, week-out. So I’m really happy to be able to help the team and to do what I’m here to do – play games.
“[Injuries] affect your function as a human being, such as just being able to run and play football,” he continued. “Apart from that, they also harm your fitness, because when you get back your fitness levels are lower. But they also affect your confidence because you start thinking that maybe your muscles aren’t ready to play in the game, and you lose confidence in yourself.
“It’s the worst thing, to know that you’re supposed to be helping your teammates and helping your club, but to have to be in the stand like another fan. Every player hates that – what you want to do is to be out training and on the pitch.”
Manager Paul Tisdale praised the striker for his contribution against the Shots, in particular in light of it being the first time he had been able to play a majority of the match for several months. While Bauza was pleased to have impressed, he also insists that this is just the beginning and that he’ll be working hard to contribute as much as possible.
And in that respect, he isn’t necessarily bothered whether it’ll be his name that appears on the scoresheet – as far as he’s concerned, doing his utmost to ensure the club take maximum points in every game is what’s important.
“Many things still need to improve in my game. I’ve just been back for three weeks – I think many things physical, technical and confidence-wise can improve. But I was happy to help the team. I just want to start giving things back to the club and to put the team where it belongs.
“I’m just thinking about the team – I just want the team to win games and for the club to improve. Of course, if I’m playing as a striker, I’m the forward player so I will be willing and looking to score goals.
“But that’s not my point of view of what I need to do in a game – I just need to help the team by doing whatever Tis wants me to do – if that’s running for 85 minutes then it will be that, or if it’s heading the ball for 80 minutes, it will be that.”
With City embarking on the long trip up to Lancashire this weekend – with most Grecians making their maiden visit to the Globe Arena – Bussy isn’t worried about any issues of taking revenge for the opening-day defeat to the Shrimps. His only focus is on aiming for a victory in every fixture until the summer.
“I’m expecting us to get everything we can from every game from now until the end of the team,” he said. “I think we will be looking for three points every game that we play – whether that’s away or at home, that’s what we’ll be looking for.”