Here is Claude Puel’s reaction following Nice’s home draw against Le Havre on Sunday in the 29th matchday of the Ligue 1 season (1-1).

Coach, your team responded well, but can you be satisfied with a draw in your current situation?

A point isn’t enough. It’s a better point for Le Havre, who were playing away from home. Given the circumstances, I thought our collective response following the goal just before half-time was particularly encouraging. We started the second half just as well as we finished the first. I’m building on that; it’s important. There have been quite a few matches where we’ve conceded a goal just before the break without knowing how to come back with a fighting spirit, with the desire to turn the tables. I want to see my team like that, capable of reacting in this way.

Do you think Didier Digard and Le Havre won the tactical battle?

I think that in the first half, up until the goal, we struggled to stop them and play out from the back. Their system was simple enough to unsettle us. In fact, they did more than just unsettle us, with long balls, second balls, one-twos and plenty of crosses whenever they had the chance. They’d play the ball into the box when they were out wide to get numbers into our defence. It’s a simple style but it was effective, as shown by the goal they scored. We weren’t aggressive enough or forward-thinking enough to stop them operating like that and stretching our defence. That wasn’t the plan. We were a bit sluggish, we struggled to move and get out to stop them playing, which we were able to do in the second half. Even if everything wasn’t perfect, we did our best to stop them playing those long balls into our defence and winning the second balls.

We saw a lot of sloppy play from your players. Is this team still struggling mentally?

We’re not in a recovery phase because we’re in a crisis. It’s normal for there to be mistakes. However, what I want to see is a team that doesn’t just sit back but takes control of its own destiny and tries to turn the tables. That’s what we saw at the end of the first half and in the second, and that’s what interests me. If we’re able to score first and create a scenario that works in our favour, we might find greater technical precision and players with a bit more confidence. In the situation we’re in, the positive thing is our reaction after conceding the goal. You might say that’s the bare minimum, but it’s important to see that from my team.

Have you noticed any encouraging signs following the defeat in Strasbourg and a somewhat turbulent week?

The lads are there, I’ll say it again. We need to be able to play, to make fewer technical errors at certain moments, but they’re giving it their all. We, the coaching staff, are here to support them, to encourage them to let loose and have the confidence needed to face this situation. Yes, this result isn’t good enough because we’re at home and it was a very important match, but we’ll go and pick up points away from home, wherever we go. I want to see the same attitude.

You’re set to face Lille, Marseille and Lens in quick succession in the league. How do you view these upcoming matches against three big sides?

Our opponents have tough fixtures too. First up is the match at Lille; we’ll have to go there and try to get something out of it. It’s the same wherever we play; we have to approach every match with that mindset.