Getafe 5 - 1 Xerez

Boss backs Xerez players

Updated: November 28, 2009, 3:06 PM UK

Xerez coach Jose Angel Ziganda insists his side are not lacking in confidence despite a poor start to the season that has left them languishing in the Primera Division's bottom two ahead of their trip to Getafe.

Playing in top flight for the first time in the club's history, Xerez have picked up seven points from 11 games - five of which have come in their last five games.

That has left the Andalusian side in 19th place, but they are in good company down at the foot of the table as big guns Atletico Madrid have accumulated the same amount of points while Racing Santander, Tenerife and Real Valladolid are all within a win for Xerez.

And Ziganda insists it is not all doom and gloom

He said: "If all the other teams had more points than us then it would be a much worse situation.

"We have seven points and there are other teams like us. Our objective is realistic, it's only one step and we have to start winning to get out of here. If the results don't come then you need to keep fighting.

"The important thing is that we have morale and confidence. The objective is to reach the last place of safety and from there start to move upwards.

"In the last few games the team has done very well defensively and have let in few goals. We have confidence because the squad is very united. Now we need to a win to increase our confidence further.''

Probably Xerez's biggest problem so far has been finding the back of the net.

In 11 games they have scored just three goals, by far the worst record in the division.

All three have come at home, which makes this weekend's trip to a Getafe side who could move into the top seven if results go their way even more tricky.

Ziganda said of Getafe: "They are coming into the match off a win (against Espanyol) and they have a lot of confidence. They will try to win so that they can start playing without pressure and also be able to look at the European places.

"They are going to make it tough for us, but I'm thinking more about my team than I am about Getafe.''

With defender David Prieto available, Ziganda has named virtually the same squad that played out a goalless draw with Sporting Gijon last weekend. The only change sees Carlos Calvo come in for the injured Momo in midfield.

Getafe's form has been up and down this season. The club from the outskirts of Madrid are yet to draw a league match, having won five and lost six, but they were back on form with their 2-0 win at Espanyol last weekend to climb back up to ninth.

Winger Jaime Gavilan said: "Our form has been inconsistent, but we need to keep playing like we did against Espanyol.''

Striker Manu Del Moral has won his race to be fit for the game, but veteran midfielder Fabio Celestini is out.