Alaves striker Ruben Sobrino believes the club “can do something nice this season” and will top La Liga with a win over Leganes.
Abelardo Fernandez’s side are just one point off the top of the Spanish top flight after 12 rounds of games and will be league leaders temporarily with a win on Friday.
“The Coach recently said that even in his best dreams he had not imagined having this start to the season,” Sobrino told Marca.
“I have always said it. Since he arrived at the club, he has changed all of us players a lot. When we signed him we were in a very delicate situation, in relegation places.
“The beginning of this season has been spectacular. The fans have helped us a lot. It deserves that we mention it in each interview because it really is that important.
“It's easy to say this now, but the Coach had a very complicated role and through simplicity he has improved this.
“He is a Spanish coach, he knows us all perfectly. He makes you believe that you can achieve results, he makes us believe we have a strong squad, that helped us last year and also this one. The psychological work he has done is very important.
“La Liga is better when it is more competitive. Football is more equal and that makes it better for the player, for the fans and for everyone in general.”