Alidu Seidu : « I like the competition, it makes me progress. »

Alidu, the team has just unblocked its away record with a point at Brest.How do you feel about that?

It's always satisfying not to lose away from home. We had a difficult start to the game and it was good to get our heads back in the game and get that equaliser. It's important to build on the positive, on the idea of never giving up, of giving everything. Above all, we need to get on with the three games against Le Havre, Toulouse and Auxerre.
 

A lot of new recruits had to be brought in during the off-season.

No, I'd never experienced that before. We had to bring in a lot of new players. I speak English and I'm able to talk to everyone. The group is finding its feet and bonding, and that's going to get even better as we spend more time together. We need to stay the course and wait for our results to turn around for the better.
 

Since your arrival this winter, you've started to take on a new dimension.

It's true that things are going very well on an individual level. As I've always said, I like competition, it makes me progress. As long as I'm here, I'll give everything for the club. I'm playing a lot at the moment, I'm enjoying it, and it's up to me to keep working hard and keep up the momentum. Above all, I want the team to win.

You were a leader at Clermont, you won with Ghana, do you want to be a leader at Stade Rennais F.C.?

We need to develop our leadership collectively. Steve is already a leader who can't be ignored, and he's had a great career. Everyone knows Steve, he's our captain and a source of inspiration for the youngsters in particular. Behind him, we have to take responsibility. Leadership also comes from being exemplary on the pitch. I like to encourage, to be with the team, behind the lads. As soon as I play, I want to show the coach that he's made the right choice and that I'll give everything for him, for the club and for my team-mates.
 

Can we say that you have this big brother role in the team?

I spend time with everyone, that's my character and that's what will develop our cohesion. I also try to take the youngsters under my wing: Nagi', JJ (editor's note: Jordan James), Djaoui, Mika... My aim is to get everyone moving forward.
 

Last season you had the joy of welcoming your first child, did that have an impact on the way you are?

Having a child is a joy, a great deal of happiness. People often say that it's not easy, that you have to be ready. I think that to be ready, you simply have to have one (laughs). I wish everyone to have children, I want more (smiles). When I'm not in the best of shape, all I have to do is look at my son and everything gets better.

You're one of those players who wins a lot of duels, even headers, despite your height disadvantage against certain strikers.We saw that against Ludovic Ajorque at Brest (editor's note: 23 centimetres difference).

At the Jean-Marc Guillou Academy, I had a coach who made me understand that it's all in the head, in the mind. To win duels, you also need good timing and I work a lot on that. I do video sessions focusing on players like Gary Medel, Carles Puyol and Javier Mascherano. They're sources of inspiration and I need to keep developing that aspect of my game.

Versatility is another of your strengths, and it seems that Alidu can play anywhere and in any system?

What's important for me is to be out on the pitch and enjoying myself. Wherever the coach wants me to play, I'll play. I want to give my all as long as I'm in the starting line-up. I'm happy to be playing as much as I am and I want to keep it up.

You've become a regular in Ligue 1. What are the most important ingredients for making a collective difference in this championship?

First of all, you have to train hard and be strong. Ligue 1 is very physical, so you have to be intelligent and technical. A lot of players are very strong. Tactically, you have to be very precise, be serious during video sessions, observe and show situational intelligence. The key is to work hard and never give up.
 

Are you ready for Le Havre?

We've got a good match ahead of us against a team that plays a lot of counter-attacking football, with a very good crosser in left-back Operi. Le HAC also have some fast forwards who get the ball into the box. We're lucky to be playing at Roazhon Park with our supporters behind us at all times. It's a huge advantage to play in a stadium like that. The aim will obviously be to win and get those three points to get back to winning ways. The squad is 100% focused on that. We'll need the fans.