"I saw my chance and took it"

girondins.com: Hello Théo, it's already time for the first international break, how do you feel about the season so far? Théo Pellenard: I think we've bounced back well from the disappointment in the Europa League. We've taken 8 points from a possible 12 in the league. The Angers game was frustrating (2-2), but we've got a 100% record at home and we played well in Lyon.  It's looking promising. I think it's good for the coach, for the team and for me if I can be more flexible. girondins.com: There have been some new additions to the squad over the summer, how do you feel about the new recruits? Théo Pellenard: The new guys are fitting in well. A few of them joined earlier in the summer, which obviously makes it easier. And then with Otavio and Cafu, even though they came along a bit later, they've adapted to the style of play and the environment here really quickly. It's a well-balanced squad, which is a good thing. girondins.com: You used to be more of a central defender, but now the coach seems happy to use you at left back. How is that working out? Théo Pellenard: I spoke about it with the manager before the season started. He felt that I could play in the middle or on the left, and he took a few tactical decisions which meant that it made sense for me to be out on the left. I saw my chance and I took it. I'm ready to work hard all season, whatever position the coach wants me to play. I think it's good for the coach, for the team and for me if I can be more flexible.   girondins.com: Obviously playing as a wing back demands a lot of intensive physical work. What advice has the manager given you in that respect? Théo Pellenard: There haven't been any really specific instructions going into the matches. He gives me more detailed advice in training, when we're working on specific exercises. It's up to me to take that advice on board and put the tactics into practice on the pitch. girondins.com: There are a lot of different nationalities in the team, how does communication work on the pitch? Théo Pellenard: It was a bit tough to start with. For the time being the Brazilians are still communicating in Portuguese, but as we train and practice together we're building up an understanding. It's starting to feel natural. It's important for our sense of cohesion and communication on the pitch. And of course a lot depends on the side the manager picks. Sometimes I have François Kamano in front of me on the wing, and we communicate and link up well. Whoever makes the team, we need to keep working hard to fine-tune those connections.   girondins.com: When you went out on loan to Paris FC in 2015-2016, you said "I'm only here on loan, I want to get back to Bordeaux on top form and do my bit for my club." Was that loan experience good for you? Théo Pellenard: Yeah I think that time, the spell with Paris FC, helped me to grow up a bit, and to build up some experience. They'd just been promoted, and the resources were there. It was a good experience for me, and it's helped me to establish myself as a first-team player back in Bordeaux. It taught me how to give my very best individually and for the team.   girondins.com: Do you have any specific objectives for this season, either individually or collectively? Théo Pellenard: The goals are always the same. On a personal level, I want to perform at the top of my game every week. Collectively, we want to play to the best of our abilities and qualify for Europe at the end of the season.