ISP Exclusive- Andranik: My Aim is to become a Starter Next Season

IranSportsPress.com: Thanks for giving us some of your time.

Teymourian: It’s always a pleasure.

IranSportsPress.com: Tell us about the game against Watford.

Teymourian: I am delighted that I got another chance to play for Bolton again, and in my opinion I did a reasonable job for the team. We managed to win in the league for the first time since the beginning of 2007, and I am very happy that I played a part in this victory. We were unlucky not to win in the mid-week game against Charlton, although I think my performance in that game wasn't too bad either. I hope the experiences that I am getting with the first team will help me to become a fixed player in Bolton next season. I believe I can become a successful player in the Premiership.

IranSportsPress.com: We were just speaking to Bolton manager Mr Sam Allardyce, and he seems very happy with your progress in Bolton. What do you think is the reason behind your success?

Teymourian: I am working as hard as I can in the training sessions. I think the reason behind my progress is my commitment to the team and my hard work. As you can see, my hard work is paying off now, especially as the manager is starting to believe in me. I hope with more hard work I can be one of the players in the starting 11 for Bolton.

IranSportsPress.com: In the game against Charlton, you took five corner kicks. Is this something that you have been working on a lot during training?

Teymourian: I have been working on corner kicks during the training, and I think I did a reasonable job in taking those corners. This was something that we had planned on doing before the game, so as soon as I entered the pitch, I knew exactly what my duties were. Its not the first time that I have taken corners in my career, but its something that I have not done regularly in the past. This is something that gives my game a new dimension.

IranSportsPress.com: It seems like Bolton’s 4-3-3 formation suits you well.

Teymourian: I have been playing centrally against Charlton and Watford, and I am very comfortable in this formation. In this game I was playing just ahead of Campo, in the centre of midfield, and as you saw I had the freedom to push forward, while I had some defensive duties too. However, I don't mind whether we play 4-3-3 or 4-4-2, because I think whichever formation we use, I will do my best. I dont have any preferences whether I am asked to play centrally or more towards the right.

IranSportsPress.com: Can you tell us about your typical week in Bolton?

Teymourian: I am either at Bolton’s training ground or I am at home. When we are training, we work on different tactical issues, watch videos and analyse our upcoming opponent. We also have some gym sessions during the week. I don’t really go out much, and prefer to stay at home when I'm not training. I usually have my friends around, and we watch TV and cook Iranian food together in the evenings.

IranSportsPress.com: How different is training here compared to Iran?

Teymourian: You can’t really compare the two. Everything is so organised here. You can’t really compare the facilities and organisation between Iran and England. They pay attention to the smallest of things, and make sure the players don’t have anything to think about apart from football. Of course, you expect things to be different here, considering this is one of the best leagues in the world. I have managed to adjust to these changes well and I am very comfortable with all aspects of the training.

IranSportsPress.com: Tell us about team morale in Bolton.

Teymourian: Team morale is very good as you can see. The players all get on well with each other. I usually share a hotel room with Vaz Te when we are playing away from home, but that doesn’t mean that I am stuck in a room with him all the time. The whole squad spends quite a lot of time together when we are playing away.

IranSportsPress.com: You are limping very heavily. How’s your injury?

Teymourian: It’s not too bad actually. I suffered a slight knee injury late in the match, but I am sure that I should be fine in time for the Belarus game.

IranSportsPress.com: You mentioned Iran. As you are aware some of our foreign based players like Karimi and Hashemian have decided to stay with their clubs, rather than playing against Belarus. Don’t you prefer to stay with Bolton specially as you are on the verge of becoming a starter for your team?

Teymourian: This is something that I discussed with Bolton management, and they are happy for me to travel for this game. This game is scheduled on a FIFA match day, and the management here don’t think it’s necessary to try and keep me here. We have some international players in the squad, and most of them will be on international duty too, so it’s not just me that is going to be away. I also don’t think travelling for this game will have any negative effects for me. I have become the team’s 12th player recently due to my hard work and commitment, and playing one game for Iran shouldn’t change this.

IranSportsPress.com: Thank you very much for talking to us once again. We hope your knee doesn’t give you much problem before the Belarus game.

Teymourian: I’m sure I will be able to play for Iran on Wednesday. Please send my regards to your readers.

IranSportsPress.com would like to thank Watford Football Club for accommodating us for the Bolton match, and their hospitality throughout the day.