- Will you be in Brøndby?

ESBJERG, denmark (Ekstra Bladet): It was, rightly, a disappointed Brøndby coach with the bite in that maundy Thursday met the press after the defeat against oprykkerne from Esbjerg.

Vestjyderne were gracious, or perhaps rather lax, and allowed themselves to be content with a narrow 1-0 victory, sending the Esbjerg five points ahead of Brøndby in bronzekampen.

Martin Retov and Brøndby have still not won in the mesterskabsslutspillet, and cheftræneren are about to be well and thoroughly tired of, last season's team will be underperforming.

- We left off with in the top-six, but has not scored a victory since. It is, of course, on the level. We are up against good opponents, but we are certainly even a few percent also. It is not good enough, and we must admit, it is uphill right now in relation to achieving the bronze medals, said Martin Retov, who hit out at the players.

I have said in the locker room, that players should find out whether they will be in game after the summer break. We play for medals, but we also play for our future. I have asked the players to deliver the goods, and it is there for many who do not do right now, said an honest Martin Retov, who certainly doesn't look like a favorite to continue as the head coach of the Brøndby in the next season.

- It is up to the club, but you're right in that my position only becomes stronger when we win matches. So I have probably taken a step up today (Thursday, ed.).

Esbjerg jumped higher than Brondby in Thursday's match. Photo: Ritzau Scanpix

Brøndby so bad out almost across the board. Marvin Schwäbe kept level, and sporadic fine moments from the Mukhtar and Wilczek, along with indskifterne Hedlund and Mensah, kept Bolton from falling together.

Worst of all was the lack of ingenuity and energy was through the backbone of the team. It also falls back on the boss, even if the players in this case bear the main responsibility.

It was a very disappointing fight and a big step backwards in relation to the derby. We had no energy and willingness, and it was definitely our worst match in mesterskabsspillet, said Paul Arajuuri, who even played a lousy match and had a share in the responsibility of Joni Kaukos winner.

I went in to get first on the ball, but I had cleared the bad, so the smoke directly out to Joni Kauko. It was a mistake, and those we commit too many of this season.

- What you can imagine. It was very quiet. The players were disappointed, for we have failed ourselves and all those who keep at the oval. But if you are asking whether we still believe in third place, then the answer is ’yes’. We need to win football matches, but if we have turned the shoal is already Monday, so we are still in the race.

Sports and Games - Gay, it is damn sure something you say during a football game