St Etienne keeper Jeremie Janot believes the club's fine start to the season is down to renewed belief.
Keeper delighted to see St Etienne back on track
St Etienne keeper Jeremie Janot believes the club's fine start to the season is down to renewed belief.
The 32-year-old feels that a 'superiority complex' has held the team back in the past, with a rich history working against them.
St Etienne still have some way to go if they are to build on their record 10 top flight titles, but the omens look good.
They currently sit second in Ligue 1, with just one defeat suffered in their eight games so far.
Janot, who has been with the club for 15 years, feels they are capable of building on their impressive opening, with coach Christophe Galtier having restored pride and purpose to the players.
"For me, there is an element of surprise in our start to the season," he told
L'Equipe.
Determination
"But considering the efforts we have made in the last six months, the quality of our pre-season and the determination of the group, we deserve it.
"We had a superiority complex, which was completely unjustified. During the last two seasons we have finished near the bottom.
"The players who had ambition knew we could not have another bad campaign. We had to find humility again. Just because you wear the green shirt doesn't make you better than a Nancy or Valenciennes.
"Coach Galtier has put life back in the changing room, while remaining uncompromising on the pitch.
"He has made the mood better and that is what we needed because the changing room was almost dead.
"If the club could win another title, I think the city would explode! We are a long way from that, though, and are still rebuilding."
