Guardiola lays down the law at Camp Nou

Josep Guardiola has wasted no time in stating his expectations to FC Barcelona's players with the new coach demanding hard graft from them this season as the squad gathered for pre-season training at Camp Nou. "The talent is there but in my book effort goes before talent," said the 37-year-old as he prepares his new team for a UEFA Champions League third qualifying round in August.

Suitable squad 
There have been many changes at Barcelona since the Catalan side were ousted from European club football's elite competition at the semi-final stage by Manchester United FC last April. Former coach Frank Rijkaard has departed as have players Lilian Thuram, Edmílson, Gianluca Zambrotta, Deco and Giovani Dos Santos while Seydou Keita, Gerard Piqué, Martín Cáceres and Daniel Alves have all come in. "I feel that the players I have at my disposal now are very good; individually they certainly are and I hope collectively they will be good too. I have the squad I need," Guardiola said.

Pleasing the fans
The last time Barcelona had to negotiate a two-legged UEFA Champions League eliminator was back in 2002/03 when the team enjoyed a 4-0 aggregate win over Legia Warszawa and the two-time European Champion Clubs' Cup winners will have to take the qualification route again this year after finishing third in last season's Primera División. Whoever the Blaugrana will face in that qualifier, Guardiola says that his team will play to his style with no excuses should things not work out. "If the team isn't functioning then that's our fault," he added. "I don't want to look for excuses elsewhere. With our style of play, our behaviour and attitude, we must make sure that the fans are proud of us. We want to win playing in an attractive and colourful way."

Special roles
'Pep', as Guardiola became affectionately known as during his eleven years and 263 league appearances at Camp Nou, revealed his developing instincts as a manager led him to hold talks with Thierry Henry, whom he hopes will deliver further after the Frenchman scored 12 goals in 30 league appearances in the 2007/08 season. "I'm expecting a lot from Henry," he stated. "I've spoken with him and I know that the first year at a club is never easy. I have a lot of faith that he can contribute to the team. Perhaps it's my intuition but I want to give him and Bojan Krkić a lot of importance."