"Of course everyone wants to play. If you are not picked, then you are disappointed," said the popular defender.
"But I think we are beginning to get the manager's ideas here, even if outsiders seem to offer criticism.
"You look at what he did at Valencia, and you can see that it works.
"He beat Madrid and Barca to the title by keeping his players fresh, and that is obviously what he wants to do here.
"I think we are all smart enough to realise that. If it means we are in a position to challenge later in the season, then maybe other people will start to understand too."