"Our ambitions have not changed but they have become more realistic. Why shouldn't we aim for top spot? It will be difficult as there are some good teams both behind us and in front of us but we are very much in the mix. Lyon are only five points ahead of us so why not?"

What are Rennes' strengths?

"We are a good team. There are no stars here. Everyone plays for everyone else. I think that is our biggest strength."

Coach Guy Lacombe has talked about the way you never give up. Is that why Rennes managed to go 18 games unbeaten?

"It's not just me. At Rennes we have plenty of players like that. Things can even get heated in training, that's how committed the players are! The coach and the technical staff share this mentality. Guy Lacombe is a very demanding coach. It's also because of that that we've been able to get something out of games in which we've fallen behind this season."

Are you going to extend your contract with Rennes? Are you happy at the club?

"I have a three year contract with Rennes and I am enjoying it here. The road is long and we have to wait and see. Will I stay? Why not?"

Which player do you get on best with away from football?

"The language barrier is still there but I enjoy being with the boys. It's often quite amusing as despite not being able to understand each other, we still manage to make fun of each other. Of course Bruno Cheyrou and Petter Hansson are close to me as they speak English. Kader Mangane and Rod Fanni also speak good English."

How did you manage to adapt to life at Rennes and the French championship so quickly?

"I don't know if it happened quickly. I think I'm still adapting. I've only been here for six months [after joining Rennes from English club Fulham]. I feel comfortable here. The coach is patient with me. I don't always understand what he says to me but he takes his time to explain to me what's going on. People translate for me what I don't understand. I'll only have fully adapted to life here when the language barrier is no longer there."

What do you think about Barack Obama becoming president?

"A lot of people ask me that. For me it's a very difficult question to answer. I am a patriot, so when a president is elected I get behind him no matter his political party. I hope he'll do good things for America and have a positive influence on the rest of the world. I think he's surrounded himself with good people. But you have to be realistic. Things aren't going to change with a wave of a magic wand. It's going to take time for things to change but I think he'll be a good president of the United States."

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