I don't understand a word my coach says - Annan

Anthony Annan's rocky start to the Spanish La Liga couldn't get any worse after he admitted he hardly understands what manager of Osasuna Jose Luis Mendilibar says.

Annan sought solace in Osasuna after failing to secure a move to Vitesse Arhnem who took him on loan from Schalke last season having cut a fringe figure at the German club.


The former Hearts of Oak man is finding grasping the Spanish language a tall order and only speaks at the club's press conferences through an interpreter. He concedes he only manages to understand his coach through his mimes and gestures;


"I don't understand a word he says. I only look at his face and try to understand through what I see from his facial expressions and actions. We listen to him attentively and do what we can from what he teaches us," he said.


It epitomizes Annan's difficulty in adjusting to life in Spain. After seven matches, he has made four appearances, been substituted once and been brought on as a substitute two times.

In his last match against Athletico Bilbao, he lasted only 30 minutes of the first half before he was replaced.


The 26-year old diminutive midfielder has played in Norway, Germany and Holland but concedes that the Spanish league is a difficult league and is one of the world's most extraordinary leagues.


"It is a very difficult to play in the Spanish league. The teams here play very aggressive football. I think it is one of the best leagues in the world."