MADRID, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez has defended himself from criticism after defeats to Girona and Royal Antwerp have seen his side and his position as coach start to be questioned.

Barca travels to Valencia on Saturday fourth in La Liga, but needing a win to raise confidence in the coach who last season led them to the La Liga title, and with some speculating that he could even be sacked unless performances improve.

In his Friday press conference, Xavi rejected talk of a sacking in a near future.

"You do a reset at the end of the season," he said, but insisted that he was "positive and excited."

"We can have a great season. I believe in the project, in the players. I have a very good relationship with (sporting director) Deco, the president (Joan Laporta). We have been working very well for two years," he said.

He continued to insist that Barca was still a work in progress, saying "we are halfway to making a great Barca and I'm surprised that people are doubting at the first problems we have."

"Last season we were doing worse and we ended up having a great season. We have to be positive," commented Xavi, who said he had "no doubt" the players were committed to the club and insisted he "felt supported," didn't "feel alone," and said Laporta had "never let me down."

Xavi made a call for "unity" in all sectors of the club and said "we have to be more positive. These players are league champions, we deserve respect," repeated the Barca coach. Enditem

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