Spanish players come to defence of coach Fernando Hierro

Real Madrid manager Bernd Schuster called out Hierro's coaching ability after Spain's less than confident World Cup openers.

Schuster told 'Onda Cero' radio: "The first problem Spain have is that Hierro is not a coach, he doesn't have the experience for this level, being a player is not the same as being a coach."

"He came in very late and it's not his fault but it's very difficult for him to take decisions. The team had been built by another person and he's not making the right changes, he doesn't have a plan, he doesn't know how to react."

Defender Carvajal came to his support though, defending Hierro, who was a last minute replacement, and had come from a disappointing season with Real Oviedo in Segunda.

"I think he is more than capable, so I have to disagree with Schuster's words," said Carvajal, according the the 'Daily Mail'.

"In the end we are the ones who see him every day and we believe he is qualified to lead the national team. He is a great coach and we'll stand by him until death."

Carvajal went on to say that none of the Spanish side have been happy with their performances so far.

"It's obvious we need to take a look at ourselves, we all have to give a little more," he said.

"Here any opponent can cause you trouble. We've received a lot of criticism, but what counts is that we haven't lost a game for two years and we won our group. Few teams have done that. No-one is saying that the play (at the finals) has been good, and neither are we."

Carvajal was also aware that the Russians pose a real threat, and that Spain would have to do better than they did against Morocco in their last group match.

"I think if we iron out those errors at the back we'll be very strong," he added. "On Sunday we have a very difficult game against the hosts, who scored eight goals in the first two games and who will have the whole country behind them."