Firstly my main ambition this season is to get Barnsley promoted. However this isn't going to be an easy task when you look at some of the teams around us. Wimbledon are looking solid at the top of the table, especially after the arrival of L_Hughes. 

Sheffield United have had a good run recently and Man City are playing well also, so it is going to be a tough challenge. I am absolutely delighted with Teddy Sheringham's contribution in the time I've been in charge, he has got 9 goals for us this season and in my opinion he is in contention for the player of the month award. 

I have brought a few decent players in to the club while I have been here, and I am very pleased at signing David Nielsen from Wimbledon. I think that I now have a great strike partnership with Nielsen and Sheringham up front who combined have scored 18 goals this season.

Now one of my main priorities is strengthening my back four and stop leaking goals every game. As far as the KO cup is concerned, I feel as though we have no chance of getting through to the next stage even though we have had a few decent results against some quality teams including Newcastle and Ipswich, but this season I am concentrating on the league.

Good luck to everyone!!!

Cheers, Matt_Barnsley F.C

The Kick Off news team this week traveled to Maine Road in Manchester to speak with Man City's manager JP Thompson in his first interview since joining the promotion contending club, read on to find out what he has to say.

1.) How are things at Maine Road after the first 7 games?

I think we’ve made a positive start. I’m still finding my feet but I’m really enjoying it and I hope we can reproduce the good form I know this squad is capable of through the season. That’s the challenge for my players. We know that and we have to keep focused. After the disappointment of relegation last season and the changing of managers so early on the season I’m looking to stabilize and rebuild the club for the future.

2.) Why has your league and cup form are very different?

Our league form has been very promising to date, we’ve only dropped 2 points and that was against Wimbledon who are top and deservedly so for the moment, they’re a tough unit. I’m delighted with the way my players have so far fought to be considered promotion contenders. Before I got here the form had been indifferent and significant improvement was needed. I think that’s started to happen now. The cup is a different story, with the exception of the performance against Blackburn and beating Rotherham, we’ve not been as good as we can be. We went out of contention a while back so I’ve been looking at different formations and styles and trying to give players a chance to play. We have a good squad here but it’s finding the right combination that’s key. There have been times when things haven’t gone to plan; sometimes I’ve made mistakes and sometimes players have under performed. We’re working hard on the training field to study the things that have gone wrong and develop from there. See these ropes, we’re learning about them.

3.) Your next cup game is against Man_Utd, how do you feel about that?

Facing top quality opposition is the best way to measure progress. The players, myself and probably most of all the supporters, are really psyched up about this game. We’re up against some of the best players in the world. The players I pick for that game will have to prove themselves as giants on the pitch if we’re to get anything out of the tie.

4.) Have you been pleased with your squad so far?

I honestly believe we have a high caliber squad here. For the most part I think the players have performed well. Nicky’s been in good form in goal. D_Jupp and K_Muscat have been rocks at the back, considering the chop and change in defensive personnel, and they’ve scored some important goals. I think there’s a real understanding starting to develop between my key midfield players. Also I’m pleased to report that both M_Brown and T_Cahill have adapted well to the club and they’re enjoying their football. In attack, club captain S_Goater has led by example. Top scorer and second in terms of assists says it all about his skill and industry. Added to which there are several other top draw strikers here who have to try and play to their full potential for their right to play for Man City.  

5.) What do you make of the promotion race?

There’s been a lot of talk. It’s too early to go too far into that subject, I think there’s probably more than half a dozen clubs who are still in with a shout for promotion. I’m really pleased with our position and we’ll try our best to improve on it.

5.)  There’s been some talk about the gulf in class between the 1^st division and the Premiership, what’s your view?

No doubt some of the best players in the world are playing in the Premiership. Which ever two teams do go up will face a fairly formidable task of remaining on a level par with some of the teams there. Look at some of the results coming from cup matches. It’s not impossible to do well. The quality of the promoted teams largely depends on how the season pans out. Obviously, a manager’s transfer dealings will play an important role. I know that if promotion happens for Man City it’s the aim of this club to do more than just survive in the Premiership.     

6.) Man City have been active in the transfer market, anymore developments?

I’m always looking at improving on the squad. I still feel the need to strengthen certain areas. However, there is a large squad here and I’m looking to off-load several players who do not figure in my long-term thinking. I’m willing to listen to offers of around 2 million pounds or cheaper for some 8-rated players. A fairer price than corresponding players on the transfer list. I’m looking at players on the transfer list but at present I feel that some of the prices quoted are inflated. We’ll have to wait and see.

So Chirag how do you think your start as Sunderland manager has gone? 

Well I think we have started to play some really good attacking football. We have turned the cup form around and we are in pole position to qualify for the knockout stages which when I first came here didn’t really look possible. But no the down side we have slipped to bottom of the table in the league even though our league form has improved. But with the way we are playing in the cup I hope that some of that form rubs off on the league form. 

So why have you dropped to bottom in league? 

Well I don’t think its easy to point out some specify reasons. I mean although our league has been pretty poor with 5 points out of 5 games so far. I think we haven’t got the results out play has deserved. I mean both of the defeats which against Manchester and Newcastle United, both away from home and only by 2-1 margins which isn’t a bad beating considering we are bottom. Also the 2 games we have drawn I think we deserved to win especially the Villa game where we were ahead 3 times and still didn’t win. Also the incredible run Ipswich have gone on has done us no favors. But at the moment there are 3 teams with a point more than us so a win could lift us off the bottom an even out of the relegation places. 

So have you been frustrated by your inability to spend enough money? 

Well frankly I have been a little disappointed because we are in trouble at the bottom and we don’t have any money to spend on improving the team, especially the defense which I do see as the weakest area of the team. I have tried to raise some money from putting players on the transfer list but I haven’t had any bids for the players. 

So what do you think of your squad? 

I think I have a very talented bunch of lads here. I mean we have a great strike force in Phillips and Stewart with the experience of Steve Bull to call on if we need to. In midfield I think we can match anyone with out top class players like Holland and Schwarz being especially consistent. Also I think I need to mention Gray, Sorensen and Bramble who have all been excellent in defense and have saved us from conceding even more. Also the rest of the team have done themselves proud with the effort and skill there have shown since I took over but the job is far from over and the whole squad needs to be on form if we are to stay in the Premiership next season. 

So what do you think the rest of the season holds for Sunderland? 

Well I think that we will achieve our aim of staying in the Premier league because I honestly think our squad is good enough to keep us up and has enough determination to keep us up. I mean if it comes to a scrap to keep our place in this league then we’ll be there fighting it out. Also I hope that we will go through to the knock out stages of the cup and from there anything could happen. i know its a bit long so if u wanna trim it down feel free. 

Thanx Chirag

"I talked to you guys a few weeks ago and I said I was trying to bring some talent in for Saturday and I think I have done that with the signing of Suffo and loaning Freddy Ljundberg. Wolves are a tough outfit despite their league position, but, I can't exactly hide my delight that both Kluivert and Dicanio will not take part in it". 

"I must also give a mention to G_Graaven who was signed in an unexpected deal last night from Birmingham. I have made it no secret to him that he will find it extremely difficult to break into my first team, but I have also expressed that I see him in my long term plans for this club being only 19 years of age". 

"Despite the team being clearly focused on the game vs Wolves tomorrow it has been hard to escape the media hype before our game vs Sheff Utd in a fortnights time, I have the up most respect for Matt as a manager, and he has built a team who have the best defense in this division, and are no mugs going forward either, they will cause my team some problems but I see no reason why we shouldn't get a positive result from the game!". 

"I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to Adam Willan ahead of next weeks cup game vs Sunderland, I know it is an important game for Spurs, but I'm afraid Sunderland will be up against a very weak team with potentially 8-10 first team players being rested before my big game against Sheff Utd". 

Thanks for the interview and my door is always open to the press (except Brian Woolnough)