ARCHIVED INTERVIEWS. No.36: NEWCASTLE

The Kick Off news crew headed north to Newcastle again to interview Matt Birch on the eve of the big cup clash with Arsenal. KO "How confident are you going into tomorrows game?" MB "I know that Arsenal have their injury problems but they still have a tough squad and will be hard to crack. As we have virtually qualified from the group, I'm also having the lads experiment with a new formation and tactic. We haven't played much long ball football this season and it may be something we have to resort to in important games so we just thought we'd have some practice in this match. If the players can master it early on then we have a good chance of getting a result but otherwise Arsenal can easily edge the game. My only hope is that there are no injuries or suspensions picked up in the match as we have a hard run in in the league coming up." KO "So you think you have already qualified for the next stage of the cup?" MB "We'd have to be pretty bloody awful to throw it away from the position we are in, but mathematically it is still possible we won't qualify. But lets just say that If that happens you'll see me running round Newcastle wearing only a pair of trainers." KO "What about your league title aspirations? We have touched on this a few time already this season." MB "I'm pleasantly surprised we are still in with a shout. We played brilliantly to beat Man Utd recently and Liverpool haven't managed to beat us yet this season. We've had a couple of poor results against lesser opposition though and that is something that the big three have to start doing if we are to have any chance. I mean you look at the injuries and suspensions that United have had recently, yet the lower teams still can't get a point off them. It says a lot about the strength of the united squad but it is dissapointing the other teams keep going out there playing as if they don't have a chance of getting anything out of the game. With those tactics they never will." KO "You sound a bit miffed. Are you accusing other teams of having bad managers?" MB "I'm not saying that at all, but playing the big teams or a point and getting a point is far better than accepting defeat straight off. There is always the chance of getting them on a bad day and even securing a win, but yo have to work hard for it, those teams are not going to lie down and be rolloed over easily." KO "I also see that you have been active on the transfer market again recently" MB "Well a couple of players became available and they fitted in exactly with the Newcastle way. The Goat should scare a few defenders just by smiling at them so he is a big bonus for us. Stanic should also prove to be a valuable addition to the squad. Obviously we've let a few players go too, but no real key squad members with the exception of Lucio, but he really wasn't settling into the Newcastle way and his performances had started to drop dramatically. There are a few more players set to leave this week but I don't see us buying anyone for a fair while. Obviously we are in need of some competition between the sticks for Hedman and could do with another first class defender, but these things are going to have to wait till we are on a more steady financial footing." KO "There was talk of you signing McCall as your assistant manager, is there any further news on that score?" MB "Talks have broken down of late due to all the other hectic transfer business, but once things calm down a little, I'll be heading down to Bradford for talks with McCall, Kellett and Gibbs." KO "Finally there have been rumours of you leaving Newcastle to join your clone as manager of Ajax, is there any truth in this rumour?" MB "This is partly true. I have been offered a position in Amsterdam but the finer details are being discussed next week. But the Newcastle fans need not fear, if I decide to go, it would mean my clone moving to Newcastle and taking over the reigns here whilst I'll be in Amsterdam." KO "Thanks Matt, that was as informative and as dull a ever" MB "No problem, although I think you might have missed part of the interview when you nodded off half way through!!!"

ARCHIVED INTERVIEWS. No.37: ARSENAL

Following Friday's abysmal performance in victory against Leeds United, Arsenal chief Gabe Frail boss sat down for a brief interview with Kick Off: KO: Well Gabe, it seems you've managed to hang around the top of the league, despite your prediction your lads couldn't manage it. GF: Well, I'm pleased with the wins obviously, but I think it's a bit daft to count chickens yet. After this weekend's Cup match at St. James Park against Newcastle, we're off too Old Trafford to get a beating from Premiership leaders Manchester United. Road after that gets no easier, hosting Wimbledon, then off to White Hart Lane against a quality Tottenham side, only to come back to Highbury for Newcastle before heading to Anfield. KO: Now you call Manchester United the Premiership leaders but if my facts are correct you are level on points. GF: On points yes, but their goal differential is 5 points better and they've also managed to win with several key players out. That depth is scary. KO: I suppose it will come down to the next League tie to determine who is really tops then. GF: Well, were the improbable to occur and see us in victory, that only grabs the top spot for that moment, nothing else. Liverpool are hot on our tail and the Reds would probably be happy to see us manage a draw, allowing a victory for them to retain the number one position. Add to that, I personally feel that no team in the Premiership has a tougher schedule over the next 5 ties, playing on the road against the three most talented teams in the league. KO: Well, I know you are not an extreme optimist (chuckles), but you seem less confident and most pessimistic of late. Are all pistons not firing at Highbury? GF: Well (glowering), it should be obvious that not having Ronaldinho for the next three matches hurts us big time, and Thierry is still got one game left on suspension, which he'll serve during this weekend's Cup match. When facing the best teams you want to have you best players. What chances I thought we had were dashed when I too Ronaldinho on the sideline. Less noteworthy to the press is that we Nigel Winterburn is out on a two-week suspension. He's not one of our main boomers, but is certainly a useful player whether starting of coming of the bench. KO: Okay, fair assessment, but all your colleagues know of your penchant for theatrics so don't expect many to buy that tale. GF: They can believe what they want. I've not said I'm giving up or that we won't try and get victories, I'm just being realistic about the odds. KO: Okay, well move on then. The Cup, many question why you didn't try and get another striker for this weekend's tie at St. James Park. Any reason why you didn't? GF: Well, we actually tried, twice as a matter of fact. First we looked to another club for a loan and then tried to purchase a player contract. Both efforts failed. No club was willing to sell even meagre strikers for the money and player contracts that were offered. The only responses we received involved players in our core unit. Ultimately I've decided that this is probably the last game I can afford to test my midfield and defence without concerning myself with the victory so much. I'm also hopeful that Landon Donovan can step up to the challenge and lead the offence in attack. He's an outstanding player, he's just not seen enough action to season him. KO: What is your goal for this match then against the Magpies then? GF: To get Donovan some playing time and keep the lads fit, and also stress that they keep their heads and do not get sent off. Beyond that, a victory or a draw would be wonderful, but that's about the last thing on my wish list. KO: Last question, I know you are always scouting players to pursue, what are you looking for now. GF: Immediately we need a striker, but long term I think we're looking for defence again. Some of our lads have sons in our Youth program and could be making a run at full-squad play in only a few years. I don't expect Nilsson or Winterburn to return, nor do I think they should. They are only depth players for me but they have been very vital. KO: Any names? GF: You said that was the last question. KO: Oh, come off it. GF: Right, try not to damage any of the lass's flowers as I toss you out the window. KO: Fine, point taken, no need to get all Roy Keane on me. GF: I'll do you for that one! (brandishes a fairway wood) KO: (running for his life) AAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhh! Having reached safety back at KO HQ, I can say that Frail seems a tad on edge. I'll admit that I may have pressed a bit and that tongue-n-cheek comment was not wise, but I didn't expect a golf lesson. Fortunately Frail's driving accuracy isn't quite on the mark, but he does seem on the mark with his club, whatever their fate is to be. Just beware a Gunner with irons, there's no telling what all Frail has taught them.

ARCHIVED INTERVIEWS. No.38: ARSENAL

Fresh off the best month of football for the Highbury side, Arsenal boss Gabe Frail sat down for a brief chat with the Kick Off press corp. KO: Arsenal, Premiership leaders, how does that make you feel? Gabe Frail: Proud of course, it was the organization's goal to finish as high as we possibly could, first place being the pinnacle. But we've been in first once before this season and it lasted for one round of League matches. So, we're less excited about that than we are about the result that put us in this position. KO: Referring to the Manchester United match then? Gabe Frail: Yes, of course. Having some of our best players out made that match look impossible to prepare adequately for. Thankfully we were able to bring on some players to fill our leaks, although that still left us on a lower skill level than normal, and much lower than I would have anticipated would be necessary to pull out a victory. KO: Yet you managed it. Gabe Frail: Yes, but it is my guess that were the match played in a several-legged setting that Manchester United would have come out on top, we simply happened to come out with that odd game of preparedness and execution that got the win. That was indeed a tense week of preparation. KO: Now that aside, you've also managed to clinch advancement in the Cup. Gabe Frail: Yes, a pleasant surprise I might add. The key game to that end was our draw with group-leading Newcastle with only reserve striker Landon Donovan leading the attack. Sheffield Wednesday didn't seem a threat with Henrik Larsson out of that match but it was still a tight result. Once again fortune smiled on us as it wasn't our win that clinched the spot in the Cup, but rather the performance of the other teams in our group. KO: Do you fancy you are a team of destiny this year? Gabe Frail: We have been fortunate but I would cast aside the term "team of destiny" because I don't believe in that rubbish. I think you make your own fate, and while our success is a source of pride for me and the lads, a team is only measure by their most recent result. KO: You announced to the press that you thought Wimbledon presented you with a difficult matchup. Now Wimbledon are 5th in the league and quite separated from the group atop the league labelled the "Big Four." Why is it with a healthy team that you feel Wimbledon is such a difficult pairing for you? Gabe Frail: Actually I don't think there is any Premiership pairing that is what anyone would like to call easy, but Wimbledon is particularly difficult for us. We run a very attack oriented offence, which has the by-product of not preparing our defence for the tougher battles. Wimbledon is similar in this regard, very aggressive. I think the superior ability of our forwards and midfield make the difference in the league position but it has allowed Wimbledon to be more seasoned for this aggressive style of play. KO: Well that is rather vague, care to elaborate? Gabe Frail: Well, only a bit, just so we don't tip our hand. Our defensive unit is deeper and keeper and the field players in general, but as only certain players can take the pitch at once, the quality tilts in favour of Wimbledon. The reason we have enjoyed the long-term success is depth, but in given pairings that does put us at a disadvantage. On the offensive side, Wimbledon have fostered a three-man front line, which for the Premiership is unusual, and in many ways I think a key to their success. The task is to overcome the better defence whilst fielding a team that can handle the extra attacker. KO: Wimbledon has two midfield players out, you are full strength, any advantage? Gabe Frail: Well, it would be folly to say no advantage but I think what there is, is quite minimal. As I stated, the midfield is not the key to Wimbledon's success, thus, losses in that area do not have near the impact on the team concept as a whole. KO: So how do you see beating Wimbledon? Gabe Frail: Well, right now we don't, but we have confidence in our players so the coaching staff is working hard to come up with a strategy that will play to our strengths and allow the players to flourish in their natural abilities and not ask them to do anymore than what comes naturally to them. It is reasonable to assume that Wimbledon will fit their game to gain advantage of our perceived weaknesses. The best we can do is try to out think their staff without out-thinking ourselves. I expect a close match, regardless of whoever comes with the better game plan. KO: Have you thought beyond this week, to season goals, possible titles and honours? Gabe Frail: Well, this is fitting that the League pairing are the two hottest teams in the Premiership. The only honours that we've thought about are those for past performance. I don't know that any team had a better month of February than Arsenal, so it would be nice to be recognized but I've felt we were deserving before. It won't change matters. As for the future, I think the moment you look past the game at hand is the moment you lose your focus and throw away all that you've worked towards. I see continued success, and if that breads any hardware in the end then we'll enjoy it then. There is too much football to be played to think beyond that. KO: You've also downplayed Ronaldinho's return as much of a boost, he is still the scoring leader. Gabe Frail: Yes he is, but we've never featured him with the intent of him scoring all the goals. In fact, I'd rather such not be the case, since his absence leaves a real void if he is injured or suspended again. With him healthy, I'm sure he'll be eager to put some shots on goal, but our game preparation will not change to enable him to do all the scoring. It never has been and shall not be now. KO: Do you still think he could manage it, that would be impressive with a striking partner like Henry? Gabe Frail: I think he could if we continue to succeed. Henry has been, by necessity as much as anything, coming back into scoring form so I don't think you'll see Ronnie hauling the scoring load near as much, but I think he could still end up in the thick of the race if he stays fit and behaves. That said, there is some stiff competition, and matter are all the more tight with Ronaldinho's absence from action. We'd all prefer team success to individual accomplishments anyway. KO: Blah, blah, blah...you want him to win! Gabe Frail: Well of course, but not sacrificing other ends by doing so. KO: Okay, so as it seems we are not going to get past political correctness from Mr. Frail, we shall just have to see if the Gunners are a flash in the pan or the real deal.

ARCHIVED INTERVIEWS. No.39: NOTTS FOREST

KO: Adam, Congratulations on you win against Bradford - what are your thoughts on the game? AP: Well, We didn't perform to well but still got the result, Bradford certainly did their homework on us and made us work hard for the win. KO: D_Johnson is coming back from his loan at Bradford this week, what do you plan to do with him? AP: Well, He has performed very well while on his loan and was unlucky to score only 1 against us, I plan to put him in the reserve team for the time being to improve his all round play but I do have big plans for him. KO: You have D_Neilsen currently on loan, are you planning to make Matt Walling an offer? AP: It's all a question of money, he wants it and I don't have it!, Of course I'd love to have the lad at the club but we'll have to see what unfolds in the next few weeks, hopefully we can get him to sign permanently, but it's all up in the air at the moment. KO: A lot has been said about S_Francis in recent weeks, is there any truth he will be sold? AP: No, not at all, we don't have to sell to survive and I'm trying to build a team strong enough to win promotion, we see the lad as a future captain of the club, he is a bright prospect. KO: I'm sure the Forest fans will be pleased to hear that, you are however letting him gain some first team experience on loan aren't you? AP: Yes, Andy Archer approached we last week to loan him until the end of the season and I agreed to the terms he offered, the deal should go through by the end of next week. KO: T_Vaughan left last week and joined Manchester City, what was your reason for selling him? AP: Well, Sadly he became surplus to requirements and instead of the lad going stale in the reserves, I decided to sell him on and I wish him all the best under JP's guidance. KO: What are your hopes for the rest of the season now then? AP: Ideally, I'd like to improve our current position and make the playoffs because I know in my heart that we can hold our own in the top flight, I'd also like to strengthen the midfield somewhat. KO: Thank you Adam, Full of shit as usual. AP: Indeed I am.

ARCHIVED INTERVIEWS. No.40: FULHAM

Today, Kickoff interviewed Fulham manager, Alex Bullivant, about his two new defensive signings. Andy Hinchcliffe has been signed from Newcastle for £2.5m with Steve Finnan moving in the opposite direction. P_Mexes has also been signed from Ipswich for £23.1m + Owen Morrison and Kit Symons. KO: A few big transfer deals have gone through since the Sheffield United game, were these planned a long time ago or was it a reaction to some disappointing performances? AB: I have been very disappointed with recent performances, barring the Liverpool away win in the league, and I was angry with our performance on Saturday at Brammall Lane. We needed to win to go through but it was a very poor performance. I felt we needed to freshen up the squad and try and inject some life into it. Mexes and Hinchcliffe both trained with us for the first time this morning, and all the players seemed to have an extra spring in their step. KO: Firstly, what was the thinking behind the Hinchcliffe signing? AB: He has been first class all season for Newcastle and Bradford, where he was on loan, and as soon as we found out that he was possibly available, we knew it was an opportunity not to be missed out on. KO: Steve Finnan went to Newcastle as part of the deal, why did you let him leave? AB: We initially couldn't afford to buy Hinchcliffe, as our first choice was Mexes, but Matt Birch expressed an interest in Steve which meant that the transfer fee was more managable. He is an excellent defender, but lately his performances have been a little below par so I thought that it was in the best interests of the club to let him go. KO: Mexes has arrived from Ipswich just days after signing for them, what happened there? AB: We were very interested in bringing Mexes to England but Ipswich offered Auxerre a better deal. However, when Ipswich signed 2 top class strikers, they had to let go of Mexes to fund the deal, so we stepped in. KO: What qualities do you think he will bring to Fulham? AB: Well, he is only 21, so he has time to learn and is nowhere near his peak yet, but he is a great player already. I felt we have needed a stronger partner for Alain Goma in the centre of defence, and he fitted the bill perfectly. KO: Why did you let Kit Symons and Owen Morrison move to Ipswich? AB: Well, with Mexes coming in, it pushed Symons even further away from the first teams so I felt it would be best if he was to find another club. He has been a good servant to the club. With Morrison, I felt that only one of him and Willcox could progress if we were to keep them both, so Morrison now has the opportunity to further his career at Ipswich. I wish them both all the best. KO: One final question, Will Mexes and Hinchcliffe be in the starting 11 on Saturday? AB: Most definitely. KO: Thankyou for your time