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INTERVIEW 46: Adam Pyke |
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Nottingham Forest
shrugged off the disappointment of finishing bottom last season by
qualifying for the playoffs on the last day of the season. Kick Off
reporter Tupac Shakur visited the City ground to interview overjoyed
boss Adam Pyke.
TS - Sup dawg?
AP - Nothing o great one, I'm just basking in the glory of taking my
boys to the brink of the Premiership.
TS - Safe, If you could sum the season up in just one word, what
word would you use?
AP - Amazing.
TS - In what sense?
AP - Amazing in the sense that we made the playoffs, after last
seasons abysmal failure, I made mid-table me aim. When we made the
playoffs on the last day of the season, it didn't sink in until I
saw the final placing on the league table.
TS - You face Sunderland in the playoffs, how do you think you'll
do?
AP - In a perfect world, we'll win and march on the the premiership,
but as you know yourself, this world is far from perfect so your
guess is as good as mine.
TS - Do you plan to add to your squad during the summer.
AP - Oh yes, I've already made enquiries at a number of clubs but
personally, I'd like to bring in some players that I am going to
scout on the transfer market, I certainly need another midfielder, a
good defensive one if possible.
TS - Well that's all for now dawg, we'll catch up with you after the
playoffs, best of luck to ya bro.
AP - Cheers man, *singing* CALIFORNIAAAAAAAAAA ! |
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INTERVIEW 47: Matt Birch |
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MB "The lads
are relishing the chance to retain the title and are really putting
in the hard graft. I'm very chuffed with the professionalism they
have shown and the ambition is brighter than ever"
IW "You have dipped your toe into
the transfer market during close season... 48 players have been
through the revolving St James' doors already, is the squad finally
settled?"
MB "Well I am hoping to
make it a nice round half century before the first game of the
season. Obviously the FA have been swamped by red tape and tried to
place a transfer embargo on the team, but I simply had to remind the
FA chairman how much a taxi costs in Rotherham and he quietly hid
behind his desk and continued to play with his trouser snake.
"But back to the point, the
lads that are here now are settled and the new boys have fitted in
nicely. All I'm looking for now is a class midfielder to fill that
gap and if we can land a bargain then I'll be looking for one more
squad player for backup purposes"
IW "You certainly have an
exciting set of players now, care to comment on any of the transfers
in particular?"
MB "Obviously we were all
sad to see Dev leave and wish him all the best at Blackburn.
Hopefully he can guide them onward and claim his third consecutive
championship. Of the lads coming in, we have England's no1 and no2
goal keepers in Wright and Robinson. Competition there will be
fierce and I'm hoping this will drive them both on to even greater
form. The fans will also be delighted to see big Al and Gazza return
to their spiritual home. We have already had record shirt sales for
both players so they have paid for themselves even before the first
kick!"
IW "Your defence looks
impenetrable, but you don't think some of the lads will become
unsettled by not gaining regular 1st team football?"
MB "When Lucio was signed,
he had come here because we could offer him the chance to play in
his favoured midfield role. Domi is versatile, as is Bridge who has
been tried in midfield for his national team so I don't see why we
can't play all 7 of the lads you mentioned together. Besides, Berg
knew he was going to be sitting on the bench a fair bit this season,
but at the age he is, he expected that and hopefully this will help
him stay fit and playing for a few more years to come."
IW "So how do you see the
league going this year?"
MB "Having see the players
Liverpool and Man Utd have afforded to bring in, I would always say
they are the hot, hot favourites. But we'll give it our best shot
and whilst avoiding relegation will be the primary goal of the
season, a top 3 finish would be desirable."
IW "After 2 titles in 2
seasons in the game, do you ever feel that there is nothing left for
you to prove?"
MB "On the contrary, as a
manager I've not yet been to a cup final so the cup is going to be
taken very seriously this season and with the one or two transfers I
still have planned, I think we have a squad strong enough to cope
with the hectic fixture schedules. That is something I've not had
the benefit of in previous seasons where the cup has had to be
sacrificed."
IW "Well, thanks for your
thoughts, I'm off to record another 5 game shows, a comedy series
and make 36 guest appearances on any show that will take me!"
MB "Cheers Ian, good to see
you are not selling out yet then!" |
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INTERVIEW 48: Gabe Frail |
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ESPN Soccernet
columnist Tommy Smyth sat down with Arsenal FC manager Gabe Frail
the day following his season-opening victory over Fulham to discuss,
among many things, his aims for the Gunners this season.
TS: Well now lad, you must be well chuffed with the way things have
started for your lot this season.
GF: Indeed. I was disappointed that we fell off late and allowed in
that one goal but apart from that I couldn't really have asked for
more from the lads.
TS: Well apart from conceding one to Fulham, you had to think going
into this match that netting 4 would give you a safe victory.
GF: Aye, well as a manager you expect that but you also know that no
lead is ever safe until the final whistle. What impressed me most
about our side's effort was that the four goals game from the boots
of four different lads. That is not something you see to often in
this league.
TS: Do you think that kind of overall firepower will take away from
Ronaldinho's chances of defending his Golden Boot of last season?
GF: Well it may, but Ronnie will tell you himself that the personal
glory is far overshadowed by what goals we have for the team this
season. If you'll recall, his goal total was due in large part to
the ineffectiveness of Thierry Henry for the first half of the
season. Now that he has a supporting cast of scoring threats, he
won't have the burden of scoring for us to win, although that may
free him up more and make him less of a marked man.
TS: So do you consider him your key player?
GF: Actually I don't. In fact I wouldn't consider anyone of my boys
"the key player." I think we have two gentlemen that stand out in
our recipe for success. Wilfred Bouma and Harry Kewell are both the
versatile sort of player that managers both covet and fear. They
play all over the pitch, and with the signing of Igor Tudor on
Friday, I feel I'll be able to give Bouma for free reign than ever.
That was the one area coming into the season that we felt exposed
in. Igor more than fits the bill. However, Ronnie will always be a
threat with his speed, ball control and playmaking ability. So you
see it's a team of player that can play all over the pitch,
something of which I'm quite proud.
TS: Yet your side hasn't received much warmth from the outside
regarding their chances this season. Why do you think that is?
GF: Well Tommy, they did that to us last season, and I think most
would say our run of success was down to luck. I won't disagree that
luck was involved, you have to be fortunate. But I also know that
luck will not get you titles or Cups. Neither will money or names,
but that still seems to be what my manager brethren seek.
TS: Shocked at the early fall of Liverpool?
GF: Quite, but it certainly opened up my eyes to Leeds, where we
travel this week. I think there is probably more parity in the game
than ever now, but to see the Reds go down first week after last
season....well, I don't think anyone expected that, much less Simon
Walton.
TS: Do you think this marks a trend for the season, upset will be a
regular occurrence?
GF: Two items there mate. Firstly I don't think you can read too
much into one result, it's folly. The other end of it is that I
don't know how big an upset that match really was. Leeds have a
solid defence, something which I think is necessary for a
championship contending team in this league. Liverpool, for all the
news and hype about the squad, is thin on defence, and I think that
showed. It may not show again, but it definitely exposed a problem
that only a select few managers may have seen with the Liverpool
squad.
TS: So with time winding down on our convo, what are the Gunners'
aims for the season?
GF: Well, once again I think you always play for the championship,
why bother if not. I think we have an edge on the other sides for a
bit, so we must capitalize now.
TS: What edge?
GF: The new rules governing game play in the league, no Premiership
manager has had as much success if any experience at all under these
conditions. I think we have an edge in that respect and I've tried
to tailor the team to that format.
TS: So you think you have a shot, final answer?
GF: Tommy, if I didn't, I wouldn't be here. Thanks.
Arsenal travel to Leeds on the weekend. Be sure to check the news to
see if Frail has a clue or simply delusional. |
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INTERVIEW 49: Ian
McNaughton |
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Interview with Kelly dalglish "sky sports news"
KD. well thanks ian for taking the time to speak to the show
IMc. no probs Kelly, the lure of spending time in your company was
too good to turn down.
KD. well thank you, now ian you have been in charge of wolves for 2
seasons, how do you think you have faired since becoming manager
IMc. I think its fair to say that when I came in we had a really
weak squad, we have made changes but there is still a long way to
go.
KD. how far do you think you can go?
IMc. as far as you'll let me, opps sorry you mean the team.
KD. well I'm in between boyfriends at the moment but yes I meant how
far you can take the football team.
IMc. we went to la Manga for pre season, that's a long way isn't it?
haha but seriously I have a vision of top flight football within 3
seasons, I know you mite laugh but you have to set yourself targets
then strive to achieve them!!
KD. I like a man that knows his own mind, and I'm reading it!!!!
IMc. Ahh then you know what I'm thinking rite now??
KD. YES
IMc. Kelly I'm a football man through & through and I wanna score
tonight !! opps I mean I want us to score on Saturday.
KD. well whets your prediction then?
IMc dinner tonight, fine wine with the beautiful KD, followed by a
night of keep me uppy? then home to the wife lol
KD. I cant wait ian
IMc. what time do you finish kd
KD. about 10ish
IMc. that's great ill wait, now whereas that Kirsty lol only joking
KD. Thanx for the interview ian and good luck this season.
IMc. Thanx Kelly, see you later for a drink. |
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INTERVIEW 50: Matt
Walling |
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In this month's
edition of FourFourTwo magazine, Football writer of the year Henry
Winter caught up with the Barnsley boss Matt Walling to get his
thoughts on the new league structure, the signings so far and how he
thinks his team can adapt to this new setup.
HW - "So Matt, after a fairly active close season are you pleased
with the way your squad is looking?"
MW - "Well, in some ways I'd have to say yes, we've brought a few
good players in like Calvin Makongo from Newcastle, as well as
Hahnemann to provide cover in goals. We've also got a little more
expierience ufront too with the signing of Micheal Bridges. We
brought in top quality goalkeeper Kevin Pressman but unfortunately
he decided that he made the wrong decision in coming and asked for a
move down south, Chelsea came in for him and we got highly rated
youngster Lenny Pidgely coming our way in the deal, so all in all I
feel the foundation of the squad is almost in place."
HW - "So what are your thoughts on the new league structure then
Matt?
MW - "I believe it is a very good idea, it certainly helps the
players fitness wise and it gives the supporters that extra edge
throughout the season. Everyone must hurry up and get straight in
which in some ways is more demanding on the players, there's
certainly no room for error now, something which I am trying to
hammer down in the minds of my staff."
HW - "How do you feel about your start to the season then, you're
currently languishing at the bottom of the league and couldn't
really have asked for a worse start to the new campaign."
MW - "Yep, that's true, there is no sugar coating the fact that we
are at the bottom of the league with no points on the board. I feel
the team has been gelling quite well as a unit as of late, but there
is just a lack of composure in the final third, something I've been
working on in training with the lads, but when you have players with
the calibre of Diego Tristan who has years of international
expierience it is very reassuring for both me and the fans, and
hopefully players like Diego will rub off there class on the younger
lads at the club. I do feel that we have played well in the first
couple of games, especially the midfield as they have been creating
quite a lot of chances for the front two, so we're trying not to get
too disappaointed so early in the season."
HW - "It must be very annoying for you and the players at Barnsley
considering the great season you had last year."
MW - Indeed, we had a very steady campaign and never really dropped
out side of the top six, We missed out on division one safety by one
place which was very hard to swallow, also considering that the
fourth placed spot was where we were situated for a large period of
the season. However a well led Nottingham Forest side just had the
quality to pip us to the 4th spot, and I cannot say anything about
luck because they obviously deserved it, there young legs provided a
great support for the team in there bid to just keep going which I
admire very much. But, we still finished fifth in the league which
was a very good achievment considering some of the class that was in
that league. Out of the 8 teams that are in out league at the
moment, we finished above them all last season so don't be so quick
to write off our chances yet, it is a marathon and not a sprint so
they say."
HW - "So what are your realistic ambitions for this season then?"
MW - "Well, I am not taking this season all too seriously, even
though we will be going out to win every game we play, I'm trying to
give some of the young guns some much needed expierience and help
them develop from where the acadamy has left them. I would gladly
sacrifice this season as a squad building campaign, and push more
for promotion next year."
HW - "Excluding your thoughts about Barnsley who do you think has
the best chance of promotion this year?"
MW - "Going by squad strength I would have to say Coventry and
Birmingham look odds on to be battling at the top, but I am an
admirer of Andy Archers work at Ipswich and I feel that if he
carries on how he has started then there is no reason why they can't
be puching for honours come the end of the season."
HW - "What do you feel is the area that could most do with
strengthening now?"
MW - "Obviously i'm always looking at ways of improveing the depth
and quality of our squd, but at the moment I am in the market for a
good young powerful centre-half to command the back a little better,
we have already opened negotiations with one club and more news will
follow later this week."
HW - "Thank you Matt, and good luck with the rest of your campagin."
MW - "Thank you." |
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