For those at work who can't use speakers here is a rough transcript of the interview, I didn't get everything down, answers to questions were longer. SSN: Are you looking forward to tonights games against Bordeaux? DF: Yeah I look forward to every day. SSN: Why play teams like Bordeaux and Club Brugge? DF: Last season we went to non-leage teams to do friends favours and we got 4 impact injuries. Wants a different challenge and to learn something this pre-season. SSN: Have you recovered from the final game of last season? DF: No, I never will. You could see six months work slipping past us, all the lads from league 1 and 2 deserved the opportunity to stay up. Over six months we deserved to stay in the league. Was with Brian Flynn last night, spoke about memories that stay with you forever. Last season was crazy, we had to win games just to stay in the bottom 3, we won six on the bounce and was still in the bottom 3. We banned phones from dressing room so team stayed focused on us and what we did. SSN: How unpredictable will the Championship be this season? DF: Prize to get out is so big, so teams invest. We've taken advantage of having a close knit group who work hard. Last season we played 6 of top 8 and we overturned them, they were the best teams in the league. Excited about challenge ahead. SSN: Any more deals? DF: Been busy renewing contracts. Lots of work retaining. Some had offers at other clubs. COG, Jennings, M'Voto, Lewin all come in. Building squad that is flexible and adaptable. Possibly 1 or 2 more signings, then we'll have a brilliant squad for next season. SSN: What is a realistic aim for this season? What is the bare minimum expectation? DF: I don't do bare minimums. You can't set targets otherwise players don't believe they can exceed those targets. All about being competitive per game, if we do that we'll be successful. SSN: Thanks for joining us today and good luck this season DF: Absolute pleasure, take care.
SSN: Any more deals? DF: Been busy renewing contracts. Lots of work retaining. Some had offers at other clubs. COG, Jennings, M'Voto, Lewin all come in. Building squad that is flexible and adaptable. Possibly 1 or 2 more signings, then we'll have a brilliant squad for next season. I'd say "busy renewing contracts. Lots work retaining." should have been highlighted...New deals for Perkins, Mellis????
No great revelations, just a neat little synopsis for the Sky radio audience live over the phone. He came across very well, as always. Born to it!
It'll be interesting to see if Lopez is in the squad tonight, we'll know then whether we are still interested in the kid. 7 strikers does sound excessive (COG, Daggers, Scotland, McLean, Cofie, Rose, Lopez). Him playing for Huddersfield last night suggests the McLean deal is almost done and so we've let Lopez go as we don't need 7. But then again "1 or 2 signings" suggests he could be in for both. Which other positions would he be looking at? I'd rather have another winger and 1 striker than 2 strikers. When we play 4-4-2 the only natural wingers we have is JimBob, RNL and Jennings.
He maybe weighing up his options, but we don't know what he's like in training, if I was on trail I would run my heart out to try and impress, a just don't want it to be a missed opportunity of a gem. Town supporters want him signed up they really rate him, could be in the team for tonight's game
Nothing on the horizon in terms of current players just yet, think it was Ben Mansford that said so in the fans forum according to the notes Gally made. Think Flicker jus means tying up existing players contracts such as Steele, Hassell, Cywka, Cranie etc etc.
That would leave us with 7 strikers: O'Grady, Dagnall, Scotland, Mclean, Lopez, Rose, Cofie. I think maybe one more striker, and perhaps a right back/right wing back, if the right player becomes available. We could struggle if Wiseman picks up an injury (which is a testament to how much he has improved, key player) but have definitely got players who are adaptable and can cover e.g. Jones, O’Brien, Cranie. Maybe even Hassell, but I am under the impression he isnt mobile enough to play in the position. It wouldn't surprise me if we have gone about persuing another striker quietly/under the radar. Im sure we have enquired about Mclean, but we will have enquired/talked to loads of other strikers, not all of them released into the media. e.g. signing of Jean-Yves M'Voto was kept quiet, Chopra - dont think he was linked with Blackpool in the media (just us and Wednesday). I suppose we will just have to wait and see.
1 slight negative, "all the lads from league 1 and 2 deserved the opportunity to stay up" does that mean the championship players in the squad didn't ?