PETER COYNE Q&A
Posted by The Office (office) on Mar 25 2008 at 12:15 PM
News 07 >>

Peter, You kindly answered some questions back in November there are now 14 games to go after the Bamber Bridge game therefore could you please again answer the following questions: -

Q1 – There 12 league games to go can we get off the bottom of the league and what is the feeling of Newcastle Blue Star announcement?

We have been there all season and mentally that is very, very tough to handle both in confidence and in spirit, I have constantly said our performances do not warrant us to be where we are, but football as everyone knows is a cruel game and you have to say we are there because we have not transferred those performances in to wins. The players are as determined as anyone to not finish in the relegation spot and especially since December they have worked extremely hard. It is in our own hands to make it happen and that is all we can ask for, although the run of games and the time they have to play them in is horrendous. We have not even thought about the Newcastle announcement, we cannot rely on that and we haven’t given it much talk time. The restructuring of the leagues has been all over the place in the last two – three seasons and no one can guarantee anything whilst it is like that. We have it in our own hands as I said and we just have to focus on that.

Q2 – As you said Looking back from December it does see a terrific turn around with our record in league and cup games P-23 W-10 D-6 L-7 F-42 A-31 why is it much better than the early part of the season?

I have to say if you look at those 7 defeats they will tell you a story of how close it is to making that record even better as last weeks defeat to Bamber Bridge and the last minute defeat to Bradford highlights. I feel we are gelling as a team obviously and have settled down since those early days, in the early part of the season there were a lot of coming and goings and apparently we only carried forward from last season 4 players, even I was new!. I have to say though some of our performances in the early part of the season were also very good, but we did not have the team spirit that has developed now. It was also apparent we had a lack of goals in the early part of the season, which all mixed together didn’t help. A player such as Steve Howson has taken time to settle and has now proven he can do it at this level and with it has seen the arrival of the goals we have missed, Craig Dawson has grown in confidence game by game to name just two players whose performances have got better now they have more experience, we also had a number of injuries to key players such as ‘Flynny’ which did not help also the clubs position of the pitch was a constant problem.

Q3 – The problems off the pitch seem to be getting better by all accounts, does it help the team?

Without a doubt it does, as I have constantly said I do not get involved in that side but I obviously know what is happening through Dave (Murgatroyd) and Kevin and I know how hard they are working and what the club is trying to achieve in the long term and why they are making the stance they are, I hope all the hard work pays off. Prior to December and just after we could not bring in any players and as you are aware a lot of games we only had one substitute in one game none! However over the past couple of months the club have allowed us through sponsors Bernard and Kevin organised and increased participation on the Lucky 7 to bring in Neil Chappell, Steve Hill, Mark Jones, Griff Jones and Michael Oates which are a boost to the squad and it means we can have more than one substitute! However the most important factor is it brings the performances of other players up a notch, which competition for places achieves.

Q4 – Our cup form this season has been incredible, which shows a record of P-18 W-13 D-1 L-4 F-42 A-18 one of those defeats by penalties, have you worked out the difference why?

No I haven’t, as I keep saying we have done nothing differently in any of the games we play in or prepared any different so it is hard to explain. It is different from the pressure of where we are in the league week in week out and maybe that is the difference and it shows through those performances, with the record we have in the cup it would have seen us at the other end of the table, we have two cup games left this season and lets hope we can finish them both off in style.

Q5 – Cup Final wins or getting out of the relegation spot?

I have to say remaining in this league, but only if the club was set up right to compete financially and did not have the restraints it has this season. It is not easy being in the position we are in and especially if you can do nothing to get out of it. If the club cannot compete financially staying in this league will be difficult and make it a long hard season again which no one likes and you are better off cutting your cloth accordingly as they say. Being in two cup finals is a fantastic achievement and has made it a funny season really with that achievement and where we are in the league, it has kept our season alive and interesting and I see no reason why if we have a little luck we cannot achieve both.

Q6 – For all the supporters benefit what is the current make up of the squad?

With the help of the club and indeed the players we have a squad of 19 players to choose from not all have been available at the same time! – Phil Priestley / Gary Sampson / Craig Dawson / Michael Murray / Mike Flynn / Steve Hill / Simon Kelly / Tony Whealing / Andy Scott / Lee Connell / Martyn Forrest / Andy Waine / Neil Chappell / Mark Jones / Michael Oates / Griff Jones / Steve Howson / Ben Manning & Andy Dawson. Obviously we cannot pay all the players expenses and as I said the players are playing there part by understanding of the situation.

Q7 – Some of those players mentioned have not been named recently, is it just team selection?

No, injuries and work related issues come in to it, Michael Murray is busy at work and taking the exams he needs to pass and he has had to devote his time to that part of his life, he will be back in touch when that has settled down. Steve Hill (Calf), Andy Scott (Thigh) and Andy Dawson (Knee) are out through injury with ‘Scotty’ & Andy looking like they will miss the rest of the season, but we are hoping they will figure at some stage. Andy Waine has not always been available due to his wife ready to give birth and obviously this has disrupted his football. As you can see it brings it down to 14 very quickly.

Q8 – Has there been any more interest in any of our players?

Considering where we are in the league, we have lots of interest from other clubs and why not, we feel we have now brought together a good group of lads who between them create a great atmosphere in the dressing room and that is transforming itself to the pitch. When interest is taken to a certain level as usual the players will be the first to know and of course next in line will be the supporters.

Q9 – Are there likely to be any more signings this season?

I have to say the answer to that would be no in relation to experience non-league players although we may sign one or two youngsters and bring them on board as a precaution. The deadline is March 31^st and I doubt there will be any signings of the type we have just made. The club have shown they are trying to help and I would like to thank them and the sponsors for helping at this time of the season, it has certainly made a difference.

Q10 – It has been a turbulent debut season, has it put you off for next season?

No it has not put me off; I did say I would review it at the end of the season and speak with Ronnie & Kevin about how it has developed and nothing has changed in respect of that. Even with all the happenings I have to say I have enjoyed my time and the role I play in the management team, I have learned so many things and I have to say being in the league and visiting grounds, seeing players etc, you have to say our club is right up there with facilities and how they look after players and that has shown by those who have joined us and indeed more importantly those who would have liked to have joined us but financially it was not possible. Everything is in place and the club continue in trying to improve further, however it is down to finances at the end of the day for the team you want on the pitch and the club are aware of this, it is whether they can muster enough support to make it happen to take this club up the leagues.

Thank you Peter for your time. We will be running another set of 10 Questions with the Director of Football at the beginning of May. If you would like a question answering please email it to the club at info@radcliffeborough.com and it will be passed on to Peter.