Press Conference - Week 17

1. It's snowing. Have you got much snow, and are you happy? Or are you miserable like our certain Scottish friend and just want the snow to go away?

2. Can you recall a game you watched/played in the snow? Any funny memories?

3. Do you have anything to play for going into the final game of the season? And, if I offered you your current place at the start would you have taken it?

4. How many of your current XI do you expect will be in your starting XI next season?

5. Are you pleased with the youth programme at your club? Reaping the rewards of Transfermarkt gains?

6. Moving on to the real life football, how much of a shambles were Arsenal in the League Cup final? And, was Gary Neville too harsh on them, or was he correct in his comments?

7. Wetherspoon's Burger and Pint or a Big Mac?

1. I love the snow, it's been blizzard conditions the last few days and I hope it continues into the weekend, so I can go walking in the Peaks.

2. Roy Keane was Sunderland manager, and this team were winning. The referee stopped the game, and it looked as if the game might have been called off. But Keane wasn't having any of that. He changed his mind to just clearing the lines and getting on with it.

3. I'm hopeful of finishing second in the league. All I can do is get a +2 win and hope the other game ends in my favour. Not sure if I'd have taken it at the start, but I'd have definitely taken it at the midway point.

4. There's two players I want to upgrade. So I'd be happy with nine, but I'm surely depending on lawyers it could end up being fewer.

5. Not really, I've not taken part in the youth program as I don't like the stockbroker approach.

6. Arsenal were an absolute joke and deserved every bit of criticism that Gary Neville threw at them.

7. Wetherspoon's Burger and Pint, for sure. Love a good Vimto Strongbow Dark Fruit.

1. We've had it on and off for a few days, but nothing really settled. Until today! We now have a red warning and they're expecting blizzards outside. I love it when I can get the sledge out with the kids, but after a few days I've had enough and want to get back to normal

2. I remember playing one game many years ago. We travelled for about an hour in dodgy weather to an away game, but when we got there the people who owned the pitch wouldn't let us play. So we drive around Bristol in convey with the opposition trying to find a pitch to play the game on. We ended up playing on a pitch which was part of a local play park, getting changed in the minibus. The referee had buggered off so one of our players was referee (he used to take a whistle to school and try and referee the lunchtime kickabouts - that kind of person), but you couldn't see from when end of the pitch to the other because of the snow. He gave a penalty because he couldn't see what had happened!! And then getting changed after the game was horrendous when you couldn't feel your fingers.

And to cap it off, the mini bus broke down on the way back - we had to all get out and push - our keeper slipped over and we ran him over

3. Nothing to play for, haven't done for weeks. I don't share Treb's view on aiming for second, that's first loser as far as I'm concerned!! I'm confident if I had wanted to, I could have put the effort in and got 2nd or 3rd, but not sure how that would have benefited me. Instead, I'm well set for season 2 and feel really confident about it. If Hero wants to retain his title, he's going to have to fight hard for it. And would

4. Current starting XI, I think maybe 4 or 5 will be in there after the first quarter, by the end of the season, it'll be 1 or 2 at most I reckon.

5. Yes, although I think I bought too many. In retrospect, I couldn't promote and give them all game time. But I have gained a lot of value to invest in the first team, so all in all a success.

6. They were poor, but I think it also takes away from City. They have been spectacular this season and deserve every trophy they win. They were just too good for Arsenal and stopped them from being able to play. I think most teams would have struggled to perform.

7. Wetherspoons burger and pint. I love that you can go out drinking with the boys and get a burger without having to leave the pub. And it costs next to nothing. And with Wetherspoons app now, you don't even need to leave your seat! All they need is to bring the loo to you and they've got it all sorted

1. It's snowing. Have you got much snow, and are you happy? Or are you miserable like our certain Scottish friend and just want the snow to go away?

I like it but travelling is a pain. I think that is more to do with our ineptness in "extreme" weather. Why the hell do they call it extreme?!

2. Can you recall a game you watched/played in the snow? Any funny memories?

Can't remember ever seeing a game in the snow actually. Vaguely remember a clip of one on Danny Bakers "Own Goals and Gaffs Vol 2"

3. Do you have anything to play for going into the final game of the season? And, if I offered you your current place at the start would you have taken it?

4th spot is possible but unlikely. I am disappointed where I ended up considering my start. I think it was 3 losses on the bounce until last weeks win.

4. How many of your current XI do you expect will be in your starting XI next season?

A fair few. I am not interested in the mass rush to sign season 2 players. I think I can pick up good players that people deem surplus to requirements and end up with a better all round squad.

5. Are you pleased with the youth programme at your club? Reaping the rewards of Transfermarkt gains?

Very pleased. I didn't get the transfers in January I hoped but still some very good players that others have their eye on. Kluivert being one and expect Pellegri too soon.

6. Moving on to the real life football, how much of a shambles were Arsenal in the League Cup final? And, was Gary Neville too harsh on them, or was he correct in his comments?

Didn't watch it so can't comment really. Seems they were played off the pitch by a superior side then them being rubbish being the reason they lost.

7. Wetherspoon's Burger and Pint or a Big Mac?

Burger and Pint.....Steak night on a Thursday was brill too.

1. It's snowing. Have you got much snow, and are you happy? Or are you miserable like our certain Scottish friend and just want the snow to go away?
Not enough snow here. Really cold, but I'd appreciate a foot of snow overnight (so I can have a long weekend) and the icy wind to do one.

2. Can you recall a game you watched/played in the snow? Any funny memories?
Crawley Town v Morecambe from 2005. Conference game broadcast on Sky Sports. Full on blizzard and a guy streaked. We won 2-1. About half of the sold out crowd only went in case they got on telly.

3. Do you have anything to play for going into the final game of the season? And, if I offered you your current place at the start would you have taken it?
I would like to finish 2nd but it's not that much of an issue whether I'm 2nd or 3rd, as I had an outside chance of 1st a few weeks ago. But I'd have taken 2nd at the start of the season as I'm not the 2nd best manager nor do I have the 2nd best side.

4. How many of your current XI do you expect will be in your starting XI next season?
Depends on lawyers offers, plenty of them have higher values that should make it worth selling for the right lawyers offer, so time will tell. I know where I'd like to improve though so some players won't be around too long ideally.

5. Are you pleased with the youth programme at your club? Reaping the rewards of Transfermarkt gains?
I'll ideally promote one of my keepers once they're back from loan, and a couple of my outfield players will be promoted too. None getting major TM boosts though, not yet anyway.

6. Moving on to the real life football, how much of a shambles were Arsenal in the League Cup final? And, was Gary Neville too harsh on them, or was he correct in his comments?
Arsenal were poor. City weren't anywhere near their best and walked it. Neville was correct.

7. Wetherspoon's Burger and Pint or a Big Mac?
Burger and a Pint for me. Not a fan of the Big Mac, it's alright, but much better burgers elsewhere. Wetherspoons burgers are nothing special either but an okay burger and a beer > an okay burger and a coke.