sods extracts

Q. Who makes decision to call games off due to internationals?.SO’D. Ultimately it is down to me, I look at the team and decide what effect those missing will have, and then make the decision.*
*Q. About players who make up large part of wage bill not currently playing, and how much change will there be in the team when these players are out of contract next summer?.SO’D. People sign contracts, you have to honour them. In any other industry you can move people on, football doesn't work like that. The type of player we want won't change, but the market dictates what you can buy**
Q. How much of the budget is determined by Steve Lansdown, and how much by you?SO’D. Steve is very supportive of the football club, he wants the club and indeed the city to be successful, it's why he wants a new stadium. If we give him a reason to invest rather than just for the sake of it, then he'll back us, rather than just putting money in.**
Q. How much of an input do you have in the academy?.SO’D. I helped write the
document for our coaches, so to broaden their knowledge when it comes to players, and selecting the right type of player.*
Q. About players being paid extremely well. Does he still receive full pay if suspended,
and why do players get substituted with 2 minutes left to play?.SO’D. No they don't get
fined, it's difficult with unions to suspend someone as the PFA would be unhappy. He
added that defenders pick up bookings, it is part of the game. With regards to
substitutions, some players get paid their full money if they make an appearance, some
get it if they play half a game. I don't think we have that situation with our players
contracts.*
Q. How likely are we to*sell JET?.SO’D. I want Jet to stay, I said if he keeps playing the
way he is, I might have to sell players, but I don't want to sell him. JET doesn't want to
leave. It would be a club decision to sell, put simply, Sean wouldn't sell him*
Q. When is Liam Kelly back?.SO’D. Cruciate ligaments are difficult. He is back running,
back kicking a ball, and the medical team are happy with how things are progressing.
He should be back by the end of season. Sean added that it has become an exact
science these days with cruciate injuries and Liam is bang on that schedule.
*Q. When is Stephen Pearson back?SO’D. Stephen is a bit more tricky, his is a wear and
tear injury, which is not straightforward, so is likely to take longer. Everything so far has
gone to plan, but you never know until he starts putting weight on it. He probably won’t
be back by end of this season.*
Q. Is Liam Fontaine leaving or staying?SO’D. *Never say never. I don't know if he will be
staying or going. Bad results breed negativity. That gets taken out on the coach and
players which then affects confidence. I'm trying to look after Liam's career, he's got
kids and a mortgage. He worked very hard on the mental side of his game in the
Summer, but a couple of bad results and the boo’s resurfaced but I have to put the clubs
interests first as well, if he is rotting away in the reserves, then that doesn't help the
club.
*Q. Has Sean ever experienced such negativity before?SO’D. My impression is that
supporters have fallen out of love with their club, players get targeted, managers get
targeted, and I think that creates a pressurised situation. Football clubs are always in
constant change, players renewing contracts/leaving. At the minute the club have had 4
different goes at it and not got it right, it can't keep being bankrolled, and I think Steve has realised that too. We can't keep changing and writing blank cheques. The
redevelopment of the stadium will happen sooner or later as well.*
Q. Did you enquire about Billy Sharp?.SO’D. I've enquired about him on a number of
occasions, but he is on a premier league wage though. Billy would be my ideal partner
for JET.
Q. Who would you employ as Manager if you were running a football club?.SO’D. I would
employ someone who shared my vision, it's hard to name names. But would say
Brendon Rogers.
Q. Do you ever go in the dressing room and “go mental” at the players?SO’D. It depends
what you mean by “go mental”. It doesn't work as a parent if you shout at your kids, so it
won't work with footballers. We recently had a 16 year old in the dressing room who
has the potential to be a really good player, and nobody had gone and put their arm
round him to say it was going to be ok, so I wouldn't want to do that (go mental) with my
players. It doesn't solve anything. He did tell them they had let the fans down, let the
club down, let themselves down & let Joe Morrell down. Basically he made them feel
bad.
Q. Who would you say are the leaders in the team?.SO’D. *Marlon Harewood, Sam
Baldock and Louis Carey. The board didn't want to sign Louis, but I said I think you're
wrong. Even if Louis is not playing he is off training with the defenders. I definitely see a
coaching role for Louis when he hangs his boots up whether that is here or
elsewhere.*
Q. Do you think you should let Louis play the games to break John Atyeo’s appearance
record?.SO’D. (Joking) No ‘cos I'm a hard bastard, I don't believe in sentimentality. Louis
will play if he is fit, not just to break the record though.*
Q. Why does SO’D appear to be negative about the supporters?.SO’D. *I have said it
before, our fans are fantastic. Sometimes that gets lost in translation

 

Yah yaddy yah! How about winning some games?