| Ask Dave - December 2002 |
| Dave Anderson has answered the questions which
you posted during the past 10 days, and the answers to each question can now
be found below. (Note that some people asked the same questions, so the phrasing of your question may have changed) 1) What has been your high point and what has been your low point of the season so far? The high points were the wins at Sutton and Bedford because of the sheer determination and spirit shown by the players to come back in the way they did. The low points would be the occasions when we failed to take the chance to go top. It proved to us that there are still questions to be answered. 2) Have you made an outright decision on the strike partnership because we have 4 talented strikers? Yes, we've got 4 talented strikers! They are all capable of playing with each other, and nothing is set in stone as they are all a bit different. 3) One player who I think has done extremely well is James Burgess. Has he impressed you? Yes, thats why hes been a regular in the side. He was concerned at the start of the season that he wouldn't get much chance to show what he's capable of, which was why his brother left us. He has proven himself, and credit is also due to the coaching staff for the work they have done to help him improve. 4) We're seeing a few players coming through the reserve side. Any plans to give them a run in the side? Always difficult to bring players through, although this is obviously the policy at the club. It has to be a gradual process as the step up from reserve team to first team football is a big one which is why they aren't dropped straight into the starting line up. 5) What's the thinking behind our kick off set play (ie knocking the ball out of play around 5-10 yards in front of the corner flag) - wouldn't it make more sense to retain possession and launch an attack that way? It's not part of the plan to put the ball out of play. The intention is to put pressure on the opposition defence from the start rather than playing the ball back which can put pressure on your own defence. It's something that we'll work on in training in the next few weeks. 6) Were you disappointed to lose Adrian Clarke to Margate? Yes it was disappointing to lose him, but the player wanted to stay in the Conference if at all possible. I knew Margate were interested when we brought him in on loan, and had agreed to let him go if someone came in for him and he wanted to move. 7) Do the two youngsters from Arsenal feature in any of your plans for the first team in the coming few weeks because from the performances against Staines they certainly looked bright and sharp? We will progess them in the reserves because they need time to settle into non-league football. Their run out in the cup game came when there was no pressure on them because the result was pretty much guaranteed. Players on trial are more likely to perform in a no pressure situation. It is something we will repeat in future cup matches. 8) What is your opinion of the part time fans who just turn up when the weather is good or for big games as opposed to those who turn up home and away regardless of what the competition is? I think every club from park football up to Manchester United have this problem. You always get the vocal hardcore who are there every time, and then you get the fans that jump on the bandwagon. I personally have no real problem with it. It's better to have them turning up 3 or 4 times a season than not at all. 9) Do you think the move to Copthall is likely to have an effect on the playing side and atmosphere I don't think it will affect the playing side, players are more concerned about the surface they will be playing on and having seen the plans for the pitch at Copthall we should have a magnificent playing surface. As for the atmosphere, ask me once we've had 10 game at Copthall. 10) The reserves are currently struggling at the wrong end of the table. If the worst should happen and they are relegated, would this have a detrimental effect on the first team? We are hoping to transfer to the Capital League next season, although this still has to be agreed with Ivor and Andrew. The advantages of moving into the Capital League is that the games don't clash with the first team which means the first team substitutes will be able to get a run out and keep fit, and therefore the reserve team will be stronger and hopefully will have benefits for the first team as the substitutes should be fully match fit. 11) Warren Kelly has been on the bench a number of times this season. Is he likely to take any active part on the pitch? No! Unless there is a dire emergency. 12) Are there any plans to make chanes or additions to the squad? Yes, I think its time to make a little change and freshen things up a little. We have a squad of 16 players who are all more than capable of starting for the side. I've checked out 7 players in the past few days and I'm hoping to sign 2 or 3 of them between now and the turn of the year. 13) How seriously are you taking the three cup competitions we are still taking part in? The FA Trophy is obviously the number 1, and is treated as another league game. We do take them all seriously, but we also have to let the squad players have a run out, but we will always field a side we believe to be capable of winning the tie. Also, the longer we stay in each competition, the more chance we get to look at some of our younger players. 14) Do you think we have a good chance of challenging for the Championship this season, and if so what is your approach going to be? We will know by January 8th and I'll be able to answer that then. You always need that little bit of luck, and we will continue to take each game as it comes. 15) What is the situation regarding cover should David Hook pick up an injury now Danny Burton has been released? I am trying to sign another keeper as back up, but in the meantime we have Danny Lampton in the reserves and I could also bring someone in on loan if necessary. 16) I think Kieran Gallagher has failed to live up to expectations. How do you think he is doing? If you were to ask Kieran he would say that he's not happy with his performances so far. He's had a couple of injuries, and we've had a couple of chats together and he is desperate to get a run in the side, but he needs to earn it. He has a great desire off the pitch, and we need to see this on the pitch and he needs to prove that he can get stuck in. We thank Dave for giving up his time to answer the questions that you sent in. We will probably do another Ask Dave session sometime towards the end of the season. |
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