On The Spot

Will Jones tackles Roy McFarland - weekly!

Every week Roy McFarland gives an exclusive weekly interview to U's Net and answers a selection of questions from supporters. We do our best to ask every question but inevitably if they have already been asked or there are a lot of questions we have to pick the best or most topical questions. Please don't give up!

This week Roy McFarland looks back on the game against Bristol Rovers, the reserves' match against Norwich, and looks forward to the weekend's 'six pointer' at Cardiff. He also responds to the questions you want answered as U's Net reporter Will Jones once again puts him … "On The Spot".

Q. Looking back at the Bristol Rovers game, a 1-1 draw, did you see that as a good point or two dropped?

I think it was a very good point against one of the better teams we have played here. I thought earlier in the season that Bristol City were the best team we had played so far but I would say now it was Bristol Rovers as last week they played very well, certainly in the second half.

Our first half performance was excellent. We got the goal and could have sneaked a second one. It was a good game and I was pleased with the point. We did nearly pinch it towards the end when Ian Ashbee hit the post but overall I was very pleased with the way we played.

Q. Were you happy with the goal Bristol Rovers scored? A lot of people described it as a great goal, do you agree?

I think we could have dealt with it a bit better. It was disappointing that we lost the ball in our own half and they counter-attacked and scored the goal. It wasn't from a set piece or a good move so we were a bit disappointed. Having looked at it again on video it was a very good goal.

Q. Another pleasing thing must have been the fact the other sides around the bottom failed to win which kept us four points above the relegation zone with one less game to play?

We always look at the results straight after the game, but during the match I have to concentrate on dealing with the task in hand. The Rovers game was a good game and nice for the supporters to watch. I am just pleased we picked up a point and it is nice to know we weren't beaten by one of the top sides in the division. It was great that the majority of the other results went for us.

Q. Then, on Monday evening, the reserve side played their last game of the season and lost 3-1 at home to Norwich. You said in the press after the game that you weren't impressed with the attitude from some of the players - was there anything encouraging to come out of the game?

We got a little bit of a response in the second half. Make no mistake Norwich had a very strong team out but took three very good players off at half time which is perhaps why we picked up a bit.

I do think we got a response in the second half though as Zema Abbey (right) and Nathan Lamey - who have been involved in the first team - didn't really do anything, didn't work hard enough. If you don't run around the pitch and close people down you are going to find it very hard. They picked things up and we drew the second half.

Q. Moving back to the first team, a truly huge game this weekend when we travel to Cardiff City. If there ever was a six-pointer then this must be it?

Every game we have played over the last few months have been big games. Let's not forget that we were bottom of this division not so long away. We have fought and got ourselves into a position sixth from bottom and in the safety zone. It is not as if one game is going to phase us out and even if we lost the game on Saturday - which we won't - doesn't mean it is the end of the world.

There are still a few games left and a lot to play for. There is no mistake though, this is a big game for us. We are four points ahead of Cardiff and they have a game in hand on us. If we were to come away from the game with a point or a win then that would really knock them and boost us.

Q. Have you any injury problems going into the game?

No. The only problem I had last Saturday was with John Taylor who had a slight problem with his thigh. He managed to finish the game but he has had quite a bit of treatment this week. He has trained today and looks sharp and raring to go.

Will Jones

Jim Kington of Cambridge asks: Do you agree that we are playing a lot more long balls at the moment? We got to this division by passing the ball but as the results become more crucial we are playing much more directly. I don't really have a problem with this but I think we are a much better side when we keep the ball down. We tend to give the ball away more when hitting it long. Is this a deliberate tactic or are the players panicking slightly?

It is certainly not a tactic I like us to do, I would like us to keep playing football. I do find that when we are under pressure we hit too many high balls and give the ball away cheaply. In that sense perhaps it is a bit of pressure that the players are feeling at the time. An easy way out when defending is to hit the ball long and it away from the goal. Sometimes that is the right thing to do but I would much rather we had the confidence to pull it down and play as when we do that we are quite good.

Miles Leach of Northampton asks: Do you see the need for any major changes to the team in the close season, apart from bringing in a central defender? Also, in reference to your plea for knowing if there are any central defenders you haven't checked, have you looked at Glen Gibb? He plays for Kettering Town reserves and can also play up-front.

No we haven't. I would answer that by asking why isn't he playing in Kettering's first team? We do look at Kettering but not their reserve team. I know the manager there and if he thought he was the man for the job then he would be in their first team. If you were suggesting a reserve team in the Premiership then that would be quite understandable but this is a reserve team in the Conference.

We will try to strengthen the side in the close season. I think we have a very good team and when we are all fit we are a very good outfit and play good football. Without doubt we do need to move on and it has been obvious this season that even with the best team out we haven't won football matches. I need to look at where I need to improve the team and yes, we need a central defender, but there may be a few other positions where we can strengthen the team.

Thellie of Cambridge asks: Why are you consistently replacing John Hansen? I understand match fitness has something to do with it but on Saturday he was having a stormer. If you wanted to move to 4-3-3 then why not replace Wanless as he had run himself into the ground? I don't believe in booing or being critical but I did understand the crowd reaction at the substitution.

I think it is lovely the fact the crowd boo. I don't mean that as regards me but I think it lets me know that John Hansen (right) is starting to settle in and the supporters are beginning to like him. The major thing with John is that I feel, at times, he isn't match fit. With him, Zema Abbey and Nathan Lamey, none of them have played before at this level and the fitness that is required might be lacking. We will see the best out of those players next season when they have had a good pre-season training behind them and are fully fit and raring to go.

I am very pleased with John Hansen, he is a lovely lad. He had done everything I have asked of him and has come and spoken to me about certain things and why I have done certain things and understands completely. We will see a little bit more from him next season.

Tom Jennings of Ipswich asks: If we stay up what are your hopes for next season?

I think the hope for next season is to make sure we are not involved, in a sense, in a relegation battle from the start of the season. In the early part of the season we were playing some good football and I can look back at the first game of the season where Bournemouth were likening us to Brazil but we lost the game.

I know we have a good base and players here but I need to help them by getting a few more better quality players and if I can do that then we will be comfortably half-way up the league and we can progress from there. Obviously the main thing we must do is stay in the division and if we do then it is up to me to improve them team and get some better players.

Andrew Stephen of Canada asks: When I was at college in Derby during the 1970's I used to watch you play for County. Could you please tell me what your greatest moment of your whole career was?

I think the greatest moment was, maybe, picking the Championship medal up in 1972 - that was a bit special. It was the first time Derby Country had ever won the Championship and I was the captain. We had a good strong team.

I have had lots of highs and lots of lows in my career and that happens in football. I have probably had more highs than lows. Playing in Europe was special as was playing for England. The biggest disappointment for me was not qualifying for the 1974 World Cup in Germany after the 1-1 draw with Poland. That was very disappointing.

Lots and lots of highs though; playing in Europe, two Championships, playing for England but I would still say the 1972 Championship was the best.

Simon Gleave of the Netherlands asks: After nearly a full season of taking questions from the supporters, how do you feel? Will you be doing this again next season and do you know of any other managers who are prepared to do this sort of thing every week?

I don't know if another manager does it, I am not sure. I love it and am very enthusiastic about it and if it was to stop I would be disappointed. I think having some kind of format and communication with supporters is excellent. It has to be two way and sensible. I am not going to come on here and criticise my players and I don't expect the supporters to come and do it either. The majority of the questions I have had have been very good and if they continue like that I will continue to answer them, I like it.

If you would like to have your question asked next week, please follow this link and complete the form. Whenever possible the answers will be available every Thursday night.

As ever, we would like to thank Graham Eales for the opportunity to put these questions to Roy McFarland, and the manager for his co-operation.

If you have any comments about this regular feature, either for Will or myself or for Roy or Graham, please use this e-mail address: feedback@cambridgeunited.com