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 discusses the players he has decided to release, looks back on the defeat at Burnley and forward to the final game of the season when Wycombe are the visitors on Saturday. As this is the last scheduled interview of the season he also answers the remaining backlog of questions you want answered as U's Net reporter Will Jones once again puts him … "On The Spot".

Q. Looking back at last weeks 2-0 defeat at promotion chasing Burnley, what were your thoughts on the performance?

I think they were a very solid outfit, a good team. They were a lot stronger up front and played some good football. We had a very good opening 10-15 minutes and had two good chances that, sadly, we couldn't take. Young Martin McNeil (right) was then caught out and Payton scored a great goal. It was hard work and they had a good spell and scored a second goal.

Even during that spell though, we had some good chances. We dominated the second half and played some good football. We needed to get a goal to put some doubt in their minds but it never came. It was a good performance in the second half.

Q. You then, during the week, had to carry out perhaps the hardest part of your job when you released and offered a number of players free transfers. Would you like to explain them to us?

I think Ben Chenery has been a very good servant for us but the time was right for a change. We needed to, in a sense, make changes and we can't make them unless we release one or two players. Ben will move on to pastures new.

With Ise, he wants to play first team football. Clive Wilson is hanging his boots up, but might carry on playing non-league football where he doesn't have to train every day of the week. I think he is getting to the age where he is thinking it might just be a bit too much for him.

Jamie Cassidy hasn't really figured all season. He had a good start when he came here but I never really saw the progression that I hoped. In that sense, in bringing John Hansen into the football club we have one body too many. I didn't think Jamie would be able to push John out of his position so therefore he needs to move on so I offered him a free transfer.

Q. Looking forward to this Saturday - the final league game of the season against Wycombe Wanderers - how will you be approaching that game?

We want to win it. It is a big game, in a sense every game we play is a big game in terms of saying a big thank you to our supporters. Home and away this season they have been there, solid, even though the results haven't always gone for us. I think, on behalf of the players and myself, that we need to show them on Saturday how much we appreciate the tremendous support they have given us during the season.

Q. You mention the support from the fans. They haven't just offered the team support by going to the games, most of them have remained behind you as the manager of the team despite the fact we were bottom of the league for a long spell and looked down an out. That must be very pleasing for you?

You only have to go back three months or so and we were bottom of the league. It is quite easy to understand how supporters can turn and get upset and nasty but they didn't. I like to think that, at times, they knew they were watching quite good football and we weren't getting our just rewards in terms of results and points.

They stuck with us, and I am delighted they stuck with us as it really helped the team. It also gave me confidence as well. It is up to me to prepare the team and, in a sense, give them a kick up the backside but also put my arm around them and I have had to do that on more than one occasion this season as things have been difficult.

Who gives the manager a lift when he gets down, though? I have got a great lift from the supporters this season, when I see the gates we have got and the fans that have followed us away from home has been very encouraging. I have had some nice responses. Not everyone has been kind but a lot of that was perhaps justified in terms of our performances on occasions. I accept that and have to accept that as manager of this football club. The majority of the football supporters that have spoken to me have been very positive this season and have given me the confidence to keep going.

Q. Obviously a victory against Wycombe could lift us above Mr Noades' Brentford. That must be something you would relish?

That would be nice, and it would be lovely if we could finish above them. That would mean that out of all the promoted teams we would finish highest. As much as anything else I would like to finish as high as possible and we will be giving it a good go on Saturday. I think we owe Wycombe something as I feel we were cheated there. There was a very poor offside decision that perhaps cost us the points. It is a game I would love us to win just to say a big thank you to our supporters.

Q. Looking at team selection, a number of players made a return to action in the midweek friendly with Peterborough United. Are any of those players - Alex Russell, Andy Duncan and Neil Mackenzie - likely to figure on Saturday?

Andy Duncan and Neil Mackenzie won't be involved. The pleasing thing for them is that they have, in a sense, had a taste of competitive football again. Alex Russell (right) had a good 70 minutes and will be starting on Saturday. I think it is important for him to get 90 minutes behind him to give him the confidence. He will certainly be looking forward to the game.

Will Jones

Barbara of Bar Hill asks: Congratulations on ensuring Second Division Football for the Club Roy. With this in mind, can I ask you the same question which I sent back in February - which you didn't really answer - do you regard the fact we have managed to stay in this division, on our limited resources, as a greater managerial achievement than say winning promotion last season?

Yes, it is.

David Partridge, a Main Stand season ticket holder, asks: Firstly, many congratulations on keeping us in Division Two with so few resources. The way the team has performed recently, culminating in the excellent performance against a Preston team that was really trying, is a credit to the management team. I have a couple of worries. First Muzzy, I was disappointed to see him left out against Preston and Burnley. His performances recently have been really strong and I hope every effort will be made to keep him at the club? He is the sort of player we can't afford to lose. Second, Perez's solidity and vital catches, saves and general command of the area have been a big factor in us staying up and clean sheets against Cardiff and Preston say it all. What are your goalkeeping plans for next season?

Obviously I doubt we will be able to sign Perez, although I would love to think we could. He would be happy to sign here if we could get a sponsor from somewhere to help us but I doubt we will have the financial clout to satisfy his needs. The player himself has not discounted Cambridge United and my interest and I have had two or three talks with him. If we did manage to get some kind of package that would include some kind of sponsor it would be a major boost for us at a Football Club to sign that kind of goalkeeper. That would also help young Shaun Marshall. He has done very well but is still a young boy who is learning. To have somebody alongside him like Perez would be fantastic.

We have made an offer to Muzzy and that is an ongoing thing. That is where we are at the moment. I think it would be wrong to pre-empt things but we have made an offer to him.

Barry of Somersham asks: There has been a lot of speculation regarding some kind of sponsorship to keep Lionel Perez at the club. Could you accept such a deal and the effect it would have on the wage structure, and would you expect the squad to willingly accept the gulf in wages to play in front of him next season?

I think if I was a player and was going to play alongside a better player who was going to make it easier for me - no matter what he was earning - I would be delighted.

I am certain the players would understand the circumstances and reasons for a player like Perez receiving not only our financial package but that from a sponsorship deal that would compensate and keep him happy. I am certain the players would be all right with that knowing they have a very solid goalkeeper behind them.

Nick Hays asks: Ron Noades recently said that being manager of a team where little or no money is available "must be the worst job in the world". What would you have to say in response to this, and how does your time at Cambridge compare with previous positions of responsibility at other clubs?

Make no mistake if you have money to spend your job is easier. You have a choice then. How you spend that money is up to you, and if you spend it wisely is obviously paramount. When you have little money to spend it does make your job that little bit more difficult. What it does do it make you that bit more determined. You have to keep your eye on the players but sadly the market you are looking in is not as big as you would like. It cuts your choice down a lot and that will always apply at Cambridge United. That will always be the case unless we get a multi-millionaire as we have a very tight budget. I know and understand that but it does make my job that much harder.

Terry Wilby of Melbourn, Cambs asks: With the season as good as over, how long a holiday will you (and the rest of the management team) get before you have to think seriously about football again?

I never stop thinking about football - I have got to think about how I am going to strengthen this squad in the close season. We also have to arrange our pre-season fixtures and we start back on July 6th. The players do come in once a fortnight and work with the staff. That might be a general run but it is up to the players to make sure they keep themselves in shape. They like golf, tennis, squash and it keeps them fit.

Terry also asks: Do you give players a target weight/personal fitness level to maintain during the summer, and do they stick to it? Who are the best and the worst (if you can say!)

I can't say, that would be unfair. They have to be conscious about their weight as if a player comes back and has put a couple of pounds on, we have a problem. You go outside and put a bag of sugar in each hand and run about for a bit - it makes a big difference.

As a regular match reporter for U's Net, Terry's final question was: Do you ever read the fans match reports, and if so do you agree with them?

I do read them, yes. I find them quite interesting and some of them have been very encouraging this season at times when we have lost games.

Chris Mason of Ipswich and Nick Hays have both asked about certain players: 1. Are you going to able to agree terms with Scott Eustace who is definitely our most improved player this season?

I have made Scott an offer, and he is considering it. Hopefully he will get back to me quite soon.

2. Will Trevor Benjamin be allowed to go in the summer, have you been contacted about his availability and how large a fee would he be likely to command?

As much as the biggest bidder will pay. Trevor is here, and if somebody comes in and puts a lot of money on the table we are duty bound to consider it. While he is here I will look after him and keep his feet firmly on the ground and look after him contract-wise for what he has done so far and he is getting better. If somebody comes in with an offer it will be treated with respect, but he will not go cheaply.

I think it would be wrong for me to put a figure on his head, in the market place it just depends on what the buyer is willing to pay. We have turned down two offers for him, one for £650,000 and one for £750,000.

3. How much longer can the old war-horse John Taylor go on?

Maybe I can't answer that, John should. We keep encouraging him to keep playing and keep fit and he has done that. I think the more training he has done the better he has felt. He does have a few problems with his Achilles and it gets sore so we have to be careful with that.

With respect to the last two, if Trevor and Shaggy are unavailable for next season, will you be looking to bring someone in or will you be relying on the youthful set of strikers we have?

I will be looking to bring somebody in, I am looking at somebody now. We have a good bunch of kids as well.

Nick Gatward of Leicester asks: Congratulations! You've done a great job. On the search for a centre back, have you considered playing Paul Wanless there? He's a good tackler, good in the air and midfield is the one place we do have other choices.

The answer to that is I don't think he is a centre half. His best position is where he is playing now. The one thing he has is the ability to get forward and score goals, and get back and defend. He has got certain qualities all over the pitch and his defensive qualities playing in front of the back four have been important for us over the last few weeks - he has been outstanding. He isn't a bad goalie either!

Brendan Ryan asks: Did you ever decide to look to Ireland for some talent? We have two brothers Richie and Dessie Baker who play for an Irish club called Shelbourne and they are two very talented young players. Dessie used to play for Manchester United while his younger brother Richie is currently playing for Ireland U-21. Would you consider them?

Thank you for the offer. I am looking at an Irish player at the moment who might come to this football club. I can't say who it is as that would be unfair. About your brothers, I don't know. I don't know them!

Richard Mead of Swaffham Prior asks: Well done Roy for doing a great Job! What do you believe the U's prospects are for next season?

We can't get through another season with spirit, hope and on a wing and a prayer, we have to get through with a bit more quality. If we can strengthen that aspect then we can progress. The lads have done a tremendous job for us and this season has proved we have a good base. When I had injuries to important players the kids came in and did well, I was so proud of them.

We need to be better - we can't find ourselves in another battle against relegation almost from day one. We need more quality and that is what we will be striving to find during the summer.

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

Look out for the extended interview and Q&A with Paul Wanless later this week.