On The Spot

Will Jones tackles Roy McFarland - weekly!

This week saw United once again lose a lead and return from Gillingham empty-handed while dropping into the bottom three in Division Two. The fans wait anxiously for a new face to replace long-term injury victim Andy Duncan while strong rumours elsewhere indicate that Brentford may have switched their transfer attentions to Trevor Benjamin. Manager Roy McFarland discussed the week's events and looked forward to the next two games against Gateshead and Scunthorpe with U's Net reporter Will Jones as once again he was put … "On The Spot".

Q. John Taylor was 35 years old on Saturday. Some fans, in light of his recent performances in the team, are starting to question if he is past it. Any comments?

I think John is ready to hang his boots up. I won't let him. I still think he can contribute to the end of the season. I don't think he can contribute for the full 90 minutes though.

It is nice when it comes gradually, rather than hitting you on the chin and knocking you for six. We have brought him onto our staff and he is starting to realise what is required of him. He is also starting to realise that it is a young man's game, and he can't run about as much as the others can. I tell you what though, if you give him the opportunity and ask him to do something he will do it to the best of his ability. I do feel that coming off that bench he gives us something that perhaps we don't get from anybody else. He hasn't played particularly well this season, like the rest of the team, but I can't fault him or the team in terms of honesty.

Q. On Saturday we face Gateshead in the FA Cup. How will you be approaching the game, is it hard to motivate the players for such a fixture?

I don't think I will have to motivate the players because we are favourites, we are expected to win through. We have had a difficult start to the season in Division Two, and this gives us a little bit of relief. The further we progress in the FA Cup the better. Realistically I would like us to get into the 3rd round and draw a Premier League club. That, in a sense, would be our cup final, but tomorrow it is Gateshead's cup final.

We are favourites to go through, but we have to be professional in the way we go about it. They will be ready and prepared to scrap and fight but hopefully our ability will take over and we will win the tie.

Q. Have you considered that the game might be a good opportunity to break a few of the younger players into the team, or will be a case of first team selection on Saturday?

Very much so. I am not going to pick a weakened team, and it isn't the right time to bring young players in. Saturday's game will be very tough, it won't be easy. We haven't got the most experienced team in the world, but they do have a certain degree of experience from the cup runs last season, and that will hopefully stand them in good stead.

Q. Have you any injury problems prior to the game?

Tom Youngs is very doubtful. Sadly for him he has had a catalogue of injuries this season, mainly due to the fact he is so genuine in trying to get the football. His hamstring is a little bit tight, so that is a problem. We have one or two other problems, but at this stage I don't want to give Gateshead any more fuel that will improve their performance.

Q. On Tuesday it will be back to the league, for the vital home game against Scunthorpe United, a team who like us have struggled to get to grips with Second Division Football.

It is a good game for us. Scunthorpe had a tricky start to the season, but have won a few matches in the last week or so. All of a sudden they find themselves a long way away from that bottom four. That just shows you what a few wins can do to your confidence within the team. Scunthorpe got on with it, and got the results and I don't see any reasons why we can't.

Will Jones

Q. Jon from Cambridge asks: Is it true, as the Brentford fans are saying, that they made an offer for Trevor Benjamin last week? What is it with Brentford and our strikers?

I think, without doubt, Brentford are, and have shown, interest in both of our strikers. They have shown interest over the last 9 months regarding Martin Butler and Trevor Benjamin. It is well documented that Brentford like our strikers, but that is all I am prepared to say about it. If either of those players leave this football club it will be for the right money, and so far Brentford have not offered that.

Q. Eleanor from Cambridge asks: Unfortunately, we often hear United fans really laying into our own players during games. It concerns me that this might have a negative effect on players' confidence and performance. Is this so, or are most of them generally able to shrug off such 'abuse' from the terraces as just part and parcel of the game?

I think we take it as part and parcel of the game. I am no exception. I have been used to it as a player, and I have certainly been used to it as a manger. Maybe I can handle it a bit better now that I am long in the tooth.

The biggest thing a player has to deal with is going to away grounds and being abused by away supporters. You are quite surprised when that first happens to you. You tend to think everybody is a genuine football fan who just likes to watch the game. Some of them are very vociferous and fervent in support of their own clubs. That was a major shock to me as a young player.

Sometimes it is a little soul destroying when your own supporters start slagging off the players. It is something that we can't erase or get rid of though. Supporters will voice what they want to voice. What I would say to them though, is that if that player is giving everything he has got and is genuine in what he is trying to do then think about it that way, rather than being vindictive towards him.

Q. Joe from Haverhill asks: Steve Greenall returns to the club this Saturday in place of Andy Pincher. Will you be pleased to see him again and how much difference do the office staff make at a club?

Steve Greenall is welcome back here. I enjoyed working with Steve, and I also enjoy working with Andy. I think Andy has a lot to learn, and is willing to. He works a lot of hours and like any sort of relationship we have to work with each other.

With Steve we hit it off straight away. He was very experienced in terms of what the rules were, and what we could or couldn't do in certain situations. With Andrew it is new to him a little bit, but he is learning very quickly.

It is nice he is still involved playing football, and that he is playing for Cambridge City at Wigan. I have told him that I hope they get thorough, and we draw them in round two, hopefully at the Abbey Stadium.

Q. Andy from Cambridge asks: Are the players (midfielders in particular) encouraged to shoot from outside the penalty area, as it seems at times that we try to walk to ball into the net. Surely players like Alex Russell, Martin Butler and Neil Mackenzie have the ability to score from distance?

Yes, I agree with that. I think Neil Mustoe, Ian Ashbee, Scott Paterson, Paul Wanless, Neil Mackenzie and certainly Alex Russell (right) should be scoring more goals from outside the box, from balls which have come out of the 18-yard box. They have the ability to score from distance.

I mentioned it to you two weeks ago, we should be scoring more goals from midfield. I agree with Andy totally, they should be scoring more goals from distance as they show every day in training that they can do it.

Q. Finally, Tom Kingsley from London asked: Roy, are you starting to feel the pressure?

Tom, thank you for thinking about me. No, I am feeling if anything very frustrated. I am frustrated for the players as we seem to get one part of our game right, only to be let down by another aspect. That tells me we are not as consistent as we should be. We are not the most experienced team in the world, but I thought the experience of winning promotion last season would carry us through.

We are just lacking a little bit within the squad. I think the introduction of Neil Mackenzie and hopefully that of a few others will make us a bit more resolute and harder to beat. I think we will only progress as a team if we can get clean sheets. What is getting better is that we have looked far better defensively that we have perhaps five or six weeks ago. That has given the team a lift, and myself a lift.

We would like to thank Graham Eales for organising the opportunity to put these questions to Roy McFarland.

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

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