John Ward - Radio Cumbria Interview

Last updated : 21 December 2007 By Thetashkentterror

John Ward
United boss John Ward spoke to BBC Radio Cumbria on Friday evening as he talked about the disappointing postponment of the Swansea game at Brunton Park tomorrow due to a frozen pitch, Ward also chatting about how this year has been for him :


" It is a disappointment, we've been ready for it although we haven't been able to get on the grass as you probably well know but we were looking forward to getting the game on. I think the club has tried everything they can, we have had industrial heaters and the ground has been covered since the game last Saturday. I feel sorry for the groundstaff because they have done everything they can to get it on and we are just sorry we're not playing.

" Players are quite adaptable with training, it wasn't ideal today, we went in this morning not knowing the game was off and it wasn't ideal having to do that on the day before a game. I think they accept it on a Thursday or early in the week but not on a Friday, they like to get on grass as I do. We've not been able to though, but having said that players just get on with it in that sense and they would have been OK.

" We could have a fixture backlog but I'm one of those old school guys now that say that there is nothing much that I can do about that. We are going to have to play these games, we've already got Nottingham Forest to come here which has had to be changed and then we've got this game now to be put in. They are big games and they are going to be at home and under lights so if there is any consolation those matches are going to create quite an atmosphere at Brunton Park. Especially if we are all in the same position as we are now.

" It's plan B now, we had that arranged for the players just incase, we're in for training tomorrow, albeit we will have to get the lads indoors again but we need to get the lads in. They'll be off on Sunday, they can have their breather and then they are back in on Christmas Eve. So we then start planning, as from tomorrow, for the Tranmere Rovers game on Boxing Day, Tranmere are away at Luton Town themselves tomorrow. "



" Maybe we can go into that game a bit fresher but I think that players like to play, I don't think they worry about that, a Saturday then a Wednesday game is not a problem for players at our level obviously. As long as we don't get rusty that's the thing, we want to keep playing at the moment because we are playing well and things are looking decent for us. So hopefully it won't take too much of an edge off us, they'll be ready for a game I think come Wednesday will our lads.

" My year has been a football person's life hasn't it, I suppose it alters around in your profession as well at times where things happen. Like I say, I don't worry about these postponements because I can't control them, my life is like that if you like. It has changed in the last twelve months, something you don't know is going to happen and you have to deal with it as it comes along. I have to say that I am delighted that I have made the move and so far so good, we've just got to keep our fingers crossed that we can keep it going into the New Year now.

" I have to go back to Cheltenham for my moment of the year because we'd lost something like 23 or 24 games of our year in League One which was a massive amount of defeats for us. We then set our stall out to try to survive and stay up and we went to Rotherham with two games to go. I persuaded my chairman to let us go overnight which he wouldn't normally have done.

" We then found ourselves 2-0 down at 3.20pm and one or two little choice words at half-time saw us win the game 4-2 and achieve survival. Whilst it sounds strange celebrating survival I'm sure that the Carlisle supporters will know what I mean because they have had their little share of that. It was a big day for Cheltenham Town Football Club and obviously me as a manager.

" Christmas day is going to be at home, I have given the boys the day off and they are aware of that. I've told them that we need a response on Boxing Day but we have got a number that travel around the country a little bit as you are probably aware. I think it is not a bad thing, there is no real right or wrong way to do things but if we give them the chance to be at home they are very professional, very thorough and I am sure that they will be fine for Tranmere Rovers. I'd just like to pass on my good wishes to all our supporters as well and thank them for the time that we have had up here, hopefully we can have a few more good ones together come 2008. "