Neil McDonald - Radio Cumbria Interview

Last updated : 03 February 2007 By Thetashkentterror
Blues manager Neil McDonald
United boss Neil McDonald spoke to BBC Radio Cumbria on Friday evening as he gave his thoughts on the away game at Doncaster tomorrow. McDonald also commenting on the various bits of transfer news around Brunton Park this week :


" I think we have belief, if we pick up points away from home, our home form is excellent, and I think for the first time this season I can really say that we're going to have a go, we're going to have a go for promotion without a shadow of a doubt. I think we are creating lots and lots of chances, and we're probably creating more chances away than we are at home. We have to be a little more committed, I think we've got the bit between our teeth now, especially with a great performance at Brentford. We were all disappointed after the game that we didn't win that game but it puts you on a huge high when you win your home games and especially against a huge club like Nottingham Forest.

" We attack away just as much as we do at home and we work very hard at that. We've struggled for a training ground over the last four or five weeks and it's no coincidence that we had a really good training week on the training field without any water or distractions. I think it showed over the last two games that I'm a great believer in preparation and hopefully we've prepared right for tomorrow.

" We stayed at the club until midnight on Wednesday, we didn't get any phone calls for players which I was very happy about. I was waiting for one or two phone calls for somebody else coming in but that didn't materialise. I think the players that we have brought in so far have complimented the team and livened up the competition for places, and long may that continue. I didn't come close to completing any other deals for the club.

" He (Chris Billy) has been a fantastic servant and, to be fair, he's at the age where he wants to play football and there was a chance to secure his future on a longer-term contract. I still hadn't made my mind up about whether I was going to offer him a contract or not. He asked to go, he needs to play first-team football, he's good enough for first-team football, unfortunately I've gone on a different direction to Chris but he's been a fantastic servant for the club and we wish him all the best at Halifax.

" I think you have to have the balance on age, and we've got that balance I think, we've had the balance all season to be fair. You can't just use young kids all the time, I know I've brought a couple in, but Jeff (Smith) has got a lot of experience, (Paul) Thirlwell has got a lot of experience and Paul Murray who has just come back has got a lot of experience. So, we've got that fine mixture at the minute, and hopefully we can continue the little run that we are on. "



" He (Johann Smith) is on a work permit with his Dad, and his Dad lives in Birmingham and has a five year work permit, he works on the back of that because he is an attendant. It passed through the Premier League and the Football League so really I think they just wanted confirmation that everything was above board, which it was. We got that today in writing so he's available for tomorrow. I saw him yesterday in training and he looks good, he's a short and stocky young lad, very, very quick with lots of skill and he's a goalscorer. Hopefully if he gets his chance tomorrow he'll come on and show everybody what he is all about.

" If he can come on and we can put a through ball in for him then I'm sure he can catch it. He's a very quick player, he's very confident on the ball, he's adjusted to the English football. He's played three games for Bolton which is no mean feat in itself, Sam (Allardyce) wanted him to taste first-team football and I think this is the perfect place for him to come. As it has been for Joe Garner, as it has been for Jeff (Smith), Paul Thirlwell, David Raven and Kevin Gall because they have all done fantastically well this season.

" He (Jeff Smith) gives us fantastic balance on the left-hand side which I think we've missed since Simon (Hackney) got injured and it was vital that we brought that balance to the left-hand side. I know what he is all about, we brought him to Bolton as a young kid from non-league football, we developed him and he has gone on to play for different clubs and he has become a regular footballer. It was vitally important that we got that balance on the left, over the two games he has played he has held his own and there is a lot more to come I assure you, there is a lot more to come from him.

" Before putting Danny Livesey and Peter Murphy together we've been mixing it around with big Kev (Kevin Gray) as well, who has done fantastically well this season. We conceded five goals in two games though and I thought it was time to have a bit of a change and we've been fortunate to keep two clean sheets. On the whole, we've got a strong squad who are travelling down to Doncaster today and those 20 players are trying to create history for the football club by giving it a chance of a third promotion on the trot.

" They (Peter Murphy and Karl Hawley) have been offered contracts, they haven't turned them down and they haven't said no. They are obviously keeping their options open which is fair enough. I suppose the fitting way would be to try and get promotion to try and keep them with us. "