Neil McDonald - Radio Cumbria Interview

Last updated : 25 April 2007 By Thetashkentterror
Blues manager Neil McDonald
United boss Neil McDonald spoke to BBC Radio Cumbria's Derek Lacey on Tuesday morning as he talked about the upcoming promotion six-pointer against Swansea this weekend, McDonald also chatting about player contracts and the defeat to Bristol City last Saturday :


" Two league games to go and where has it gone, it's flown over. It's certainly finishing off with a huge excitement for everybody. I'm still talking with players, I'm not really going to make a decision until we see where we are which is a little bit selfish on my part I suppose. We need to see where we are though, whether we are going to be in this league or the next league before we start finalising the talks. As soon as that happens though and as soon as we have an idea on where we are and where we are going to be then we'll give the information out as soon as we can.

" We've got names that we'd like to bring in, we have been watching games. We've done a lot of miles over the last couple of weeks which is hard work but it's a job that has to be done in making sure that we have information on the players themselves, not just what other people have said or who is available. We've gone to see them with the naked eye as well so we've got an idea what they are all about. We have targets, it's whether we can get them, and it all depends on where we are as well.

" It would be a fantastic coup for the club if we could fix up anybody before the end of the season. At the same time though, even if we don't get into the play-offs, if we can finish seventh or eighth then that all bodes well to try to recruit players because that is where we have finished. Our goal for next season is always to be higher or to be better than we were the season before.

" You've spoken to Karl Hawley and Peter Murphy and you're not really getting much off them. When they have said that they'll see how the season goes and see where the club is going, well I think that if they can't see where the club is going then there is something wrong with them I suppose. It is frustrating that they haven't committed but they certainly still haven't said no.

" We hold on to that but at the same time we have to move on and we have to make sure that we have a squad capable of doing just as well as we have this season and better than that. If that means moving on from those two then we'll move on from those two. I'm judging it on results, I can cut my nose off to spite my face and say that they are both not playing but Peter Murphy has been fantastic this season. OK he hasn't committed but I'm judging it on results and if Peter Murphy is not playing then we might lose some of the games."



"Danny Graham has gone back to Middlesbrough, I spoke to his representatives yesterday so that was the first talks we were allowed, we have been given permission to speak to Danny. Those talks will be ongoing probably throughout the summer. Karl (Hawley) has just come back from a long-term injury, we've lost our other centre-forward in Danny who has gone back to Middlesbrough so that gives us another option.

" If I didn't use that option then I am cutting my nose off to spite my face because professionals don't hold back, they can't hold back. One - their team mates don't let them, two - the supporters don't let them and three - the manager won't let them. Paul Murray and Simon Hackney are both out for the rest of the season. Simon will hopefully be back for pre-season and Paul Murray is out of contract so we just need to sit down and have a chat with him to see where we are going.

" It (Bristol City) was a great performance in the first-half, I thought that is the best we have played for quite a while, we totally dominated the first-half. We probably deserved to be more than 1-0 up yet we went in at 1-1 with the last-minute goal. That gave them confidence I suppose and just knocked us back a little peg or two. They've come out second-half and played some decent stuff, they've knocked it about and when their chances came along, I think they've only really had two or three chances when you analyse the game.

" Good teams and top teams always put it in the back of the net when they get those chances though, I think that was the difference between the two teams. We had been taking our chances and it was certainly no disgrace being beaten by the side who are second top of the table. It just knocks us back a touch, training was a little bit quiet yesterday because we don't like being beaten at home and it was a lost opportunity because Oldham were beaten.

" They were feeling sorry for themselves a little bit but towards the end of the training session it picked up a little bit and got a little bit nosier. The mickey-tacking started again so we'll get them at it again today, they'll have Wednesday off and then we'll work on Thursday and Friday ready and raring for what for me is the hugest game for the football club for quite a while."



" We could take a point to be fair and we've got to hope that Oldham are beaten at Brighton. That then goes into the last game and then anyone knows what might happen, I'm not quite sure. We'll be going into the game trying to win but being cautious knowing that we have to try to get something out of the game, whereas Saturday gone we didn't.

" Their goal didn't really change my team-talk because the players had done nothing wrong in the first-half, they had done everything that we had asked. The hard work, and endeavour, and closing down, and passing the ball much better, and creating chances was all there to see. We thoroughly enjoyed our first-half performance really but psychologically we had them almost with the nail in the coffin. They got off lightly and their goal obviously picked them up at half-time and gave them an extra spurt, the adrenaline must have been flowing in their changing room.

" I think they showed when they came out that they were right at it, even though we were right at it as well. It was a tough game though, and a tough effort and it was disappointing to lose it in the end. I thought it was a great advert for League One football, the game was played in the right spirit considering how much was on the game. I don't think there was one dirty tackle, they were fair, whenever the ball was played out because somebody was injured we got it back.

" It was played in a fantastic spirit, both sets of supporters were supporting their team which was great and added to the excitement in the overall atmosphere. It was a great occasion, it was just a pity that the wrong team lost. Next season seems a long way away doesn't it and we're still not sure which division we are going to be playing in because we have still got a chance of getting into the play-offs. Oldham seem to be the ones that are slipping up at the moment, when you see snippets in the paper of even the manager having a go at them then that gives you a little bit of hope as well that they are on a downward slope.

" Hopefully we haven't left it too late but it's a huge game on Saturday against Swansea, they are in exactly the same position, they have to win to be fair to make sure as well. I'm sure it will be an attacking game from both sides. We talk about the business end of the season and this is definitely the business game. If we lose we're out of it, if we draw then hopefully we're still in it but if we win then we're right in it. That might just push us into the play-off positions ourselves with one game to go, probably against the Champions away. "