Full Q&A with the boss
Steve Coppell spoke to the press at Hogwood this week as he prepares for our vital weekend encounter at home to Blackburn Rovers. Read below for a full transcript as he discusses the game, as well as Glen Little, Leroy Lita, David Bentley and much more.
Steve, Lita's loan has been extended, what was the thinking with that?
Obviously we have had a couple of good results, and although four is a nice number of strikers for us to have, it doesn't mean the boys are going to be happy. Leroy just wants to play, he has played four games in three weeks, he has more coming up. We have a callback, so he can come back and he will benefit from being up to speed.
Is this a short term solution?
Four into two doesn't go and it is not very often that I would have two strikers on the bench. It leaves one surplus to requirements and unhappy. When Shane came in, he was the one that was due to be playing but yet nobody was talking about him.
How are the lads from international duty?
Jimmy Kebe had to come off, he picked up a knock. I don't know the status of that at the moment to be honest, he was in this morning but I haven't heard from the physio as yet.
Everyone else OK?
As far as we know. They haven't all come back yet, Marcus is still away, Marek is still away, so is Fae. They couldn't make training so we just have to hope they are OK.
Any other injuries?
Murts came through, he is still sore, there are certain incidences where if he kicks a ball it's a sharp pain, but he came through the reserve game. Glen came through the game and training this morning. He was quite mobile this morning so it's all positive. Brynjar is beginning to run around with a little bit more urgency so all the long term ones are on their way back.
Blackburn have some very good players.
Yes, terrific players, look at Santa Cruz and Bentley at the moment, they are really right at the top end of the game, they are attractive players, they are physically competitive. I wouldn't in anyway entertain the thought that Blackburn were overly physical, they play really entertaining football. We went up there and were well beaten. We can try to make amends for that one, but for our own current agenda, we have to play well, it won't land in our laps, with this game we have to earn a victory.
David Bentley is one of the most exciting players in England at the moment.
He is playing really well, I think he would want more of an opportunity to do it on the international stage. 20-odd minutes wasn't enough of a chance really to express himself, but the way he is playing on a week-to-week basis he has to be right up there, his performances are demanding attention fron anyone who's watching.
Should Nicky Shorey be in the squad?
I would have liked to have seen him in the squad, but long term he has always had people in front of him, Cole and Bridge, the Chelsea scenario. He got his caps when both of them were unavailable. So I think that shows in terms of a pecking order where he sits, he was called into the provisional squad the last time, and joined the get together so he knows he just has to do a bit more.
What have you thought of the opposition and changing around to combat them?
No, no, at this stage I would like our concentration to be on ourselves, we can't defer, we need to look at ourselves. We are at home, it is our responsibility to try and go forward, and we will try and accept that. We will almost definitely have the same team.
Bikey went back to Spain.
He's back, he trained this morning, he's fine. He went for three days, it is a time when he has to be with his family, he spent some time with his wife back there and he came back yesterday and trained today.
Glen Little's contract is up, what's the situation, you know what he can do but he hasn't played for a year.
You summed it up brilliantly, that's the situation. Until he plays that's the situation, we need to have a look and see how fit he is. On a Thursday morning there are an awful lot of players who are the best players in the world but unfortunately it is about 3pm on a Saturday afternoon. They have to prove themselves then, and he is the same as a number of players whose contracts are up. We won't be doing anything until our situation is resolved, it is very much for us to achieve rather than to speculate. On the back of him not playing for a year we can at least demand that he shows fitness towards the end of the season.
Do you think he will play before the end of the season?
Yes I do, he's probably not far away. He is a player who doesn't depend on his physicality, he is all about subtlety in possession. And experience, he is a player with a significant role to play I think.
'Masterblaster' giveaway: Make sure you're in your seats in plenty of time tomorrow for another 'Masterblaster' giveaway - between 2.30-2.40 we'll be firing 50 Royals scarves into each stand so don't miss out on grabbing one!
