For ex-pats and anyone else who didn't see Bobby, I thought I'd summarise what he said. Firstly, he said that Arsenal and Man Utd were way ahead of us and that Leeds and Liverpool probably were ahead of us, too so we wouldn't win the title. However, a top 7 place had been our aim at the beginning of the season and we should do better than that. He said that we weren't in a position to spend money until the summer but this was in the context of a question about Leeds et al spending fairly liberally and I interpreted it as meaning that we weren't going to buy a Veron type just at present. He commented on how happy he was with the three players he'd brought in during the summer. He agreed that the only club with a bigger infrastructure was Man Utd and that he thought, all things considered, that this was remarkable. He said that there had been some sloppy organisation at the club when he first joined and that he hoped he had sorted some of this out. He also spoke of getting people like Shearer and Lee back on track.

Said young players get paid too much and that transfer fees are too high but that he thinks football is in a healthy state generally. Added that he thought the quality of the game had improved no end in the past ten years.

Finally, said that he would decide during next season when he was going to retire.

The whole interview will be on Sports Week on 5 on Saturday.

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2002

Answers

AP.

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2002

I saw a shortened version of this Dougal. He spoke about living within a budget and watching the pennies, which I have to say I'm pleased to hear. I don't want us to go out and spend £25m and mortgage our future; clearly he feels the same way. Good stuff. Sounds like he's got things under control.

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2002

As ever, lots of sense in Bobby's words. However, in how many consecutive games do we need to beat Leeds for him to consider us a better team than them?

I have a feeling Leeds are regressing under the weight of expectation. I don't think they are as good as they were two seasons ago - although to be fair they have quite a few injuries right now.

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2002

.... too late nick, we've already mortgaged the future! ;o{]

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2002

Clarky, it's onteresting you should say that because Leeds were massively ahead of the pack in terms of net outlay (something like £49.5 million) which made the pundits on the show say that, really, O'Leary should be the one feeling the pressure...

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2002

Not that ye asked but I have to say that IMHO we are in a far better position over all than at any other time in our "revival". I can really begin to EXPECT the club to reach new levels of success in the future thanks to Bobby's influence. I wonder if he'd come on board at the time Keegan had if we wouldn't already be sipping champagne from the silver cup.......

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2002

Your summary is much appreciated, Dougal. It wouldn't surprise me if Bobby's decision next season is to make his decision the season after. ;-)

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2002

I'm trying to imagine under what circumstances the manager of Barcelona would jump ship for a side at the bottom of the old second division. We needed one to get the other.

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2002

All things being equal Softie, I was merely talking hypothetically. If YBR had been installed at that time and given the same resources, I'm certain he'd have delivered the goods by now. Not quivering over KK success story, but YBR's managerial skillset was/is a touch above Keegans.

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2002

Thank you Dougal.

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2002

Bobby isn't going to be stupid enough to blabber on about how we are better than Leeds etc. We haven't beaten Sunderland for the last 3 seasons. Does this make them a better team than us?

As long as we are the underdogs, there is very little pressure and it will suit us. As soon as we start getting copious amounts of praise, the potential is there for massive criticism when we hit the ground, which isn't too good for a young squad, however much of a high they're on at the moment.

-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002