1) Firstly you must be delighted
to be joint top of the league going into the final run in. How hard do you
think it will be to stay there until the end of the season?
We are delighted with being joint top of the league, and it will be very
difficult to stay at the top, but we are more than capable.
2)
Are you surprised at how well Rhyl are challenging you for the title?
I am surprised, but you have to give them credit.
3)
How much of advantage is being fully professional over your semi-professional
title challengers?
Physically it’s a massive advantage, mentally
it sometimes works against you. Every game is a pressure game.
4)
Would finishing anywhere other than 1st be viewed as disastrous given your
extra financial power?
Yes.
5)
How much better prepared do you feel you'll be for Europe, if you qualify
again, following your Manchester City experience last year?
I feel each year the club is becoming better equipped for
an European adventure. The Man City ties were a great experience, but there
are other considerations to take into account:
a) you go into the games without any competitive matches under your belt
b) you need a lot of luck in the draw.
6)
Do you feel that TNS did the club and the league proud in your matches with
Man City?
It was a massive challenge which could have been
a disaster but I think we did ok.
7) When you joined the club as a
player in 1999, did you ever see yourself moving on to the coaching staff, and
how well do you feel your managerial career has took off?
I never thought id go into management at all, but Andy Cale persuaded me to
become his assistant and we won the league, when he left I accepted the job on
a two month trial period. That year we got in to the welsh cup final and
qualified for Europe.
8) What has been the highlight of
your managerial career so far?
Leading the team out at the City of Manchester Stadium, and how well we did
in the second leg in Cardiff.
9) Tell us a bit more about the
infamous 'maggot' incident with Tomi Morgan!
We had just seen a two goal lead slip, and dropped two points, when I was
asked to do a post match interview whilst I was waiting to speak they played a
tape of Tomi Morgan slagging off my team. It was a big set up by the radio
station but I bit and gave him a piece of my mind.
10) How did you feel about the
merger with Oswestry, and how important is it for the club to re-locate over
the border as soon as possible?
When I first heard the plans of the merger I was quite excited. But it has
been very long winded and I don’t think about it anymore.
11) How hard is it to attract
quality players to compete in the Welsh Premier?
It is difficult when you are competing against the English pyramid system
which is obviously very well established and structured. Also they have better
stadiums and more spectators watching games.
12) What do you think of the
standard of the rest of the league, and how can it improve?
The standard of our league is very good and improving all the time. For it
to improve further we need more investment, better grounds, with decent
playing surfaces to encourage better football.
13) Barry's fall from grace has
been well publicised. Do you think it was fair they were allowed to pay off
10% of their debts, and how would them being relegated effect the
league?
I’m not getting involved in politics of football.
14) How productive has your
twinning with Chelsea proved so far?
It hasn’t.
15) Where do you see yourself,
TNS, and the league in 5 years time?
i) In five years time ill be nearly fifty – ill
probably have a season ticket for Everton.
ii) TNS will be one of the biggest clubs outside the English system,
dominating the Welsh Premiership
iii) That depends on future investment and support.
15) It was reported that you were
interested in taking the Welsh Semi-Pro manager job that arose recently. How
disappointed were you not to be awarded it, and do you think the FAW have made
a mistake in appointing a manager outside the Welsh Premier?
i) It would have been a great honour for me so I was very
disappointed, but I don’t think im flavour of the month with the FAW.
ii) No not really it shouldn’t affect the management
judgement. He should look at players in our league without bias or prejudice
and if he thinks they are good enough, select them. I hope he and the team do
well.
Many
thanks Ken, and best of luck for the rest of the season and representing Wales
in Europe this summer.
