Vital Gas Interviews:1MichaelWillett

1) Why and when did you become a Gashead?
I`ve been a Gashead since I knew how to breathe! I`ve always seen us as the underdogs and have always been very proud of our history despite the trophy cabinet being pretty bare! We have the best kit in the country (seriously!) and when it comes to support, there cannot be many clubs that can boast the quality of ours when the chips are down. Give us something to shout about and there is nobody better.

2) What is your best memory being a Rovers fan?
For me it would have to be going to Hartlepool away on the last day of the 06/07 season. 1-0 down at half time and with Stockport winning our playoff dreams were almost over. The following 45 minutes was the best I have ever seen from a Rovers team. That moment when Rickie Lambert directed his header into the bottom corner in the last few minutes to clinch it, will live with me forever. The rest is history, of course!

3) If you could bring back one Rovers player at his best, who would it be?
Jason Roberts was always a massive favourite of mine. I haven`t seen a stronger player than Jason in all my years of watching football. Lightening pace, terrific finisher and he could play a bit too! Managed to get £2 million for him and I don`t believe we`ve picked up a fee anywhere near that since.

4) How do you think John Ward did last season?
Bottom at Christmas upon his arrival to a late challenge for the playoffs (however unlikely!) says it all. He took the worst squad of players I have ever seen and turned them ALL into winners. I didn`t think it was possible. It`s fair to say that I will never forget his effort and passion that lit a fire under this fading club and got us roaring again.

5) Best and worst moments of last season?
Worst moment: Losing our opening game to Oxford 2-0 at home. This was when I knew we had one of the worst squads I`ve ever seen. So bad I predicted a relegation scrap that early on!

Best moment: Ryan Brunt`s winner against Edgar Davids` Barnet. Every point was so vital at that time of the season and the atmosphere after we scored was incredible. Something I haven`t seen at The Mem for years.

6) Do you think Mark McGhee was given too much time, not enough time or was it timed just right?
At the time I was torn on whether he should be sacked or not. I liked Mark McGhee and I always found his pre/post match interviews were a breath of fresh air. I couldn`t ignore the very poor players he had brought in, however. As mentioned above, the worst squad I`ve ever seen. He had to go. I just couldn`t see how anyone could keep us up and thought we`d go into freefall. Turns out he went at the right time.


7) Now that John Joe O’Toole has signed do you think we need any more signings?
The signing of JJ is absolutely vital. I still feel we are a right winger and possibly a striker short of being a real force this season. That said, I am excited by the prospect of seeing the products of our youth system being given the nod. I`m content with what we have.

8) Any players you would like to see leave Rovers?
No, not at the moment. Everyone gets a clean slate.

9) Favourite current Rovers player?
Michael Smith. Even when times were bad, he always stood out as someone who gave everything for the cause. So pleased to see him collect the Player of the Year award last season too.

10) Favourite player of all time?
This might be an odd choice but I always had so much time for Craig Disley. For me, he was what made Stuart Campbell tick in midfield. The best centre pairing I`ve seen. His goal against Lincoln at home in the playoffs is one of my favourite goals too. Classic Disley! I liked him so much that my housemates and I named our cat ‘Disley`!

11) What is your expectations for the coming season?

Improvement. I don`t want to see us anywhere near the bottom this season. I understand that we have a very young squad so I won`t expect too much but a top 10 finish wouldn`t be too bad and something to build on for the following year – with this young squad being another year older and wiser.

12) Your opinion on Nick Higgs and the board?

I`ve had my reservations in the past. I couldn`t understand why so many managers failed. Could it have all been down to luck? Were they really that bad? Or did the board have something to do with it? I think what is clear is that whilst they haven`t gotten everything right, they have made their decisions with the club at heart – maybe that`s been part of the problem! Look at other clubs, going in and out of administration – whilst we have just about made things tick over thanks to the backing of the board. Nick Higgs must take massive credit for getting us so close to our dream of a new stadium and deserves an enormous amount of respect from us all – nearly there!

13) With the build of the UWE to start soon, what would you like to see added to the design?
A statue for Geoff Bradford.