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Vital Gas Mid Season Interview: Eclectic Blue

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1) When did you become a Rovers fan and why?

In the early 1970s, I was persuaded by a good friend to come along to Eastville after an unsatisfying youthful dabble with the dark side! As I lived in Brislington, it was the done thing to support the City (things were more territorial in those days) but as soon as I went to the old stadium by the River Frome I was hooked.

2) What do you think of this season, do we have a chance to push for the play offs or will we slip towards the wrong end of the table?

I thought at the start of the season we would finish sixth. If we make the necessary signings in the transfer window – a goalscoring centre forward, a left back and a midfield playmaker are essential in my view – then I`ll stand by that.

3) Best moment of this season so far?

Although I wasn`t there, the great support from both the club and supporters to the ‘Help For Heroes` night at the Leeds United game.

Football is only a game, after all.

4) Worst moment of this season so far?

Not quickly replacing Rickie Lambert. He went in August last year and in all honesty we should have done that a long time ago.

5) Do you expect any arrivals this January and if you could bring in a player or two, who (realistically) would you go for?

I have no idea whether there will be any new signings this month; everyone recognises that the January window is a very bad time to sign new players.

Anyone we sign has to be better than what we have already. If we do, see the answers to question 2 (above).

6) Which player/s should Rovers sign this summer? And do you think Rovers will spend enough this summer to progress

How much is enough? I don`t think the club should spend money it hasn`t got buying players.

I`d love to have signed Jamal Campbell-Ryce but?

7) What do you expect us to do/finish this season?

Sixth and then lose in the play offs.

8) Your opinion on Paul Trollope now he is mid way through his 5th season in charge?

The best thing to happen to Bristol Rovers for many years. Still learning, but he has delivered year on year progress and you can`t ask for more than that.

a) And your opinion on Lennie Lawrence?

I`m too far away from the centre of the action to know what he really does at the club, to be honest. I`m not impressed with some of the things for which he has claimed the credit – or should that be debit? – like scrapping the Reserve team and persuading the club chairman to sell Rickie Lambert without lining up a replacement, but if he delivers another year of progress no-one will be complaining.

9) Your opinion on Nick Higgs and his board?

I don`t have strong feelings as to who owns and runs the club these days. I`ve met Nick twice, once in the Sainsburys car park, and he seemed a nice bloke to me. If he delivers the new stadium he will deserve every bit of credit that will come to him.

The arguments we had with the club were almost four years ago and I am trying to adopt the mindset of the average punter who could not care less who`s on the board as long as the team is winning.

10) Favourite current player?

Aaron Lescott. One of Ian Atkins` many excellent signings, a wonderfully consistent and versatile player and a good pro.

11) Favourite former player/s?

Mike Barrett, Marcus Stewart, Ian Holloway.

12) And finally which celebrity would you most like to bang and which celeb would you most like to thump?

Andie McDowell remains top of the bang charts for me (I am not going to desert her now, just because old age beckons – it does for all of us, sadly) and, assuming you can call him a celebrity, top telly funnyman and former radio presenter Jed Pitman would be at the top of my list of people to thump.

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