Lennie on GTFM. NigelBlues' 'match' report.

Last updated : 03 April 2003 By NigelBlues

He answered every question put to him but had a fairly easy ride without being hit with too many probing questions. Perhaps disappointing in some ways (I mailed in 3 questions, they asked the nice one and not the more "tricky" ones) but at this stage of the season where we are embarking on a run of 8 make-or-break games in 29 days, it is right we're looking ahead to that rather than what has happened. Everybody who got on air asked the questions they wanted to ask.

A few interesting points:

UNCONVINCING VICTORIES
Lennie accepted City have rarely won games in style and was a little baffled why it has happened so often. He assured listeners that his instructions could hardly be clearer at half-time and in chats - when we're 1-0 ahead, he demands a second killer goal. The opposition varying tactics, nerves and City missing gilt-edged chances don't help.

He did admit "closing games" in the final 10 minutes if City are one ahead but said it's because we're often leading at that stage rather than chasing games lie, for example, Oldham who have grabbed several late equalisers chasing matches.

ON-PITCH LEADER
Lennie virtually admitted City have no real leader within the club or on the pitch. He said the players are all excellent for him and the experienced ones - Kav, Prior, Legg - all do their bit but there is no outstanding one. He did however add that there are now very few of these characters in the game at present and it is always more of a team effort where he said City did well and perhaps some could be accused of over-trying.

BEST PROFESSIONAL
Interestingly, when someone asked Lennie about the best pros he has worked with, the only player he singled out at City was Martyn Margetson. He said Margetson comes into training, gives absolutely everything, never complains and comes back on the Monday and does it all again.

He said he has stood by Alexander as changing goalkeeper, in his opinion, can disrupt the team more than any other position but that Margetson is always in his thoughts and may even get a game soon.

CITY'S IMMEDIATE TARGET
City play twice (QPR on Saturday and Wycombe away next Tuesday) before Crewe play again. We are currently 4 points behind with 2 games in hand, Lennie accepts we will not overtake Crewe on goal difference so must get more points than them.

His aim was very simple - 6 points form these games. Four points is his bare minimum requirements. Lennie thinks if City get 3 points or less, then it is almost certainly play-offs unless we win each of our final 6 matches.

QPR, he conceded, will be a very hard match. They have some talented players and are showing form and he said the 4-0 win at Loftus Road was very flattering.

BOURNEMOUTH AWAY IN THE LDV
Lennie said he was gutted by the defeat and especially the performance that night (which was matched/eclipsed by the debacle at Newport). He said Bournemouth are a very good side but he still expected the team he picked that night to have beaten them. With hindsight, he would have changed a couple of players.

He did however add that, in an ironic way, he is now glad that City didn't progress and make this weekend's showpiece Millennium Stadium final (where 40,000+ Bristol & 15,000+ Carlisle fans are expected).

If that had happened, City would have fallen further behind in their league schedule and have had to have played 8 games in 26 days. Understanding the fans annoyance, he said it wasn't worth it at the expense of the promotion campaign, City's only real aim for this season.

He said quite a bit more but these were the salient points.