Manager of the month; the derby game; Danny Carr; Corinthian-Casuals tomorrow..& more!

Following on from your November award, you've just been named Ryman League Division One South Manager of the Month for December. Two on the spin...congratulations!

"Thank you, while it's nice to get noticed again, it's much the same as I said to you last month. It's not so much a personal accolade as one for the whole team, who put the work in. If I get a few more then the team will be somewhere mear the top of the league, which is my aim."

It was a bit of a disappointment on Tuesday to only draw. How much truth is there in the old footballing cliche that the form book goes out of the window in a local derby?

"It isn't a cliche, it's a fact! To be fair to them I think Tooting had some good players who played well in the game, but you could perhaps question if they could do that every week. Both sides were certainly trying to win, I thought in the end it could have gone either way."

Did anyone impress you in the Tooting side, maybe a player or two worth keeping an eye on in the future?

"I was quite impressed with their whole side, mind you I haven't seen them play for two years. I don't want to single anyone out, as I wouldn't like to talk about other teams players in public, I think it's a bit disrespectful to their managers, likewise I wouldn't like anyone to do so about us."

One of our promising Youth Teamers, Xavier Vidal, made his full League debut in the game. A number of fans seemed to think it was too big a game to throw him into & he seemed to find it a bit tough going.

"Well that's a matter of opinion, their manager said he was one of our best players. In fact the first player all of their management spoke of was Xavier. Whenever a player get criticised or praised it's important not to take all the negatives, or even positives, too personally. With regard to Xavier's performance,he came up against,in the centre of midfield, a player who has been a full time professional at West Ham, who is one of the most sought after youngsters around, & who will soon be signed by another professional side. And the other one he had to compete with was Jamie Lawrence, who may now be 42 years of age, but he's very experienced & Xavier had as much of the ball as they did."

It is good to see familiar names coming back from injury, on the bench, which must be a relief, with there being two games a week, for the the rest of the month.

"Yes definately, touch wood, these boys have come through their rehabilitation. Ahmed Deen is now ready, Frankie Sawyer is a week or so away. The young lads from the Youth & Reserve teams have done well, but we now have about 19 or 20 games to go and need all of our experienced players for the challenge ahead. Hopefully we will have a change of luck on the injury front."

Corinthian-Casuals on Saturday in the League. Considering the leg break we suffered there in the away game back in October are you concerned about more injuries?

"No, not at all. I don't consider them a dirty team, although there were one or two bad challenges. I personally wouldn't level a complaint against them. Late & rash tackles should be stamped out, it's the referees who should be stopping that sort of play & punishing it."

And we play them three days later, in the London Senior Cup. How much does this game really mean, with promotion our main goal?

"It is important, as far as I'm concerned,we just mentioned injured players coming back, & it's also a good opportunity for the squad players on the bench. No matter what competition it's also important to continue winning games...and let's not forget the opportunity to give the older players a little rest."

You agreed to address the fans at the launch of "12th Man" last month. I believe they've reached their first target of around £50 a week. will this money really make much of an impact though?

"Without a shadow of a doubt. Yes it will. We have just agreed to sign Danny Carr on contract, & some of the money raised by the "12th Man" was vital to ensuring that. So yes, it does make a difference."

So what does it mean for both Danny, & you-as manager- for him to put pen to paper?

"It's not so much for me or Daniel, more as security for our Club. we see him as being part of our team until at least the end of the sseason. If he continues to develop his game the way he is we won't be short of suitors coming in for him."

And finally, there was a good crowd against Tooting, 652, with only about seventy or eighty from them. Clearly our fans gave their all, and appreciated the fact the team acknowledged them at the final whistle, even though we only drew. But with players being focussed on their game, do they really notice the supporters?

"Believe me, yes they do! Especially when we play in front of a big crowd, & there's lots of singing. Since I've been in charge the crowds have got better and much more vocal in support of the players. I think it makes players work harder & gives them a sense of personal pride in their performance & I certainly feel the noise levels are noticed & it helps lift everyone."