In conversation with Gavin

Our esteemed programme editor chatted to Gavin Rose last week, and included it in Saturday's copy. If you never got one then here's what was said.

JL: How do you feel our season has gone?

Gavin: Pretty much how I anticipated it would from the outset in terms of performances, i.e. the turnover of players we undertook during the summer would lead us to taking some time to get our philosophy and playing style to come together. Having said that, the players have fought hard for every point and represented the Club really well so far.

JL: We seem to have had more than our fair share of injuries this season. Do you put that down, partly, to playing twice every week?

Gavin: We had our fair share of injuries last season also, so it would be hard to blame the two games a week programme now. Most of our injuries couldn’t be prevented, and others have come about due to being asked to play on with niggles which become muscle strains etc, due to the depth of our injury list.

JL: It was good to see Nyren Clunis back in the team recently after missing eight games. How far off a return to the squad are Phil Wilson, Dean Lodge, Dean McDonald and Harry Ottaway?

Gavin: Yes, it was good to see Nyren return to the team and make an immediate impact. Phil is possibly three weeks away from being fit. Dean Lodge is hopefully a week away. Dean Lodge is hopefully a week away. Dean McDonald is hopefully back today and Harry we just can’t predict at the moment, he is doing everything he can to recover.

JL: Do you see the next couple of months as a transitional period, as youngsters come into the team along with any new signings?

Gavin: Transitional maybe slightly in terms of personnel, but that only. We want to remain competitive week in week out so there are no excuses in that respect.

JL: Of the teams we have played so far, who has impressed you the most?

Gavin: Margate and Wingate and Finchley I felt were two teams who played boldly, with a belief in their playing style and their team generally. Both teams impressed me the most so far.

JL: Our youngsters have won through two rounds of the FA Youth Cup so far (before Wednesday’s defeat!) How do you think they compare as a squad with our successful teams of recent years?

Gavin: The current youth team are very exciting for me. We have worked with the core of the team for a couple of years now and are very happy with the progress they have made. I feel there is definitely a few more who can feature in the first team in the future, just as Shawn McCoulsky, provided they continue to work hard.

JL: I know he has been out injured until making a late substitute appearance last Saturday, but have you been in touch with Erhun Oztumer recently as to how he’s getting on at Peterborough?

Gavin: I have spoken to Erhun a few times since his move. He settled in really well over pre-season with his fellow team mates and seemed to have made an impression, but unfortunately needed a minor operation on his groin. He couldn’t wait to get back playing and now I’m sure he will be working hard to stake a claim for a starting place in the near future.

JL: What are your lasting memories of the World Cup in Brazil?

Gavin: My lasting memory would be Germany dismantling Brazil in their own back yard, something I never thought I’d see in the Maracana.