McV 1000 SE - The SWeeP files

THE MCIVTA 1000 SPECIAL EDITION

Some months back your McV team were pondering what to do for the 1000th edition of MCIVTA, and now here we are. It is almost 10 years since Ashley, Svenn and Paul launched MCIVTA and the MCFC Supporters' website (http://www.uit.no/mancity/) respectively. The newsletter brought 'Why Blue' stories, City news, views and opinions to mailboxes worldwide; one of the first Internet football newsletters and City websites. It has led to many friendships amongst far flung Blues, and now has a regular subscriber list of nearly 3300.

In addition to the exclusive Questions & Answer session with our Chairman John Wardle, MCFC and Shaun Wright-Phillips also agreed an exclusive interview to mark our special anniversary issue.

Q&A SESSION WITH SHAUN WRIGHT-PHILLIPS

(Friday March 12th 2004)

Q: There's a lot of different opinion about which club you actually support, can you just confirm that for us?

(SWeeP): Arsenal, and yes I still do follow them, I still look out for their results.

Q: When you were released by Forest, were other clubs after you? Why City?

(SWeeP): City were the first club to come in for me, and the one that I went for.

Q: How do you feel about the rapport you have with the fans, as the player who (since Goater left) gets more of the attention, focus and support?

(SWeeP): It's great, but I just perform to the best of my ability, get on with things and try to keep it that way.

Q: Who has had the most influence on your footballing career so far? Who, as a youngster, did you admire?

(SWeeP): My dad and my mum have been the biggest influence. Paul Merson was the player I admired most.

Q: When you played in the U17s and reached the play-off final at Blackburn a few years ago, there were a lot of players who looked destined for the first team. Some made it but didn't stop in the team. The likes of Killen, Dunfield, Mike, Day, Etuhu, Shuker. Are you surprised that these players didn't progress further?

Roger Haigh, Rossendale

(SWeeP): Yes, very surprised because a lot of them just needed a good enough chance and I thought they would have made the step up, but at the end of the day it's down to the managers and coaches who they want in their team and they decide who they want for their teams and it wasn't right for them at the time.

Q: Why do you think you managed the jump to first team football when they didn't?

Roger Haigh, Rossendale

(SWeeP): I just got my head down and kept going. I've had a few setbacks as well, but just kept on working.

Q: Who's going to be the next Academy product to establish himself as a first teamer? Aside from Bradley of course!

Roger Haigh, Rossendale

(SWeeP): Stephen Ireland, Stephen Elliott, Willo Flood, Lee Croft, and Bradley!

Q: I believe that you are the most exciting player to emerge from the youth team at City for decades and that you should definitely be in the next batch of full England internationals. Do you feel you are ready to play for your country and how important is international football to you?

Daniel Bowen, Manchester

(SWeeP): To be honest, I've never really thought about it; I've listened to everybody talking about it, but I'm just concentrating on playing for my Club at the moment. If that opportunity comes, I'll just have to cross that bridge when it comes. It would be an important step to try to make the grade on that big stage, but I'll deal with that when it comes.

Q: Would you just clarify for me, who takes the defensive coaching responsibility, how do they plan for the next game and how much of an influence does the attacking play have on defensive preparations?

Huw Thomas, USA

(SWeeP): It all links in together, they all coach together and approach the game as a whole.

Q: During the past couple of seasons Keegan has experimented with a variety of different formations. Given the current personnel at the club, what is your preferred formation and what position would you play yourself in?

Brad Kenyon, London
Simon Greenwood, Stockport

(SWeeP): 4-4-2, and myself wide on the right. I'd like to play in the middle sometime, but I just like to have a lot of the ball. I just do whatever's needed for the team.

Q: In training, how is your time split between fitness work, skills practice, tactics, team-work, set pieces, and practice matches?

Mike Maddox, New York

(SWeeP): Fitness work is done in the training games, everything is game related so a lot of the work comes with that - the shooting, crossing, running etc., it all slots in together. There's some gym work, but that's mainly when coming back from injury. Practice matches tend to be when new players come in, but we haven't really needed any this season.

Q: How do you see yourself as a player and what do you think your future will look like?

Ronald den Hoed, Netherlands

(SWeeP): Someone who loves to play the game, I don't like losing, but I try not to take the games too seriously and find I'm better when I enjoy the game. I deal with things on a daily basis, don't get too wound up about things.

Q: How much longer do you have to go on your City contract? And do you want to stay?

(SWeeP): Two years, and I'd love to stay (laughs), definitely if they want me.

Q: If you could play for any Club, which would it be?

(SWeeP): I've never really thought about it, I really don't know. One of my mates was asking me that question the other day, but I can't honestly say there's anybody I'd really like to play for, haven't ever really thought about it. Ultimately, yes I'd like to go abroad.

Q: Not even Arsenal?

(SWeeP): No. Not really!

Q: What are your thoughts for the derby game? How are the rest of the lads approaching it?

(SWeeP): Everyone's fine about it. Most of them are like me, we haven't really spoken too much about it, we just get on with and enjoy the training. It's a big game for us, and when it comes we deal with it but we're focusing on the training. It's hard, because if you think too much about it and build it up too much, it puts the pressure on, and you can let yourself down. It's essential to get the balance.

Q: How many are you going to score on Sunday?

(SWeeP): I'd like to get three!

Q: Do you get nervous before a big game?

(SWeeP): No, I'm fairly chilled. I don't tend to get nervous at all.

Q: What's your typical matchday preparation?

(SWeeP): The night before, DVDs, Playstation. The day of the game I get to the training ground, we have something to eat and then ready for the game.

Q: Any superstitions?

(SWeeP): No, I don't believe in that.

Q: Amongst the squad there's definitely a friendly atmosphere, who are the real characters?

(SWeeP): Paul Bosvelt and Michael Tarnat are the main suspects if anything daft's happening or things go missing. They've got a good sense of humour. Kevin Horlock and Ali Benarbia used to be real jokers, but Paul and Michael have taken that over.

Q: What about the alleged Liverpool/French divide?

(SWeeP): That's just paper nonsense, everyone gets on together. We have a good laugh and craic together. I get on with everyone, I room with Joey Barton when we're at away games. He's not a hardman, he's a real pussycat! It's a pitch image.

Q: What's your prediction for the rest of the season, how are we going to do?

(SWeeP): No prediction, I just want to stay up and want us to stay in the Premiership.

(MCIVTA): Shaun, you've had a magnificent season and I would say, have been by far our most consistent and impactful player, a player of the year award should be assured. [Shaun's been Young Player of the Year for the past few seasons]

Huw Thomas, USA

(SWeeP): Thanks!

With grateful thanks to Shaun Wright-Phillips, Vicky Kloss and all at MCFC.