Episode 14 Late Kick Off East

Doesn't matter what level you play out, or and what division your team

is in. This is the time of year to differentiate between is the man

and the boy is. -- and the boys. Tonight, keeping the dream alive.

An extraordinary promotion hat- trick is still on for Stevenage.

We've got to win a game of football and finish in the top six. MK Dons

are also on the Wembley trail gunning for the Championship,

determined to learn the lessons from last year's play-off pain.

This situation, make sure you remember this. Don't hide behind

the pay of defeat. -- the pain of defeat. Southend could yet avoid

the hassle of the play-offs. Automatic promotion is still up for

grabs. Hello, good evening. Also tonight, football's latest attempt

to sort out its financial problems. How will it affect our clubs?

Norwich are safe, but what next for Paul Lambert? Here to discuss that

and much more, Perry and Craig. Good evening. Feeling the pressure?

Excited? I can feel the tension rising. Pretty exciting, isn't it?

What a final weekend of the regular season it promises to be at the top

of Leagues One and Two. MK Dons, Stevenage and Southend all taking

it to the wire the pressure's on some are sure to be feeling it more

than others Will they do it? Can If you can keep your head when all

about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you. When you can

trust yourself went all man down to but make allowance for their

doubting, too. Yours is the earth and everything in it. And which is

more, you will be a manner, my son. And you might get promoted.

don't know if a judge Kipling was a football fan but his words ring

true when you're in a promotion pressurised environment. Being

involved in a shake-up for a club that just two years ago were at a

Conference outfit is absolutely enormous. I don't feel any pressure

for what was achieved before, but for what we have to achieve now.

His team have proven they can handle the pressure of Player of

campaigns but Gary Smith is experiencing it for the first time.

-- of play-off campaigns. I have not found the happy medium I need.

It has been 24/7 Stevenage. Is that healthy? I do not think it is for

long-term. The everyone has their different approach to management.

They have both been successful. There is important because when you

have got an ambitious set of players which is our dressing room,

there is a drive and determination might they have never see him

before. As long as from Monday to Saturday at 3pm when Matt first

whistle goes you prepared the team and made the calculated decisions

that you feel are right for the game, then the players have to do

the next a bit because that is their job. MK Dons cross Robinson

are learning the hard way. They fell short last year to local

rivals Peterborough. The pressure before was typically tense. The

anguish of defeat was clear. words to them on the pitch, take

everything you can from this situation. Make sure you remember

this. Don't hide yourself behind the pain of defeat. How different a

team are you now? What have you learned psychologically which will

stand you in good stead? We have planned a very strategic process of

how we now prepare for the play- offs. Different things we will do

in events, physically, mentally. I believe in psychology, massively.

That is part of my role and job. And we will prepare for these games

as if we are still depending on them. Is there ever a moment you

are not thinking about football? How do you deal with stress? I am

on the golf course at 3pm. One man that has done it before is Paul

Sturrock. Promotion success at Plymouth and Sheffield Wednesday

has taught him the recipe required for promotion success. I am a great

believer that if you train hard and work hard, have a good work ethic

at the football club, you will do well. The players play with each

other as well. Bonding days of available. And we will have some

more of them for the play-offs. Psychologist Phil Johnson has

worked with a number of clubs in the region and helped managers like

Paul Sturrock bring out the best in their squad. He is a great thinker.

And he is a great strategist, so I am pretty sure he will have done

his homework and he will be working out his plan for the team, what he

expects of them, how he wants to deliver it. That is what the

players are telling me that they will look for in their managers. So,

they are looking for calm, controlled, and they are looking

for leadership. If you can keep your head, glory awaits. For some,

it is the way you win that matters most. Do not do suspect the fact

that you have been beaten, or understanding that he will be

beaten, and know what that is like. Went all round it is fast and

furious, you've still got morals and standards you should abide by.

When or will lose, we will conduct ourselves in the right way. We will

have a party if we win but not with the opposition are next to me.

It is nervous times for these clubs. As a player, these are the games

you want to play in. Each player will handle pressure in individual

way. As long as it suits them and the make the right decision on the

pitch, that it's all right. It is also the clubs as well. Everyone

seems to be doing it differently. And they are all really calm, I

think, from that, and they are all heading it -- into wit in form as

well. You cannot bet against the village at this time of year, I've

have. The play-offs, are they a lottery? It is the best thing that

has been introduced into football for 20 years. Colchester, planing -

- play meaningless games, in front of thousands of people, so I think

now the play-offs are fantastic. Stevenage no victory over Bury at

the Lamex next week will guarantee them a place in the play-offs

thanks to a battling point at Sheffield United. They were under

pressure because Notts County and Carlisle, they knew they had to get

something out of the game to keep to the play-offs. Magnificent crowd

as well. It is Stevenage's first ever visit, too. To jump into that

lion's den and play the way they did, they do not get enough credit

for that. This is Patrick echelon down the right. This is all about

desire. And your application. If you look at the replay, they have

run 70 yards to get into the penalty box. They get a little bit

of luck... He deserved the goal for the run. He would do that five

times in a game and he wouldn't get anything, so he has got to keep

doing it, and that epitomises Stevenage, the desire and

dedication. To go 2-0 up at the ground like that, they can handle

the pressure. To go to a place like that and come our way with a point,

they will have taken the -- of they would have taken a point. Scott

Laird, my favourite player now. is not a good judge of players!

That makes him the top goalscorer. We just saw a little groups of -- a

little glimpse of a style he is trying to implement. They will have

been disappointed to let two goal slip, but they can guarantee their

own destiny now by beating Bury next week. Stevenage as a fortress,

and they will get a good crowd. I fancy them to get a point. They

could meet these guys in the play- offs. Does this send a

psychological message to Sheffield United as well? Definitely. There

is no fear. Stevenage, they have played in front of 30,000, they

enjoyed the atmosphere. It is a good time to play Sheffield two

months -- Sheffield United. They have had a off-field problems, lost

their striker. Gary Smith has done a terrific job, hasn't he? He has

been a great manager. This is what he had to save.

It is disappointing we haven't come away with three points, but that

single point has probably put us in quite a commanding position, which

it is that we control where we go and what we need to achieve. Next

week, we haven't got to be listening to any radios, we haven't

got any messages coming down, we have got to win a game of football.

If they do, they are in the top six. Can they do it? I wouldn't want to

play Stevenage. They have proved they come good at this time of year,

so they will not be good opponents. than others. A great opportunity

now. They just want it in their hands. They can focus totally on

their job. These other fixtures next week. Colchester can do

Stevenage a favour by beating Notts County and Carlisle are travelling

to Oldham. So, looking at the fixtures, it is in Stevenage's

favour. Bury have got nothing to play for, so they will play a high

intensity game. I fully expect them to be in the play-offs. You must

have been impressed by the drop Karl Robinson is doing. They are

hitting form, to. He talks a lot of sense, and it is a matter of

following his dreams. Somebody might scoop him up. What if they go

up? That is the million dollar question. Obviously, Coral Robinson

could rest a few players as well, because the play-off place was

guaranteed. This is the second touch of the substitutes. 15th goal

of the season. He is a class act. They have got a lot of class

players. I don't think Huddersfield will like playing them, they are

dropping off the pace. Let's have a look at the top of League 1. Let's

show you that confirms they do play Huddersfield and they do have that

two. Advantage. They will be hoping to have that home leg second. --

there two point advantage. There is a glimpse of the future in that

team. Carl Robertson could be in demand. And hears the fixtures for

next week as well between the two clubs. Huddersfield, will they

finish in 4th? I think they will win. I think Carl Roberts and might

chop and change a bit. The rest a few players. Those boys can do

Stevenage's favour. MK. It was a brilliant start. It is a cross in.

Henderson does well to get his 10th goal of the season. The difference

was their finishing was good. Just as Tom East month. He has been a

good player for them. Another young player coming through. The Player

of the Year vote came through. But he hasn't scored since October. 27

games. I cannot believe I didn't win more trophies! Lloyd James came

back in. I am pleased they've finished on a high at home because

he has won a football's good guys. Hopefully, they can get a few

players in over the summer. Hopefully they can push on. They

were able to attract lots of players. His name in the game, John

Maude, his name will get better players. They can push on. That is

not the most fashionable club, Colchester, but they can do it

No sooner are Norwich City celebrating Premier League survival

than the jungle drums are beating. Does he stay or does he go now?

That's the big question as speculation increases over Paul

Lambert's future. They might not be listening to their radios at the

Lamex next weekend, but there are sure to be a few Southend fans with

their ears glued to the wireless at Roots Hall on Saturday - automatic

promotion still a possibility 13th goal of the season for Bilel

Moshni. In great form with 10. Out of 12. Paul Sturrock was a very

To go to the last game of the season with the joints of going up

automatically is fantastic. We shot ourselves in the foot a little bit

and confident was eroded. But in the end, to have this bonus is

fantastic. Their away record is something else. I think it is

testament to how many options that they have with Bilel Moshni and

Harris and Dickinson. Ryan Hall has got a few goals from midfield. I

think they probably enjoy playing away from home where they get a bit

more of a chance to express themselves. The league table shows

that they have a great opportunity to finish in the top three. They

have the best goal difference. Crawley and Torquay both play away,

Southend at home. Can they do it? fancy them strongly. Hereford had a

brilliant wind at Crawley, Torquay have not won for four games. I

think Southend have got a fantastic chance. You are not so sure? I have

a bit of a feeling for Crawley. I think they will pull it out out

Accrington. Northampton, they have not finish the season brilliantly,

one win in the last eight, but the job was already done, safety was

the main concern. They have not won any games in April but all work was

done before that, making them sales signed a new contract, gets his

I think a couple of clubs in our region are looking at him. He is

not a Bosman because his under 24 game to go to reach the magical 50

point barrier. This week, the Championship clubs

agreed to a new financial regulations and you wrote about

this, the carnage of debt crisis. What is this Financial Fair Play

I think it is long overdue. In a recession, and clubs have not been

cutting their financial cloth accordingly. Police have had to out

before any more clubs find themselves in the position. There

were only three dissenters and they're probably the big players.

Chairman of rubbing their hands because it is giving them a bit

more power back. I think it is a very positive step but my only

concern is how well it is believed. If it is believed like the fit and

proper person test we might be in a bit of bother. Losses have to be

limited to a maximum of �4 million from next season among reduces to

�2 million eventually. Perry, what do you think of that? Something has

to be done because there are too many chairmen are going into

football clubs and spending money than they have not got and the

people there as a father fund. Portsmouth, in my opinion, won the

FA Cup by cheating because they did not have the money. I just hope it

is more stringent than the fit and proper persons, because basically

anybody could have bought her football club. You talked about the

man that owners can put in. �8 million from next season but by

2015 that will be reduced to �3 million. That is a massive cut. I

think it is really good for the people like Stevenage and MK Dons

to have cut their cloth accordingly. Look how well it has worked for

them. I think it is a positive thing for the game. There will be

sanctioned for clubs that do not abide by the rules. If you do not

stay with him the limits there will be a Fair Play Tax which will be

shared among so club that to comply. I'm still worried that some

chairmen may not take notice because she could go and spend

money and not take notice. rules and regulations for the clubs

to work to next season. The MK Dons or Stevenage could yet be joining

Ipswich and Peterborough, who rounded off their season's a week

epitomised their season. They started really well with some

excellent football. A good decision by the assistant referee that the

ball was in. They had control of the game and then they lost

concentration at the back. That has been the story of their season.

have been really disappointed by Ipswich, I thought they would be

top six. They have dominated some games. But they let Doncaster's

backing and needed a penalty to go and win the game. -- let

Doncaster's back in. I think Paul Jewell will be looking to buy two

strong characters as centre-back. Peterborough, there has been a lot

of movement today, Joe Lewis has left the club and Grant McCann has

joint the transfer list. It is a massive summer of change. Grant

McCann would be a concern to me, because he makes them tick. Some

really good players. Paul Taylor as well has been impressive. They

don't want to be changing the whole squad. Exactly. Taylor scored a lot

of goals, Boyd scored a lot of goals and Grant McCann create a lot.

We can see how it ended in the Championship. Ipswich will be

looking ahead to next season and Peterborough as well, they were

looking for the target of 50, and they reached it. They will be

looking to improve on their way form because they have not won away

for 11 games. Norwich City's Premier League survival has been

confirmed. The only concern for supporters now is the future of the

manager, Paul Lambert. The party can begin! What Paul Lambert has

achieved in less than 1000 days in charge at Carrow Road is remarkable.

First, and is to return to the Championship as runaway leaders of

League One. Then, completing back- to-back promotions as runners up in

the Championship. Norwich were heading back to the Premier League

just two years after being relegated to the 30th of English

football, an extraordinary turn around. Paul Lambert has always

said keeping Norwich in the Premier League would be his greatest

achievement. The problem is that that achievement is being admired

far wider than here in Norwich, we talk that he could even be off in

the summer. Probably a temptation there but I would like to see him

stay. It is probably looking quite good for him leaving at the moment,

unfortunately. He has done really well in the three years, we just

have to say thank you. I think he will stay, he has done such a good

job, the players love him, people here love him. He will not go, in

it that Norwich is a fine place. he is going to go he should go to

somewhere like Liverpool or Newcastle, not to Aston Villa.

Might as well go to pitch which! The man himself is keen to play the

straight bat. He cannot do anything to stop that happening. Even the

managers, you can never stop that. Players get links to other teams,

there is nothing I can do about that, and it is the same situation

with myself. It is extremely unfair. Aston Villa have got a really good

manager up there and are trying everything they can to stay in the

lead so I think it is an unfair comment. Meantime, there is the

small matter of preparing for the trip to Arsenal and then the final

match of the season, which just happens to be at home to Aston

Villa. They probably will be a few Norwich

fans who are nervous about losing him. I would be nervous as well. He

is a very good young manager, he is ambitious and he is ruthless. He

proved that at Colchester, where he did not hesitate to go to Norwich.

As long as he leaves in the right way, I'm sure Norwich fans would

wish him well. I do not think he will set his sights on Aston Villa.

He is such a fiercely determined man, I think he might be setting

his sights a bit live if he went past and Villa. That might upset

Aston Villa fans! We shall see. It is time to vote for the team of the

season. All you have to do is send us your vote for who you think

should be in the line-up. You can do that via Facebook or Twitter.

Any thoughts on he would get in? love characters and I think Bilel

Moshni, the second centre half. He is a bit maverick but he is their

talisman. The two lads at MK Dons, Gleeson and Potter, the midfield

players. What about you? As a former defender, my vote would go

to the Peterborough player. Ryan Hall at Southend perhaps? Yes,

another free kick specialist. He there a lot to choose from. It is

your plate that count and we will enjoy your team at the end of it.

That is it, the Championship team has been done and dusted. Still so

much to play for elsewhere. The very best to hour teams involved in