Episode 9 Late Kick Off East

Three wins, 23 goals. Just another Tonight, going off the rails. Why

are the trappings of success brings problems for some modern

footballers and their clubs. Girls chasing people with money in their

pocket. It is dangerous. Access all areas at stadium MK as we go behind

scenes with the medics. It is the hub of any football club. That is

where you tend to hang out. And the pick of the action and

reaction from the weekend without a single defeat in sight.

Hello, good evening. Smiles all round this week and here to

celebrate his Colchester past and present. Perry Groves, very much

past it! And the present manager, John Ward. There is a fascinating

battle developing in the race for promotion to the Championship.

Colchester have just one spot of Stevenage now and the MK Dons

aiming for the top two. It is Saturday afternoon just

before kick-off. This is the changing room before the game

against Exeter. One place that they do not miss, is that Visio room. --

physiotherapy room. Hello, Simon. You're doing a treatment here, this

appears to be the only injury. George has got a little problem

with his ankle. We are using this machine to stimulate the muscles.

How many staff do you have? Myself and Adam. And then a couple of

physiotherapists and some part-time staff, a chiropractor, a doctor who

coming on a part-time basis. We're always attending courses,

approving -- improving all the time. It does seem to help the practice.

This machine might just give us 1% but if it does that, it is better

than nothing. Whilst Simon gets on with his job, we have an unusual

problem. Apparently the kit is similar to Exeter. Yes their kit is

red and white and we have a red stripe. So we're going to wear the

third choice kit today which is black. So why does the home team

have to change? The reason is that we do not have any shirts without

names on. So instead of confusing everyone in the stadium and the

referee, unfortunately we have had to change. It is just a minor

hiccup. And if you win today it could

become the lucky Kit! A few years ago we kept winning the way from

home so the red shirt became the favourite. So Black could do us a

favour today. Well as you can hear it is noisy in

here. And the kit has become black. Depending on what happens with

injuries during the game, what is your routine like during the game?

Well we are going to focus on the lads, getting their legs prepared,

the soft tissues. Then when Miguel out for warm-up we have a meeting

with the paramedics. Then I take my place on the bench and if anything

happens I will be there for that another deflection. It is into the

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 40 seconds

another deflection. It is into the That was a great result for

everyone today. No injuries today. Only the linesman. He has just

before the kick-off he came to see me and asked me to check out his

hamstrings. And he had some damage their so we had to get as

substitute. But we had no injuries and we got the three points. It is

the hub of any football club, the treatment room. It is where people

tend to hang out as well. And Simon takes it on the chin. He gets a lot

of stick thrown at him. But he can throw it back as well. He is

talented at his job and the club are fortunate to have someone like

him. We will have to work hard to get hold of him. We are lucky to

have him at the club. How important is that back room

staff? Very important. In that instance we're looking at injuries

and getting people back quickly. We have a fast run of games now coming

up. The fitness guys are important for those warm ups and getting

prepared for the next game. So you need that support and you need

people onside all the time. And the kit, have you ever come across that

before? 12 ricket mount will get the mother of all rollicking! I

think it is disruptive for the MK Dons. But it did not do them much

good. And that was important for them because they got beaten in

midweek. I think they are the ones that could sneak in. They are good

enough. Could they make the top two? A I think they could find that

difficult but they will make the top six. Stevenage is also pushing

for that place. They came from two goals behind. They are just getting

a little bit sloppy. They go two down. Chesterfield battling for

their lives at the bottom. They have not won since they played

Spurs. I saw them play at Spurs. They were terrific. But that takes

a lot out a few mentally as well as physically. It is not that easy, as

you well know. you well know.

There is a lot of team spirit. I think that was the equaliser.

They have shown a lot of spirit but they have not won for seven games.

And Gary Smith, the manager, do you know much about him? I do not but

he has the reputation of being a good young manager coming through.

I think he will do pretty well. you got the performance of the week

against Cheltenham last week. It was tough going have to Wycombe

and getting another performance as strong as that out of them was

probably more of the surprise of the weak! But we got that and we

have to try to live up to it. We came away with the point on

Saturday and that is not back away from home. Ahead of the game, what

were you thinking? I was just having a look around. I like the

place. I'm not comfortable in a suit and tie.

So the game itself. Defensively, very good at the moment, you must

be pleased? We have been strong defensively and that is pleasing.

But every now and again it just kind of takes away from the front

end of the pitch. It never quite looked like we were going to get

the winner in this match. So good things and things that we needed to

improve on. Perry has been terrific. We brought

him back for two big games. He has settled in really well now. And he

looks like a good partnership with Magners. And Ben Williams in goal?

He is really coming into form. His handling and decision-making is

really good at the moment. We have to keep working to make sure it

stays that way. Joey Dunlop was missing at the weekend, is he a

Kate? He has been ill with a virus that has kept him out. But I spoke

to him today and he is hopeful that he will be with us tomorrow night.

A useful point at the weekend? needed it because we need the back-

up. So it was a good result and a good week. Let's take a look at the

league table and see what that does for you.

The play-offs? It was just after the past two games that people

started to mention the play-offs. Everything is possible but we have

a massive quartet of games coming up and we have to get the results.

questions with a bit more confident after the next four games, but we

will try. We asked the viewers to get in touch and ask the questions

and they all ask the same thing, here it isKolo yes, it is still

games and expect Notts County to get beaten a couple of times, so

everything is difficult but we have been in this position all season,

mid-table, but to push on would be fantastic. Starting with Sheffield

United tomorrow, here is confirmation of that fixture.

Stevenage also at home. Good luck with that one. Still to come this

eveningKolo falling into temptation, how success brings problems for

some of our players. And two more for the Cobblers

hitman as Northampton about at the drop zone. But first, the

Championship and we start with Peterborough. A fantastic win.

needed a win, they hadn't won for three games and this game had goals

written all over it with the way Blackpool player. A great leap by

Tyrone Barnett. This lad failed a fitness test before the game but

told the physio he wanted to play. That is good character, and they

hit Blackpool on the break. Unbelievable defending. A but

Tyrone Barnett does really well, he waits for Baptiste to commit

himself and set it up. Ian Holloway said there was no team that had 23

shot against them like Peterborough did this weekend. Darren Ferguson

described it as the best performance of the season from them.

And they had beaten Ipswich 7-1 earlier this year, so it must have

been some performance. Blackpool are a nice team to play against

because you know Ian Holloway will play three up front and

Peterborough took advantage of it. George Boyd, a decent finish past

match jocks. -- Matt Gilks. They will be delighted to get George

Boyd back on the scoresheet, a good player. A quality player and he has

been doing really well for them. Peterborough Dubai Open football

and will go forward and get goals - - to play. They will concede but on

their day, they are a very good side. Staying in the vision was

what it was all about for them. -- Division. Yes, they will stay there

but they will get stronger for next year. A good team. They played

Ipswich at the weekend -- and Ipswich at the weekend, coming down

from Numa -- two goals down. And a on this one, I would like to see

Cresswell get a little bit closer. Takes a deflection off Tommy Smith,

but a bit unfortunate. They got a draw away at Southampton and this

game, they would have taken a point. They have been up and down but when

they are up, they are a very good side. These boys are playing for

their futures. Collor said what has been offered one, apparently. --

Carlos Edwards. That is what you want indie Boxx!, don't think Nick

Barmby was far too happy with that better skill, comes to Jason

Scotland, and he just rolls it into the path of Grant Leadbitter,

offering him to shoot. Not a bad strike from Grant Leadbitter,

another playing for his future because he is out of contract then

the summer. Parlour Kippen eye on all of these lads! He just need a

few quid. The -- I will just. do you see the Peterborough at home

game going? There will be some goals, Ipswich have had some big

draws up now, and Peterborough got their first win in four, so a

betting man would have both teams to score. Let's have a look at the

bottom of the table, looking a lot more comfortable for both our teams.

Fingers crossed, but certainly you would think they would stay up

there. They will be in good shape, because they have to lose four or

five games and other teams have to win that bandied terms of the

context of the season, they won't do that at the bottom. They any

chance of Ipswich getting the players? I am not getting into

that! -- any chance of Ipswich getting into the play-offs.

The majority are letting their the minority. Southend have vanished

their players for improper conduct, most of it related to late night

and bad behaviour. But just how bad is the problem?

The distractions for a modern-day footballer are as obvious as they

are dangerous. In a big house, big car, pretty girls chase in them.

Money in their pocket. It is a dangerous concoction. A good night

out can prove costly in more ways than one. It is one of those

situations that you don't know what it you have got until it's gone.

You have got to be very careful about what you do. Once again,

footballers have been punished for their off-field indiscretions, from

Michael Chopra and Jimmy Bullard at Ipswich to others at Southend.

all make mistakes, nobody is perfect, they have made the mistake

and they are both apologetic and they can move on, we have dealt

with it. Have you felt let them? There were a couple of bites where

I was shaking my head. -- a couple of nights. A lot of managers tell

me they have the same kind of problems. The chairman and the

board, I have to appease, and your best players are causing all sorts

of problems and could be very good assets to sell, that is what

disappoints me. One player who has been there and come to a battle

with alcohol is Clarke Carlisle. Is there chair of the Professional

Footballers' Association. Edward Dhoni had taken a few more days of

my behaviour and I would have been sacked by QPR who were at League

One -- it would only have taken. There is not much of the return

from that. So I was blessed come to that point of enlightenment when I

did. Yes, so fortunate. It could have been a so different. Do you

think there are players in the Football League now in that sort of

pride? I know there are. -- plight. I know there are players who were

struggling with issues. You can spot the lads who were susceptible

the then, maybe going out more than they should or are not... Or you

can do is give advice. I can't make any other person do some ING.

antics of today's footballing generation of probably no different

to that of yesteryear. Former players like tommyrot and know how

lucky they were. -- Tommy Robson. But 16 men in a hotel overnight

together and they are absolute children. Doesn't matter whether it

was my day or today, when you get to the bottom Leeks, if they are

still on 3,000 or 4,000 pound a week, that is a lot of money to

control. And these are your lesser players. I know they have all got

agents, which is a good thing. It didn't happen in my day, so the

agent, it is his responsibility now that he has take that lad on, one

of his things is to control that lap and his money. That is what he

should be doing. -- lad. If you are a professional footballer filling

the captors hours before and after matches in hotels like these, that

can cause a problem. You are bored, you are finished by one or 2

o'clock and there is not a lot to do when you are young and on your

own. It is easy when you have your family, but when you are young,

there are so many things to get up to that you shouldn't. It could

beat anyone. There are an amazing amount of people that want to tell

the manager that this one has been here and that one there, and

sometimes it isn't true. They are young lads, there are going to be

times when they go out and have a drink and they go to clubs. You

can't really stop that, as long as it is the right time and in a

sensible way. But if you get the respect from the players, they

won't want to upset you. headlines may highlight football's

bad apples but realistically it is full of players who know where the

line is and know when to stop. job we have got and the lifestyle

we can have if you're at the top of your game is fantastic and we all

want that, so if you knuckle down and keep your head right, but...

it easy to knuckle down and not get tempted? Some people it is an some

people it isn't. I am fine, it doesn't really bother me. They are

role models with more money and time than most but occasionally

overstep the mark. But their indiscretions off the pitch

compared to the Premier League are few and far between.

John, do some of that ring true we do? How difficult visit as a

manager? -- with you? Clarke manager? -- with you? Clarke

Carlisle was quite emotional about what he said and if you are a

footballer listening to his own indiscretions, you have to think,

this is pretty serious. But this is such a short career for players.

They finish in their early thirties and there is a lot of living to do

after that serve it really pays for them to say I am going to make the

most of this. Have you seen things changed over the years? As a

manager, you have to change with it. Sir Alex Ferguson has been there

longer than any others and he has moved with the Times. I guess it

drive some crazy sometimes but he has kept on top of it and kept at

the top of his own game that drives him. You have to learn with young

players but you also have to offer them advice and it is a great

career, don't wicket. Perry, you were part of an Arsenal team with

Paul Merson and Tony Adams. How difficult was that period? They

kept dragging me out. It was terrible! When you are young, if

you were think you are indestructible and then suddenly it

has passed you by. -- you think. Footballers are going to make

mistakes but if you keep making the mistake over and over, then the

penny should drop. I was more frightened of my dad, if I let him

down. In the modern age of technology, it is that they quickly.

Gambling is more than issue because you can do it indoors. As a manager,

you get to know so many people who are willing to tell you everything.

I know when lads are tweeting late at night and where they are. These

guys are in the public view all the time whether they have a shirt on

or not, and guys know who they are and what they are doing.

Footballers can go out and have a good time but you don't have to go

over the top band that is the important factor. Back to the

football and Southend. In they came from a goal behind and got a point

together. They go a goal down and then... A we saw the game against

Crawley on Monday night, Liam Dickinson went down injured. He has

broken his ankle and is out for the season. Yes, he said he was going

to be OK as well. That was a game that might have changed things

around for the positive, because they scrapped really hard with nine

men to get a point. Sometimes those things, you think it is your season

and they followed it up with a really good result. One win in the

last five but they are further up the table. This is a bad foul on

Anthony Grant and it is a sending off when you think you will be

cruising. Paul Sturrock will go bananas that the goal they concede.

One of your players just switches off and it ends up an own-goal. As

a manager, it Paul Shaw Herod would be poor birds do their jobs. -- it

pull your hair red when players. You have to be so disciplined and

you have to go to the end of the game and they did it in the

previous game, but they let themselves slip in this one. Very

congested at the stop of League Two. They are still third, it is in

their hands. -- Top. They are hitting form at the right time, a

couple of draws under when but it will be a big blow losing Liam

Dickinson. -- and a winner. Northampton are out of the

relegation zone at long last. it is a great long throw and it is

so worth its while. When we had that to compete with Wycombe and

had to have defended, but it is so good if you have a guy who can do

that and have people who can finish it off. Ben Tozer is the guy who is

throwing up. Akinfenwa just hold the defender the Rock, so much body

strength. -- off. He can be the freezer, he is bigger than the

fridge! The that is his 16th of the season. If you have a goalscorer at

the bottom, they are the ones who keep you out of trouble. What the

make up the Luke Guttridge situation? He left Aldershot and

apparently had as a gentleman's agreement with Dean Holdsworth that

he wouldn't play, but he did. Aidy Boothroyd said he would find him

two weeks' wages if they didn't play. Then he has got to play!

There was a similar one with Louis Saha and Everton at the weekend, a

gentleman's agreement. I'm not sure there are too many gentle men

around the place. If you have to win a game, you put your best team

out. They need the points, and now they are in great form.

Northampton's first back-to-back wins in over a year. And guess who

they play tomorrow night? Dagenham & Redbridge. That is a huge game.

They have a couple of games, Northampton, to get out of that.

But they have got to get point parole -- points out of them.

a massive game. Yes, because you put more distance between you. They

never lost at the weekend at Plymouth last as well, so it is

massive psychologically -- Dagenham massive psychologically -- Dagenham

& Redbridge lost at the weekend. Good luck, John, with the play-offs.

Thanks for coming on. Thank you to Perry. That is it for now and for a