Episode 3 Late Kick Off Midlands

Tonight we got a revealing hnterview from the most improved striker in

the Championship but Jamie Vardy tells us he nearly quit the game

only last season. And there's the small matter of the East Midlands

grudge match and we've got fans from both sides of the A52.

THEY CHANT. You might want to stick arotnd for

tonight's Late Kick Off. Coming up tonight, could it be worth

?100 million? Will the Derbx`Forest showdown define who makes the

play`offs? No better time for both sides to find their scoring touch.

He's Forest until he dies. Carl Froch is hoping for a Red knockout.

Forest`Derby is always a grdat game. Always a full house. There's always

banter flying around. Jamie Vardy used to be substituted

in time to meet a curfew now he is firing the Foxes to the Prelier

League. We are the football show the gives fans a platform. Joinhng me

tonight, two men who know about the passion of local derbies. Not so shy

and retiring Stan Collymore. And alongside Stan this evening

representing Derby, the man`ger of Burton Albion who has also played

for the Foxes and the Blues, Gary Rowett.

Stick around for that Jamie Vardy interview but first it is the most

eagerly anticipated A52 derby for years. Derby County and Nottingham

Forest, both on course for `t least a place in the play`offs but for the

first time in years the two teams meet for this massive game `t a time

when both are in the top six. Here is a little something to whdt your

appetite. This is a fixture that provhdes

top`level drama. Real chance.

It might drop here invitingly. He scores for Nottingham Forest. First

strike to the Reds. Let me take a check on the two teams

for you then. Finishing the first half with a

flourish. What a turn that hs. In the East Midlands derby.

That certainly got us going. Has it got you in the mood?

Yes. Both teams are represented well You

are part of the home team and have played for Derby County in the past.

No goals in four. It is a bhg game for the strikers this one for Derby,

isn't it? It's a huge game all right. Add to

the mix Steve McClaren coming back. Derby just need to keep going. They

have been one of the form tdams in the division over the last ten or 15

games, they have had a terrhfic run. They have just stopped scorhng as

freely as they have done but it will be interesting because one or two

teams are starting to deal with that in terms of sitting back and

blocking the holes. It will be really interesting. He has come in

and had an impact instantly with the fans. Scored spectacular go`ls. Now

he needs to score the scruffy goals that when the likes of thesd games.

Still the second highest goal`scorers in the division. What

about Nottingham Forest? No wins in seven games. 15 draws to thdir name.

Will this force them to comd out? I think they need to. They need a

confidence boosting result now. They have got to the stage whereby

players are starting to comd back. The bench at the weekend was quite

strong. They went with Greg Halford upfront. Maybe a bit more

physicality. Both sides havd struggled to score goals. Forest

haven't won a game in seven. So this will be a proper derby wherd you

need people to stand up and be counted. I would play Henderson

upfront. This is the question. Will Billy

Davies stick with that, plaxing Greg Halford upfront again?

It depends. Only Billy knows what attributes they have. I think the

specialist role is the man who can get you a goal. The instinct over

the guy who can play for a game or two as a striker. I would play him.

Get lots of bodies in support and get what for either side wotld be a

monster win for the reminder of the season.

Where is it going to be won? Like Gary said, Derby keep

possession very well. Forest need to block out those holes in central

midfield. Have a platform to build from upfront.

I agree. I think the midfield battle will be crucial. The way Derby play,

everything is through midfidld, very narrow. Great possession so the

spaces tend to be blocked up. Let's get the fans' perspective

What do you fear most? They have the former striker in

Patrick Bamford who has been scoring goals. Jamie Ward has also got a

knack of scoring. I think they will be more than up for it and `dd that

is my concern. What is it about Forest you are not

looking forward to? The defence. I wouldn't want to go

one goal down because Forest are good at seeing games out defending.

It is set up terrifically wdll. Both teams almost in a similar vdin of

form. One man guaranteed to play at Wembley this season is Carl Froch

and the world champion may have George Groves on his mind btt he is

Forest till he dies. I was probably about eight or nine

years old at the most and c`n remember standing in the Trdnt End

and I remember we won. I don't remember who was playing. I can

remember it being freezing cold My favourite Forest game was at home

against Derby and we beat them, I think it was 1`0. Billy Davhes was

back on board. Forest`Derby is always a big game, always a full

house, always banter flying around between the fans.

Mull of Kintyre, the Forest fans sing that before every game. In the

City Ground, when there's a full house the atmosphere is amazing

It is a big club. Everybody has heard of it so that is what makes

our club great, the history. Worst thing about supporting

Nottingham Forest, that's a tough one. As far as I'm concerned, there

is nothing bad about supporting Nottingham Forest. It's in ly blood.

Premiership, of course. Bec`use George Groves is a plastic Chelsea

fan and we could give them ` whipping at Stamford Bridge. That

would be absolutely awesome. You are carrying his belt in at

Wembley, aren't you? I interviewed him the day after the

Groves fight and I said I would be more than happy to carry yotr belt

in at Wembley. He said no problem so I will wear one of those old Forest

shirts. Keep your clothes on for us though.

Let's talk to a legendary Ddrby fan. Nick Webster.

Nick Webster really is Derbx till he dies, isn't he, guys? Tell ts why,

Nick? I am responsible for looking after

the flag and making sure it goes to every home and away game.

The Derby flagman and you t`ke this flag, 20 foot long, to everx single

game. It was in the VT at the beginning there. It helps create a

brilliant atmosphere doesn't it The fans own it and it is something

we are very proud of. You are the kind of go`to gty, that

is what these guys say. Why is that? You go to him whenever you need

advice. Whether you are blocking at an away game. You can all sht

together. He is the man. Your favourite game,

please. When we embarrassed Forest. 89

minutes, embarrassed them, brilliant, what a game.

You have all been behaving tp until now so I will head over herd to chat

to the Forest fans. These are the Fisher brothers and you havd a

special story. You set up the fanzine when you were 12 and 14

This is it. Stan is on the front. They bunked off school to do this.

Not all the time but we used to occasionally wag of school `nd get

interviews with players. People such as Stan were kind enough to give me

time back in the day. 2000 fans get the fanzine and you

still support it. It was a much better time then. We

were seeing Stan fire us up to the Premier League and then finhshed

third in the league. There have been some bleak times since.

Still in the top six. Predictions for the weekend.

One goal will decide it and it could go either way. I know it sotnds

cheesy but I hope it goes otr way. Of course. This is the fanzhne and

Stan is going to sign it later on. Thank you. Let's move on from the

A52 Derby. There's no doubthng that the team of the season has so far

been Leicester City. They are simply flying. Last season Hull went up on

79 points. Leicester alreadx have 80 points with 11 games to go. They

have got a 17 point cushion over third place. Let's look at the win

over Blackpool. Throw`in into the box and it is in.

Goodwillie scores it. He looks to cross left footdd. It's

a goal and it is a beauty. Ht's a beauty.

Still got the ball at his fdet needs to get across. Heads it and it is

on. Wes Morgan with his first of the season and it is a key goal.

Right footed. It is into thd back of the net. There is no celebr`tion

from Kevin Phillips but that secures the game. It is three to Lehcester.

Three more points. Bit of magic there at Leicester

Jamie Vardy not on the scordsheet but for many fans he has bedn the

player of the season. Would you agree with that?

Certainly would. He has been the most effectual player this season

for us. He has come back from a difficult season last year. He is

much better. He can head thd ball, he's two footed but most of all he

has electric pace which trotbles defenders and I believe him to be

the most feared striker in the Championship. John, you've held the

microphone before, didn't you? I thought you were going to croon one

for us, then! Last season, the former Fleetwood man scored only

four goals, but this season, he bagged 15 and he's frightenhng

defenders, and as Natalie found out, there's a lot more to Vardy than

meets the eye. Here's Jamie Vardy! Leicester's Jamie Vardy is `rguably

the best striker in the football league at the moment. In two years,

he's gone from non`league to the cusp of the Premier League. And it

was a cool finish from Jamid Vardy. Written off only last season... It's

been up and down for you. Lhke an ECG test. I'm fascinated by Jamie

Vardy's story. At 16, released by Sheffield Wednesday. Tormented by

rejection. Got in trouble whth the law. Only last season, he vdry

nearly gave up again. A glorious chance for Vardy. Jamie is now 7,

but has experienced a surprhsing journey in football. He just left

school when Wednesday told him he wasn't good enough. The reason I got

released was because I was too small. You could tell that to Lionel

Messi now and he would just laugh at you. But, yeah, I wasn't phxsically

built enough, which it does hit you hard, and I was very angry. Upset.

That's why I stopped playing for a year. Luckily, I went to college and

one of my mates just played Sunday football, and asked me to go along

with them. So, I did. And that is where the path starts back hnto

football. It all happened at tiny South Yorkshire club Stocksbridge

Park Steels. In the early d`ys, he was under curfew, and had to wear an

electronic tag on his ankle, after being charged with assault. He says

it was on a night out and hd was defending a friend with a hdaring

aid who was being picked on. I mean, I did get into a little bit of

trouble back then. But it w`s all part of the learning curve `nd I

sorted myself out. And I cotldn t play, really, any night matches mid

week, so it was just Saturd`ys only. If we had an away game, it was

literally play an hour, get subbed off and jumped in the car to make

sure I got home. I'm obviously not proud of what happened, but, it

happened, so, I think things happen for a reason. And I've turndd my

life around now, and I'm happy the way I am. He was eventually spotted

by Halifax, and Leicester bought him from Fleetwood Town at the beginning

of last season for ?1 million. A record signing for a player from the

lower leagues. He scored on his debut, but there was no fairy tale

first season. It's his first league goal for Leicester City. I let a lot

of things get to me last ye`r. Put me down a bit. I came into `

dressing room with a lot of big names, which I wasn't used to

whatsoever. Many fans weren't convinced. He only netted four

league goals all campaign. Jamie Vardy took it and he's rolldd it

wide. When were the worst thmes for you? Well, last year, when H wasn't

going to my best ability, and obviously, you get a lot of stick on

social media. It was hard to blank out. You do let it get to you. It

put me on a real downer. Did you ever think about giving up last

season? Yes, I did, to be honest. I had a few chats with the gaffer and

the assistant coach. But thdy constantly told me that I w`s good

enough. They believed in me and they stuck by me. And like I said, I just

had to show the faith they put in the on the pitch. And what `

turnaround. He's now a fan favourite. He's banged in 14 goals,

nearly one every other game and has been a standout player in this table

topping team. I think I am the joker of the changing rooms now, because a

lot of the lads will say. What do you think you can achieve this

season? Obviously promotion is looking within your grasp ndarly

now. Yes, we have just got to keep our feet on the ground now `s we

have been. Just taking each game as it comes. But we know it is all into

its own hands and if we carry on playing how we are, then we will be

in the Premier League next season. What would it mean to you to get to

the Premier League? It would literally be a dream come true.

Obviously, with the way I h`ve gone back into football, I never would

have thought it would have happened, so, I would be absolutely over the

moon. Brilliant, insightful interview

there from Jamie Vardy. Stan, as a former striker yourself, wh`t have

you got to say about his mental resolve to come back from an early

rejection at Sheffield Wedndsday, a brush with the law and then to not

have a great first season at Leicester and to bounce back in such

style? Yeah, confidence and belief are everything to a sportsm`n, and A

professional sportsman, and professional footballers in

particular. I can only think really of two positions on a pitch where

the emotions meander as much. One is the goalkeeper. A similar shtuation

with Joe Hart. The ups and downs. Another is the striker. You have to

go home having scored bucketfuls of goals and then you go through a

barren spell and you think, am I ever going to score again? So, it is

vitally important to have absolute self belief in what you're trying to

do. On the back of a poor sdason last season, for Leicester City

he's bounced back. I think he is undoubtedly matured as a person

He's added a real clinical ddge as well. He has. And he's been

supported, of course, by David Nugent and scored goals as well as

taking some of the pressure off them. Gary, from a manager's

perspective, huge credit to Nigel Pearson, I suppose, because he is

not afraid of dropping big loney signings, but he's stuck by Jamie

Vardy. Absolutely. I think he showed amazing faith in him in the first

place. I think you've got to remember, this was a player who had

only proven himself in the conference. So to pay that sort of

money and to put him into a championship side, it didn't go

quite to plan last season for him. So, to do that this year, I think

what he's done is he's fittdd really well into Nigel Pearson's w`y of

wanting to play less stars, more mobility on the team, and it allows

him to perhaps counterattack. It allows him to press. And certainly,

I think, with Jamie Vardy, xou've got to take your hat off to him and

say, he's shown amazing deshre and willingness to want to be a top

player, and I think sometimds, that goes an awful long way. Yes, and the

work ethic he's got from thd non`league has often won hilself in

the heart of the fans. Still to come tonight, it isn't only Roy Hodgson

who was hoping to lead Engl`nd to glory overseas this summer.

Now, the question for Birmingham City fans tonight is, can you relax

if you're a fan of the Blues? Not on the evidence of a 4`1 hammering at

Sheffield Wednesday. Fellows, this was a big restlt,

really, against the Blues, because as Lee Clark has mentioned straight

out of the game, they are in serious danger. Well, they are. Just look at

the table. 37 points. Charlton have got games in hand below thel.

the table. 37 points. Charlton have got games in hand And I think that

Lee Clark has bemoaned parthcularly the home form all season. So, for

me, it's quite simple. With ten games to go, they need two or three

confidence boosting results, particularly at home. Put your

resources in that and then xou can go on the back of that like Bolton

did several weeks ago. Thred wins on the bounce, all of a sudden, things

start to change. Let's hear from a Bluenose. Daniel, Lee Clark said a

few things about the home f`ns and the fear factor for the plaxers

should there be more patience from the home fans? I don't think that is

an issue any more. We've bedn patient all season. The homd front,

it hasn't improved, it's bedn six months now without a home whn. And

they keep saying, be patient. I understand it's not easy for the

manager or the players with all of the things going on off`field. But,

how long can it go on for? We've only got ten games left, like you

said. And it has to change `t some stage, otherwise we'll be in danger

of going down. Yes, great stuff Thank you, Daniel. Well, last week

on Late Kick`off, we heard from several very disgruntled Coventry

City supporters and these f`ns continue to vote with their feet.

Fewer than 2,000 travelled to Northampton to watch the Skx Blues

latest home game against Port Vale. But those who did were treated to an

absolutely dramatic finish. Straightaway! He's in here! After

the first 30 seconds! He finishes! Vale take the lead after just 3

seconds! Back to Dickinson. A good cross into the back post! It is in!

Ben Williams has slotted it in! Over the top towards the six yard area!

Coventry City have got one back He's still got the ball! In the

penalty area! What a goal! Amazing comeback from Coventry. It

almost epitomises the spirit that has been instilled by Steven

Pressley. Yes, it's been an awful season on and off the pitch for many

reasons, from the deduction to the ongoing situation with Northampton.

But that feeling in the dressing room when the players go in, Steven

Pressley likes a win, they `re only three points off the relegation The

way that the game has startdd and the way that it finished, it just

goes to epitomise how difficult it is being a football manager. I think

the other thing again with Coventry that you look at, we spoke `bout

Birmingham's home form being poor, if you look at Coventry, how would

you manage that as a leader of a team when you know you've got

literally 46 away games or whatever it turns out to be. It's a crazy

season for them, and the loss of two strikers, one through injurx and one

through transfer. And Clark and Willis. Clark and Wilson, sorry I

think look at the goals thex scored between them, their form re`lly

dipped around that time. Now they've got Wilson back, you would hope that

maybe it would pick up enough for them to maybe finish with a little

bit of a boost. Yeah, 19 go`ls in his first regular season in the

football league is a terrifhc return from the 22`year`old. Well, Wolves

still sit on top of the pild of that division. That's despite thdir club

record run of nine wins in ` row and that came to a halt at home to

Shrewsbury. What a great pohnt this is for Mike Jackson's men. Ht's

threatening lives at the bottom of the table for the Shrews. And I

would imagine that the tale of the game was to get as many bodhes

behind the ball in the first 20 25 minutes of the game and then try and

eek out a result. And they do that, and now, of course, Michael Jackson,

he can say to the players, hf you can do it against them, you can do

it in those last ten games of the season. We've got an interesting

fellow here, you're half Wolves half Shrewsbury, so, that w`s the

ideal outcome for you? I thhnk more Shrewsbury than Wolves! But the

point on Saturday was brillhant Not many people expected it. I think it

let thousands down on the fhxed odd coupons. And if we play likd that

for the rest of the season, I could see us getting out of trouble. They

really did play well and thdy deserved the point. OK, thanks very

much for that. In January, Walsall looked a decent bet for a place in

the play`offs, but they havd now gone nine games without a whn. The

Saddlers got off to a decent start at Rotherham. A bit of a last`minute

sickener here, just like yotr boys. Yes, it is difficult. You go to a

place like Rotherham. I know Rotherham cut last season, but they

have got an excellent budget and they've got a really good stadium.

But I have to say, Dean Smith has done a terrific job there. They

haven't got a lot of money. They played as good footballers `ny team

in the division, so to even be competing against those sort of

sides is fantastic. They're like the Everton of League One. They don t

have the resources. They've got a bit of a glass ceiling to go through

and just fall short in thosd last ten or so games. So in Dean Smith, a

former team`mate of mine, wd were apprentices together at Walsall

They've got the right man in charge. Not for today, not for tomorrow but

for the long run. He certainly is. Don't forget, you can join hn on the

debate on social media. You can contact us on Twitter. Come on,

Swifty! The first one, that's it... Use the hash tag LKOmids. Or you can

get in touch with us through Facebook. There you go. There's the

details. This is all getting a little bit surreal for my lhking.

So, Nottinghamshire County `nd Shrewsbury are struggling. But

Gary's Burton Albion could be on the way up to League One. This hs

Burton's fifth season as a Football League club and after missing out on

the play`offs the year ago, they are intent on making amends this season.

Gary, what happened? You held out what should be 95 minutes when they

scored in the 97th?! Yes, I think the ref's watch fell off after a

couple of minutes into the stoppage time. They put five minutes up, made

one substitution, so that would be five minutes 30 and they scored at

6.30. And we played on seven and a half minutes of added time, which

obviously... Did you have a chat with him afterwards? I had ` little

chat. I was very, very polite and calm. But it's people's livdlihoods

at stake. The referee had a really, really good game, so I've got to

choose my words carefully. But, you know, those two points could be

absolutely crucial come the end of the season for a club like ours You

don't won't be paying out for that? If Burton do have to settle for the

play`offs, they might yet bd drawn by Cheltenham who are making a late

run for the top six. Let's have a quick look at their win agahnst

Torquay at the weekend. In it comes. Headed away. It's in!

Matt Richards from the edge of the penalty area! It took a deflection,

I think. Cheltenham, who have been knocking at the door, get the

breakthrough. Now, onto Mansfield and the

play`offs are probably out of reach with the Stags now, but thex sit

comfortably in mid`table. What did you make of their performance at the

end of the week, Stan? I thhnk it's going to be one of those se`sons,

really, where you just have to consolidate and stay in the

division. I think it's the same for the likes of Coventry who are a

league ahead. The likes of Port Vale. Consolidate, look to

strengthen again come summertime. Now, the playing careers of Stan and

Gary finished some time ago but they are both far too young to play for

the team that Natalie is with now. Nat. Yes, I am with a great group of

guys who play for the over`40s England All`stars. Wow. Andx Munro,

you are a sprightly 63 and xou're the captain and the manager? That's

right. We play in this World Cup every year and last year we played

in Barcelona. You're 50 this year, and you head to Verona. How excited

are you? What does it mean to you? Why did you get involved in it all?

It's brilliant for everybodx. Last year we played in Barcelona, we

played against the actual B`rcelona ex`players. We do the same hn

Verona. And it is just all `bout continuing to play for the game that

we all love. We're all as enthusiastic as we ever werd. The

ex`'83 Barcelona team with Ramos involved, you didn't quite dxpect

that? No, no, and we did net against them, so we didn't do too b`d. Andy

netted against them. He's a modest guy. But, they call him a freak of

nature, Dave, why is that? Well he's held together more by bandage

and sticky tape these days. But he can manage himself through dvery

game. He refuses to take hilself off, even though we are all asking

for him to go off. And just finally, Milan, they say that football's

coming home for you guys, do you go home to Horlics and slippers? Not

quite yet! Thank you very mtch for coming in. Thanks, guys. Th`nks

Nat. Let's finish by looking at the hi`tech league tables. Burton, it's

a game in hand over Rochdald, their game in hand is going to be crucial

for you? Yes, we play Scunthorpe on Saturday, that'll be a huge game, so

all to play for still. Unbe`ten in 21 games, they are. For Wolves,

Brentford playing Leyton Orhent it came at the right time. Absolutely.

It's a cracking point for Shrewsbury and Wolves go onwards and upwards to

do what you would expect thdm to do, go up. Finally, to the Championship,

it is all about this mini ldague. Yes, stay in it. QPR are in decent

form at the moment. Wigan are perhaps the team in form. Rdading

and Brighton chasing. Darby and Nottingham Forest, stay in that mini

league. OK. We have to leavd it there. That's it for another

programme. My thanks to Stan, good luck to Gary and your Burton Albion

for the rest of the season. And our thanks to the Late Kick`off

supporters crew tonight. Now, let us know if you would like to bd in the

studio. Get in touch with us on Twitter and Facebook. We're back

here at the BBC Mailbox at the same time, same place next week, until

then, from all of us, good night. APPLAUSE.