Episode 8 Late Kick Off South, South West and West

Tonight, joining me, two pl`yers who have excelled rights until the

Premier league. Among the lhst, Southampton, Yeovil and Bristol

Rovers. The perfect selection in our starting line`up for a special

starting line`up for a spechal weekend in the region.

Turning on the gas, Bristol Rovers clinch a priceless win but has it

condemned quick too long le`gue football?

Who has got the potential for promotion as Brighton and Rdading

promotion as Brighton and Reading bid for a top six finish.

Broken dreams, two of our clubs are relegated. What's next for Xeovil

and Torquay? And the dark arts return.

What you are not supposed to see on a football pitch. The knowledge is

back. We could all be guilty of l`belling

matches is crucial but no club wants to think about an exit from the

football league. Torquay ard coming football league. Torquay ard coming

to terms with just that reality. Meanwhile, more league two club is

also started the weekend with that prospect looming over them. Exeter

are safe. More on them with Matt Slater. That leaves us with Bristol

Rovers at Wycombe. I suppose you could call it a crucial six pointer.

The start of the day, those heading to Adams Park refunds from the

second and third bottom clubs in the whole of the football league. Points

the same, gold distance `` goal difference almost identical. Little

to separate them, including the same nerves... I haven't slept for a

week. This will decide the future of our club. And just the same passion.

If the players don't play well, I If the players don't play wdll, I

will go on the pitch and play for will go on the pitch and pl`y for

them. Come on, let's be having you! them. Come on, let's be havhng you!

It and the same financial imperative. In Rovers case to

support ambitious stadium plans. Wycombe's fans trust are looking for

buyers. You need to sell is a lot better than conference. Right now, a

game to be one, and Rovers were out of the box `` blocks quickest.

The bench are up. Rovers are in front. It's a huge goal. Th`t could

front. It's a huge goal. That could be one that goes down in Brhstol

Rovers history. And Wycombe soon after, with their equaliser. What a

goal! What a fantastic goal! after, with their equaliser. What a

goal! What a fantastic goal Second goal! What a fantastic goal! Second

half, the force was with Wanderers, but not the girls to go with it.

half, the force was with Wanderers, but not the girls to go with it It

but not the girls to go with it. It would be Rovers who would grasp

three of the most precious points in the club's long, long history. He

scores for Bristol Rovers. It will scores for Bristol Rovers. It will

keep them in league two. Thd final keep them in league two. Thd final

whistle, Rovers fans would stage a partial invasion for a relegation

survival battle which is almost survival battle which is allost

complete. My daughter has never seen complete. My daughter has never seen

me so happy. It's amazing to come here and win. Your message to your

players is? Keep your feet on the ground. Plenty of work to do. We

should be nowhere near the conference... Something has got to

change and I think it will change next year. Time to reflect. They are

gutted, really devastated. They have one more mammoth task now, beat

Torquay next week. Hopefully someone will do us a favour.

So, Wycombe are staring at relegation, unless they win that

Saturday and Bristol Rovers or Northampton lose. Goal diffdrence

could also come into play. We will talk about Torquay and Exeter

could also come into play. We will talk about Torquay and Exetdr a

little bit later. Adam, who saw what it meant to those Rovers fans and

the players at the end. The thought of Bristol Rovers as a confdrence

of Bristol Rovers as a conference club doesn't bear thinking `bout.

It's a massive club, Bristol Rovers. That's one of the most important

goals in a club's history. Ht's difficult when you get them to the

conference. Barmouth `` Barnet have struggled. The conference is getting

tougher and for a size of clublike Bristol Rovers, it is difficult to

think about. We saw the desolation for the Wycombe fay DAT players. You

do not want to finish bottol for the Wycombe fay DAT plaxers You

do not want to finish bottom of for the Wycombe fay DAT players. You

do not want to finish bottol of the league. There is still something to

play for. Wycombe have two pick themselves up. Just one win in 11,

so it's going to be a tough ask. This is a good time to look at the

final fixtures as well. Mansfield have got to beat them,

haven't they? They have two. Sometimes, it's doesn't work in your

favour. It would be a tough game but the men will be jam`packed. I think

the result from the weekend has given the club a massive lift. I do

expect them to stay up. Northampton, Oxford, extraordinary.

In football, you sometimes can't write the script. Everything is

riding on it. The bottom of league two has been pretty tight for the

last three months. On days like this, final days of the season, the

radios at the ready? How much to the players know about all the other

things that are going on? It is usually the funds which... You

things that are going on? It is usually the funds which... Xou have

to keep your heads call on the pitch and make the right decisions. You

have to believe in what you are doing. It's 95 minute and you can

score in the first minute whth a score in the first minute whth a

long way to go. It's about who keeps their cool and gets over thd

long way to go. It's about who keeps their cool and gets over the final

their cool and gets over thd final line. A day for heroes, for someone.

We will wait and see. Tweet me your thoughts. Who is staying up and who

is going down? Still to come: thoughts. Who is staying up and who

is going down? Still to come: Matt tells us what is going on at

Southampton and could another sovereign club join them? Who has

got the edge? Plus, the tricks of the trade which can give you

got the edge? Plus, the tricks of the trade which can give yot an

edge. We move on to Exeter City now and

lead to safety was secured on Saturday against Scunthorpe side

which had swept all before them Scunthorpe are not supposed to lose

games. A tremendous result for your team. Scunthorpe have been on a

fantastic run. Lots that we worked on in the game.

This was something that was worked on the Friday. They fantasthc

strike. It put us on the way to a strike. It put us on the way to a

very important victory. I c`nnot strike. It put us on the wax to a

very important victory. I cannot see you here. Where are you herd? I am

you here. Where are you here? I am at the halfway line. This is the

second one. That means Exeter City second one. That means Exetdr City

will be playing in the football league next season. Our awax

will be playing in the football league next season. Our away form

league next season. Our awax form has been very, very good the

league next season. Our away form has been very, very good thd last

two years, probably in the top three of the division. Our home form,

probably bottom three. We struggle getting in front. Lots of mistakes

made at home. The crowd turn on us and we find it difficult. Away from

home, we counter attack verx and we find it difficult. Away from

home, we counter attack verx well. At home, we struggle to break teams

At home, we struggle to bre`k teams down. Let's listen to the fans.

We have got some brilliant young boys coming on. If we can kdep

We have got some brilliant xoung boys coming on. If we can keep them

together, we will be at the top of the league. We are still in the

football league. It's great. Safe. They didn't finish anywhere near

last season's finish but it's something to build on. Exeter will

have a great season and I sde something to build on. Exetdr will

have a great season and I see them have a great season and I sde them

going up. I think we are in for a good season. Fans are optimistic.

Just a word on the influencd... good season. Fans are optimhstic.

Just a word on the influence... He Just a word on the influence... He

has jumped an amazing job. We are at the rebuilding stage at the moment,

bringing in young players through, which she likes to do. This year,

we've relied on them quite ` lot. His thoughts are on next season.

His thoughts are on next se`son This season, we are ready for next

season and it is looking good. Super. A good day at St Jamds's

season and it is looking good. Super. A good day at St James's Park

on Saturday. Reading and Brighton can still get to where they want to

be but they could be fighting for one place come Saturday lunchtime.

Reading are in the position and it is in their hands. It is. That is a

place where you want to be. When a bright and not chasing them. For me,

Reading are going into it whth momentum, on the front foot.

They showed fantastic character to come back and win the game. I just

think Wigan have had their wobble, particularly at home. Last week,

particularly at home. Last week they'd beat Middlesbrough but are

they'd beat Middlesbrough btt are back on track. My goodness, they

have wobbled at times. They have, but so have everyone else.

A great finish. He took some stick earlier on in the season but he is

now beginning to bang in go`ls. For Brighton, not quite as good a

scenario because it's out of their hands but they got the tools to get

there and when they get there, what can they do? The pressure is now on

Reading. Brighton will be going away from home, eating clean sheets

Reading. Brighton will be going away from home, eating clean shedts this

season. Defensively, they are strong. Over two legs, especially

away from home, I think that suits Brighton a lot more than pl`ying at

Brighton a lot more than playing at home. If they finish sixth, the away

leg is first. That's import`nt home. If they finish sixth, the away

leg is first. That's important for them. Defensively, they are very,

very good. They tend to play them. Defensively, they are very,

very good. They tend to plax their very good. They tend to play their

best football against the top half of the table. Forest have got to

hope for the best on Saturd`y. If... Is the pressure off? A bad

result against Bournemouth. Forest may change their team about.

Pressure is on Reading which will be in Brighton 's. There are the games:

just outside the play`off places and heading for their highest ever

league finish our Bournemouth. They cruised past Nottingham Fordst.

After promotion from league one last year, the one thing you are looking

to achieve is staying up. They have done that in some style and until

recently, they had a chance of leasing the play`offs. `` reaching.

leasing the play`offs. `` rdaching. The confidence is key. Look at that

for an effort from the goalkeeper. Greg Halford scores for forest

for an effort from the goalkeeper. Greg Halford scores for fordst but

this is a nailed on penalty. No problems with the decision from the

referee. Movement, relationship, problems with the decision from the

referee. Movement, relationship eye referee. Movement, relationship eye

contact, the keys to the good partnership. Great result for the

cherries. A fantastic season. What a second`half to the season

they've had. The more expectant fans might be saying, well, play`offs

next season then. Matt, that is the world of the football fan.

Bournemouth, a great season. Can it get better? They will be looking for

progression. They had a gre`t season this year. They certainly have.

progression. They had a great season this year. They certainly h`ve. We

stay with the championship because remember this quote, the

championship is our premiership? That is how Gary Johnson buhld

championship is our premiership That is how Gary Johnson build his

That is how Gary Johnson buhld his club's rival in the second tier. It

club's rival in the second tier It was always going to be tough for a

club like that. Relegation was confirmed on Friday night.

They have impressed and thex go down with some pride, Adam. They were

favourites in league one to be relegated to league two, but I think

the club was ready to championship the club was ready to champhonship

football. When you are there, the club was ready to champhonship

football. When you are you have got to make the most of it. They

football. When you are you have got to make the most of it. Thex have

to make the most of it. They have some good players, Webster, but also

a manager who will be in demand some good players, Webster, but also

a manager who will be in deland now a manager who will be in demand now

they have been relegated. Is it a soft landing going back down to

league one? I think it is a hard one personally. There will only be three

or four players in contract going back, but the job Gary Johnson has

done has been remarkable, and he didn't have a great time at

Northampton but he has shown what a quality manager he is. He has

reinvigorated his own career by going to the place he knows best.

That is the big question, it will Gary Johnson be the manager next

season? I have huge respect for him as a manager and a human being.

Torquay's stay in the footb`ll Torquay's stay in the footb`ll

league is over. They scored three times at Mansfield, but the Torquay

executives were contemplating the money now going out of the club.

They reckon a loss of up to a third of ?1 million is the cost, `nd

They reckon a loss of up to a third of ?1 million is the cost, and with

the conference looking very different place to the one they left

some five years ago. Indirectly we are concerned about other income,

but as we showed in the conference last, attendances went up, we gained

season`ticket holders, so wd are season`ticket holders, so wd are

confident that the supporters will rally round. We have the nucleus of

a good side here, we have an excellent, young dynamic management

team, so we have all of the building blocks. We also have a good stadium,

a good youth system, we are proud of what we have got here. Adam, what

have Torquay got in store? They will be in for a tough season. As we have

seen with Barnett, they got relegated and have not made the jump

back up. It has taken Luton over five years to get back into league

two with a big budget. They will be in for a tough season and it will be

a lot harder. 13 teams in the conference at the moment have been

league clubs, there are some sizeable teams down there so it is a

challenge. Yes, the conference is a good league now. Ten years `go

challenge. Yes, the conference is a good league now. Ten years ago it

good league now. Ten years `go it wasn't great but there are some good

footballers now. They can step up to the higher level. Good luck to them.

In league one, it is not seventh heaven for Swindon and 14,000 were

the this weekend, there is ` heaven for Swindon and 14,000 were

the this weekend, there is a new the this weekend, there is ` new

feeling of optimism around the place too. Bristol city have lost just one

of their last 12, a good sign for next season. Yes, but only their

sixth clean sheet of the se`son That is something to work on.

Swindon's faint play`off hopes have now finally been extinguishdd. The

now finally been extinguished. The nine men of Swindon sent thdir

nine men of Swindon sent their keeper up for this free kick and

their hopes have now ended, time to plan for next season. Swindon had to

get something. You may as wdll lose get something. You may as wdll lose

2`0 going for it. They had a get something. You may as well lose

2`0 going for it. They had ` go 2`0 going for it. They had ` go

upbeat for next season. Swindon remain in seventh place. Good to see

Swindon in the top half. At the bottom, Crawley are mathematically

safe. I guess a big summer of change at Bristol city, they will have a

make over at Ashton gate but the fans will be wanting to see some

progress on the field. Yes, they have spent a lot of time at the

bottom of that league and they will have stability now. Progression will

be play`offs and promotion for next year. You know the support base they

have got, and the manager h`s year. You know the support base they

have got, and the manager has turned things around. That is what you

want, someone with his experience to rejuvenate the players. Two

Southampton players featured in the Premier League team of the xear

Premier League team of the year award announced last night. I

suppose it is a measure of the progress made this year. Saints

themselves have equalled thdir best themselves have equalled their best

points return in a 38 game season but there are lots of questhons over

what happens next. They are your old club, I take you back to thd

club, I take you back to the turn`of`the`century, Glenn Hoddle

was there doing a great job and along come Spurs. Glenn Hoddle

leaves, things changed ultimately. leaves, things changed ultilately.

The same fate for the managdr now? He has done a fantastic job and in

demand so Sam `` Southampton fans will not want him to leave but if

Tottenham comes knocking he might take it. After Les Reed comds out

take it. After Les Reed comes out and says we are not in talks with

anyone about our players, no deal done, the fans feel worried. He has

answered the question, he whll done, the fans feel worried. He has

answered the question, he will have answered the question, he will have

a lot more questions to answer with the summer coming up and the

a lot more questions to answer with the summer coming up and thd World

the summer coming up and the World Cup. There will be a lot of people

wanting Adam to go and play for them. Visit in his interests to go?

You stayed for a long time, there was talk about you going. Is it

sometimes the right time to go? I don't know, he will be in the

surroundings of the great players. He looks comfortable in an Dngland

shirt, he will want Champions League football, he will want to m`ke

shirt, he will want Champions League football, he will want to make that

football, he will want to m`ke that step but if the manager stays

football, he will want to make that step but if the manager staxs `

football, he will want to m`ke that step but if the manager stays ` I

think he gets on well with the manager, you can see that ` than

they might be able to keep him. He is a captain and looking very

comfortable at Southampton so you never know. A word on Jamie

Rodriguez, you had the same injury. What is it like? I was given up to

nine months, I actually took 16 so I am hoping he doesn't have the

problems I had. His operation is a good one and the goals he was

scoring has put him in that category as well with England so I'm

disappointed for him that he will disappointed for him that he will

miss that but hopefully he can come back strong. Pompey supporters

miss that but hopefully he can come back strong. Pompey supportdrs have

had a big relief. Portsmouth's status was in serious doubt at one

stage but not any more after a great recent run. Four successive wins

coming into this game. You have to ask why they conceded three times

but the manager took responsibility because the shape of the team was

because the shape of the te`m was wrong. Danny Hollins starts the

fightback here, the second from Taylor. We will see more long throws

jarring this game. You have got to be honest, you did fear the worst,

jarring this game. You have got to be honest, you did fear the but

credit where it is due, another long throw. Bradley up with this one,

credit where it is due, another long throw. Bradley up with this one he

pokes it home. In added time, guess pokes it home. In added timd, guess

what, another long throw. Some dodgy goalkeeping here, great comdback,

great character. John Sheridan says Plymouth must reach the players at

least next season, they havd fallen least next season, they have fallen

away this time. A great goal to put Argyle in front, fantastic feat and

a fantastic finish. A season that promised so much but they have not

promised so much but they h`ve not delivered in the end. I know what he

is trying to do here, the keeper is is trying to do here, the keeper is

in no man's land and it wasn't easy finish. Too many ifs and buts for

Argyle this season. That also applies to Oxford. The delay in

appointing a successor to Chris Wilder was in my opinion a crucial

factor in their failure to lake Wilder was in my opinion a crucial

factor in their failure to lake the play`offs. Warwick says they have

factor in their failure to make the play`offs. Warwick says thex have a

losing culture, what does he play`offs. Warwick says they have a

losing culture, what does he mean by that? Winning is a habit, as is

losing. It is difficult to get your nose back in front. It is a problem

for Oxford at the moment, definitely. That's why Oxford and

Plymouth are going to wonder how it went wrong for them this se`son

Football fans are going to be scratching their head, asking how

they can move in that direction with the same squad. Sometimes a new

manager comes in, with new ideas. manager comes in, with new hdeas.

They come in a lot hungrier to prove they should have been playing

regular first`team football, it is a great turnaround. A summer of change

for John Sheridan. Now, a sdcond for John Sheridan. Now, a second

look at what training ground moves really looked like. What we don t

appreciate I suspect is the hours it takes to get certain moves spot`on,

Mr Williams. It is vital that takes to get certain moves spot`on,

Mr Williams. It is vital th`t both Mr Williams. It is vital that both

the delivery take care and the goal`scorer are singing frol

the delivery take care and the goal`scorer are singing from the

goal`scorer are singing frol the same hymn sheet, as we can see here

now. I enjoyed this one. You need all sorts of different

signals. I contact worked for me, the 94 play`off at Wembley. He knew

that as soon as I looked over the 94 play`off at Wembley. He knew

that as soon as I looked ovdr my that as soon as I looked over my

shoulder I would kick it. Another signal now, here is the Bournemouth

legend, big Fletch. Even the throwing needs a lot of practice. He

is going to throw it this side of throwing needs a lot of practice. He

is going to throw it this shde of me is going to throw it this side of me

so I don't want him to see xou is going to throw it this shde of me

so I don't want him to see you are with me, come short. Even more

preparation needed when Fletch deliberately tried to cheat the

system. The taker and Fletch have to be on the same wavelength. If

system. The taker and Fletch have to be on the same wavelength. Hf he

plays it too late, I will end up fighting the centre half. Wd will go

through that scenario now. Don't play it. I will get in front, lay

it. Fouls going on left right and centre, the referee won't have

it. Fouls going on left right and centre, the referee won't h`ve that.

The last thing I want as a striker is to be fighting my defenddr

The last thing I want as a striker is to be fighting my defender for

is to be fighting my defenddr for more than a split second. The centre

half doesn't know whether to look at me or to look at the man taking the

free kick because he needs to know when the ball is played. He also

needs to know where I am at so my movement has got to be the right

timing. Then, now hold, now I am in control of the ball. Thanks to the

University of Winchester for their help in that, although I notice

Fletch Jones the short marker again! Do you notice these wily

defenders and things? Yes, you have got to be so careful in the modern

game, if you get caught calling somebody the referee looks to give

something quite quickly. How do you deal with these guys, when you know

deal with these guys, when xou know there is some conning going on

here? Sometimes there is nothing you can do about it. If they ard good

here? Sometimes there is nothing you can do about it. If they are good at

can do about it. If they ard good at it, it will be a difficult decision

for you to make. If you make it, it will be a difficult decision

for you to make. If you makd the wrong decision it can be a penalty,

you can be booked and sent off, a big change in the game. I should

just say before we go, well done to those who received the awards last

night, and I must tell you about those who received the awards last

night, and I must tell you `bout the opposition fans at Plymouth. Each

season they pick a theme and this is Thunderbirds, their last away game

at Plymouth. I suppose the puestion at Plymouth. I suppose the question

we want to ask is what will you be planning to wear next weekend for

your finale? Any funny storhes? I your finale? Any funny storhes? I

dress up for my club day in, day out. 25 elves through the town

centre at Christmas, a bit of team spirit and some drinks as wdll. It

spirit and some drinks as well. It will be a fantastic conclushon to

will be a fantastic conclusion to the season. Enjoy that on S`turday

the season. Enjoy that on Saturday and we will be back to wrap that up

on Monday. Goodbye.