Episode 9 Late Kick Off South, South West and West

Take your pick, this programme has both the misery. And the madness of

the end`of`season deciders. Welcome to Late Kick Off.

Hello, I'm Tony Husband, this is the last programme of the series and

it's also a defining one for so many of our clubs. Premier League dreams

burn bright. We're at Brighton today. The celebrations have been

just as rampant when survival is the name of the game. We also have the

faces of failure, there's relegation catastrophe for an historic club.

For Reading "what might have been" in the play offs is replaced tonight

by "what will be". With a financial storm brewing. We didn't get the

Manager of the Month trophy. But we have got the man himself, of course.

Andy Awford's plans for Pompey coming up. These players are on

their way to greatness. But who has guided their path? One of British

soccer's ultimate footballing movers and shapers is here too. His name is

Les Reed, he's Southampton's executive director. And he joins our

own on the front bench. Only one team would progress. Just one place

up for grabs on the final day of the regular season in the Championship.

It was a straight shoot out between Reading and Brighton at the weekend.

As we know, for Albion, their season now starts all over again. They're

in to the playoffs with the right to play for the golden ticket in

English football ` a place in the Premier League, with more than ?100

million guaranteed in the next five years. Their semifinal opponents are

third`placed Derby ` the first leg is at the Amex on Thursday. The

return is Sunday. For cash`strapped Reading, it's a bitter blow, they

miss out by just one point. Let's start with Brighton's build up to

their date with Derby County. Jeremy Pearse has been at the Amex today.

Now ready for the dogfight on Thursday. Keith Andrews is only too

aware of just how close they came against Nottingham Forest. It

doesn't get much bigger. We were a little bit unaware of the situation,

it is hard to gauge on the pitch. Yeah, it was obviously a magical

moment. That will live with everybody that was there. Brighton

had fallen behind in the first half, after a horrendous mistake by Tomasz

Kuszczak. Stephen Ward levelled it up early in the second half. But it

wasn't until deep into injury time that Leonardo Ulloa got the goal

that ensured brighter nudged ahead into sixth

I don't go as mental as some of the younger lads. I'm just very content.

It was a big reason the way I came here to achieve something, but still

not as happy as we have unfinished business with two massive games

coming up. Former Brighton defender Adam Virgo has happy memories of the

play`offs. He was in the side that beat City 1`0 at the Millennium

Stadium in 2005 to win promotion to the Championship. He believes that

Brighton's defence, 19 clean sheets this season, will be a key factor in

the bid to reach the Premier League. I think it helps playing in the home

leg first. When they went to Palace last year, they just didn't adapt

themselves, but this year if we are away first leg, I would be slightly

concerned, but being at home first, I think it puts us in the driving

seat and the pressure is all on Derby, because we just crawled over

a last`minute goal at Forest and the pressure is on Derby for the season.

The Brighton fans will be out in force at the Amex ` over 20,000

tickets were sold today. Brighton have lost to Derby home and away

this season and the fans are in a buoyant mood after that dramatic

late winner at the City ground. It was the best moment I've ever

watched in football in my life, it really was. I thought we played

brilliantly. I think we can get to the Premier League, easy. Yeah, we

can beat Derby. We beat QPR, we beat Leicester 4`1. I think we can beat

Derby. We'll talk about Brighton in a

moment, but not before reflecting on Reading. Their season ended with

them out of the top six. It's all happened against a backdrop of

uncertainty at the Madejski Stadium ` an absent majority owner, a club

up for sale, a club needing a buyer. The only thing's that's certain is

it's another season in the Championship.

Quite simply, Reading need to win to be guaranteed a place in the

play`offs. Handball. Into the box, own goal, they've put

it in themselves! It's the captain who has created a

little bit of magic. That could be a historic goal for Reading. There is

euphoria at the Madejski Stadium. 1`1, fired home by Scott Arfield.

The visitors gives him a shooting chance, scores for Burnley! 2`1 to

Burnley. 27 minutes gone. What a hammer blow for Reading's chances of

reaching the play`offs. Into the penalty box, here's McCleary, into

the back of the net. That is the most extraordinary goal in the most

extraordinary game. Bang, into the top corner. Off the line. That's

good defence, here's McCleary, oh, the keeper has saved it. Reading

must score from this corner. Morrison gets it cleared off the

line, Burnley are clear. Reading have drawn 2`2, the

situation quite simply is Brighton are in the play`offs, Reading finish

the season seven. We are a good side and a good club, but sometimes we

don't put it out there for 90 minutes. We live to fight another

day. It's a bit hard to take in the last minute. Difficult to get so

close, but not get there, but there is always next season.

Wasn't it close? When we look at this season, is it a miracle they

were even in the running? Or would that squad have underachieved? Bit

of both, in all honesty. They have got a good squad, no doubt about

that. They have got a good squad, they signed three decent players in

the summer, good signings, big players, big wages, possibly, as

well. But they have had a horrendous injury list. Williams, Guthrie,

Wayne Bridge has been out for months, so, you know, it depends

which side of the fence you sit, but for me Nigel Adkins ` top`class

manager, he has a fantastic CV and I think if he had been given a few

more quid or some funds to go out and spend, I think they would have

done it. That's the question, isn't it? There's nothing from the

ownership about the ownership, big problem. Well, it has been a big

problem. It has been a big problem since well before Christmas. Because

it has been public that we are looking for a new owner. The owners

want to sell, the problem is we don't seem to attract any buyers. It

is a fantastic football club, it really is. The youth is set up

there, the academy, we're bringing players through. The foundation of

the club is there, why we can't get a buyer, I'm not too sure. Right,

Les, a manager now as the fans go off on their holiday, the manager

says to work, what sort things way have to be getting in place now? I

think the key issue is the club ownership and whether there are

funds there and whether he can have them, because the difficulty now is

everyone is already at work. If he does not know what he has to play

with, he cannot really get down to work and the longer you leave it,

targets get missed, other people get them. It is a similar situation if

you are in the play`offs and everyone has started, but you don't

know what leads you will be in and therefore he'll have his targets,

he'll have his players, it is just whether someone will be there to

press the button. Let's spin it around to Brighton.

They go into it now with a bit of momentum. Yeah, I think they are the

in`form team, in the end. They have come right into it. All those years

ago, some fans may not thank me for saying it, but we finished third and

Leicester came in and picked us. `` pipped. Having that momentum gives

you that help, so I think Brighton could get it over the line. You set

up that scenario. I mean, it is all there to fail the Derby. You know a

bit about Steve McClaren. Tell us about the kind of qualities on the

team. Steve is meticulous, he has a plan and organise, he won't have

left anything to doubt. `` he is a planner and

everything about Brighton. The difficult thing now between now and

the play`offs is what do you do? Some teams choose to make a change,

maybe have a break. When I was at Charlton, we just carried on X acted

the same way. `` exactly the same. I think Steve will do the same. I

think he will just plan and work it through to carry the momentum into

the play`offs. Brighton going to go through, guys? What do we think?

Fingers crossed. Going to Wembley? They've got a good chance.

Words cannot describe. Obviously, devastated. I apologise to the

supporters. I take responsibility, I picked the team for the last eight

games, so I didn't get the points required. My heart goes out to the

supporters. We'll talk about the consequences of

Rovers' drop in a moment. But with the scenes of devastation fixed in

our minds, let's just contrast it with the improbable success story in

the League Two relegation battle. The bookies had Wycombe odds on to

go down. Their 3`0 win at Torquay means they stay in the Football

League by virtue of a mere three goals in goal difference. This is

how they celebrated. Wycombe Wanderers have survived. These fans

are going mad. They asked for a fairy tale, the manager, who

supports rock 'n' roll football, has got his wish. And the fairy tale has

come true, Wycombe stay up and stay in the Football League. Every ball

we kicked all season has come to this moment. We have had a hell of a

time, but Wycombe Wanderers stay in the Football League. This club has a

great history, I'm so proud to be leader of another great upset,

because everyone thought we were going. Not me. All smiles for

Wycombe, they stay up. Amazing scenes. Rovers, watched by more than

10,000 fans on Saturday, they go down. Their 94`year spell in the

Football League is over. We said it was unthinkable last week with Adam

Virgo, Andy, and I suppose in moments like this people have to

shoulder the blame. Where is it going to be apportioned in Bristol

Rovers? I think it'll have to be a collective when your football club

gets relegated. The players, the staff, the board, everybody has to

take full responsibility. I think it would be totally unfair to single

out one particular person, one particular group. They have got to

take that responsibility but they have also got to regroup to try and

get themselves back into the Football League as quickly as they

can. It will be a tough job, it is a hard league down in that conference.

But I think it is a collective. I think over 46 games... Not enough?

No, they didn't get relegated with one performance on Saturday, they

got relegated over the season. Everybody takes responsibility right

from the very first ball to the very last. You were there, what was it

like? Amazing, really. Lots of emotions. I felt before the game, a

lot of people did not see it coming. There was quite a carnival

atmosphere, there was music. I don't think anybody thought they would not

get a point. And I am not sure they thought Wycombe would win so

emphatically. So, all in all, it kind of took them by surprise.

Talking of taken by surprise, let's see what the Bristol Rovers chairman

made of it all. How certain are you that Darrell

Clarke will be manager of Bristol Rovers next season? Darrell has a

contract to be manager of Bristol Rovers next season. That is as

certain as anyone can be about anything at this point in time. Is

the stadium still going to happen or is that now in doubt? The stadium

and the playing side are not linked in any way. The plans for the

stadium still continue. What we need to do is look at the situation with

the football club going into the Conference and the effect it has on

both playing and nonplaying staff, and backroom staff, we have to look

at the whole club from top to bottom. In that context, we have to

look at ourselves as well. What is coming their way in the

Conference? It is very tough and the Conference because they will go in

there as a big club, and they will carry on with the stadium, so

that'll speak for itself, and so there will be a big scalp for people

in the Conference. The Conference is a tough league. There are a lot of

ex`Football League clubs in there all trying to get back into the

Football League. It will not be easy and I agree with what Andy said,

they have got to regroup, from the board and the chairman all the way

through, make sure they have a plan. Don't think that they are a big club

going in the Conference with a nice new stadium coming and they can get

back in. They have got to get a plan together and work hard. They go to

the likes of Eastleigh, Salisbury, all sorts next season. We shall see

when and if Bristol Rovers are going to be back in the league. We're

going to talk Portsmouth now. We talked about big scalps, Portsmouth

have been a big scalp in League Two for many teams this season, and with

Andy appointed manager full time last week, what a turnaround. Five

wins, two draws. It meant the all south coast clash with Plymouth was

not the final day of drama which many had predicted it might be. It

was a six goal thriller, you had a Danny Holland hat`trick, and

everyone kind of goes home happy at Fratton Park almost, don't they? We

won the six goal thriller with a different result, obviously. We did

not quite get it. But there was a great atmosphere within the ground,

the support that we have had over, over the season, not just the last

seven games I have been in charge, has been phenomenal. But we got it

over the line, thankfully. We're really grateful for the supporters,

and it was, I suppose, lots of goals on the last day is what everyone

wants to see, so it was OK on Saturday. This fixture next season,

from your perspective and perhaps John Sheridan's as well, two teams

going for promotion? You would like to think so, we are not going to get

carried away because we have been on a nice run. We finished 13th in the

league, and like I just said about Bristol Rovers, the table does not

lie. If we can improve on that next year it will be fantastic. Off the

pitch we have done very well. As people know, the financial footing

is a lot stronger now, which is credit to the board and the

directors, so we're grateful for that. But a big job to do, we want

to keep improving and nudging up that league as much as we can. Where

is the target? The initial kind of target. I am not going to set top

three, play`offs, anything like that. We need to be competitive. If

we can improve on this year's performance, in terms of where we

finish in the league, I think the plan at the start of the season was

to flirt with the play`offs and maybe finish mid`table, people would

have accepted that. Obviously we flirted with relegation and ended up

mid`table, that is not the right way round that we wanted it. If we can

be knocking on the door we will be happy. What about that message? What

was behind all that? I just felt to get the players to relax a little

bit they needed a leaf from me. That's some words I wrote up on the

board before the players went out for the Newport game, which was

probably the most important win of the lot to give us some belief. And

I just wanted the players to be happy in doing their job. And yet

they were in a scrap, you were down with Wycombe. We were third bottom

when I took over, but I wanted them not just to enjoy the good things,

they needed to enjoy the horrible side of football, working hard and

tackling and defending, then smile when they do those horrible things

well as well. Thankfully, being able to express themselves and the

flowing football followed later. The Newport game was probably the

hardest earned win of the lot. We had to dig in against Newport

thatvery first game. We certainly enjoyed it afterwards, there were

smiles on faces. Portsmouth is your club. Are you going to be managing

it as your club? You have got everything in place that you want.

You took a little bit of time before signing up last week. There was no

conflict. Let me make that clear. That was me and the board having a

chat about making sure that things could be in place. It will not

happen overnight, we have still got debts to pay off and things like

that next season, but it is in a much better place than it was a year

ago, of course. We nearly didn't have a football club, let's not

forget that. We are in a much better place, and it is my club, and I have

been given a wonderful opportunity and I am grateful for that, to be

able to help move the club forward and lead it. I want to play a major

part in that and the board have given me every assurance that I can.

We have got to take our time, we cannot run before we can walk. We

will make sure that we rebuild carefully and plot it together to

make sure that we get it right. We will make mistakes along the way,

but we will be giving it our best. Let's dip into the games that may

not have mattered, the rest of the action.

How big an achievement is Bournemouth's 10th place finish? Top

notch. Don't forget they were up against a Millwall team fighting for

championship survival. The Lions went in front, and as you would

expect from an Ian Holloway team, they defended for their lives. Just

look how many blue shirts are in the penalty area. For Bournemouth, if

you'd have offered them 10th place at the start of their campaign, I'm

sure they would have been absolutely delighted. It is one of the success

stories. The problem now is expectations. Yeovil's stay in the

championship ended with a heavy defeat at home to Middlesbrough.

Plenty of questions for Yeovil this summer. Most important is whether

Gary Johnson remains. James Hayter scored Yeovil's goal, but how many

times have we said this about Yeovil this season? One big punt, down the

middle, the two centre halves miles apart, all over the place. The

Middlesbrough player does well but not good enough from Yeovil. Again,

another long hoof down the middle. Again, positioning of the Yeovil

defenders needs to be addressed. Eight of the starting 11 against

Middlesbrough played in the League One play`off final at year ago. They

will not be up against the quality of the championship next season.

Maybe the experience will do them good.

Was Swindon's season a case of if only as they lost to Rotherham in

their final match? Possibly. Swindon ended up the season in a top six

finish. They beat Rotherham early in the season back in October, but it

was always going to be difficult after conceding two goals. A soft

penalty, but Michael Smith confidently stroked the ball home.

The close season is always an interesting time, players coming in

and leaving, Jay McEveley has played his last game for the Robins, almost

departed in style. A mid`table finish the Bristol City

who entered the season unbeaten in six games. When you think Bristol

City were in the drop zone, to finish 12th is a decent turnaround.

Crawley in front, their boss John Gregory extended his contract this

weekend. As for City, they fought back with a great goal, good

technique, head down, hits the target. A big season on the way for

City. Exeter and Hartlepool, a round trip

of 690 miles, well worth it. A super strike for Exeter put them in front.

David Wheeler made it 2`0, sublime first touch. Plenty of home`grown

young players on show for Exeter. A positive for the manager.

Just a last word on Bristol City. They want to go top six next season.

I think so, big club, passionate fans, different ball game next

campaign. Well done to Bournemouth as well.

Southampton end their season on Sunday, facing Manchester United

knowing they already have a record haul of points in the Premier

League. What a season for Mauricio Pochettino's side. What is in store

for the summer? Les, all the fans obviously are wanting to hear the

manager say, I am staying, I'm in for the long haul. Where are you

with that discussion? Mauricio has made it clear. I brought it to the

fore last week that as soon as that game is out of the way on Sunday we

will sit down and continue discussions that we have been

having. It is not that we have not been doing anything about it, but we

respected the fact that he wanted to focus. He wanted to achieve these

record points and focus on the games. He attracts attention,

doesn't he? We know there are other clubs out there looking for

managers, and his performance merits him to be part of the conversation?

Yes. This is one of the issues of being successful. It is not just

Mauricio, it is other coaches at the club, young players, players nowhere

near the first`team yet, staff, everyone is attracting attention

because everyone wants to know how we do it, and can rub off on them?

As he said in his post`match interview, these rumours will always

go about when you are successful. We just have to carry on doing what we

are doing and not worry about it. I pick up a newspaper every day and

Southampton fans must be fed up of it. Lallana going here, Shaw going

here. Are in the you? It has been very easy to me because none of it

is true. I have made that statement already, there are no deals being

discussed. Not even informal deals? Absolutely nothing. I can clearly

say that, I am not saying it is not going to happen, but at the moment

nothing is being discussed. The World Cup for three or four players,

maybe? Are they ready for that? I think so. All of the young ones have

come through the system, they have played in the youth team and learned

about international food all, they train every day with top Premier

League players. I think they are all ready for that step up, Lambert has

not come through that Pat, his path has been a very mature experience.

He has got very special attributes and I do not see why he could not

step up to that mark. What have Southampton got so right about

academies? Two things. During the bad times, the period Portsmouth

have been through, there was a focus on the use. The club carried on with

its Academy, with its satellite Academy which has been very

productive for us. And controversial at times. Category one can snaffle

the best, that is what some people might be worried about? But we're

back is situated, it is very difficult for young players to get

access to category one coaching in that area. We provide a need and

meter needs `` meet a need. There are other academies in the past.

Other clubs chose to shut them down, Southampton kept funding it. Even

during administration. We are reaping the benefits now. It is a

very important factor for us. What are using to the other local league

clubs who could be concerned? We have had chats with a couple of

them. We were a league one club when it came out. We decided to invest in

use, some of the others changed. We think it is very important that we

provide exit routes for our players, even players who do not make it, to

feed them back into the system, and we hope that all of the clubs around

us can develop a relationship with us and benefit from our presence. So

the game can benefit as a whole? Exactly, I would like to think so.

It has been great to have you all in with us. I have enjoyed these last

nine weeks. Great goal round`ups and we will keep a firm I on next

season. Thank you for being with us these last few weeks. The play`offs

will be live on the BBC. It is good night from us.

and the grand final with me, Graham Norton.