Stockport County Supporters Messageboard
[ Message Archive | Stockport County Supporters Messageboard ]

    Tonight's meeting with Dave taken from Sam Byrne's Twitter Archived Message

    Posted by albertinspain on 4/11/2021, 7:59 pm

    DC: “Coming back to the club now could not be more different to how it was when I was here as a player.”

    DC: “We we’re essentially already relegated when I got here as a player.” “Things were not allowed to develop back then, we had great players but just could not keep them together. It could not be more different now.”

    DC: “But coming here now is a polar opposite. On the pitch, where we’re going to get to - and off the pitch, you couldn’t be at a better place.”
    “We need to make sure what happens on the pitch mirrors where we’re going as a club off the pitch.”

    DC on his record against us: “I hope it wasn’t luck!”
    “I loved coming back here all the time because it’s a great place to play football and a great atmosphere. I just hope that record hasn’t soured peoples opinions!”

    DC: “As good as my record was coming here as an opposition manager, I want to keep that going for County here.”

    DC on his plans for the side: “I come here knowing what the squad is about from the outside looking in.”
    “I have opinions, and it’s up to the players to confirm them or change them. It’s a ridiculously talented group.”

    DC: “There may be players who see this as a fresh start, and that is the case. Everyone is in the reckoning and everyone has a clean slate.”

    DC: “No tougher game for me to start, but a great challenge & a great occasion for the club.”
    “We have to unearth what our identity on the pitch is going to be, both in possession and out of possession. But it’s baby steps at first, with the aim of the fans seeing a difference.”

    DC: “There are a lot of points to play for, and the end goal is still the same.”
    “This league looks a hell of a lot different if you string a few wins together.”

    DC: “The facilities are amazing.”
    “There may be a perception of players not appreciating what they’ve got, but every single player - I can tell you - appreciates what we’ve got here.” “That’s a big one for me, and I can see they want to learn and want to be here.”

    DC on weaknesses he identified in the play-off: “I felt we had two centre forwards (Oates & Armstrong) who were a threat & that we could really hurt County up top.” “We knew there was an obligation for County to press & have the ball, so we could get in behind & cause problems.”

    DC on the style of play: “It’s entirely up to me what that will be.” “I firmly believe that the owner will want to see something entertaining. Ultimately it’s about winning games, and I’m not going to change my style or my philosophy - but that style fits with what County want.”

    DC: “Just like at Hartlepool, we have a huge fanbase here, and you have to be part of the game. It’s our responsibility on the pitch to make sure you’re in the game, but there’ll be times that we need you most when things are nervy.” “We are going to be attacking and expansive.”

    DC on backroom staff: “The staff here are a really good group. There is an opportunity to add to that as and when but I am not in a rush.” “It’s not about getting people in (on and off the pitch) just for the sake of it, it’s getting the right people.”

    DC on a question about formation: “I was notorious for 4-3-3. But I’ve adapted that to the personnel over the years, and I do think they’re focussed on a bit too heavily.” “We want a certain shape, but just affect the game - regardless of the shape, we want to win every game.”

    DC on players out on loan (Jamie Stott, Loos Maynard, Elliot Newby, Tom Walker): “Those deals were already agreed, but they are certainly not forgotten about.” “A change (in manager) will do them the world of good. There’s always a route back.”

    DC on Richie Bennett: “He did superbly at Hartlepool. Players always want to play & it worked to perfection.” “Using Elliot Newby as an example, he will just want to play football & Halifax was the best fit. If he can come back & have an impact here, it works for everyone.”

    DC on identity: “It can always be changed. For example, Hartlepool had Raynesy at the back, so they were deeper than the Atlantic!” “But you can go in & completely change that. I’ve got a ridiculously good group & I will make decisions in the coming weeks (style/approach etc).

    DC on the Director of Football relationship: “I’ve come from a club where the infrastructure is not as it is here. So I was picking up stuff, at times, that a manager shouldn’t be involved in.” “We didn’t have recruitment teams or analysts, a full-time kitman or chef.”
    “So the setup here with Simon Wilson, Alex Cowdy and so on - as far as I’m concerned, they deal with everything that allows me as the manager to focus on football.”

    DC: “I’m really, really happy with the set-up here. I love being on the training ground, I love being with the players - so if all the rubbish elsewhere can be dealt with by the club, that’s a godsend.”

    DC on “egos” in the side: “I can see how people may think that, but I don’t agree.” “There’s a fine line between confidence & arrogance. The players will be made fully aware of what I expect & any who don’t do that will find themselves watching us play football.”

    DC on Bolton: “It’s certainly not a free hit, but it’s a tough one!” “It’s a great occasion. Thousands of County fans, but regardless of the result, there are certain things I want to see from the side.”

    DC on the value of analysts etc: “It’s massively important.” “Some players want all the information in the world, and some want that freedom. We’ll approach them all individually, but to have that information to hand is huge for us.”

    DC on a question on “boring” football before his arrival: “We have to be exciting.” “We have an embarrassment of riches here & we have to find a shape that gets the best out of these attackers and gets us as many goals as possible. Win games & be out of sight is what we want.”

    DC: “Reidy, Paddy, Quigley - they’re lethal. But we have to get the ball to them to allow them to finish it off.” “We have to be entertaining and get the service to those lads.”

    DC on a question of a “bloated” squad: “Of course you want the squad to be manageable. We can’t have five or six lads sat there thinking they don’t have a chance.” “There will be a development plan in place, and everyone has the opportunity to show what they can do.”

    DC on the Academy: “It’s massive for us. I’ve come from a club who allowed the young lads to set the club up for the future, and youth players are definitely a big part of any club.” “There’s a pathway and opportunities. Anyone good enough gets a chance.”

    DC on leaving Hartlepool: “It was incredibly tough. There were too many pros here for me to turn it down, but the huge thing at #hufc was my link with the fans.” “I feel like I’m letting people down, but I could not turn this down. The opportunity for me to progress is here.”

    DC: “I will never forget the play-off final with Hartlepool. To get a club who fully deserve it back in the Football League will stay with me forever, and that’s what I want here.”

    DC on a question of if we make the play-offs: The play-offs are incredibly rough. I’ve felt the highs and lows of play-off campaigns.” “I genuinely believe there is no better way to get promoted, including winning the title. But there’s no worse way to lose.”

    DC on what represents success this season: “Getting out of this league.”

    This wraps things up for the hour-long forum.

    Dave Challinor now receives his SCAN certificate for his stint as Stockportcounty player and captain.

    Big ovation for the club’s new manager, who was hugely impressive tonight.


    Message Thread: