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Afros into the Quarters

Written by Matt-

This week, we've secured Matt-'s second interview with hattrick press, as the lowest ranked survivor in the cup. As we've already seen his answers to the bog standard set of questions, this week's interview is a little less 'formal'.

Your team, Vince Hilaire's Afro is the lowest ranked team left in the cup, facing Stinging Scorpions in the quarters. You've not faced Broughy before, can you beat him?

No chance. Broughy has a very good team so I can't beat him just yet, give it 4-5 seasons when my inners are 28-29 and maybe but not now. I'll give it a good go though, I've never been in the quarters before so I'm just looking forward to the game. I'm also looking forward to playing against one of my England U20 bronze medalists. I've played against a lot of them over the seasons and I'm pretty sure that I'm undefeated. I guess that Loftus will change that.

It doesn't help that I have my hardest away game today either. My confidence also dropped multiple levels on Friday night which wasn't the best timing!

I think that Broughy or Red will end up winning the cup.

You are the first manager we have asked for a 2nd interview as the lowest ranked survivor, since the first in this series of cup interviews in October last year. This underlines the development and progress you are making, is everything still on track for the Afros to become the number 1 team in England?

I can't remember ever saying that the Afros would be looking to be the number one team in England! The aim is still to try and reach the Premier League and hopefully we can do that. Winning it is a different matter though and there's a lot of very good teams and managers around. I suppose a lot of it comes down to luck in the top league (with the teams being so similar) so the aim is just to take part if we can. Winning anything would be great but the main aim will be to stay in the top couple of leagues for as long as we can....if and when we get there.

Have you discovered any top tunes to recommend since we last spoke to you?

Not really, I'm still just listening to old stuff. I went to see the Libertines in Brussels the other day and that was good, they had a new song that I liked. Does that count? I can't remember the name. I think I'm at that age now where I don't bother with new music, I just stick to what I know.

You were looking for a decent boozer in East Finchley last year, any luck with that?

Not really, East Finchley isn't the most lively of areas! It's a really nice area to live though. I was spoiled for pubs in Islington/Camden before I moved here.

However this is a great pub. It's local enough (walkable), and I'm going down there later with the missus for some Sunday lunch:

(http://thebullhighgate.co.uk)

In the last interview, you underlined the importance of a good training plan, as a key to your success. For managers reading this looking to turn their team around, what are the most important foundations to and practical tips for planning and executing such a plan?

Making it adaptable. If the game changes you have to change the plan slightly, this has happened to me with the new staff system. More generally every training plan is different but I think the right specialities is the most important thing even if you have to start with slightly lower skills.

As for training plan, whatever give you a strong defence, midfield and attacking wings. That will work!

What is your current stamina% and why?

20%, no real reason to be honest. It just keeps the stamina levels roughly where I want them.

Can you please give us an update on the progress you've made with Oscar Gamble's Afro, your 2nd team?

No real progress, we got to the final of one of the losers cup and are top of their IV league. I have a couple of players in the Jordan U20 side and my training focus is solely on them. Once next season is out of the way I may pay it a bit more attention but it's still very much in the gathering resources phase.

Did you go on holiday anywhere since we last interviewed you and if so where did you go?

I've been away a lot recently. I can't remember when the interview took place but I've been to Halkidiki (Greece), Lagos (Portugal) and New York recently as well as a few weekend Europe breaks. I've just booked up Vegas for May so they'll be nothing until then, need to save a few pennies.

What do you make of the new rule changes concerning assistants? Please answer explaining what assistants are you currently using and at what levels for both of your teams?

I think I like it but I'm already finding it difficult to train as I would like to. For my first team I have one of each. Training with just one assistant coach isn't ideal and it means I won't be able to reach the levels I had planned to. For the second team I have 3 assistant coaches, a medic and a form coach. I'll keep the levels to myself for now as I think it's one of the only areas left in HT where there is a chance to be slightly different. I think a lot of top teams (top 3 divisions) have the levels all wrong.