Best Of

I wouldn’t be wholly shocked to see Saturdays game include a lot of the new boys.

In terms of the grand prize this season being promotion, Saturday is (and I await the screams of anguish from the FA Cup purists) a bit of a free hit so would be an excellent opportunity to get some of the new guys that haven’t played much, or need more minutes in there legs a chance to get a full 90 or even 70 minutes under there belts.

its also consistent in how we have approached cup games this season with wholesale rotation.

The kicker will neither Preston or us fans will really know how well a team of new boys would play. Could be amazing, could be like the first preseason friendly of the summer.

"I notice no-one seems to have Westergaard in their starting 11, the nearest is a 5050 v Scowen."

To be fair to him he's an unknown quantity, a good performance or a screamer or two and opinions quickly change.

He certainly comes across as a nice guy and an astute reader of the game. To my mind the key question is whether he has the commanding presence that will be needed with a squad bursting with expensive talent and - I imagine - big personalities.

There will be a lot of squad members who expect to play each week but won't be - Dodds will need to keep them all motivated and in a positive mindset in order to prevent dissent creeping in - and then be able to quickly stamp down on any grumbling before it leaves him feeling undermined. If he tries to be everyone's mate I think that might be harder to achieve.

Matt Bloomfield had a ruthless streak that meant he commanded respect. Plus he was Mr Wycombe - I wonder whether players have as much natural respect for coaches who have never played professionally (I honestly don't know - it didn't seem to affect Mark Warburton or Danny Cowley when winning). Matt was also manager so everyone knew the buck stopped with him, whereas Mike Dodds is head coach and therefore not top dog. If players have an issue do they go to him or to Dan Rice? If the latter, that could leave Dodds bypassed and again undermined.

I have every hope that his experience at Sunderland will have given him the answers to all this. But as I say, to my mind that will be his biggest challenge.

Good shout - didn't John Mousinho do that briefly?

Always slightly risky to do things in the vein.

Certainly hit all the right notes. Developed a thick skin at Sunderland (won’t be a complete pushover), wants to maintain what’s been working and not enact wholesale change, paid tribute to the foundations laid etc etc. A lot to like about that first interview.

Not a manager then, but didn't Barton do the same when he signed for Marseille?

Another observation: does Dan Rice's coat have enough pockets?

I hope Johnnie Jackson picks up on this because David Wheeler would be a perfect fit for AFC Wimbledon, especially as they challenge for automatic promotion. It would be a good move as he lives in Windsor too, so not too far to travel.

Impressed with that - he was hugely respectful to what has come before this season (and before that) and understanding that his role is to keep the wheels turning, not to make wholesale changes.

Also felt he answered honestly. One slightly interesting moment when he said the conversations with the owners had started slowly - maybe a subtle reference to the fact he wasn't first choice. Equally I may be reading too much into it!