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Bolton Wanderers and manager Dougie Freedman have decided to host a fan forum tonight with the aim of the manager providing honest answers to the supporters' questions with less than a week to go until the new season kicks off. Lion of Vienna Suite contributor Michael Murray was at the event and was/is live-tweeting everything as it happens:
And we are off #bwfc
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
Q Any chance of signing Jay Spearing?
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
DF thanks for coming. Have been looking forward to engaging fans. Hopefully a regular event. I'll answer as honestly as I can.
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
DF don't want to put the club in a Pompey, Coventry etc situation
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
DF Spearing someone he loves, similar thoughts on how the game should be played, workaholic. Liverpool have valued him, we can't pay the fee
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
DF hopefully the value will come down so we can do a deal. When price is right we'll strike
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
Q we've five good strikers, all worthy. Why are we playing one up front?
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
DF Beckford not fit, Ngog injured. They might be good but they've got to compliment each other, don't think the others complement each other
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
Q Personally I'd rather see us sign Craig Dawson!
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
DF we tried to sell him the club and he went for it. I'd love him back but we have to be realistic in our expectations
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
Q what is the truth with Moritz?
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
DF Moritz came down for negotiations, fantastic footballer, think you'd love it. We just felt the money situation was unrealistic
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
In laymans terms, we've put an offer to him but he wants too much money.
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
DF don't want to put the club in a Pompey, Coventry etc situation
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
Mark Leather. Good team around him, club has every ologist going. Trying to give the club that extra edge, keep players fitter for longer
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
If technology is safe/legal, club has an open mind in trying to give us that edge
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
ML. It takes time to get people working the way the manager wants, hopefully we'll see the benefits in the next 6-12 months
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
ML Q to DF as a BWFC fan, why haven't we signed Spearing
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
Brian Prestige. Upgraded tech should help club be able to analyse performance. We've had a good name in analysis but we need to push on
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
BP we are looking to analyse data so it can have a key impact on performance
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
Q Have you picked a club captain yet?
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
Official. The manager confirms that Zat Knight will be the club captain for the forthcoming season. #BWFC
— Official BWFC (@OfficialBWFC) July 29, 2013
DF. I have, Zat Knight. I felt he was reliable at the end of the season. Zat is a leader on training ground as well as on pitch.
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
DF. I have, Zat Knight. I felt he was reliable at the end of the season. Zat is a leader on training ground as well as on pitch.
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
Q Dougie, can you do what Sam Allardyce did for us?
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
DF why are you looking back? People were telling me what we should have done. I don't want to do what Sam did, I want to do more.
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
DF I can only try my best in taking the club forward in the way football is developing, more athletic, younger players
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
Q Stu, how is he? Has he had a scan? Has he signed or not? Why did we let him play for USA
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
DF The club decided to offer him a year on same terms. It's signed, it's done. Let Stu go to SWFC for his sake. JK then phoned to ask if Stu
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
DF could go for two months. Let him go, more benefit to Stu to play competitive football. Watched game and feared for the worst. Due a scan
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
DF at 9pm GMT. Hopefully just a strain.
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
Q Any news on the standing area at some point in the future.
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
BWFC nothing planned for immediate future due to legislation. Show of hands for those in support. Even DF supports the idea
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
Q for Mark and Brian. What are we doing that is cutting edge?
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
BP we are the only club with HD infrastructure. More valid and reliable data. BP first in football to hold post. Working with McLaren F1 and
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
Red Bull to work on best ways to analyse and use data. DF. Zaha didn't develop on the training ground but did from video. BP able to ghost
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
Screen our player against others to assess decision making, used Messi as an example.
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
ML my role to bring the strands together. Players need educating as to why you do things. DF has an individual way of dealing with things
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
ML DF is organised, structured and players respond to that. It supports analysis and the medical and coaching. Also looking for relationship
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
Between parameters to see if they have missed anything. Maybe aiming for something we can achieve but won't know unless we put the effort in
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
Q Number 10 is a romantic ideology. Can we play with a 10 and do we have anyone at the club who can play that role.
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
DF football always evolving and adapting. I believe the Number 10 is a half and half midfield and striker. David Ngog the one.
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
DF I try my very best. Benitez rotated 10 years ago and was crucified. The man was ahead of his time. You need to rotate and tweak.
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
DF I made a mistake against Blackpool. I should've played 2 up top from the off.
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
It's now half time and I'm giving my thumb a well earned rest
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
And we are back
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
Q You were a fans favourite at CPFC. What made you come to BWFC?
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
DF I had a nice life in London, a good job. Things weren't being done right, shortcuts were being taken. I was a developer of players, made
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
DF assets for the club. People tried to tell me that wasn't how to do it. The club made an enquiry and I spoke to them. I spoke to the club
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
Could see the vision. The values what this club stands for blew me away and I made a professional decision and I feel a correct one.
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
Q You should've brought Brandy. How long did it take you to put your team together at Palace?
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
DF we have Josh Vela who is far better than Brandy. I had to get players who were hungry and wanted to play for the club. I had to mould and develop
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
DF I'm trying to win football matches and develop young players.
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
Q Do you have any info about the Chinese club we were connected with a few years ago?
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
BP as a club, we've always tried to create links across the world. The Chinese link is still there.
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
BP looking to identify ways we can develop from around the world.
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
Q Do you think the young players can come in and play consistently?
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
DF No. 4 possibilities who could make a small impact this season.
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
Also asked I'd he's frustrated that he's not been backed?
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
The club is not in a position where we can go out and spend large amounts of money. I've got a responsibility to the club and the fans
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
The club is not in a position where we can go out and spend large amounts of money. I've got a responsibility to the club and the fans
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
DF if the value is there, players will be at the club
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
Q I don't think the players show enough gratitude for the fans home and away
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
DF you've a point. When I came through the door there was a connection lost. Supporters taken the first step at re-establishing the link
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
Q Jordan Rhodes. Is he the right player and the right money?
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
DF he's the right player. I tried to buy him at CPFC which is why the link started. No contact between BWFC and BRFC. £8m too much
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
Q is there truth to a loan from Chelsea from the Cahill deal?
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
DF there was an agreement in principle. I enquired but the list of players available but none would've improved the group
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
Q How near is Mark Davies to being fit?
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
DF I've five departments at the club I control. Mark Leather will tell you where he is at.
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
ML MD has knee operated on about 5 weeks ago. Ball park figure August to December. Probably November to December for MD
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
ML MD ACL repair and some cartilage repaired. The main thing is he isn't rushed back. We have no pressure from DF to push players back
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
ML at other clubs there was pressure to get players back quickly. At BWFC under DF they are ready when they are ready
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
Q What is your strategy for the up and coming season? Any points targets?
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
DF we work in 3 game cycles. Can't look too far ahead because injuries/suspensions can affect. No points target. Plan to work hard.
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
DF results will be results. No pressure on players for results, that's my job to worry about
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
DF results will be results. No pressure on players for results, that's my job to worry about
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
Q well known Alan Nixon was an unofficial spokesman for the club under a previous regime. Is that still the case?
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
DF rumours are rumours. Basically he sort of basically said no.
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
DF players are focused on the game. Against Peterborough at home, we were 1-0 up and had a wobble. Support got us over the line
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
Q Ngog played better when you came to the club but when he shoots he doesn't put his foot through the ball.
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
DF came to the club and found a lost young man. I'm guessing his thinking. Henry finished the way Ngog tries to. He's got potential and
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
DF still growing. He needs to score more goals but we are working on it.
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
Q who else do you see in division as contenders?
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
DF Forest. Wigan and QPR will probably take time to adjust. Teams to watch Leicester, Brighton, Watford. In trying to get a squad to compete
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
At the top. We need more strength in depth. If we can get 14-15 strong players, we'll be up there?
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
Q Final question. Who was the best at the club at Table Tennis.
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
That question is left unanswered.
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
DF my father in law Ray Clemence told me about how Bill Shankley was great at communicating with the fans. I'll use twitter to engage.
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013
DF if you tweet me stupid questions then I'll tweet you stupid answers
— Michael Murray (@mervynthepanda) July 29, 2013