Expectation

"There was going to be significant change in the way we did things and, whenever that happens, it’s going to be really challenging for people. I do enjoy it, it’s kind of what excites me in starting a new role. It’s always interesting to see how people react, and people react differently. My gut instinct was, for the most part, the players would embrace it. I was really happy with the coaching staff we put together, really excited by that. From there, it was really interesting to see where it would take us. At the start of pre-season we went to Australia, by the end of that trip, I could see enough there for us to at least start beginning to be the team we wanted to be."

The start

"If we hadn’t got off to a good start in terms of results and performances, it could have been an even more difficult and challenging year than it was, but we had a really healthy squad, a strong bench and the momentum carried us through. It’s a funny one, the Manager of the Month, because you know you are just representing a larger group of people, not just the coaching staff, but everyone involved in whole football department."

Chelsea

"We scored and Sonny was inches offside from getting the second goal. Then Romero got sent off and they get a penalty, Micky does his hamstring, so you’ve lost your two starting centre-halves… in that moment, my instincts weren’t about the game, my instincts were, ‘okay, here it is, the first big challenge for us’.  I knew from then it would be an interesting insight as to where we’re at, how we react to extreme adversity and to be honest, I was really happy with the way we did that. We had some tough games, but we were competitive all the way through. The results were a little inconsistent, but we were in every game. That also gave me a lot of heart about the spirit in the group, but I also knew that would have an end date because eventually, that spirit, it’s like fuel, it runs out, you get tired, and I think that caught up with us towards the end of the year."

Change

"I also knew we’d have some massive challenges in my first year, and we’ve had that as well. I think I have a really good handle now, having gone through good times and the adversity, of what it’s going to take to get to the next step. I’m pretty confident we’ll see our football on a more consistent basis, a lot more confident the group will able to sustain our levels of performance."

Progress

"If that’s the baseline where they’ve played this year, I just feel there is a lot of excitement for what could be in the next couple of years. It’s been a challenging year and it might get skewed a little with the way the season’s finished, but I think we’ve had some memorable times, some fantastic games at the stadium, some unbelievable finishes, stuff fans will remember for a quite a while and they were a big part of that, the supporters with the atmosphere they created, it’s no coincidence we scored so many late goals because of the atmosphere they created in the stadium."

Fans and looking forward

"Fans just want their players to give everything they’ve got for their football club. Irrespective of the outcome, if you do that, there will always be an appreciation. From what I’ve seen this year, they are going to get some real heroes to follow in the next couple of years. That’s important for fans, it’s not just about the team, they want players they want to worship, and I can see quite a few in this group making a real impact at this football club. I think the supporters will enjoy watching that happen."