What attracted you to join Squires Gate? What has been your previous career prior to joining the club?
First and foremost I met Luke about 5 years ago, and we have been friends ever since. He was a scout at Fleetwood Town, and I was at Manchester City. He got the manager position at Squires Gate, and originally Luke brought in Shane to work with him but he left during the summer to be closer to home in Burnley so then Luke phoned me and asked if I wanted to come to Gate, and here we are. I felt like it was the right move for me, as the lads wouldn't know me and I knew I could bring some influence to the squad.

I used to be a professional player back in the day, I played for the likes of Huddersfield Town, Blackpool, Accrington Stanley before going back into non league where I then went into management. My first management job was with Burnley Belverdere, who were a local amateur side. The standard weren't great but we were successful, winning 3 successive league titles and reaching the West Lancs Premier Division. It was hard for us, as you know how it works, when you get 3 promotions on the bounce, you get teams coming in for your players and the budget doesn't cover the demands.

I then got an offer from Burnley FC, where I scouted for 8 years and I actually worked with Kieran Feeney who now plays for us. I then was made into scout co-ordinator, looking after the North West before Manchester City came in and offered me a job working for them. I've worked there for 5 years now. It’s a complete contrast working for City.

So, does that mean you get to speak with Pep Guardiola?
I've spoke to him a few times. It's never really about football. He’s a really nice guy. He's dead small, but looks tall on the tele. He makes me look like a giant.

What makes you the perfect assistant, and why do you think Luke needed you by his side?
Like I said, my experience is second to none but I think trust is key. We both trust each other, and we have the same quotes and morals. He is there to make the big decisions like any manager is, and I'm there to advise and support him along the way. Ultimately he will make the final decision but I have my input, and come up with new ideas. I think it's important as sometimes you can feel like you're going mad so when you get a second opinion, it gives you that little bit of relief. I still believe we can turn this around, it's been a bit of a blip but we both believe in this set of players.

What qualities does Luke possess?
He has a good eye, he understands the game, and he is ambitious. He knows exactly what he wants. He wants Squires Gate to be successful on and off the pitch, and I think Tony has been very supportive. Luke is very driven and he wants the best for this football club, which is great to see.

What are your thoughts on the season so far? After such a positive pre season, you must be disappointed?
No, I wouldn't say disappointed. I would say more frustrated. We had such a strong pre season and we thought we were onto something as we played teams at a higher level and looked comfortable. They brought some very strong teams and we competed and won both games.

Look, the first game at Congleton which we should have won. After leading the game going into the last couple of minutes, and then to come away with nothing, we only have ourselves to blame. I could go into detail about how we have been unlucky in some games but the table doesn't lie. As much as I sit and tell you that we should be on 7 or 8 points which would put us in the top 6. The reality is, we only have 3 points. We believe in this set of lads, and we know that there is some unbelievable talent here.

What are the goals for this season now, given that we are only 7 games in?
Well, potentially we don’t know when the league is going to start again. Realistically we can’t play behind closed doors, as we need the matchday revenue. When it eventually restarts, I think it’ll be like a new season for us, with players returning from injuries and potential new signings. The goal at the start was promotion, and nothing says that we can’t go on a run and get up there. We’ve set the players goals to keep fit over lockdown, they all seem like they are working hard and keeping fit. So we will see what happens when we get back, and hopefully we can put a string of results together and start fighting up the right end of the table. If we can't get promotion, then we will just go make ourselves stronger for following season.

What's the best game that you have watched and played in?
Best watched – Champions League Final 1999. Me and my son went to Camp Nou, as we got tickets. We stayed overnight in Salou. At 90 minutes, I didn’t wanna be there. After 95 I was celebrating, which continued for 2 weeks. It was the best atmosphere I’ve ever been in. We were in the ground for an hour afterwards.

Best played – When I was an apprentice. We got an opportunity to play at some great grounds; Anfield, Goodison, Maine Road, Old Trafford. Being a big United fan, it has to be the Old Trafford game when we played in front of 10,000 against United reserves. I was playing against Ray Wilkins in the centre of the park. Mark Hughes scored the winner in the game, and then went on to make his first team debut on the following Saturday. The reserves league back then was fantastic, I was very fortunate as if players weren't fit enough they would get some time in the reserves to try and get back to match fitness.

Most used app on your phone?
Whatsapp and Twitter. I’d probably say Twitter as it’s a great forum for football as you can find out what’s happening with players, interacting and as a scout that’s important.

What's your typical matchday routine?
It's the same every week. I go for a walk, come home and have breakfast with my wife. Get to the ground half hour, 45 minutes before the game. I like to be organised and relax before the players turn up, have a cup of tea and chat to Luke. Luke and myself just focus on getting the team right, picking the team. It's the same at home or away. I haven’t got any superstitions. The last thing I say before the lads go out is “Go and be as good as you can and don’t leave anything in the dressing room”.

What would your advice be to any aspiring coaches?
I would say if you want to get into it. You have to know the league, and the players. Wherever you go, you have to go in and influence the team. A job usually comes up because someone has left the club or been sacked so you need to have confidence to go in and make a difference and pick up morale. You need to believe in your own ability, and have a philosophy. I personally like to play attacking football, but you have to earn the right to play that sort of football. If you look at the Premier League, teams don't play like that until they are 2 or 3-0 up. So yeah, be confident in yourself and have a philosophy.

How do you get yourself and the players motivated for the game? Who has the worst music taste in the team?
You don't need to try and motivate me. I want to win at everything, that's the mentality you need if you want to make it as a professional. We’ve had this conversation with the players, we can only put them out to play, and encourage them. It's up to them to go out and execute instructions and motivate themselves. In terms of worst music taste, they are all absolutely terrible. Every time I go in the dressing room, they have something terrible on. I asked them to put some Bee Gee's on a couple of weeks ago, came back in from the warm up and they put it on for me.

Apart from football, what sports do you enjoy watching or playing?
I like IPL Cricket and American Sports. I go to Old Trafford for the Twenty20. I do like cricket in general but I do prefer T20 as it's a lot quicker and entertaining. I generally don’t play a lot, just walking and keeping fit. I'm always scouting and then Saturdays are for football so any spare time is usually spent with my wife.

Finally, are you glad to be back in the game?
Definitely, I’m glad to be back in the game. We just need a bit of belief when we get back to playing again. The atmosphere around the squad is great. I just want to go round players and praise them but we can’t for the moment. I just ask for the fans to continue sticking by us. We need to pick it up and things will change. A couple players coming in and hopefully we can turn the corner. We are working hard behind the scenes and we are looking forward to welcoming everyone back.