Meet Jonathon Acres Part 2
Radio Stoke´s sports reporter (Part 2)
Del 2 av intervjun med Jonathon Acres; Radio Stokes sportsreporter.
16. Now on to Stoke City, of course this is a good time to be a Stoke supporter but it was a different story when you started, are you surprised at the transformation? And possibly a few words on Tony Pulis predecessor Johan Boskamp
They've come a long way in the 6 years I've been here. I'm not surprised they stayed up this season, not at all. I said they would. But I am surprised at the manner in which they did it. The crowd were better and louder than I ever thought they could be. Some of the players that played in the championship last season adapted better than I thought. Great time to be a Stoke, best atmosphere at any ground in Britain, that's not a bad club to follow. Johan Boskamp was a really nice guy, and gave some memorable interview... 'The Asians are coming?' 'I am not really a man' all that stuff. I don't think he knew enough about the English game to succeed, and the club didn't have an ambitious enough board at the time in my opinion, although they would have stood a chance if they'd kept TP and given him a million pounds to spend on a player.
17. Last season was amazing, I personally thought we would struggle to survive, I’ll willingly admit it, what did you think yourself before the start of the season?
I thought they'd stay up, said it on the air, and on the season review DVD!
18. Tony Pulis appears to be a man who has immense energy, would you agree?
He never stops, he's always on the go, loudest voice I've ever heard too!
19. Is he an easy man to interview?
Most of the time yes he is. Although Nigel's job after the game is far more difficult than my job before the game. He's more relaxed at the Thursday presser. He does the most 1 on 1 interviews of any manager in Europe, I can almost guarantee that, he must do 15 every Thursday.
20. What about the players, are they helpful/nice towards you?
On the whole... very. You get the odd one who doesn't like speaking. Dave Kitson didn't want to talk much after the start of last season, but on the whole they're great.
21. They all have been on media training of course, is it impossible to get them to say anything apart from the “bloody obvious”?
Some do, there are some good talkers in there, but you need to ask questions that break the mould sometimes to get different answers.
22. We have all read about the atmosphere at the Brit. last year (and of course Stokes away support), just what has it been like?
Deafening! To give you an idea, the lads back in the studio would shout down my headphones...' Can you turn your crowd mic down please?' and I'll shout back 'IT'S NOT SWITCHED ON!'
23. Which players have really shone out for you last year?
Abdoulaye Faye... signing of the season... any club. Ryan Shawcross. James Beattie. Andy Wilkinson. Ricardo. Rory. Liam. Higgy. Glenn. First half of the season - Mama.
24. If you must choose one game last year, which one would you choose?
Arsenal at home, just over Villa at home, because of how good a team Arsenal actually are.
25. Looking to next season, well known as the difficult second season, do you think the players and supporters especially, can motivate themselves again?
Yes and Yes. I think it's be as good certainly for half the games. I just hope the fans can generate the same noise, when Fulham, Wigan, Portsmouth, Sunderland etc come to town, they'll be expecting to win this year, unlike last year. Players will never be anything other than 100 percent motivated under TP he won't allow anything else.
26. Having survived in the end comfortably, do you think Pulis will stick by the same tactics next year or will we see something different this year?
Same again for me, but the more quality he signs, the more football they will play as a result, which will help to open teams up.
26. Stoke City would appear to have a good economy compared to many other teams e.g. Portsmouth, do you think this will have a big effect on next season?
Yes I think so. Stoke are very lucky to have Peter Coates, that says it all.
27. Where do you think Stoke will be looking to strengthen the side? Any names that you think might be wearing the red and white stripes this year?
That's a tricky one. Cisse? O'Neill? I imagine he will be going after that pair, but I don't know whether he'll get them. He needs a striker, centre midfielder, another centre half maybe?
28. What about players leaving us later this summer, who might go?
Kitson. Griffin. Couldn't tell you any others. Sonko and Soares maybe?
29. Back to Tony Pulis, do you think there is a risk that another club might come in for him or as he is a Welshman, would the manager of Wales job interest him?
A job in the Prem is a better job than the Welsh job, he'd only do it towards the end of his career if there was nothing left for him in the Prem. I can't see many jobs outside the top 4 that he's take. With the right backing he could take Stoke into Europe in the next 4 years.
30. Now I’m putting you on the block, how do you think it will go this year?
Stoke will finish 14th, and their away form will be better, but their home form worse. I'm guessing though of course!
31. Well Jonathon, thanks for your wonderful shows that we Stokies in Sweden passionately listen to especially during dark winter evenings. Being young and ambitious I must ask, will you be staying at Radio Stoke for this season or will you be moving on to newer pastures?
Staying at Stoke! There's no way I'm missing out on the free food at Premier League grounds!
32. Finally, a question we always ask, were you surprised at the interest/knowledge of Stoke City here in Sweden/Scandinavia and what comes to your mind when think of Sweden (apart from blonde girls)?
I was surprised that day I saw you at Aston Villa last season, I thought it was fantastic. Sweden... hmm... Not allowed to say gorgeous blondes? Beautiful scenery, great golfers, nice friendly people, expensive beer. Great flag. Good sportsmen oh, and I got told I looked like Thomas Brolin once.
Well Jonathon, thanks a lot for your time and it will be great to tune into your shows during the long dark Swedish winter.
