This is a rough summary of the press conference with the answers to some questions collated together for easier reading. The full audio from the presser is available at the top of this page on our website or in the podcast feed.
Lee Grant
Transfer deadline day - any more to come in?
No, not that I’m aware of!
We’re really pleased to have Will Alves in the building. We think he’ll be a really good addition to that front line and he can play two or three positions as well, which is super helpful for us and we’re excited to get working with him. But as things stand, that’s us.
I don’t expect us to do any more business as things stand right now. I can’t make any promises on that, but my feeling is Will will be our last player in. I think along with a few other managers I’ll be glad to see the window shut.
Outgoings?
No news on that so far. There’s a possibility we lose one or two but as things stand the squad is set.
If we were to lose somebody it would fall into the category of mutual on both sides with someone who has clarity on the situation already and wouldn’t be a surprise to that individual. We’re fortunate we have really good backing from the ownership to be able to hold onto everybody and that’s what I expect to happen by the end of the window.
When the window shuts we’ll be really happy with the squad we’ve assembled, who we feel can give us a really good fight between now and the next window and give us a really good foundation.
Thoughts on deadline day generally
I’ve got to say I wouldn’t want to be a in a position where we were trying to fill gaps in the squad, that would be frustrating. There’s enough to do without scrambling around on the phone or chasing agents or trying to find out where players are on the motorway. I’m pleased we’re not in that position.
Vertu Trophy
We approach it like every game, where we give it our full respect and pick a team we think can go and win it.
We’ve been pretty open within the group that in all the cups this year we want to give a really good account of ourselves. We feel every game deserves that, especially when we’re in front of our own supporters. We want to progress and getting to the latter stages would potentially be a really exciting one for us as a group and as a football club. Why not?
The group are focused on it and that’s been a two-way street. Let’s attack it and give it a really good go.
Why is the Trophy not better regarded?
It’s the newest competition and the format is a bit different, but if we’re so fortunate to be in a position where we progress I’m fairly certain the supporters will be excited as to where that can lead potentially. We want to create that excitement in our fanbase and we’ve really earmarked it as an opportunity this year.
Thoughts on U21 PL sides playing in the Trophy
It’s hard for me to [knock it], partly because my son is in that system and it’s great for me to see youngsters get exposure to senior football.
In my position, it’s wonderful for L1 and L2 managers to look at top young talent and see how they fare in big games in senior football. It’s a real opportunity to look at those players and see how they get on, because they’re potentially going to end up on loan over the next couple of years.
For me it’s a win-win. Externally I can understand why it may look differently to some, same as anybody that tries to break away like the European Super League. But for me it’s good to see young players pitting their wits against senior teams.
Is Will Alves available to play on Tuesday?
Yep, we’ll have Will available. We’ll pick a team we think can the game. We’re for sure going to use senior players, some of our younger players, and use our squad — I don’t think that will surprise anyone at this point.
Owen Goodman will be available. With our keepers the one that’s played in the league has sat on the bench in the cups so far, so more than likely Lee Nicholls will play tomorrow then Owen’s suspension will start on Saturday.
Is Jacob Chapman fit for the bench?
No, he’s still recovering from his knock to his ankle from the summer, so it’s a chance for one of our younger keepers to be on the bench while Owen is suspended.
Tell us about Will Alves
Will can play in pockets or play on the left for us and I think he can help us across several positions, which is really nice. He perhaps offers us something different so I wouldn’t put him in a pigeonhole with anyone else we have in the building. We want to have a point of difference and different players who can do different things at different times.
His ball-carrying is really exciting and I’m looking forward to seeing that. He’s another young player we want to help on his journey, like Leo and the others, and we want to send them back to their parent clubs next summer as better players.
Any more injury news?
We got a few bumps and bruises and a dead leg and a kick to the ankle, but that’s all fine. People were mobile today so we weren’t worried about anybody today. I don’t see anything dragging on till the end of the week but it may be smart not to risk some of those bumps and bruises on Tuesday.
Alfie May is one of them, he had a bit of a stamp — not purposeful — but he’s OK and if I gave him the choice to start on Tuesday I think he would. It’s not one I’m worried about but I need to be mindful and make sure we don’t push it with anybody.
Good or bad to have no international break at the weekend?
I’m not sure how I feel about it to be honest. I just love the games and after Saturday’s result, we would have played on Monday morning if we could.
I am looking forward to having games Saturday-Saturday next week [with no midweek game] and having more time on the training ground. At the moment it really is just preparing for matches.
Donate to Walk4Pounds
While I’ve got you, just want to ask if you have two minutes and a few quid to spare for a very good cause. I’ll be taking part in the shorter 10-mile route for Walk for Denis in September, which culminates at Accu Stadium ahead of the League One clash with Burton Albion.
Organised by Huddersfield Town, the walk is raising money for the Alzheimer’s Society and the Huddersfield Town Foundation in memory of the late, great Denis Law.
You can make a donation here - any amount gratefully received.
Even better, if you’re interested in signing up for the walk, details on how to sign up for the walk are here. Thanks!
Josh Feeney
Will Alves signing
I know Will well. I’ve played with him quite a few times for England along with Leo as well. He’s a really good player, skilful, technical, creative and I think he’ll score a few goals as well.
Why join Town?
I’ve known the gaffer before because I’ve played with his son and I knew he was a good young coach coming through at Ipswich. As soon as I spoke to him it felt like a no-brainer. I didn’t look anywhere else.
The fanbase is incredible for this level. We’ve started well and I think we’ll keep that up and do well this season.
Shrewsbury was really good for me. It was my first loan in England and there are loads of great people there, but the club size is totally different. It’s a massive club here and I’m really enjoying it so far.
Building defensive relationships
I’ve played with Joe and Jack in pre-season as well so I’m getting used to it. As we play more games we’ll get used to each other. It’s competitive, there’s five good centre-halves in the building, and you have to earn your spot.
Personal strengths
I like to think I’m good on the ball and I’m competitive with my physical side - my duels, my heading.
Vertu Trophy
We want to win this competition and I think we can. We need to put our heads on it and put Saturday behind us.
(On differences from youth football in League One): It’s the opposition mainly: you’re coming up against experienced players. And there’s obviously more fans in the stadium, so you have to get used to that.
From 21s football to League One, it’s a completely different game, and you need that mentality where you need to win. It’s men’s football, and the schedule of game takes a bit of getting used to.
The 21s is for developing players but Newcastle’s players are all good players and they’ll be coming here thinking they can get something, so we need to make sure we’re on it.
I’m biased obviously but think it’s good for the under-21s to be able to get this kind of experience. It’s hard to get experience as a young player — I went to Spain because I couldn’t get a loan in England.
Previous loans
It was quite surprising — one morning the gaffer pulled me and told me I was going to Spain!
It was an experience to say the least. I didn’t expect to be going out there at 18 - it was kind of put on me and not how I planned it. It was really good experience and I played under a couple of different managers. There weren’t many people who spoke English and the style of football is different and you learn from everything you experience.
I think I missed about six games at the start of the season at Shrewsbury last year and it was tough not being able to go out and integrate with the lads the same as if you’re on the pitch.
Time at Town so far
I’m happy. I wish Saturday had gone a bit better, but we’ve started well. The Leicester game was special as well and I hope there’s a few more of them.
Advice from Villa players
I’ve been training with them since I was 16. John McGinn is always talking to me, Ezri Konsa helps me in training as well…they’re all great lads and they try to help me.
We’ve got a couple of loan managers, including Tony Carss who was here as a player - I’ll give him a little shoutout! They keep an eye on games and give me tips on what I can do better in games.
Bradford away coming up soon
Yeah, we have to win that. We know it’s going to be a big game and the fans were incredible on Saturday, I’ve never experienced away fans like that. We’ve got games Tuesday-Saturday before that but then we’ll be concentrating on that.
