MWJ web chat

12:42
Hello and welcome to the live webchat with board director Michael Wynn Jones.
12:45
[Comment From Michael Wynn Jones ]
Afternoon all, thanks for joining me for this webchat. We've had some questions in advance and please send in any more you have, I'll answer as many as possible in the hour ahead.
12:46
NCFC Media Team: The first question is submitted by email:
Once again City have withdrawn from the Reserves league. Apparently we are not alone in finding the current reserve system neither bridges the gap between academy and first team nor keeps fringe players fit.
However as we have seen before trying to fix up occasional "friendly" games doesn't work very well either. What steps are the club taking to try to persuade the Football League to review and improve the current system?

William White
12:50
Michael Wynn Jones: Hi William, the decision about reserve football is very much in the manager's hands and we are confident that with our network we can find suitable opponents. We believe the players will get much better opportunities by our having the chance to select who we play, and when, and where. Talking to the League about reserve fixtures may well be on the agenda but not immediately.
12:50
[Comment From paulncfc ]
Do you agree with the need for a wage cap for players?
12:52
Michael Wynn Jones: Hello Paul,
personally I do, yes. It was very much on the agenda of former Chairman of the League Lord Mawhinney and he had some very constructive proposals, which sadly some clubs with extremely rich owners weren't prepared to contemplate. I feel sooner or later it has got to happen.
12:53
NCFC Media Team:
Hello Michael,
Is there any truth in the club being approached by lotus f1 team principal Tony Fernandes.

Regards
Ali Rodriguez
12:56
Michael Wynn Jones: Hi Ali,
Tony Fernandes did indeed approach us, but it was to see if we could give him tickets for the match against Southend, which we were more than happy to do. He was most impressed by the Club that evening and that was it. I suspect he has more pressing things on his mind at the moment with the start of the F1 season and the exciting involvement of his Lotus team. Of course as we both recognise, with both our colours being yellow and green, there may be some future marketing opportunities for both of us.
12:57
[Comment From Jake Ward ]
Hello Michael, is there any truth in Carrow road having an increase stadium capacity at the end of the season with so many fans renewing their season tickets?
1:00
Michael Wynn Jones: Hello Jake,
it would be wonderful if we found a way to increase our capacity without building. This is being investigated as we speak. Obviously, any additions to or replacement of existing stands has got to be a long-term project, not least for financial reasons. But also, we would have to make absolutely certain we could fill extra capacity before we created it otherwise it could be a financial disaster.
1:01
[Comment From TONY ]
HOW CONFIDENT ARE YOU THAT THE CLUB WILL BE ABLE TO MANAGE THE CURRENT DEBT AND NOT HAVE TO GO INTO ADMINISTRATION
1:04
Michael Wynn Jones: Hello Tony,
we do have a positive relationship with our bank and our lenders, which makes me confident we can manage our debt. For the answer to the second part of your question may I refer you to the News of the World of February 28!
1:06
NCFC Media Team:
First of all Michael, I would like to thank you and Delia for all that you have done for the Club over the years. My question to you is that if everything goes to plan and we are promoted this season (hopefully as champions) is there a plan in place to make sure that we hold on to the players that have helped get us there (i.e. Holt, Hoolahan, and Martin). I am aware that Chris Martin has signed a new deal which is great news, but regarding Grant and Wes I think a lot of fans would like to see either a new or extended contract offered as a reward for what they have achieved this season and it would show real ambition from the board in getting us back to where we really want to be.

Thanks
Nick Taylor (Flying the flag for the canaries in Yorkshire)
1:09
Michael Wynn Jones: Greetings to Yorkshire and thank you for your kind words. First of all I think it's important to recognise the contribution from the entire playing squad, but specifically the two players you mention, Grant Holt and Wes Hoolahan, I'm delighted to say already have a number of years left on their contracts.

Posted By: Klobo04, Mar 22, 13:15:38