Quotes from pinkun interview....

Ben Knapper is sitting with us in Colney's academy boardroom. Asked about what's gone so badly wrong for #NCFC, he says: "We're nowhere near where we want, need or expect to be. I take accountability for that. We should always be aiming to get promoted."

On how to bring fans back onside, BK says: "I don't think it's about words. It's us taking actions and winning games on the field. Talk is cheap, and it's not the time for that. It's completely unacceptable to be where we are, and that's on me."

Knapper on Manning: "I've been asking myself why it went so wrong. We felt that it was the right decision to bring him to the club, but things weren't good enough. You know that when you get to the November break, it's an opportunity to replace the head coach in a controlled manner. We tried to hold on for as long as possible, but we couldn't. We were forced to do it."

BK: "There are mistakes that I've made that I need to put right. Player availability is a big thing - we've had issues before there, and that's on me. I'm responsible for that and I've not been able to find the reasons why. It's become worse this year and we've commissioned an external audit."

Knapper: "A big part of us bringing Philippe here is to address the physical side. His teams are always good physically and he has a good availability record."

"I feel fortunate to be in this position full stop, even from day one. I understand that my judgement has been called into question. I fully accept that - everyone's entitled to their view, but my focus is on trying to turn this around."

Knapper on whether he's thought about resigning: "It just makes me more determined. I'm committed to this 100%, I have the fire in my belly, and if anything I'm more determined. I know what I'm capable of and I know I can turn this around."

Ben Knapper: "We would never sign a player based purely on numbers."

BK on recruitment: "Our biggest challenge has been player availability. Too many of the players we've brought in, we haven't seen consistently. Mathias Kvistgaarden and Papa Diallo are two examples. We've not managed some of the signings' integration well enough."

Knapper on Nunez sale: "A really difficult decision and not one that I took lightly. But we wanted to continue to work with him and he made it clear that he didn't. He made it clear that he wanted to join our biggest rivals and from that moment I didn't think that he could be part of our group. If I had my time again, I would make the same decision."

BK: "The team isn't fit enough right now. I don't think we got pre-season right, and that was a factor. With Philippe we'll train more and with more intensity. We'll be in more often as well."

BK: "When I reflect on how I interact with fans, I think I can do better and be more visible. But the balance is always fine, because talk is cheap."

Posted By: DrDublin, Nov 19, 17:48:50