"All this about Blackpool is just speculation, obviously it's flattering but at the moment it is just speculation and it shows just what we have achieved that if there is interest, it's coming from a club that is two divisions higher.  It's good but at the moment, it's just speculation and until I hear otherwise I'm just getting on with what I'm doing, and that's meeting new players."

I've met one this morning and will be meeting another one this afternoon.  I think I said this last week, but I want these new players done as soon as possible.  I met another player on Friday, another two today.  It's just continuing at the moment."

"I have made some progress with them and I always go about it in the same way.  I always go and speak to them without discussing money, and preferably I do it without agents being there, to see if they want to buy what we are trying to do.  If they do want it, then I will speak to the agent and discuss money, that's usually where we fall down, but the good thing for me is that players want to come here.  They have seen what we are trying to do and they've seen how we play and they want to come to us.  It makes it a lot easier than it has been in the past."

"It's unbelievable, I have players phoning me, quality players asking if they can come and pay here.  Its good, but the only thing is that these type of players cost money.  In the meetings that we've had I have guaranteed that if they come to us, they will be better players when they leave.  That's our guarantee, we can't offer them thousands of pounds but I can offer them the fact that they will be better players."

"It's much easier to sell the club to players this year than it was last year, it's still difficult, but it is easier and because of what we have done and the manner in which we've done it.  The creative and technical players see that and think that they can fit into what we are trying to do here."

"Obviously we've had to let some go, and they were pretty tough decisions.  We all know what Glynn Hurst is about and it was a really difficult decision for me to take, but in the end it wasn't.  Glynn came in and more or less said to me that he wouldn't have accepted any offer from us.  Hursty wants to play every week.  I couldn't guarantee that.  Hopefully next season I will have four strikers and I can't guarantee anyone that they will start every week.  I'm disappointed to see him go.  He is an experienced player and he wants to play every week.  He feels and I feel that he wouldn't be happy in the same role next season so it's probably best for both of us."

"With Steve Haslam, again a really difficult decision.  He came in and did really well, but I have Scotty at right back.  I don't think I need two experienced right backs and unfortunately, his contract was up.  Hursty was fine with it but it wasn't so good for Steve Haslam, as I expected because he had done so well.  We haven't lost since Steve got in the team, but unfortunately you have to make these decisions plus I have to free up some money somewhere to strengthen elsewhere.  Unfortunately it was just one of those things.  I'm quite sure that Steve will get another club; he's solid and a great professional.  He hasn't ever given me any cause for bother or any trouble."

"We've activated a clause in Ben Futcher's contract.  He's been fantastic for us and I will tell you exactly what I said to him.  When I first came in the door I wasn't particularly enamored with him.  I thought that he would be one that I would have to change, but full credit to him, he's now a big player for us.  He gives us a lot on the pitch and in the dressing room, plus he's really focused and the good thing for me is that he thinks he can be a lot better and I am delighted with that."

"There is a clause in his contract that we can activate, he can also activate it but it's not signed and sealed yet because Ben wants a longer deal, there is some negotiation to go on."