The BIG Interview - George Burley

Last updated : 09 December 2004 By The Rambler

DerbyMad: Can we start with who is and who is not available for the Forest game this weekend?

George Burley: Well the 2 long-term injuries – Mohammed Konjic and Jamie Vincent – are still out. Mohammed, of course, with a knee injury and Jamie with a calf both out for a few more weeks. Michael Johnson trained today. Michael had to come off on Saturday. He trained with a brace, which will protect it. He didn’t have any problems so hopefully he will be available for Saturday.

DM: Can you kill off some of the rumours and tell us what exactly is the situation with Mo?

GB: Pete Melville the physio and I took Mo to Cambridge on Tuesday to see Mr. Dandy who is one of the op knee specialists in the world. He recommended a course of injections in the next 2 or 3 weeks but it is going to take time. For things just to settle down after the last operation. He doesn’t need another operation, sol that is great, but we just have to be patient and see how quickly it settles down.

DM: So funds being tight do you have to keep juggling round with the players that you have got?

GB: Yes. We are looking forward to the game on Saturday. We’ve got a couple of permutations. A big game of course for the players, the fans and everybody who lives in the community round about. We had a good win last year at home to Forest where there was a lot of pressure as far as us needing to win really in order to make sure that we stayed in the league. But it promises to be a cracking game.

DM: How surprised are you that things have changed to the extent that Forest go into this game needing victory to get out of trouble?

GB: I think everybody is surprised when you look at Forest’s squad of players that they are in the bottom 3. They had a good win on Saturday against Reading. Potentially they have a squad that is good enough to get near the top 6. It hasn’t happened for them and maybe that tells you how competitive this league is because you have got to beat he best to win matches. It’s a game where we have had a good season so far but we need to start winning again to establish ourselves in that top half of the table. But we know that it is going to be a hard game.

DM: Presumably this is one of those games where other than talking tactics you don’t need to do any motivational speaking.

GB: That’s right. Capacity crowds, local derby. There is going to be a lot of tension so it will be more a case of relaxing them and trying to get them out there playing their own game, and impose ourselves on Forest.

DM: One of the obvious problems that you will have with Forest is danger man Andy Reid, and not knowing whether he will play on the right or the left.

GB: Yes he is a quality player. There has been a lot of talk about Premiership clubs making offers for him. He is an international with a lot of talent. So either on the right or the left he can be a dangerous player.

DM: And someone else who I am sure would like o do one over on you for old times sake is David Johnson.

GB: David I know well. When I was at Ipswich I brought him in from Bury and he did tremendously well. He was our leading goalscorer in the 3 and a half season he was there. I sold him for £3million. He’s had a nasty injury when he broke his leg last season. This season he is fully fit. Maybe he is not scoring as regularly as he knows he can but he’s a handful.

DM: All the players tell me that this is the sort of game that they want to take part in as professionals. Is that the same for the manager?

GB: Yes. There’s a great atmosphere, but there is a lot at stake. It’s great when you win, but not so good when you lose. You are pitting your wits against your local rivals and hoping that you come out on top.

DM: Are you looking forward to it?

GB: Yes I’m looking forward, as I say, to getting back into winning ways. We have got a squad of players that have worked very hard this season. So it’s a question of trying to establish ourselves in that top half of the table.