September
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"We're going through a lean spell at the moment and ever since I came here I warned people that there are no miracles in football. You have to look at the whole forest, not just a few trees, and our forest is growing in the right way.

I know we are building a better squad of players all the time - we were much better than Brighton on Saturday and they were top of the division at the time.

Alan Cork will get things going in the right direction on the field. I'm confident of that. People must remember we are going to have good times and times that aren't so good. My ambition is to make this football club great but that could take 20 years".

Sam, when asked about the Dave Bassett rumours said

"Alan Cork is like a diamond. He has many good qualities and you can see that by the quality of players he has brought to this club. I am definitely not going to replace him or move him sideways to another position. He will stay as our manager.

But a diamond must also be polished to keep its shine. That's why we brought in Ian Atkins during the summer. We felt we needed a good and experienced hand alongside Alan but it just didn't work out. It was a case of two people not gelling. That's no reflection on Ian who is a first-class coach in his own right, but it had to be changed.

There is now inevitable speculation over who will come here and replace Ian. Dave Bassett is an obvious name because he was my manager at Wimbledon for so many years.

He is a man I greatly admire and I keep in touch with him on the telephone the same way I do with Dario Gradi, Ray Harford and Bobby Gould and so many other people I've known for a long time.

But I can tell you that the only time I've talked to `Harry' in the last few weeks was to offer my condolences when his father passed away."

The sudden removal of Atkins shows the level of respect Sam has for Alan Cork. The relationship was fraught between Cork and Atkins. You could see that on the touchline, the way substitutions were argued over and the way Cork appeared to throw his hands up and sit back when Atkins was trying to dictate matters.

Sam has said that Cork is No. 1 and he can appoint his own No. 2. Dave Bassett a No. 2 to Cork? I don't think so. Maybe Bassett if it is true he is coming would be an advisor but he has the chance at full time first division managerial posts I think he'd rather be No.1 any time.

Alan Cork has insisted he is the manager and will be in charge for City's next game at Bristol City next Tuesday.

Cork still has is doubters. Is he strong enough and respected enough to handle a £10m squad and get them playing at their best.

Corks most testing time will come in the next few weeks. With Ian Atkins out of the way Cork will have no-one to blame but himself if things go wrong.

He made some positive move on Saturday by playing Jason Bowen and Leon Jeanne. He must now look at all of his squad and not just the top 16 / 17 he prefers. Ian Butterworth has reserve team players like Matt Brazier and Andy Thompson is good form and they can offer a lot to the first team with their experience.

I am happy about the removal of Atkins. Nothing personal I never knew the man but I was convinced he was causing problems behind the scenes.

The time is now for Alan Cork to show his mettle.