No Concerns (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

No Concerns

POINTS not pundits are Iffy Onuora's prime concern as Town prepare to open their doors to Ron Atkinson and the small screen.

As revealed by the Swindon Advertiser yesterday, the club are to be the stars of a fly-on-the-wall series which will see life at the County Ground captured on camera over the remainder of the current League One campaign.

To be shown after the completion of the season, the show will feature former Manchester United boss and television pundit Atkinson as the man examining all aspects of life at the club.

The exact format of the show will not be revealed until next week but Onuora has given his blessing to the project.

Atkinson's comments about former Chelsea player Marcel Desailly saw him forced to leave his role as an ITV pundit but he has since made clear his regret.

Onuora has spoken to Atkinson during talks to finalise the television deal.

He said: "It was an idea that was put to us. We'll see what comes of it.

"I'm told that it's fairly unintrusive. After a while you take no notice of them (the cameras).

"It's a window into the soul of the club I suppose but as a manager you just carry on as normal.

"It's a chance for people to see what we do.

"I'm sure many managers would probably appreciate that it's a chance to see how hard you work behind the scenes and to some extent how you take it all home with you."

As for Atkinson's involvement, Onuora said: "We had a conversation about that (the Desailly remarks).

"I think he felt he was caught off guard and whathave you. I expressed my opinion but he's a football guy and he's got experience.

"I'm not saying I was completely 'au fait' with what happened and what was said but we've all got to move on at some point.

"It's another set of eyes. He's an experienced manager and if he made a suggestion you'd be crazy not to listen or take it on board."

But it is prising points from the festive fixtures which dominate Onuora's thoughts.

Christian Roberts (flu) and Gareth Whalley (leg) both missed training yesterday but Andy Gurney is back in the frame again.

Charlie Comyn-Platt will be assessed again today.

One man Onuora will have to do without is defender Patrick Collins.

The manager said: "Patrick will be going back to Sheffield Wednesday.

"He's done well. He's always trained properly and been a good pro.

"Strange things happen in football. He could go back there and go straight back into their first team.

"I still have to speak to Tom Heaton and Colin Heath but we're getting a clearer picture of who's staying and who will be going."

Colchester United are the first of four opponents to be faced in a hectic eight day period.

Onuora said: "These are tough, tough games against teams who are up there and wanting to push on.

"We have to meet that challenge and meet it head on.

"We've got our own points target and the players should say 'we want to be where you are' sooner rather than later.

Colchester will be without Jamie Cureton on Boxing Day and Onuora is adamant that the player remains firmly in his thoughts.

He said: "I'm quite sure his name will come up in dispatches before or after the game with Phil Parkinson.

"He's our player from January 2. As far as I'm concerned unless someone tells me any different he'll be available for the match at Hartlepool."

January will see Onuora bidding to strengthen his options and he admits that a good Christmas could be a useful selling tactic.

He said: "It doesn't do you any harm and if you look like you're moving in the right direction."