Gary Speed - official PFA interview

Gary Speed has had a long and distinguished career and, despite his age – he’ll be 39 next month - is looking forward to another new season. Speed’s career started at Leeds before he moved on to Everton, Newcastle, Bolton and now Sheffield United. He has also won 85 caps for Wales. Givemefootball’s Lawrie Madden caught up with the Welshman on the eve of the new campaign…Q: YOU HAVE SEEN QUITE A FEW PRE-SEASONS. HOW DOES THIS ONE COMPARE?A: I am glad pre-season is over and that we are about to play our first game. When the season starts things settle down. At the moment we are doing double sessions, putting in the hard work ready for the start. But I have to say I still feel the same excitement about the start of the season as I always did. If I didn’t, I don’t think I would be here.Q: YOUR MANGER CALLED YOU A FREAK THIS WEEK BECAUSE OF HOW FIT YOU ARE AT YOUR AGE…A: I don’t know about that! It has been hard this pre-season, very physical, but I have kept up with the work and not missed any sessions. I did 90 minutes against Bury the other night and have had a few 70 minute run-outs so I am feeling really strongQ: THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW COMINGS AND GOINGS. HOW IS THE SQUAD LOOKING?A: Last season we finished very strongly and the manager has brought in a few players and freshened things up. He’s added to the quality of the players we have already got. Every player here wants to do well, wants to be part of the team. I have been at places where players have not wanted success and have gone through the motions. But everyone here is at it.Q: HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO GET A GOOD START?A: Very important. Last season we didn’t get one and played catch up from then on. We had a meeting and were asked about our expectations for the season. One lad said to get promotion, another said it was to win the Championship. That shows you how determined we are.Q: DOES THAT NOT PUT PRESSURE ON YOU?A: Most of us are used to pressure. It means we are at a good club, it means we have good players and it’s up to us to mange those expectations. The Championship is a very tough league and a difficult one to get out of so we know we need to be on our game all the time.