Was it Stephen McPhee's 17th goal of the season that beat Oldham on Saturday, or his 18th? Skysports will argue that it was his 17th, whilst young Stephen is adamant he's now clocked up an impressive 18 for the season. All that to be explained later, but first Brian Brian Beard spoke to the Port Vale striker who can't stop scoring goals at the moment after his last one gave Martin Foyle the perfect start as the new manager at Vale Park.
Q:THREE POINTS AND ANOTHER GOAL, SO YOU MUST BE PLEASED?
A:Definitely, especially after what happened in the week with Brian Horton leaving and Martin Foyle taking over as the new manager. It was always going to be one of those games with not many goals in it and so it proved. One goal was always going to win it and luckily we got it, I got it, and we got the three points.
Q:HOW HAVE THE PLAYERS RESPONDED TO MARTIN SINCE HE TOOK OVER?
A:The first thing he said was that there was no pressure on us, he told us to just go out an express ourselves. He said 'I know you are all good footballers, express yourselves on the pitch', and I think that's what we did against a good Oldham side. I thought we played a bit more football than we have done of late, through the middle and not always the long ball.
Q:HOW WAS IT TAKING ORDERS FROM THE TOUCHLINE FROM A DIFFERENT MANAGER TO THE ONE YOU HAVE BEEN USED TO - ESPECIALLY AS BRIAN HORTON WAS THE ONLY MANAGER YOU HAD KNOWN?
A:Personally I don't really notice it that much unless I have done something wrong and the manager is really shouting at me. It's more the defence and midfield who get instructions issued to them during the game, whereas for strikers it's pretty much a case of doing what you have to do.
Q:IT WAS A WELL-TAKEN GOAL BY YOURSELF. HOW DID YOU SEE THE BUILD UP?
A:I saw Stephen Brooker go up for the ball with the defender and pulled off into where I thought it might fall, and the ball just fell into my path. I had a touch but the keeper showed me the side and I just put it in, happy days.
Q:IT MUST BE PLEASING THAT NOT ONLY ARE YOU GETTING CHANCES APLENTY BUT ARE PUTTING MOST OF THEM AWAY?
A:On Saturday, I only had one chance and put it away which is different to last season when I was having lots of chances but wasn't putting them away. But last season is the past and this is the present and I am happy with my performances up to date.
Q:NOW PLEASE CLEAR UP THE GOAL TALLY. SOME SAY 17 AND SOME SAY 18, WHICH IS IT?
A:I think I have got 18 but Sky Sports are saying I have got one less in the league saying that Boydy scored against Bournemouth where it was him that took the free-kick and me that put it into the net. But I will keep the debate going until I get it.
Q:YOUR SCORING FEATS MUST PUT YOU IN AN INCREASINGLY STRONG POSITION WHEN IT COMES TO CONTRACT TALKS WITH YOURS COMING TO AN END IN THE SUMMER?
A:Definitely, the more goals I score the better my standing will become. We are in negotiations at the moment so hopefully some good will come out of it in the end.
Q:LEAGUE LEADERS PLYMOUTH NEXT UP, ONE TO RELISH?
A:Yes, especially after the game here we definitely owe them one. We have to go down there and work as a team and hopefully earn something out of the game.
