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Kicker Conspiracy in the quarter final

Written by Conspirator

Tonight is quarter finals night in the English Cup. This is the furthest Kicker Conspiracy have ever progressed, and despite leading II.1 by a healthy 10 point margin, the team has become the lowest ranked side left in the Cup, having won a qualifier to promote from III.8 last season. Their manager, Conspirator, has kindly taken time out today to answer a few questions from HT-Press in the build up to this evening's fixture.

You've become the lowest ranked manager left in the Cup this week thanks to knocking out the current Premiership table toppers, Shakhtar Donuts (615255733) with a textbook press plus win midfield approach to dealing with a well drilled long shots team. You must be delighted to progress to the quarter finals?

Yes, it's been an unbelievable season for me so far. This Cup run is unexpected and a real bonus.

You are having quite a good season on the league front as well and are undefeated for 26 competitive games with 19 wins in a row, helping you sit top of II.1 by an impressive 10 points after 9 rounds. Promotion to the Premiership is within reach, in your first ever season in Div II, after 10 years +2 months in charge. Something has clearly clicked to make it all happen for you, so for any other managers who have been wondering how to make the next step after years of attrition, what have been the foundations underpinning this progression for you?

I was stuck in a really tough Div III league for many, many seasons and, although this was frustrating, it gave me the chance to develop a very strong team, capable of doing well at 2-5-3, 3-5-2 and CA, which has proved to be a powerful combination. I've also focused hard on building extensive defending and playmaking skills across the team, most of whom have now been with me for over four seasons.

You are a platinum supporter without a second team. This is quite unusual, but presumably you have your reasons?

In theory, I'd be willing to have another team but I just don't have the time to do it justice. There are also a few small additional benefits to Platinum beyond Gold that are just about worth having for me.

Your manager page tells us that you are a Chelsea supporter. Eden Hazard's interview on MoTD this week indicated that he's adopting the 'marathon not a sprint' approach to this season, but is there anything you've seen so far that makes you think City can be beaten to the title?

Barring major injuries, City will win the title. They are substantially better than any other team right now. Chelsea will be top four but the squad is too small this season to win the title. However, City's squad isn't the biggest either so injuries and suspensions could still play a part.

Have you read any good books recently that you'd like to recommend to your fellow managers?

Nothing that will be of much use in HT but I'd recommend Mothering Sunday by Graham Swift (https://www.standard.co.uk/s3fs-public/thumbnails/image/2016/02/11/17/grahamswift.jpg) and The Noise of Time by Julian Barnes (https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81r0ICjyaaL.jpg)

Is your supporter club named after the manager of Low Fogrigg (55255), or simply a coincidental reference to The Fall?

It's The Fall - as also referenced in my stadium name, supporters club and shirt logo.

Have you a favourite building or architectural design?

Denys Lasdun's National Theatre on the South Bank is one of my favourite twentieth century buildings. You can't beat a bit of new brutalism. (http://www.uncubemagazine.com/sixcms/media.php/1323/National%20Theatre%20from%20the%20northeast%20Photo%20by%20Philip%20Vile%20copy.jpg)

Please could you provide us with a link to utube vimeo or soundcloud to any music that you'd like your fellow managers to appreciate?

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjyQkt04Urc) Obviously!

Are you single or married, how did you meet your partner (or last conquest) and what do they think about your interest in this game?

Married. University. She can't understand why I would have been playing the same game for 10 years. And, to be fair, she's got a point ;-)

The latest evolution of hattrick has been announced, and will include some interesting changes to specialities and their effect and contribution from the start of next season. What are your thoughts about all of this, and do you think it will be make the game more fun to play?

I'm all for moving the goalposts. In one sense it's a bit irritating to have to think about adjusting my team to account for the new specialism opportunities but without change things would get boring. Bring it on!