JB - Pre-Season was a real challenge, and I knew it wasn't going to be easy to step in with about 2 days notice! I'm glad I took on the challenge, and feel in trying to develop an identity on the field for our club, at the same time as building for the future & the present. I still feel we have a long way to go, but I honestly believe we are close to having a group that can challenge anyone over the next few seasons.

What first attracted you to the job at Grays Athletic FC?

JB - without doubt, it was the clubs history as a force of non-league football, potential fan base, and their track record of developing players & managers that have reached the highest level.

You had a short amount of time to assess the 2013/14 squad when you joined in pre-season. Did you at that point have in mind players that you wanted to bring in to join the club?

JB - some of the original squad didn't return, and some did. I felt that not everyone's professionalism was where I wanted it to be, and not everyone was comfortable with my playing philosophy. Glen Little & Jay Leader had been long term targets for me, as had Jey Siva. It was also important for me to bring in some familiar faces to myself & my methods to help the settling in process.

You let some players go from the previous squad to bring in fresh talent, was that a difficult decision for you? or did you feel that it was necessary for the team going forward?

JB - the club didn't finish the previous season too strongly, and that was reflected in the attitude & quality of some of the players during pre-season. I gave everyone a chance, and perhaps wasted a couple of pre -season games doing so, but felt it was the right way to go about things. I knew we needed an influx of positive players that believed we could gel quickly & challenge. We needed some professionalism also.

The current squad is relatively young, however you have blended that youth with the experienced heads of Glenn Little and Mark Bentley. What do you think both players bring to the squad?

JB - we have recruited some top young players, and if we can keep them together long term, the future is bright. In Glen & Mark we have close to a thousand league appearances through all 4 divisions. Importantly, both had already become acustomed to non-league football. Both players want to win, but are very different. Mark is a good pro, with great work ethic & desire to win. Glen is a real character around the club & dressing room, technically superior to almost any at this level of football & carries huge belief. He had also helped increase interest in the club nationally due to his profile in the game, which has to be seen as positive.

There appears to be the beginnings of a more intergrated youth and first team setup? Was this something that you wanted to set up when you joined the club?

JB - Of course, I've always seen one of my strengths as developing young players. This takes time though, and can't be forced. If the players are good enough, or even have the potential to be good enough, I'll try to help them integrate. It's vital for the club to develop it's own players for many reasons, and given time I sure we will see lads from the 18s/21s breaking through.

How do you feel the 2014/15 season is going for the blues at the moment?

JB- we are on track. Some results have increased expectation, some have decreased it. I think the brand of football is developing, i think the squad is evolving, and i think with such a new group we are ahead of schedule & can be optimistic for the new year.

Whats been your favourite moment so far this season?

JB - either proving ourselves to be physically resilient against Billericay at home, and illustrating our progress from the opening game... Or, matching conference south sides Concord Rangers & Bromley on one on occasions.

And your least favourite moment?

JB - being sent off in added time against Bognor Regis. Chris Bryan didn't dive, replays showed that he didn't. I felt we'd been robbed of points by some very bad officiating throughout the game. I was a little too sarcastic to the officials, and got punished for it. We lost a game we had dominated, and I let my frustrations get the better of me.

The supporters have been impressed with your attempts to get the squad playing attractive attacking football. Would you say that this is the cornerstone of your managerial style?

JB - yes it is, but it takes time to implement & can cost goals in the process. Over the years I've learned to be adaptable, and I feel we've shown that at home with a slightly more direct & compact style resulting in 8 or 9 home clean sheets.

You have mentioned in the past that the players find it difficult to play on Mill Field pitch at home games. What have you done with the squad to try and overcome these difficulties?

JB - like I said above, we've focused a little more on shape and simplicity at home, as well as different selections depending on the type of surface we face. A lot of my moaning about the pitch early on, was to take pressure off the players & develop another dimension to our play. The pitch has actually been kind to us, and the groundsman has done really well to get games on.

What do you think the future holds for Grays Athletic FC and do you have a master plan for the future development of the squad?

JB - hard to say, and i wouldn't really want to give too much away. The squad will continue to evolve as we learn what's needed & what's available. However, we hope to meet the realistic targets set by the board, enabling us to hit the ground running next year. However, I feel we are improving all the time, even if not always reflected in the results.. So I'm not ruling out anything.

Whats it like to have Andy Swallow as your boss?

JB - he's been great from day one. He has an opinion, but hopefully I've earned his respect. I can honestly say that in the 5 other non-league clubs, I have never had a more supportive, and more passionate owner behind me. Forget the reputation, Andy is pushing Grays, and he's pushing me. I like that kind of environment.

Whats your prediction for the blues final league position this season?

JB - haha.. As long as we do better than last year, we've progressed. I'll keep my own prediction close to my chest.

And finally any words for our fantastic supporters?

JB - Thanks for welcoming me, thanks for generally remaining positive for our young squad, and thanks for travelling away from home like you do. However, I will add... When your really up for it, for example like Hampton away, you take us to another level. You remind everyone what this club is about & what has been achieved here in the past. The more often you can reproduce that vocal support, the better we will perform. That's for sure. Everyone's in it together.
Thank you.

Many thanks Jody