Team mates
Best mate? Josh Vela – definitely. He was at the academy here and was coming up just as I joined, so I’ve known him the longest. We were room-mates as well and we don’t live too far from each other. We meet up a fair bit. Last to buy dinner? Chris Taylor – 100 per cent! I think he’ll even admit it himself. He’s a top lad, but he is a bit tight! Mark Beevers isn’t too far behind either. Chris has been arguing about a fine he’s had for two months now. You’re not allowed to argue fines, so I don’t know how he’s managing it! Worst dressed? Andrew Taylor always has jeans which are too small for him. They come up to his ankles! But Mark Howard’s probably the worst – he dresses like he’s 19. He says he’s 31, but he looks about 45! Dressing room DJ? Our kit man does it at home games at the moment. Gary Madine’s had a go and put some tunes on, but it’s all techno and all that rubbish. The kit man’s taken over and his tunes aren’t too bad – Paul Huddy, his name is. Always late for training? Nobody really is, to be fair. I can’t remember any late fines. Phil Parkinson is a pretty intimidating guy, so he keeps it under wraps. Sometimes the lads who live a bit further away push it a bit but we’re all quite well behaved. Teacher’s pet? It’s probably me. I don’t really seem to get shouted at by the gaffer! I think he knows I work hard and he doesn’t seem to shout at me. Even if I’m part of something that’s not right, he’ll shout at the others and leave me alone! First on the dance floor? I’m taking that one again! Nooney (Craig Noone), who’s just turned up (from Cardiff) is a cracking dancer. He just got up and went for it on his first night out. I don’t think there’s a name for his style. It’s just…floppy! Most likely to disgrace himself at a Christmas party? Quite a lot of us to be fair, but I reckon Vela (Josh Vela) because he likes taking his top off when he’s out. Again, a lot of us do that, but his is normally first off! He just gets a bit hot, I think. He’s not got the best figure either, so he’s not trying to show off or anything. FIFA king? Gary Madine’s pretty good and the lad Robinson (Antonee Robinson), who’s come on loan from Everton. I think he’s not a bad player. I’ve got two kids to look after and I’m not that good, so I don’t get involved. I don’t want to get embarrassed! Worst tattoos? Madine again. He’s got a ninja turtle on the back of his arm or his bicep I think – it’s not the best. Ben Alnwick’s got a spider’s web on the back of his elbow, which is terrible. The lads would probably say I’ve got a few bad ones, but I’m not having that. Likely to make the best manager? Stephen Darby’s a good talker and Andrew Taylor, too. Karl Henry’s come in and moans a bit but he does talk some sense. He talks a lot! Darby goes out with the England women’s captain (Steph Houghton), so it’s not a bad link, is it? She can be his assistant.