ONE ON ONE
I stayed at Arsenal, I could end up as nothing. I feared for my future. I’m sure there are youngsters at clubs today with the same fears.
How was your time at Norwich? Was being relegated on the final day by losing 60 at Fulham your worst moment in football? Wesley, Needham Market No. Experiences like that can be good for a young player. Norwich was great for me: I was playing and I enjoyed the setup. We were losing, though, and that is always hard. The dressing room was good; there were some big personalities and when they talked, they talked sense. I was gutted they went down but I learned a lot there.
How did you celebrate scoring that hattrick for Blackburn against Manchester United? Pete Robinson, via Facebook That was the day after I signed for the club [permanently, while on loan from Arsenal] so it was very special. Manchester United were big at the time and to get three was incredible. I went out to play, really determined to do something. I played upfront and it went well.
We all went out in Manchester after the match. There was no social media back in those days so we could let our hair down a bit more. I think Twitter and Instagram have probably affected players’ freedom.
What’s Mark Hughes like as a manager? Andy William, via Facebook He was good. He played me, so I liked him [ laughs]. He let me be. He was a great man-manager and he gets what it is to be a player. I’ve heard he was quiet as a player and a really bad trainer, but he has turned into a great coach. Chelsea and Manchester United could do worse. I once had a party at my house and he came along. He brought a massive magnum of red wine with him – vintage.