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 Coming off consecutive losses, Buffalo City FC takes the pitch this weekend against PA Stoners, Stephen Brandt and Mike Share sat down for their weekly Managers Chat. Mike talks about the Erie match, changing goalkeepers and the push toward the Playoffs.
Even though there's two losses on our record now, did you see any improvement on the field on Saturday?
Our last game I would say that the first half we played well. But we have not been able to take our chances. Sadly in the second half we just did not turn up. I told the lads that if they continued to play how they did in the first half that we would win the game. But we never turned up for the second half and when we had chances we just did not take them. We have to
do better and I am sure everyone is ready to put the last two results behind us and push forward for the Play-Offs.
Was the problem against Erie that they play such a horrible style of soccer that it wouldn't matter how well we played?
 There is a difference in styles. Erie plays long balls and are not a very technical side, but that is their style. I think we lost both games as Erie out worked us. Not always the better footballing side wins. But Erie deserved their wins because they worked harder against us and wanted it more than our team.
We had to break in a new goalie for this last game, how do you think Nick played?
I think Nick had a good game, it is never easy to step into a team in the middle of the season. I was impressed that Nick kept his head up after his early mistake and he made some very good saves. Sadly the second goal he could do nothing about it, I think he still got a hand on it but as we committed several players forward to look to level the game we left an opening at the back which made it easier for Erie to get the second goal four minutes from time.
 How is Rich Wilson coming along in his recovery?
Rich is getting slowly there, I think he will have a good chance to featured in the last three games from the remaining regular season. It is frustrating for Rich or any player to be injured. We have had some bad luck
with injuries but sadly this is part of the game and you have to deal with it just like other teams have to do as well.
We now play the Stoners for a second time, as the manager does this make it easier or harder for you for planning wise?
I would say easier to plan but that does not mean it will be easier to beat the Stoners. Having played only once against them does not mean that we know how they will set their team up against us or what system and formation they choose to use. The Stoners have been playing very well in the last couple of games and it will be very difficult game for us. Just like every game we will go for the win and hopefully at the end of the game we will have picked up three vital points.
What can you tell us about the PA Stoners (Last Year's National Champs) how are they on the field?
 I like the Stoners as an organization and as a team. I like that they try and play the game how it should be played. Sadly there are many teams who only look to win games instead of trying to win and build something. The sport will only start growing when teams start to play on the floor and use the technical ability and capabilities that the players have. Players need to learn and there is a bigger picture for these players which is to progress to the next level.
As an outsider, now living in the States, do you think a win like one over Spain on Wednesday can make more Americans focus on our sport, or is it a lost cause?
I think the result against Spain will help, even our scout in Europe Ritchie Semple said that the result will help with our players looking to make the step up to Europe. The sport in America is growing and it will
continue to do so in the next few years. I think after the 2010 World Cup the game will have progressed in America even more and you will see even more better players in the MLS and playing in Europe from America.
You've faced a lot of goalkeepers in your career, who were some of the best you had to play against?
 That's hard. I always liked to play against goalkeepers who were very tall, especially when it rains. Taller goalkeepers have difficulties to get down low. When it rains it makes the ball go faster so it is very hard for a goalkeeper to make a low save. To pick one would be hard. I always liked Barthez when he was at Monaco and Magnus Hedman who played at Coventry City and for the Swedish National Team, Hedman was very athletic, probably the most athletic goalkeeper that I have ever seen, It did not surprise me that
Gordan Strachan took Hedman with him to Celtic.
You played in France for a long time, does the French Leagues get the respect it should?
I think it does. The French league can not compete with the English, Spanish and Italian leagues. The reason for this is that there is a lot less money involved, but I feel that it is at the same level as the German
league. You only have to see what kind of players the French league has produced in recent years. Also they did not get crowned World Champions for nothing.
Of what you know about the guy, is Bob Bradley the right man for the USA National Team?
Too be honest I do not know a lot about Bob Bradley for me to be able to form an opinion on him or if he is the right man for the US National Team, but after the result against Spain I am sure everyone is very happy with his work. One thing I can see is that he plays to the US strengths. Also I really like his son as a player. It is never easy to pick players especially when it is your son.
Buffalo City Football Club is Buffalo's premier soccer organization since 2008. Combining a winning tradition on the pitch with a standard of excellence within the community, BCFC remains the height of achievement in professionally run sport. For more information please visit www.BuffaloCityFC.com
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