Manager Paul Cook has rarely been spotted without a cup of tea or coffee in his hand since he came to the club, he explained why at this morning’s press conference.

“I said to the kitman [James Pullen] on Saturday, ‘What you’ve got to realise is it actually shuts me up for a small period of time’!

“How long that period lasts [is another matter]. At Gillingham on Saturday, I was glad I was tired and shattered as I wouldn’t have got a word in with [Gills manager] Steve [Evans], that was for sure.

“Steve was in top form on Saturday. I told Steve, 'Next time we meet each other, I will be back for a little bit more and better than what we were'.

“I think the tea and the coffee is probably a nervous thing, if you like. It’s just something that’s a go-to thing that allows you to, not take your mind off the game, but just distracts you because we all get that pumped up.

“As you can hear in my voice today, I’m a little bit excited looking forward to tomorrow and we’ve got to make sure that the players feel that energy as well.”

Asked whether he had to sing an initiation song at the hotel on Friday as players and staff have done in the past on their first away trips, Cook said: “With my voice, you could imagine how the song would have gone! I think I'll leave the singing for the younger lads.”

Photo: Matchday Images

Robert_Garrett added 15:21 - Mar 8 Thats the way the Cookie crumbles!
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TimmyH added 15:27 - Mar 8 mmmmm...that's Nescafe!
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Marcus added 15:40 - Mar 8 Trying to get Starbucks as shirt sponsor?
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Suffolkboy added 15:48 - Mar 8 FUN and enthusiasm ! –& he can more than tolerate Steve Evans !! COYB
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CavendishBlue added 16:16 - Mar 8 Tetley Arizona Blues Soccer Team it is then......
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simplesimon03 added 16:40 - Mar 8 Some positivity and enthusiasm shown from cookie, that's what we need!
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Edmundo added 16:51 - Mar 8 He's a top guy, and seems to understand what we're missing: leaders, partnerships, a threat in defence and atrack.
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Saxonblue74 added 17:20 - Mar 8 Anyone else think we've signed Kirk from Coronation street? 🤣🤣
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PositivelyPortman added 18:35 - Mar 8 Saxonblue74 I thought that he looks like Peter Kay.
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Talbs77 added 21:16 - Mar 8 No way it's Kirk from Corrie all the way!
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KiwiBlue2 added 23:15 - Mar 8 Will be interesting to see if the cup gets bigger and bigger......
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ElginCityBlue added 12:41 - Mar 9 So long as it's half full rather than half empty. Someone should get him a reusable one though: https://itfcshop.com/2511-75084-uefa-cup-40-year-travel-mug Think of the Planet (Blue) and all that.
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