Ben's Banter: Notts County's Graeme Lee

English Football League / Ben Herd / 24 November 2009 / Leave a Comment

Ben Herd's Aldershot kept a clean sheet aginst the mighty Notts County at the weekend and that is a result in itself.

"Then Sol Campbell walks into training one day and it was like, this is really happening! If I am honest, I think we were a little in awe of him at first, but he was really down to earth and just became one of the lads."

Ben Herd's Aldershot locked horns with fellow betting.betfair.com columnist Ben Davies and his Notts County side this weekend. But Herdy has Ben there and done it as regards chatting to former Shrewsbury team-mate Davies so he spoke to seasoned campaigner Graeme Lee instead...

This week it was Notts County away, to take on fellow betting.betfair.com columnist Ben Davies. Notts County are probably THE most talked about team in the lower leagues given the players they have signed, not to mention the fact Sven is the man calling most of the shots off the field. However, I thought that we more than held our own and as far as 0-0s go, it was quite entertaining.

Credit must go to all the lads in keeping a clean sheet because we defended resolutely as a team and deserved to come away from the game with a point. This week for betting.betfair.com, I caught up with Notts' skipper Graeme Lee, or "Spike" as he is also more commonly known, who is well on his way to playing 500 league games.


So Graeme, What did you think of today's game?

We played well. We had the lion's share of possession but probably didn't convert it to clear cut chances. That is our sixth draw out of seven, so we obviously need to start converting those draws into wins. We nearly succumbed to an Aldershot sucker punch, as you boys counter-attacked quite well and had one or two decent chances. From a personal point of view, we kept a clean sheet so I am happy.

What has it been like dealing with all the euphoria surrounding Notts this season?

Gus McPherson, the old manager, kept us away from all the distractions going on at the club in the summer and just made us concentrate on football. Obviously, he could only do that whilst we were at the club. When I was going home and switching Sky Sports News on it was all a bit surreal, seeing the club linked with this player and that player. Then Sol Campbell walks into training one day and it was like, this is really happening! If I am honest, I think we were a little in awe of him at first, but he was really down to earth and just became one of the lads.

What is it like having the Swedish trio around?

The new manager, Hans Bakke, is a really good coach I am enjoying his training sessions. He works primarily with the back four, then integrates the rest of the team into how he wants us to play. I must admit, it was a bit strange at first walking past Sven and Tord Grip and saying hello - they were running the England national team only a few years ago! However, these guys are world class coaches and have won trophies in major leagues. I think people perceive Sven as just a figurehead but he is at all of our games and pretty much all of our training sessions so he is obviously totally committed.

Moving on to life away from the game, have you thought about what you might do after football?

I would love to stay in the game and ideally become a manager one day. I am currently doing the relevant coaching badges for this. I am 31 now, so I have said to myself that from now until I am 35, I am going to do lots of courses like: plumbing, electrician, bricklaying, just to get a trade behind me so I have something to fall back on, but staying involved in the game is my ideal scenario.

Who has been the best signing Notts have made this season?

I would probably say Lee Hughes. He is a big name in the lower leagues and he has come in with a great attitude and just got on with it really. He has been prepared to graft just like the rest of us and his goal scoring record speaks for itself so hopefully he can keep scoring the goals to get us promoted.

Football

Favourite Premier League Player? Paul Scholes
Favourite player outside the Premier League? Chris Brunt
Manager you'd most like to work under? Sir Alex Ferguson
Club you'd most like to play for? Middlesborough

Best mate in Football? Matty Hamshaw
Messiest eater? Ricky Ravenhill
Biggest ladies man? Neil Bishop
Worse Dressed team-mate? Craig Westcarr- PFA tracksuit everyday!

Non-football

Dream date? Angelina Jolie
Favourite TV programme? True Blood
Favourite shop? My local Chippy!
Worst vice? Superstition-I always have to touch wood
Biggest pet hate? People's perceived opinion of footballers

50/50

Chinese or Curry? Curry
Dani Minouge or Cheryl Cole? Cheryl Cole
Strictly or The X Factor? X Factor
Pro Evo or Fifa? Pro Evo
Michael Buble or Akon? Michael Buble