CITY Chairman John Wardle talks exclusively to M.E.N. sport:

Q. City have not had the best of seasons and the manager Kevin Keegan has predicted in his programme notes, and in various interviews, that his job could be on the line. Your comments?

A. We all accept we have had a poor season and Kevin Keegan has accepted that in his various comments.

It would be a natural thing to assume that the manager is under pressure but I can say the manager is not under pressure from me or the board. I am confident that the manager will turn results round.

Q. The M.E.N. helped City by sponsoring a flag day for last month's Spurs FA Cup-tie and you have replaced opera music with City's anthem Blue Moon just before kick-off. Is there anything else that can be done to improve the stadium's atmosphere?

A. We are looking at this all the time and have spoken to lots of fans asking for their ideas, because it is they who at the end of the day create the atmosphere.

Having said that, the players can help too. They are already doing that with the style of football they are playing and the fans recognise that. If we turn this into victories then the stadium will bounce.

Q. What progress has been made in attracting new investment to the club considering the £50m deficit?

A. We are continually working on investment coming into the club. It's true we do require further investment.

We do have some irons in the fire. Our managing director Alistair Mackintosh is working in depth in this area. This is his number one priority.

Q. Why are there still only five directors at City and are they united over the manager's position?

A. The board is 100 per cent behind the manager, there is no problem. There is no standard figure for the number of directors on the board. Every director contributes to the running of the club.

I will possibly look at this during the close season but I don't feel it necessarily needs to change.

Q. There are rumours that David Bernstein could some day make a return. Any truth in that?

A. Not to my knowledge.

Q. Supporters clubs, particularly the large Prestwich and Whitefield branch, have complained that players no longer visit them and have even warned they may close down. They also say their letters of complaint go unanswered. What will you do to get back that fan friendly image for the club?

A. I don't think we have lost it. I spoke to Don Price of the branch you mention while we were in Poland.

I told him I would visit his branch whenever he wanted. I am, in fact, going in April with Trevor Sinclair. Paul Tyrrell, who has taken over our media and marketing responsibilities, has also visited the branch.

Last week Dennis Tueart, Sylvain Distin and Stuart Pearce were at a joint meeting in south Manchester, where several branches were pulled together so we could have a bigger audience.

The lifeblood of this club is the supporters and I will do my utmost to protect that, and if any supporters branches want me to go to see them I'll be only too happy to oblige.

Regarding letters that come addressed for my attention they will be replied to, and as far as I am concerned that is the case.

Q. Regarding friendliness, the latest gripe from fans is about over zealous stewarding. What, if anything, will you do about that?

A. I think this has been mentioned a few weeks ago and we have looked at it. You have to remember we are in a new stadium and have got to find our feet. Controls are necessary to satisfy the health and safety executive.

It's an all-seater stadium and we are obliged by law to ensure supporters sit down during games. We were having difficulties with some fans standing up and they were asked to sit down.

This may have been classified as over zealous stewarding. Now things have settled down and we feel we have the right balance.

We are a listening club and we encourage supporters to give us feedback. The action we have taken with regard to stewarding is a good example of feedback being acted upon.

Q. Are you happy with the level of support at Eastlands?

A. I think that the support has been excellent. We have a full house at league games with slightly lower attendances at cup games. That happens in football. I appreciate that fans cannot fork out for every game, especially when the match is on TV. Manchester City supporters do us proud.

Q. Given the squad has cost £50m do the players represent value for money? Will there be any more cash available in the summer?

A. The squad didn't cost £50m. You are saying that because it is how much Kevin Keegan has spent.

You have to remember several players such as Dickov, Howey, Huckerby and Berkovic have moved on. That represents a balance of business. As for the future this is a difficult one to answer.

The value of players has changed dramatically over the last few seasons. I don't think there will be many big transfer fees around apart from obviously clubs like United, Arsenal and Chelsea.

That market has gone and clubs just don't have the money to fire out millions of pounds. It's hard enough just sorting out the wages.

We have the nucleus of a very good squad. There is not a yes or no to the other part of the question about the summer. We have got to get to the end of the season and then reappraise the whole financial situation.

Q. Finally, you and your business partner David Makin, who have invested so much into the club and effectively own a third of it, have both decided to relinquish your day-to-day involvement at Bury-based JD Sports, which you founded. Does that mean you have time on your hands. What will Mr Makin be doing? Will both of you be using your time for the benefit of City?

A. We are still non-executive directors at JD. We do spend a little more time at the club, but it has to be remembered I have got an excellent managing director and heads of departments at City who carry out their duties most diligently.

David lives and breathes this club. He has got blue blood, he will help whenever we require that help.

He has influence at the club because he has vast experience of many aspects, particularly retail.

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