Name: Robert Konstandelos
Team captained: Vanbrugh 3rds
How have your team’s performances been in autumn and spring term?
Autumn was a mixed bag for us. We had pretty good performances however we had some shockers as well. We only seemed to step up against teams we wanted to do well against rather than steeping up against all of them. We also struggled to score which was a massive problem if we wanted to progress at all in the league. It was a massive transition stage for us as we have lost a lot of big 3’s players from last year’s team which got to the plate final. I would like to give massive credit to Michael Sutcliffe and Mark Lajca who ware in fact captains for that term.
Spring term was a massive improvement! We started a little shaky in our first match (It was a bit of a baptism of fire in all fairness). Coming back from 3-0 down against Goodricke shows my lads have massive character. From then on we only lost one and drew one, won the rest. By the end of the term, the team was pretty solid and easy for me to pick. Confidence was running through our veins!
What are your team’s strengths and weaknesses?
From the end of last term, our attacking was our strength. For our weakness, we struggled with set pieces, more particularly autumn rather than spring.
How strong is your cup squad?
We’ll have to wait and see. We are big battlers. We will have to step up as we will be seen as underdogs. It’s a completely different squad to the 3rds team of last year. To match the success they had would be incredible.
Who would you call your ‘key player’ and why?
Liam Sides: He may be a 3rds player, but he’s one of the best footballing minds I’ve played with. He’s torn some 3rds defences apart for us.
What are your thoughts on your team’s group draw? Which game are you most looking forward to?
We’ve got a decent draw; we’ve got the potential to progress at least to the plate. Of course the games we’re looking forward to has to be the both the 1sts and 2nds teams. We go in with nothing to lose.
If you could beat any team in the final, who would it be and why?
Wentworth 2nds, to get revenge for last year’s plate final. I didn’t play in that final but I’d like to do it for them who did play.
What will you do to celebrate if you win the cup?
If Vanbrugh 3rds win the college cup, I will get a tattoo of the college emblem.
If you could change one thing about the college cup, what would it be?
I’d have the cup final at York City’s ground.
Who is your team ‘BNOC’ and why?
Kallum Taylor. Don’t really need an explanation do I?
Which team in world football are you most like?
Last term in the 3rds league, we were playing like Arsenal.
What are your expectations and ambitions for College Cup 2013?
Because it’s the College Cup, anything can happen. I’d like to think we can get a place in the plate but I would settle for a vase place. Anything better would be fantastic and less would be disappointing.
Vision says:
Vanbrugh 3rds have a lot to live up to after the team’s fairy-tale run in 2012. Few players remain from that team, but Vanbrugh have proved to be a strong performer during the year. Having been drawn with Langwith 2nds and Wentworth 3rds, the team will no doubt be aiming for another shot at glory by qualifying for the Plate, and they would be a dangerous team in that stage of the competition. If they end up in the Vase they are certain to be contenders.