Mickey Thomas writes EXCLUSIVELY for Red Passion

Everything's fine with my new job. The radio show is going well. I travel across to Manchester every afternoon and go over the script. I've actually got a new co-host: James H.Reeve. He's very funny. He's got to be - he's a Man City fan. He also keeps me supplied with Hula-Hoops after the show! On the show we've been talking a lot recently about keepers. We had a poll and Schmeichel came out as the best but I argued that if Big Nev had been English he would have got a lot more recognition. Remember too that he's still doing the business for Torquay. Even when there are no big games looming we still get a lot of calls, especially about Shearer and England. Shearer's picked up obviously but I still believe he's finished at international level. I think, actually, that people are getting a bit fed up with the whole business.

My mate at the BBC in Cardiff, Laurence Hourahane, reckons that Cwmbran are going to win the League of Wales this season. I disagree actually - I fancy Barry or even Aber. I've seen a couple of League of Wales games this season. I went to see Barry against Bangor expecting to see my lad Aaron play - but he didn't make the starting line-up. That was very disappointing. I disagree with the manager's selection policy - but I am a bit biased! Barry looked OK but they're obviously not the same side as they were last year - they've lost Eifion Williams for a start. They're not a bad side. I saw the highlights of Aber-Wrexham on the TV: Aber performed creditably but Wrexham did enough. Wrexham never play their strongest side in these WPC games so it's quite difficult to come to any decent conclusions.

I think Mark Hughes is definitely the man for the Wales job. I saw Wales training down at Colliers Park the other day and he looked to be enjoying his new role. And Eddie Niedzwiecki was organising everything - he was fantastic. Everyone was really bubbly and happy. If I was ever asked I'd love to do some scouting work for Mark, but as you all know I'm very busy with my media work at the moment. I'm glad to see David Johnson in the Wales squad - he's got a good reputation and he's got international experience. Wales have got a good keeper and people like Speed, Blake and Savage. I've heard Robbie's dating Caprice - or is that Capri?

Wrexham have had a reasonable start to the season. The new keeper's settled in and the ground looks fantastic. And let me repeat: Flynnie and his backroom staff have done a miracle at the club. It's too early to say whether Wrexham are play-off material - but they do need to improve.

I always mention Joey in my column because he's my best mate. I remembered the other day how we met. We were teenagers and we were on this 12-seater school bus. Joey had a skinhead and looked pretty tough. We were both wearing uniform and I'd written 'EVERTON' across the front of my school tie. We got talking and hit it off. The rest, as they say, is history.

The refereeing situation is getting ridiculous. I think all refs should be given a compulsory set of glasses. I did my show from the Liverpool derby the other week. And I think Owen AND Hutchinson should BOTH have been sent off for high tackles.

I'm playing soon for the Soccer AM side, The Badgers. Tim Lovejoy's a top bloke and a big Chelsea fan, and I like that Helen Chamberlain girl as well. I hope she's the physio…

The editor of Red Passion tells me that Kevin Russell isn't very happy with some of the criticism he gets in RP. My view is that fans have got a right to say exactly what they want to about players - both good and bad. If you're a professional footballer you've just got to accept that. I had to during my career. And if you're the editor of a magazine you can't just edit out critical views.
   
Cheers