BEFORE I answer the questions this week, I would like to say a massive `thank you' to the 11,000 fans who supported us last Saturday.

I know that everyone left very disappointed because it wasn't one of our better days against Darlington (to say the least!), but I thought our fans were magnificent all the way through.

You all did your best to get right behind the lads, even though it wasn't going our way, and the shouts of frustration were kept to a minimum.

As manager, I asked for people to come down and get behind the team and, in the circumstances, I could not have asked for more.

The support was brilliant and I can only say from the heart that it was very much appreciated.

WHY wasn't a striker sounded out beforehand when it was obvious that Stead was going to leave? Lee, Mirfield

Jacko says: WE always have had a list of potential striker targets and, as soon as it became clear Jonathan was on his way to Blackburn, we started work on it.

Before that, we had made a few calls to sound people out, but there was only so much we could do when Steady was still our player, we wanted him to stay and there were quite a few ifs and buts about the interest from Blackburn.

Unfortunately, things are rarely so straightforward that you can pick up the phone and immediately bring in someone you like.

A couple of players we wanted from the Premiership gave backword because they didn't want to drop to the Third Division and, when we inquired about another, we found a £30,000 player had suddenly become a £100,000 player because of the £1m-plus we received for Steady.

As it happens, I have kept an eye on Pawel Abbott for the last 12 months, I knew he had done well for Bury last season - Jon Newby confirmed he was a good player and a good character - and when Simon Lynch went back to Preston following his loan at Stockport, I moved straight away to ask Craig Brown if he was available.

The fact he was playing against our Reserves on Wednesday gave us the ideal opportunity to have a look at his present form and I liked what I saw, which is why we set up his loan.

I'm delighted Pawel will be linking up with us and I'm sure the supporters will like him.

He works hard for the team, he scores goals and I think it has been well worth waiting to get him.

HAVE you considered using Rob Edwards as a striker, or asking Norwich about Iwan Roberts? Graham e-mail & Nathaniel McGowan e-mail

Jacko says: I KNOW Robbie made his name by scoring goals with Crewe and, when he first came here, he got quite a few.

I was the one who converted him into a left-back, where he has done ever so well over the years, and he has also played the odd game for me in midfield.

But I can honestly say I haven't considered playing him up front recently, largely because there have been other options to hand.

As for big Iwan, I speak with him quite a lot because we are mates from our playing days together.

He is now very well settled in the area down at Norwich and he is playing regular First Division football, with a chance to go up to the highest level again.

Iwan has learned a lot down the years about how to look after himself - particularly with diet and preparation - and he is capable of playing at the top, so I don't think we will see the Toothless Wonder in Town colours again.

DID you ask Blackburn about taking Matt Jansen on loan as part of the Stead deal? FPM, e-mail

Jacko says: IT was mentioned to Graeme Souness, but when he spoke to the player he didn't fancy it at the moment.

You have to remember that Matt is still working his way back from a very bad traffic accident and maybe he doesn't feel quite ready yet.

As I've already said, there are players in the top flight, too, who just don't want to drop to our level, ones who would do a top job.

IF Jon Newby is what you call a `confidence' player, what has it done to his confidence to bring him off in the last two games? Phil, Lindley

Jacko says: JON is a confidence player, but circumstances against York and Darlington dictated that he had to come off.

At York, he was tiring towards the end, which is only understandable.

Against Darlington, we just didn't look like we were going to get a goal so I took the decision to change things.

I desperately wanted Jon to get his first goal for the club last Saturday, because I'm sure that when he gets one he'll get a whole lot more, but towards the end I thought Danny Schofield, Nat Brown and Big Mirf might just fashion us an opening.

WHY don't we harass the opposition keeper on kicks like other teams do to us? John, e-mail

Jacko says: I DON'T think that is fair comment.

You only have to think back to the Hull game when two of our goals came from direct pressure on their goalkeeper and defenders.

Pressurising the opposition is always something I like to see us do and, when we are playing well, it is something we are good at.

Last week against Darlington, I don't think we did it anywhere near well enough and that's why we got dominated in midfield.

Lee Fowler and Jon Worthington don't often get outbattled, but in the first half last weekend, I thought that's exactly what happened, I'm afraid.

WHERE do you think we will finish this season? Are we good enough to go up? Matthew, e-mail

Jacko says: WE are in a great position at the moment and the aim is to string another good winning run together to keep us in the hunt.

Last weekend's result was bitterly disappointing, especially with it coming against a team at the bottom end of the table and with Jonathan Stead having moved on to Blackburn

We are still in the top seven, though, and we are not the only team at the top who is going to suffer blips between now and the end of the season in May.

It will happen to your Hulls and your Oxfords and look at the dreadful run Yeovil had been on until last week.

With us, we have to accept we are going to have odd off days, but if we are consistent enough over the remainder of the season then we are going to give ourselves a good chance.

When you suffer a defeat, it's all about how you respond and, with the Darlington result putting a blot on our home copybook, I'll be interested to see how we respond in the matches at Torquay and Bristol Rovers.

HOW about trying Danny Schofield up front with maybe Tony Carss playing behind the strikers? Richard, Clayton West

Jacko says: PLAYING up front is actually Danny's preferred position, but I like the job he is doing for the team at the minute.

Danny is such a skilful lad he can attack from midfield and he can also play wide on either flank.

As the manager who brought him in from Brodsworth, I've always liked him and, should the need arise, then I would consider putting him up front.

HAVE you drunk the champagne which Taff presented to you for the Manager of the Month Award? Jeff, Honley

Jacko says: NOT yet because it didn't seem right after last week's result and performance.

The award, though, has come through a lot of hard work by the players and staff to achieve some tremendous results recently, and that's what we want to get back to straight away.

We've had a setback at home, but there are a lot of games to play and a lot of points to pick up.