Interesting to understand the context to this. There was a boardroom battle going on over Stuart Pearce, between Mackintosh and others, who had wanted him sacked for a while, and Wardle who didn't. They had also announced we were in talks with a potential buyer, which was a lie. Ranson had shown his hand by then I think but they wouldn't deal with him.
This came to a head at the beginning of March after we'd been beaten 1-0 by Wigan at home and they had a board meeting to demand his sacking, with Kenny Jackett identified as his successor. Wardle refused to do it however and as he had the majority of the shares, they couldn't force him to. At that point we were in 17th but 6 points ahead of Charlton with two games in hand.
By the time of that Watford game we were safe but still without a buyer and the anti-Pearce faction wanted to force the issue and ensure he was sacked at the end of the season. So I believe they set up this interview to force Wardle's hand. Barton and Tyrrell were best mates so Joey was the obvious one to do it.