New Motherwell boss pledges to bring new talent to club

Jul 1 2009 by Andrew Weston, Wishaw Press

NEW Motherwell boss Jim Gannon has vowed to bring his own attacking brand of football to Fir Park this season.

Claret and Amber fans were treated to two years of attractive football under previous manager Mark McGhee and they can expect more of the same during the 40-year-old’s reign.

Gannon was officially unveiled during a media conference at Fir Park yesterday afternoon (June 30) along with his assistant from former club Stockport County, Peter Ward.

“I am delighted to be here as the manager,” Gannon said.

“It is going to be a fantastic challenge and a fantastic opportunity.

“I am looking forward to working in the SPL.

“We have got our work cut out and have got to add players and have to get the players playing good football.”

Gannon was made redundant from Stockport County last month when the League One outfit went into administration.

The club were rock bottom of League Two when Gannon took charge in December 2005 but he kept the club in the league on the final day of the season before leading them to the play-offs in 2007 – narrowly missing out on promotion.

He made no mistake 12 months later however when Stockport defeated Rochdale at Wembley in the play-off final.

They started last season’s League One campaign well but the club’s financial troubles took effect and ended any chance they had of successive promotions.

During his three-year stint at County he was praised for their positive style of football and also for the way he utilised the club’s youth talent.

And these are two outlooks on the game that Gannon is keen to embrace at Motherwell as well.

“We tend to want to play slightly different shapes than the orthodox 4-4-2 but not with a defensive mentality, purely with a mentality of being able to play constructive football through midfield,” said Gannon.

“We like to have a little bit of depth in midfield and like players who can pass and be creative.

“We like mobile attacking players and we like our full-backs to get up and down. So provided we don’t leave ourselves exposed we would like to play a passing attacking style.”

He continued: “As I said to the boys, I know I need to strengthen the squad but I don’t want to disregard their potential.

“There is some good talent here.

“I have been surprised at some of the younger players who were maybe way down the pecking order, who for me look like they have the potential to become first team players.”

Gannon, who last month was interviewed for the managerial position at Hibernian, revealed that he has targeted five or six new signings to strengthen what is currently a threadbare first team squad.

Striker David Clarkson left the club to join Bristol City on Monday and it is believed full-back Paul Quinn could also be set for a move to the Championship.

Goalkeeper Graeme Smith, Stephen Hughes, Bob Malcolm, Maros Klimpl and Cillian Sheridan are either out of contract or have completed their loan deals.

“We know we have lost some excellent players and we know we have to rebuild,” Gannon added.

“But the potential is here to make this club as good as it has been previously.

“The budget has been set which I have to work within but there is scope for the addition of five or six players that we will need.

“It is up to me to be shrewd and manage that money correctly and make sure we get the best value for money.”

It is expected that Gannon will make his former Stockport captain, defender Michael Raynes, his first signing.

Given Stockport are in administration, a number of their players are expected to leave this summer on the cheap.

Gannon said: “We have already spoken to players and agents and we are looking forward to making additions shortly.

“I wouldn’t dismiss the standard and quality of player in Scotland but obviously there is a bigger and fresher pool of players down south and there is a lot of players in England that I certainly think can do an excellent job up here.”