Had a nice chat with Grant and asked him a few questions after they'd finished on the top table.
Told him he wasn't my first choice but after listening to him talking and the answers he gave he's won me over.
Why did you want this job?.....
This team should be fighting for promotion not XxxxX at the bottom end. They've forgotten how good some of them are, I'm going to remind them.
Have the players impressed you in training, are they fit enough for the season ahead as last year they seemed to be knackered come last 10/15 mins......
As someone said earlier the amount of points they threw away in 90 plus minutes was well known and I can assure you they won't be fading away this coming season.
I have heard your beastingthem in training.....
Stops laughing, we've got some very good players here who just needed that little bit of extra training to get them to where I want them to be.
After listening to you a couple of times you seem to be able to talk the talk, I've just put a bet on we get promotion via Wembley and win the checkatrade thingy. So can you get us to walk the walk.......
I can't promise you anything but I want us fighting for promotion and I do want to win the cup at Wembley, I've even put the Ladbrokes odds up in the changing rooms for the lads to look at. Told them straight, I believe in you, the fans believe in you, but these, taps his finger on paper, these don't think your any good. Use it as motivation.
I've been told Fergie wanted to bring Ali Crawford down last season but he got injured, I told him the other day he could be the new fans favourite......
Yes he was but he's here now and I agree he could be, the lad can go all the way, left foot or right foot doesn't bother him. The other lads have taken to him already and he's starting to come out his shell a bit, showing them what he can do.
Have you got any other players lined up, or if a top player became available at the right price could you bring him in.....
All I can say is that there are quite a few players out there without clubs at the minute and some who could cost a fair bit but, I've been assured if I wanted a certain player the money would be made available to me......
You say you'd rather win a game 4-3 than 1-0.....
Well id rather win 4 nil to be honest, look they way I see it is if your winning games scoring plenty of goals, people will come to watch you. You didn't have a bad defence last season, you just didn't take your opportunities to put games to bed and got caught out. If your playing in their half they haven't got much chance of scoring against you. That's one thing we're working on in training.
So who's the No.1 keeper.....
To be honest, either one of them at the moment, they're both exceptional keepers.
What's your thoughts on are Marquis then, would you sell him if the right price came in....
It's not up to me if the club got an offer they couldn't refuse, I've spoke with John and told him I wouldn't stand in his way if one come in, but, I've also told him I want him to be the league's top scorer this season. I've brought a new system and players to the club that would help him achieve this.
What did he say to that....
Let's just say he was pleased
Hope this answered a few fans questions.
Hope to get chance to have a chat with John at Grimsby on Tuesday. I'll let you know if I do.
New Gaffer
posted on 18/7/18
You wot
posted on 18/7/18
Ali Crawford is one that flatters to receive. There's a reason none of the clubs up here took a chance on him. If he was up to much he'd have moved on from Hamilton years ago.
posted on 18/7/18
Zinger, very interesting that post of yours.
Good to hear first hand what was actually said.
To be fair, I would expect him to say nothing but positive things following your questions but at least it should be more interesting to watch than some of the dross served up by Ferguson’s tactics last season.
Ps, do we care what these other jocks think?
posted on 19/7/18
Hound
He did say one or three things that may come out in the next few weeks but I shall refrain from doing so.
He did say we will see some big differences with one or two players from last season as they were not fully fit and got injured by over doing things. Tommy Rowe played last 10/15 games in his wrong position and only being 70%ish fit. This season he'll be fully fit and playing in his true position, hurting their back line.
posted on 19/7/18
I'm sure if you'd ask Ali Crawford if he wanted a contract at Dundee Utd or Donny I'm 99% sure he'd still end up down here.
Seems the spl and championship doesn't catch people's eye look at Adam Rooney signing for Salford.
I've seen Crawford a couple of times first hand, he's an underrated player who's played in a dog @#$% team who constantly hover above the drop zone every season.
Maybe he's being held back and he may find his club down here.
posted on 19/7/18
Must say Im impressed with how the new gaffer is organising pre season. Big emphasis on match fitness. He's positive and confident and seems to be instiiling this in the squad. Time will tell of course but my money is on top 6 finish.
posted on 19/7/18
After DIckov, who dare not commit to anything, Fergie was my kind of manager - open, sympathetic, analytical, systematic, sensitive yet ultimately cautious. But here we have someone who is intent on the inspirational style and it may well work. Let the players express themselves, be adventurous and see where that gets us!
Thanks for sharing this with us BVZ. I'm looking forward to how all this shapes up on the pitch and I' giving it 9 out of 10 for the build-up.
posted on 20/7/18
Won't be anywhere near top 6