ROBBO FINDS COMMON GROUND
GAVIN BERRY
STEPHEN ROBINSON has revealed how a rousing Pep talk from one of the world’s best reassured him he’s doing the right things at Motherwell.
The Fir Park boss attended a League Managers Association event at the Etihad Stadium last week where Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was guest speaker.
Robinson admitted it was a privilege to listen to the Spaniard as he spoke in detail about his time in England as well as his achievements at Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
But what struck the Well gaffer was Guardiola – even when working with superstars at every club he’s been at – still had to adjust his style to suit the players at his disposal.
That is something Robinson has done after some criticism last season for his team’s physical style that took Motherwell to two domestic cup finals.
But he has transformed his side with more emphasis on playing from the back and creativity in the wide areas and benefiting from the energy and verve of emerging youngsters such as David Turnbull and Jake Hastie.
Motherwell were in a relegation fight before the winter break but a flying start to the year has seen them win six and lose just one of eight league games.
And they can leapfrog Hibs and jump into the top six with victory at Easter Road on Saturday which would be a remarkable turnaround.
Robinson said: “I had the privilege of going to see Pep last week and it was refreshing to hear a top manager say you play to the strengths of your players and how there’s not one set way to play.
“We played a certain way last season because it suited us and we were very successful with it. We’ve now changed that to suit the players I’ve been able to recruit in January and the ones brought through the youth system.
“We’re playing in a way that suits individuals in the football team and it was good to hear because you think there’s only one way to play.
“Pep used the example of when he went to Bayern Munich from Barcelona. He was still working with the best players in the world but changed his attacking style to get balls wide and put them into the box to suit Robert Lewandowski and the other wide players.
“That was different from Barcelona where he worked with players such as Lionel Messi and its runs off the side and things. We’re at a completely different level and standard of player but it’s the same analogy.
“You play to the strengths of your players and we’re all judged on winning football matches. We won a lot last year and have won a lot with our new system and style that suits the players g.berry@dailyrecord.co.uk we have available just now. It was really refreshing and he’s so humble.
“As a manager you have to be brave and he’s a brave manager who sticks to his beliefs but the biggest thing that came out of it for me was that tactics fit the players not the other way round.
“You listen to pundits who have never managed who say you have to play like this or that. Play to the strength of your players – we did that last season in a certain way with balls into the box to big physical boys.
“We’ve changed that after bringing in different types of player and developed different types of young players and you play to your strengths.
“We’re not saying it will continue to be a 4-3-3 because it will depend on recruitment.
“We’re playing to the strengths of the boys I have available right now. I was rushing off to watch Salford v Sutton so I couldn’t stay and talk to Pep! That’s the glory of being the Motherwell manager.
“Thankfully I’m not on social media in any shape or form so a selfie would have been no use either!” Much of Well’s success has been
down to their talented kids with Turnbull netting a double and Hastie on target in their derby demolition of Hamilton at the weekend.
Robinson admitted the youngsters coming of age has been crucial and said: “Pep’s thought process on youngsters is if they’re good enough then you play them.
“He was very honest to admit he’s only worked with the top players in the world and didn’t encounter the same firefighting some of us have.
“Our youngsters weren’t developed enough physically or mentally to play first-team football but we’ve got that now with Jake Hastie, David Turnbull, James Scott and Allan Campbell all another six months down the line in their development. “David has been absolutely terrific and will be a top footballer if he keeps developing and he epitomises what we’re doing. “But as good as David has been I don’t think any one player is the reason we have changed. We all knew we needed to get to Christmas to change things around a little bit and for youngsters to develop. “We have to give credit to everyone in the background who is playing a part in developing our youngsters like Keith Lasley, Mo Ross, Andy Boles and Craig Hinchcliffe. “There’s a lot of work done off the pitch and on the training ground that people don’t see. They only see the end product on a Saturday.”