STARS IN MY SIGHS
Jim’s swamped by potential signings – his task is finding gem
Jim Goodwin must feel like he’s playing Football Manager on the computer when a list of potential St Mirren signing targets lands on his desk.
There’s HUNDREDS of names on it from across the UK, around Europe and beyond, as agents try to get their players a crack at the Premiership.
The reality is that one of Goodwin’s biggest jobs as gaffer is to separate the wheat from the chaff.
The Irishman has only been in the door five weeks.
He has a l ready added Sean McLoughlin, Jonathan Obika, Tony Andreu, Ilkay Durmus, Sam Foley and Oan Djorkaeff to his squad.
For a club with Saints’ budget, it’s getting harder to find affordable talent.
But Goodwin is convinced there are gems to be found – such as Turkish winger Durmus who impressed on his debut against Hibs last weekend after being plucked from Austria.
If the new manager is going to be a success, he insists their recruitment must be better.
And that’s why, when this window closes, Goodwin is determined to put measures in place that can help the Buddies unearth real quality.
As he prepared for today’s visit of Aberdeen, he said: “It’s difficult for every club to find players now.
“So we just tr y to do as many background checks as we can.
“Between myself, Gus MacPherson and Tony Fitzpatrick we’ve built up a fair few contacts over the years.
“There are great platforms, like Wyscout and InStat, but it’s important to have references from people you trust. Agents can send you clips that make a player look like Lionel Messi. You just see the good bits, not the bad.
“Ilkay was recommended by an agent. But we did our homework – and you could see in the game against Hibs the quality he has.
“It can be overwhelming, the amount of players that have been put to me. I get sent hundreds but you have to find the good ones – because there could be a gem there somewhere.
“When this window closes, we will chat about recruitment, which is the most important part of the club.
“We can’t just work window to window. It can’t be panic stations when a window opens.
“We must be more prepared and look at how good our scouting system is.
“Motherwell are a great example of what you can bring up from England if you have eyes and ears there.
“I want to improve that side of the club and I have the backing of the club’s board – as well as Gus and Tony – to do it.
“It’s not about pummelling money in. It’s just getting people in who we trust and who have an eye for a player.
“Non-league in England is a good market because it’s one we can afford.
“There are also some fantastic young players in the Irish Premier League.
“I have good contacts there and that’s another market that we will hopefully dip into.”
Goodwin wants to bring stability to St Mirren and has long-term plans for the club.
Without being radical , he’s determined to make positive changes that will benefit managers – even after he has gone.
He said: “It’s not about me being a clever clogs and reinventing the wheel.
“We are a Premiership club and this is what we should be doing. In terms of recruitment, you look at Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen, Motherwell, whoever, they will all be doing this. “If they’re doing it then we need to. “The Scottish market is too small to be working in. If you only have eyes here, you will just churn out the same stuff.
“We need to be in England and Ireland, and we are taking a f light abroad now and again.
“It’s about being a professional, well-run club – and that’s what I want to bring.”
Goodwin will today pit his wits against Dons gaffer Derek McInnes who also likes a bargain in the transfer market.
He bought a raw talent in Sam Cosgrove from Carlisle for £ 40,000 and the striker is now ripping up the league.
The Buddies boss admires his opposite number and revealed that McInnes was a huge help to him early in his managerial career at Alloa.
Goodwin said: “In terms of spotting players, Cosgrove is a prime example. He joined Aberdeen from Carlisle and was pretty raw at the start.
“He always had physical attributes but Derek and Tony Docherty have spent time coach ing h im and making him better.
“Cosgrove is now one of the most prolific strikers in Europe – tha t speaks volumes about the manager and coaches at Aberdeen. What Derek has achieved is incredible.
“He has won a cup, continuously got to finals and gone on European runs. And he has done all that with a constant turnover of players.
“I have massive respect for him and he has been great for me in my short time as a manager.
“If he misses my call he will always return it. At Alloa, he was good when I was trying to get loan players. “Derek has been really helpful to me and is always there for
advice.”