New Motherwell boss Alexander says ‘ no major surgery required’
Graham Alexander i nsists there is "no major surger y" required at Motherwell as he sets about getting the struggling Steelmen back on track.
The former Scotland international was on Thursday night named as Stephen Robinson's successor and will take charge of Well for the first time in this afternoon's Scottish Premiership clash with St Mirren in Paisley.
Well are without a win in ten games in all competitions and are above bottom side Ross County only on goal difference.
Speaking to the media at Fir Park for the first time, 49- yearo l d Al e x a n d e r, wh o wa s sacked by Salford after five games of this season despite being unbeaten i n League Two, yesterday revealed he had taken soundings about Motherwell and is optimistic.
He said: "When I spoke to people about the club, they didn't believe there was a massive, massive problem.
"I think there are a couple of problems that we need to work out but I think it has been a team that has just been nearly there.
"So personally, sitting here, I don't think it is major surgery and big overhauls and drastic action."
The f ormer Luton, Burnley and Preston North End defender discussed the move with former Motherwell boss Robi ns o n , who g ave hi m positive feedback about the Lanarkshire club.
He said: "I spoke to Stephen
Robinson as well before I took the job. My teams had played against his in England and I just wanted to get a feel of what the difference is.
"The fixture list is a big one because in England it is Saturday/ Tuesday for six months of a year.
"He found he got more coaching time with the players here which he found to be brilliant.
"He said he couldn't speak highly enough about the people, the club, the fans and the players as well. He just felt it
was time for a change for everybody.
"He said for some reason it is not quite working at the moment and he knows I am a relatively experienced manager and have had success in England.
"You can see a club from the outside but speaking to someone who has been i n here, working day in, day out, he was so complimentary about everyone."
Alexander is looking to get off to the perfect start against
the Buddies but will not make instant judgments either way.
The former Fleetwood and Scunthorpe manager said: "I want to see the bounce over a period of time, tomorrow is not going to say everything is rosy.
"We are looking for consistency over a period of time and even if players have good games, you still want to see them over a period of time, their character is tested over a period of time.
"So I won't be making my
mind up over players positively or negatively on one game or one training session."
I n t e r n a t i o n a l d e f e n d e r Declan Gallagher has been linked with a move away but Alexander insists it’s a clean slate for the whole squad. "I know there's been speculation around two or three of the players," he added. "I've seen today in training why. They are good players and people are talking about them, but I didn't see any negativity or sulking. Everyone was positive."