Lasley says Caley boss’ wrath can turn tide
KEITH LASLEY isn’t surprised by Richie Foran’s blunt approach to management.
That’s because he remembers feeling the sharp end of the Irishman’s tongue as a player.
The Motherwell skipper shared a dressing room with the combative former striker and recalls him speaking his mind.
Foran has savaged his Inverness flops on a few occasions in his debut season in the Highland hot-seat after slumping to the bottom of the Premiership.
The former Fir Park favourite returns to Lanarkshire on Saturday for a massive relegation showdown with the 36-year-old facing a fight to save Caley Thistle’s top-flight status – and his own job.
Lasley spent a season with Foran after the midfielder returned from a stint in England with Plymouth and remembers the same no-nonsense character he now sees in the dugout.
Motherwell – who axed Mark McGhee after a poor run – can crank the pressure right up on Inverness where a home win would move Stephen Robinson’s men seven points clear and make it an unhappy return for struggling Foran.
The Inverness gaffer spent three years at Motherwell and Lasley said: “As a player he was blunt – I was on the end of some of those opinions at half time!
“I’m not saying he was ranting every half time but when he had an opinion to give, he gave it.
“You could see in his character he had leadership qualities. He had very strong opinions and you need that if you’re going to be a manager.
“You can never say for sure someone will be a manager but he displayed some of the things needed.
“You need to be very resilient as a manager and be able to make decisions – he can do that.
“Players respect that honesty. There are times you need to hold back the truth but more often than not honesty is the way forward and Richie played with real honesty.
“You could see it the way he played the game, he was very aggressive in his approach but in the right way and that’s how he is managing.
“I know the Motherwell fans have a good affinity with him but that won’t be the case for 90 minutes on Saturday.
“He’s well thought of at Fir Park and rightly so.
“But he wants the best for Inverness now and we want the best for Motherwell. He’ll have his team up for it because that’s the kind of character he is and he’ll see this as a chance for them to get right back in it.
“Every manager has had their turn of the spotlight being on them. It’s Richie’s turn at the moment but he knows a couple of results for them and it will be someone else’s turn.
“We don’t take too much notice. We know Inverness are capable and if they turn up, they can cause us problems. That’s what we are preparing for and we need to be at our best.”
Caley Thistle recorded a rare win this season on their last trip to Fir Park with a 3-0 victory back in October but Motherwell won in the Highlands and Lasley expects a scrap on Saturday.
He said: “They’re all big games at this stage – and seem to be getting bigger every week. We’re at home against the team directly below us so it goes without saying it’s a massive game in terms of points and psychologically going into the last five after the split.
“The away team has had the better fortune in this fixture this season but hopefully that isn’t the case on Saturday. It’s indicative of this league that home advantage isn’t the be all and end all.
“We need to be wary of that but at the same time, as the home team, try and set the agenda and get the fans behind us early in the game. With the split coming up, there’s a week to reflect on the outcome and it’s always easier if it’s a positive result.”
● Keith Lasley was speaking as the SPFL Trust Trophy visited Fir Park yesterday. Visit www.trustedtrophytour.co.uk for details. Borussia Dortmund 2, Monaco 3; Bayern Munich 1, Real Madrid 2; Atl Madrid 1, Leicester 0. Brora 2, Wick 0; Fort William 4, Strathspey Th 1; Fraserburgh 2, Buckie Th 5; Rothes 1, Formartine Utd 5; Turriff Utd 1, Cove 1. Vale Of Leithen 2, Whitehill Welfare 1.
Ajax v Schalke, Anderlecht v Man Utd, Celta Vigo v Genk, Lyon v Besiktas. Barnsley (7.45). (7.45). (8.05 unless stated) Wigan v Bury v Rochdale