Gaffer put me scout of my comfort zone
McAlister loves new role at Pool
Facing up to a year out with a broken leg was a scary prospect for Jim McAlister.
But doing a tactics talk in front of Blackpool’s players before a vital game was far more daunting.
The 32-year-old is fully fit and raring to go again after a horrible 13 months out injured .
It has been the toughest spell of his career and one he never wants to experience again but during McAlister’s recovery he was at least able to add more strings to his bow.
As well as being a co- commentator for BBC Lancashire radio, the former Dundee midfielder was part of Pool’s performance department.
Seasiders boss Gary Bowyer kept McAlister involved by having him do scouting reports on opponents in the build-up to games.
And before one clash with Barnet last season, he was thrown in front of his team-mates to report his findings.
As he gets ready to make an impact again at Bloomf ield Road, he told
MailSport: “The gaffer got me working with the club analyst while I was out.
“I was basically sitting in the stand with Adam Whiteside watching games and taking notes.
“We’ve since lost Adam to Manchester United, which shows how good he is.
“I was given games on DVD to take home and watch. I’d study up-coming opponents and compile reports on them for Adam and the manager.
“I’d highlight teams’ strengths and weaknesses and in the build-up to one of our games they actually got me to do the team talk.
“Before we played Barnet, they pulled me aside 10 minutes before our meeting and said that since I’d watched them a lot, I should speak to the boys – tell them where I thought we could win the game.
“I was nervous because I don’t like speaking in front of an audience but they only gave me 10 minutes’ notice – so I didn’t have a chance to worry about it!
“The analytical stuff is great. I enjoyed doing the reports and looking at future opponents.
“It’s a huge part of the game, even in League One. We have meetings on Thursday and a Friday, pinpointing danger men or set-pieces.
“Adam was Pool’s only analyst but he has walked into a team of 20- odd at Manchester United. They’re allocated a certain part of the world and he has been assigned to Asia. It’s incredible.” You still find the tackle that broke McAlister’s leg on YouTube – an awful challenge from Colchester United’s Shaun Murray in February last year. It cost him a place at Wembley as the Seasiders got promoted via the play- of fs after beating Exeter. Psychologically, it was a difficult period.
He said: “It was a shocking tackle. There was a token gesture message from Murray the night it happened. He said he’s not that type of player.
“He’s young and I know boys who have played with him but it was a naughty challenge. He over-ran the ball, I stepped in to knock it to the centre-half and he lunged off the ground to do me.
“You don’t realise how life-changing a moment like that can be.
“Over a year later, I’m still trying to get back. Mentally, it was tough being out. I’ve never been injured before. “The boys turned the season around and were bound for Wembley. I was buzzing for them but gutted to miss out. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me. That was difficult to take. “But at full-time it was all forgotten as I was tossed into the celebrations. “My contract is up at the end of the season so I need minutes to prove I’m fit. “I love it down here. My family situation means it might be benef icial to go back to Scotland but if there’s another deal for me here, it’d be hard to knock back.”