How did Derek react to you coming here?
Would the manager consult you about whether a first team player say, McFadden or Hammell, needed a break?
Absolutely. The relationship here is very, very close, The four of us (the manager, Chris, Terry and myself) are a team, a unit, and it's important that we talk to each other and listen to each other's opinion. The final decisions are left to one person and that's the manager. But we came here as a team and we work as a team.
When you arrived at Motherwell your son, Derek, was already here. Was that a problem?
No, not at all. Contrary to what some people may think, I don't come into contact with him during the day. I may see him at lunchtime and talk to him in passing but it's a professional relationship that we have. The thing to bear in mind is that I'm here as Youth Development Manager, I'm not here to work with the first team. Derek was here for two and a half years before I arrived and folk must realise that I won't have any influence about what happens to him in the first team.
How did he react to you coming here? You know that some fans suggest that he's only getting a game because of your influence?
If you're being realistic about it and realise that he was at the club for two and a half years before me. I was working perfectly happily at Celtic before the opportunity arose for me to work at Motherwell. Obviously we discussed the relationship. It is the case that I am not in contact with Derek on a day to day basis and it also obvious that nobody believes Eric Black to be a soft touch. I don't think Eric Black would ever play Derek Adams if he didn't justify it.
What about Eric?
Eric is very firm and fair. He knows where he's going and knows where Motherwell are going in the future. There's absolutely no doubt in my mind about that. I've worked with him and if anyone thinks he's a soft touch then they are barking up the wrong tree. He's been in the game a long time, he's worked under some hard managers. He had a good upbringing at Aberdeen with Fergie and you don't work under Fergie for a period of time without knowing how to be hard and how to respond to it.
I have no doubts whatsoever that he's strong, hard and very fair. If you do the job for Eric there will be no problems, but if you don't do the job - tough.
Is that why Twaddle and Dow are transfer listed when there seem to be other players 'out of the picture' who have not been listed?
Any comment on that would have to come from the manager because they are outwith my control and responsibility.
The interview continues...