How is Big Eck doing?
As crappy 'Sun-esque' headlines go, I'm sure the above title (for which I apologise sincerely) must take the biscuit. However I'm sure the sentiments are agreed upon by all of us.
Tommy McLean has been the most successful Motherwell manager that I can remember. What he did in his time at Fir Park was nothing short of phenomenal. He took over a club £800,000 in debt and newly relegated from the top Division and crafted a pool that brought the Scottish Cup to Fir Park and ultimately became genuine Championship contenders. A hard act to follow!
Alex McLeish was appointed the man to try and do just that. Having waded through piles of applications from also-rans, has-beens and no-chancers, the board offered the job to Alex (never again to be referred to, in this fine at least, as Eck). The appointment was met with suspicion and apathy. MeLeish had not even shown any interest in the job and the wrangle with McLean over money had sown seeds of doubt in every supporters mind as to the boards ambition. Had they bought themselves a 'yes man' on the cheap. Subsequent transfer deals did nothing to suggest otherwise as we replaced Seib with a £75,000 buy from Preston North End. We followed this up by losing the respected Billy Thomson, whose position was then filled by a 39yr old who had spent all his time in the lower echelons of the Scottish senior game. Had the Claret and Amber dog had it's day ?
Fifteen games into the season and Tommy McLean has not been missed. McLeish has taken wee Tommy's foundations and built on them. The goalkeeping position has gone from looking decidedly shaky to promising, as we realise we have on our books two very talented and young keepers. Our performances against the might of Borussia Dortmund made everyone sit up and take notice. Suddenly the press realised that Motherwell were playing real football. The belief has returned to the side and confidence is is growing once again.
Alex McLeish has managerial potential. Of that I am certain. But at the time of writing the situation at his former club grows increasingly unstable and rumours are rife. McLeish is held in high regard at Pittodrie and his loyalty may be questioned sooner than any of us would like. It has an ominous look to it.
However, as the song says, always look on the bright side. We have in our possession the most promising young manager to emerge in Scotland for a long while. Lets hope the club has enough 'pull' to hold onto him in this, more than ever, money-orientated footballing world.
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