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Interviews

Kewell's first interview

Hear from the new gaffer for the first time

3 September 2018

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Interviews

Kewell's first interview

Hear from the new gaffer for the first time

3 September 2018

Notts County manager Harry Kewell was unveiled to the media on Monday afternoon.

Afterwards, the new boss spoke about a variety of topics including the style of play fans should expect, his ambitions at the club and the squad he inherits.

Here’s a round-up of his best bits.

On why he came to Notts…

“I was drawn by the ambition of the club and also the challenge of getting Notts off the bottom of the table and up to where we want to be.

“I think the challenge is exciting and will show what I am capable of as a coach, and then I can help to get this club to the level that it wants to be pushed to.

“There’s a great crowd here and people underestimate the influence that they can have, especially in League Two.

“The more the supporters get behind the team, the more success we will have and we’re going to need to pull together over what will be a tough few months because it takes time to click."

On his ambition…

“The ambition is simple and it’s to win. If we win matches we’ll be climbing the table up to where we want to be - in the promotion mix. But we’ve got to take each game as it comes.

“A football club is run by three points - it sets the tone for everything. The fans and the staff coming into work here all feel the pain when we don’t win and the happiness when we do.

“I’m keen to develop the players we have. I love to coach and I’m looking forward to improving the lads.”

On the team he inherits…

“I was disappointed to lose Enzio Boldewijn at Crawley so it’s great to meet up with him and work together again. I feel confident now that I can get more out of him because he realises what he’s capable of.

“Equally it’s fantastic to work with Rob Milsom. He’s comfortable on the ball and it helps me that that he’s left footed because I like the balance.

“We’ve both come here at the same time and he knows my ideas and he can help me, so it’s great that I have players in the squad that can support me with getting my ideas across.

“I’m happy with the other players as well because I tried to sign a few of them while I was at Crawley but Notts trumped me! It’s really good to know I’ve got players that I wanted.

“There are a few more that I plan to bring in because that improves the competition for places, which brings out the best in players.”

On the style of play…

“I want to win, however that may be. We’ll have a plan and a structure but that can go out the window within five minutes, so it may come down to digging in and working hard to pick up second balls.

“There will be a formula for when we have the opportunity, though, and the players will be prepared for that style of play.

“From day one I want to improve the effort from the players because that’s something I’m a big believer in.

“Hard work beats talent if talent doesn’t want to work. You can go through the worst patches in football where you can’t pass, your crossing is poor and your shooting is off target but it doesn’t stop you from working hard, pressing and closing down.

“When you do that the ball may drop and then you can start to play simple passes and you get your confidence back that way – it’s all going to come down to hard work.

“If you don’t want to work then you will find yourself on the bench or in the stands.”

On new signing Elliott Ward…

“When we look at who we’re bringing in we want players with experience that can be confident and help their team-mates - the likes of Elliott do that.

“It was his first session today and he was like a duck to water. He was talking to the boys and helping them, which aids me because I don’t see everything in games.

“He sees things others don’t and he can use his experience to help the players around him.”


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