Source: FOOTYMAD
Brown Playing It Cool
Craig Brown thinks he has what it takes to get the result his side needs away from home on foreign soil. Motherwell face Breidablik tonight and manager Craig Brown looks set to name the same eleven who started the first leg of the Europa League second qualifying round last Thursday which Motherwell won 1-0. Motherwell squad: Randolph, Saunders, Hammell, Craigan, Reynolds, Jennings, Lasley, Hateley, Humphrey, Forbes, Murphy, Sutton, McHugh, Hutchinson, Smith, Page, Halsman, Hollis. Brown is looking forward to the tactical challenge of managing a team abroad as he steers his side through the difficult second leg in Iceland. He knows what is required on foreign soil as he helped guide Scotland to their four most recent appearances at major finals, first as assistant to Andy Roxburgh and then as head coach. He believes the expertise he gained during those days associated with the national side can help Motherwell come through their clash with the Icelandic league leaders and set up a meeting with Norwegian side Aalesunds in the third qualifying round. Tonight's opponents looked more competent in attack than defence and could pose a threat for the Steelmen at home. Brown said: "They are a good team, if you put that team in the SPL, they would be around the middle, the same as ourselves. So we have got a job on. We expect to be under a bit of pressure, they will throw people forward. They play with one striker and I'm sure they will still do that at home but they will have very quick support from the guys just off the front and from midfield. It's an interesting tactical assignment but we have had tactical battles before and survived. We have not conceded goals in Germany, Holland, Wembley, Russia, without being defensive or backs to the wall. That's never my policy, my policy is to play but play sensibly and play with your consciousness towards defending when required. I've been with teams in far more demanding circumstances." While this will be Brown's first club match away in Europe, his assistant Archie Knox - who also worked alongside the Well boss with Scotland - has been there and done that with Aberdeen, Manchester United and Rangers. Brown said: "Archie and I are revelling in the opportunity to continue in European football. Archie has been there before with clubs at the highest level and he is optimistic about the prospects. We are not fools, we realise our limitations, but we make the best of what we have and that's our job. You have to be tactically aware in Europe. At home clubs are far better known, we see each other so often and play each other so often and can cover the games. Going abroad is a different type of tactical battle because they are less familiar. I think their coach is very astute, I saw great evidence of his tactical awareness. I won't publicise what I thought was good about it but he was tactically aware in a number of factors. When we analysed the game, I saw what he did to try to disrupt us a little, and we have similar ideas to do the same." Editor Ger Harley (ger@scottishfitba.net)Admin Team (admin@scottishfitba.net)This is Scottish-Fitba.Net
