New Motherwell bosses ready to turn to predecessor Craig Brown for tips from top

New Motherwell assistant manager Chris Lucketti says he and boss Graham Alexander won’t be shy about seeking tips from illustrious predecessor Craig Brown as they look to plot a way up the Premiership table.
Graham Alexander, left, with Chris Lucketti in September during their time at Salford City. (Photo by Peter Powell/pool/Getty Images)Graham Alexander, left, with Chris Lucketti in September during their time at Salford City. (Photo by Peter Powell/pool/Getty Images)
Graham Alexander, left, with Chris Lucketti in September during their time at Salford City. (Photo by Peter Powell/pool/Getty Images)

’Well currently sit second bottom of the table, level on 19 points with basement side Hamilton Academical.

They’re only a point behind 10th-placed Ross County, though, and have two games in hand on them, so their game away to the Highlanders tonight, January 27, is shaping up to be a six-pointer for two teams fearful of dropping into the Championship.

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Lucketti, 49, reckons any talk of a relegation dog-fight is premature, however, telling us: “It’s too early to say.

Motherwell coach Craig Brown watching his team playing against OB Odense during a Europa League play-off first-leg match in August 2010. (Photo by Claus Fisker/AFP via Getty Images)Motherwell coach Craig Brown watching his team playing against OB Odense during a Europa League play-off first-leg match in August 2010. (Photo by Claus Fisker/AFP via Getty Images)
Motherwell coach Craig Brown watching his team playing against OB Odense during a Europa League play-off first-leg match in August 2010. (Photo by Claus Fisker/AFP via Getty Images)

“Every game is a big game, and it would be fantastic to come away with three points on Wednesday night.”

He won’t be shy about picking Brown’s brains for pointers about how to keep the North Lanarkshire side up, he said, as he knows how good a boss the 80-year-old, manager at Motherwell from 2009 to 2010, was, having played for him at Preston North End from 2002 to 2004.

“He has been a big part of Motherwell himself and he is a great sounding board if we ever need to use him for any advice,” said Lucketti, previously assistant to Alexander at Salford City.

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Brown, boss of the Scottish national team from 1993 to 2001, had already been in touch to wish him and Alexander, also 49, all the best, he added.

He said: “I was signed by David Moyes at Preston so I had a good connection with him and regularly keep in touch with him.

Craig Brown came to manage after he left and Craig is somebody that I have a load of respect for.

“He still texts me and had nothing but good wishes for Graham and myself. and I have nothing but respect for what he did for me at Preston.

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“He was superb, great to work for, and he knows the game inside out.

“He came to Preston and he was just a great guy that you wanted to perform to your highest levels for.

“He was nothing but supportive to me and everyone at Preston in my time there.

“I didn’t speak to him before we came but I’ve spoken to him since we have signed and everything is positive.”

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The Steelmen have yet to win since Alexander and Lucketti replaced fellow former Preston player Stephen Robinson this month, having drawn against St Mirren and Rangers and lost to Aberdeen at the weekend.

Lucketti has been encouraged by what he’s seen so far, though, and is optimistic that a first victory isn’t too far away.

“It is an exciting challenge to come and manage in the Premiership, so we want to come here and make a positive impact on all the players and the club and we believe we can do that,” he said.

“We’re looking to build on performances and we’ve been really pleased with the performances. but we want to try and extend those for the 90 minutes.

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“The performance levels have been really, really good. It’s just a case now of extending those and those will lead to the results we need.

“Certainly, we had 45 minutes against St Mirren and for 75 minutes against Rangers we were superb and even in the first half against Aberdeen we hit the post and we were creating chances.

“We have been focusing on performances and we do believe performances will lead to results.”

Tonight’s game at Victoria Park in Dingwall kicks off at 6pm.

It can be seen via pay-per-view stream for £15. For details, go to ppv.rosscountyfc.co.uk

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