A CONVERSATION WITH NEW HEAD COACH SCOTT BARTLETT

Before today’s game we caught up with new Seagulls Head Coach Scott Bartlett

Hi Scott. Thanks for talking to us. How are you settling in?
SB: I’m settling in really well. I think there’s a good group of staff here. Everyone at the club has been friendly and seem really passionate about the football club. Those key ingredients makes settling in really easy.

From the first week of training, what sort of tactics are you going to employ?
SB:Well, for me, we want to be on the front foot. We want to be aggressive in everything we do. When we don’t have the ball, we need to be pressing high up the pitch. We need to have that desire to play for the football club. On Monday and Thursday, my main message to the players was about their application and show that they want to be here.

You currently manage Forest Green U18’s. Are you going to mix the two roles?
SB: I think so, with it being my day job from Monday to Friday. The role here is what I do two evenings a week, Monday and Thursday then games on the Saturday. Both clubs are happy with the arrangement and I think it’s a healthy thing. I can mix my two roles and this may benefit us down the line with a few players as well.

Could the fans expect some FGR youngsters coming in on loan in the near future?
SB: Potentially. I just said then in another interview that the player has to be right, has to fight into the way we want to play and again, we’ve got to get the right player in the right position. They’ve got some talented players but I want to assess the squad we’ve got here first because we’ve got some talented players.

Have you worked with any of the players here before you came here?
SB: Yeah. I was here previously as a player. Dayle Grubb, Darren Mullings and Clayton was here. I played with Sekani Simpson at Bath. I have also played with Luke Purnell. There’s a nucleus of the boys that I’m familiar with, and I’m keen to get to know the lads here. There’s a good group here.

Would you see the players as friends or your players?
SB: Players. 100 percent.

George Dowling and Shawn McCoulsky have gone back to Bristol City. Are you planning on bringing them back on loan?
SB: I understand they did well here. George is currently injured. I think they are keen for Shawn to play an U23 game on Monday. It’s something we are talking about. You always want good players to come through the door. We have a good connection with Bristol City and if we can get them back in, or maybe 1 or 2 others from City, then I would welcome it as a boost to our squad.

Going into Tuesday’s game, will you assess the whole squad?
SB: Yes. That was the whole reason it was arranged. For me, I will assess the whole squad so that would have given me the week’s training, Saturday and Tuesday to look at what we’ve got here.

Will you be involving loanees, who are out at other clubs?
SB: Potentially if they aren’t playing anywhere else. I want everyone to be involved who is connected to our club to play on Tuesday.

Would you be playing some of the U18’s?
SB: It depends on numbers. There’s a few there that I want to introduce to the first team.

Could you name those players?
SB: The keeper, Liam Kingston. He had a good game on Tuesday night. Jamie Irwin, the striker, played well. They stood out for me. They are two players that I want to introduce to the first team group.

Finally, is the fan’s support going to be big for you personally?
SB: Yeah of course. But first to get the fans behind the team, we need to give them something to shout about. If they do that, then I’m sure even the hardest Weston fan will appreciate that the players want to play for the club. For me, we have to give the fans something to be happy about.

Thanks Scott.
SB: Cheers Liam. No problem