Wally appointed

Last updated : 28 June 2002 By
Ron Noades told the Official site that "Wally was always my first choice no matter what," he said.

"I think he is going to be an excellent manager.

"I have a history of giving people their first job in management. I did it for Dario Gradi at Wimbledon, for Steve Coppell, Alan Smith and Dave Bassett. And I think Wally can be better than all of those.

"I have a good feeling about him. I wanted to give him the job last year but then Steve Coppell approached me and I felt that was too good an opportunity to turn down.

"But this is the right time for Wally to take over.

"He has improved every year as a coach and I have been impressed with him.

"He's got a bit of Brian Clough about him. He's tough enough, he's hard enough. He's just got to sweeten it a bit when he's dealing with the younger players. But I honestly believe he can go a long way."

Wally said he was raring to start. He told the Chronicle that "this is a huge job and one I feel very privileged to have because Brentford is a very special club with very loyal and devoted supporters. A big name might have been a coup but I bring continuity to the job and an awareness of the position off the field, which is bound to come into play."

"We used the loan system well last year and we've got to be looking to use that again but you can't take fifty odd goals and five players out of a side and expect to go straight back in. It's going to take a while to gel the players together and get going again" Wally continued.

Noades has hinted that the club might be able to purchase one or two repleacements. He told the Officiail site, "We're still looking for a main striker and it's possible we may need a centre-back and a midfielder. But Ijah Anderson could yet fill the centre-back role and Dobbo could move into midfield. So we're weighing it all up.

"We have already concentrated on bring in young players and we have a squad of 34 players and 25 first team pros. Wally has the ability to bring those players through and it will be very important."

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