New Jags boss Ryan Esson is excited by the challenge ahead
New Jags boss Ryan Esson has said he is excited by the challenge lying ahead for him and his squad.
Esson and number two Aaron Dorans have taken over from Bobby Beckwith and assistant Ronnie Sharp who were shown the door at the end of last week after just four Highland League games in charge.
It has been a baptism of fire for the pair with three games for Strathspey Thistle in little more than a week.
The Jags have lost both 3-2 - to Deveronvale in the Highland League and in midweek to Clach in the North of Scotland Cup - but could easily have taken something from both matches.
Next up for Thistle are Formartine United at Grantown’s Seafield Park tomorrow and Esson will be hoping for a change in fortune.
The new gaffer told the Strathy on his appointment: “I am excited - it is a challenge.
“I have been trying to get into management for a while and when I went and spoke to Grant and found out what he is wanting to do I liked his ambition.
“I’m all in with it.”
Esson said he had little time to do much work on the training ground with the games coming so thick and fast.
And is is certainly not going to make any hasty decisions.
He said all members of the squad will get a fair crack of the whip.
Esson said: “At the moment I need to assess the squad. We have quite a lot of players on our books but a number of injuries.
“I have to assess the players who are here.
“I am not going to make any judgment calls without looking at them. If someone I know comes up and we can get in then I will think about doing it.
“But it is up to the players to get results - if they get positive results why would I go and change anything? I will try and help them as much as I can.
“There is no panic from me and the players will be given every chance to show what they can do.
“I’m just in the door so there will be no knee-jerk reactions from me to try and get players in.”
Esson is keeping quiet on any targets that have been set internally by new club owner Grant Mackellar.
But he knows only too well that it will be a tough campaign for a team that has finished bottom for the past two seasons.
Esson said: “All the Highland League teams have improved and this has been shown by some unexpected results.”
He is hoping that will be the case at the weekend and he has been watching videos of Formartine United.
Esson said: “We will be setting the side up as best we can. It is going to be a real physical game and we had better be ready.
“They have good quality but we will set up to get a positive result.”
Esson started his career in 2000, in the Scottish Premier League, as a goalkeeper for Aberdeen. He has also played for Shrewsbury Town, Hereford United and Inverness Caley
