Part of the process of the week in Largs has been to complete the settling in process for the new lads, who have all had a positive impact on the group so far.
“We’ve been pleased with them all,” he said. “The fans have made them feel really welcome, and that’s always important.
“It’s been good through pre-season, we’ve had good support at the games so far and that was the same on Saturday.
“I’m sure on a hot sunny day there were a lot of other things the supporters could do, so I was delighted to see that attendance.
“They’re really important to us, we want them to come back in, and all of the players out there, whether they started or came on, young or experienced, they’ve all done themselves a heck of a lot of good.”
One of the terrace talking points has been the range of passing on show from midfielder Own Moxon, who has take to full-time football like a duck to water.
“He has a great range of passing and I’ve been really pleased with the way he’s been able to come in and settle with us,” the manager commented. “He was part-time until about eight weeks ago, he was a van driver, so it’s a big ask for him to step up and show that he can do things like this.
“He accepts that he has things he needs to improve on, and he needs to develop, but he’s in a really good place to go and do that.
“Hopefully we can keep him out on the pitch and becoming an even better player than what he already is.
“He’s found it tough at times, he’s had a few little aches and pains, which is fine. I told him that’s perfectly normal. I thought his game’s very good.
“He knows he’s got to be careful with taking little chances when he shouldn’t, but if we can keep that understanding that him and Denno and Ryan Edmondson have got, and maybe develop it with Tobi as well, and Nic Bollado and Omari when they come into the side, then that will be another positive.
“He can see people making runs off the back of centre-backs, and he’s got that pinpoint pass he can put in there. I’m hoping over the season that will create some chances for us.
“He’s settled, and I didn’t really have any doubts that would be the case with him. I suppose you always wonder, but with every signing you make there’s a concern as to whether or not they’re going to be a successful one.
“We buy or bring players into the club because we think they’re going to do a job, but there’s no guarantee. You just can’t say how they’re going to go.
“It’s a challenge for them all because it’s a new environment, a new group, and it’s all very different. It’s a big test for them, and it’s up to them to carry on with the good things we’ve seen from them so far.”
And the squad now has that element of ‘hunger to play’ which was highlighted as a key requirement once last season had drawn to a close.
“As I’ve said, you do your work before you sign a player because you want to know they’re in it for the right reasons,” he said. “Whether they’re young or old, you actually don’t know how they’re going to cope.
“We just hope they go out and show the best side of them, because the truth is, they’ve all got ability, they’ve all got different strengths.
“One might be really quick, might have really good ball control, a good range of passing, might just be a right good athlete.
“The challenge for you as a footballer is to bring it out on the pitch. Not do it in training, not have people confident you can do it, you’ve got to go and show it.
“The stage is out there for them, and they’ve got to go and show us what they’re all about.”
