Brown eyes Europa boost

Well boss hoping to boost transfer kitty

Last updated: 28th July 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Brown eyes Europa boost

Brown: Keen to progress

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Motherwell boss Craig Brown hopes a Europa League run will bring in much-needed funds.

The Well manager leads his side into action in the first leg of their third qualifying round clash against Aalesunds in Norway on Thursday.

And Brown, who still only has the finances for a striker, believes that further progress could bolster the club's coffers and aid his search for reinforcements.

Motherwell have seen a total of eight outfield first-team players leave at some point since Brown and Archie Knox took charge at the turn of the year.

Jim O'Brien, Giles Coke and Lukas Jutkiewicz were the key departures this summer, while Paul Slane, Steven McGarry, Darren Smith, Michael McGlinchey and Yassin Moutaouakil had all departed beforehand.

Funds

The former Scotland manager used all of his experience to mastermind two victories over Iceland's Breidablik in the previous round, but he knows more is needed.

"It's still one striker," he said. "One round of Europe has helped - it has helped us get into the next round, which could release some funds."

Standing in the way are a side sitting fourth in Norway's top flight after 18 matches.

They also feature giant striker Tor Hogne Aaroy, but Brown expects his wide men to prevent the hitman getting his desired service.

"They are a very good team - athletic, fit, organised. They have a well-known striker who is 6ft 8in tall, who created the goal on Saturday by outjumping the goalkeeper," he said.

Threat

"The goalkeeper was using his arms and hands and he only had his head but he outjumped him. So we're aware of the threat of crosses coming into the penalty box.

"The first thing you do is stop the crosses coming in, if you don't get the delivery, he can't score.

"They have a very good Jamaican international called (Demar) Philips on the left and he delivers wonderful crosses, and (Alexander) Mathisen on the right. So we have to be alert.

"I have absolute faith in Stephen Craigan and Mark Reynolds to know when to jump and challenge or when to let him have a header and pick up the headed ball.

"I'm genuinely not worried. If Peter Crouch was out there I wouldn't be worried either."