Graham Alexander planning only 'minimal' change to Motherwell squad this summer

Motherwell boss Graham Alexander says he isn’t expecting a major overhaul of his squad this summer, after getting his transfer business right last year.

The Lanarkshire side are aiming to build on a fifth-place Premiership finish last time, and can look forward to Europa Conference League qualifying, after being drawn to face Bala Town or Sligo Rovers in the second round.

Preparation for the European tie has already started, but it doesn’t involve a rush to make a raft of signings, with Alexander content to just look for real quality in the market.

“We feel we’re in a real good position with our squad currently,” Alexander said. “We did a lot of work last summer on rebuilding the squad and bringing in players not just for last season but for the seasons ahead.

“It was part of the plan that if we had a good season, which we did, we would be able to just tweak the squad and try and improve it if we can. Obviously there was players running out of contract that moved on and so forth.

“The disruption or the change to the squad will be minimal this year but we’re still looking to improve because there are still a couple of positions we need to strengthen.”

Blair Spittal has already made the move to Fir Park, delighting his new manager, but there have been no further new faces because Alexander is determined to find exactly what he needs, rather than who is available.

“As we did last year, we’ll take our time to make sure we get the right person, rather than the first person that comes across our bow,” he said. “I felt we did a lot of good work last summer in being patient and trying to get the right individuals and we’ll do the same.

“Blair Spittal was a great bit of business for the club, which we did early, but since then there’s been a little bit of a lull in terms of action but not in the work that’s going on behind the scenes.”

Alexander said that he was looking forward to the European tie, whether it’s Bala Town or Sligo Rovers they play next month. He joked that he had wanted a plane journey, rather than a team so close to home, but says the competition is a reward for last season’s efforts.

“The draw was exciting,” he said. “I made a point of trying to find it online to watch with my family at home because it was a new experience being in a European draw for me.

“It’s something we worked exceptionally hard for last year. I know whether it’s Bala or Sligo, we’ll take a good support.”