Michael Wimmer: Motherwell's likely squad overhaul a 'good situation'

Motherwell boss Michael Wimmer says it’s a good situation for a manager that the future of the majority of his squad is uncertain.

The Fir Park club have 21 players who will either leave as their loan deal expires or reach the end of their existing contracts in the summer.

The manager, who succeeded Stuart Kettlewell in February, tied one player down on a new deal when Tom Sparrow signed a two-year contract this week and is likely to agree contract extensions with others. But he may also see players leave, and next year’s team is expected to look significantly different from the group he is working with now.

Wimmer sees the current situation as a positive, allowing him to make assessments and have scope to make changes where he wants.

Asked if he had ever dealt with a squad with so many players reaching the end of their stay, he said: “No, but to be honest, it’s also a good situation as a manager.

“I’m now six weeks here. The pictures become clearer from each player, so I see who fits with us, who wants to work with us, who has a great work ethic, who wants to do this playing style and also who likes to play in the stadium in front of these great fans.

“So it’s easy. The players who are in the squad now, I can see every day, have an advantage. So we are now working to extend players.”

Some players are currently sidelined and haven’t had a chance to show the new manager what they can do but he insisted they won’t be disadvantaged and he can still make a call on their future.

“I have to make this picture and watch videos,” he said. “And also these players have played for the club and have made good performances for the club and give everything for this club.

“So they deserve it also that I get a clear picture and give them the chance to have many chats with them.

“Of course you have a disadvantage because you can’t play, but it’s up to me to give them also the feeling that they have no disadvantage.”

Of more immediate concern for the German is the team’s next two matches, which will decide whether they make the to six or not. He wants his team to go “all in” against Kilmarnock and Hearts.

“If we want to reach the top six, we have to go all-in over the next two games,” he said. “We have to win two games, and even then, it is still not certain because if St Mirren wins two games too, then their goal difference is better.

“If we can get a good result and performance, we can look to the home game against Hearts. It is a big, tough challenge at the weekend and all the concentration should be on this game.

“We can achieve something and I am looking forward to the games. If you have pressure, you have reached something so that we are in this situation to reach the top six confirms that they team has done really well and deserve this situation, so it is no pressure.

“We should enjoy it and give everything.”