Placed in caretaker charge alongside Andy Dawson, Nick Daws spoke to the press for the first time since Mark Robins and Ned Kelly left the club.
Robins and Kelly were relieved of their duties on Monday morning after 15-months in charge, with the stand-in duo now focused on the task ahead.“We came in on Monday to work as normal but it’s been well-publicised that the chairman had a conversation with Mark and as a result of that, Mark and Ned left,” Daws said, speaking in an extended interview which will be shown on The Iron PlayerHD from Thursday.
“The chairman asked to speak to myself and Andy, asked if we’d both stay and take care of the team for Saturday, potentially moving forward, and we both agreed to do so. That’s basically how it went.”
Their first full day in charge comprised of taking training, before a trek to Nottingham to watch the Iron’s development string which included several of United’s professionals. They then would complete their day in Colchester, where they witnessed our next opponents draw 1-1 with Fleetwood Town.
“As it stands at the moment, we’ve got everybody fit. Tom Hopper is back training and Gary McSheffrey is getting there, so we’re not too far away,” he continued.
“We took training on Monday and the boys were bright once we got going. Obviously most of them, if not all, are gutted about the situation we are in.
“We spoke and agreed that we all need to take responsibility for what has happened – that’s throughout the playing staff and those behind the scenes – but ultimately I respect the chairman and his decision.
“He and his family put the money in and they have to sometimes make tough decisions. We’re disappointed about Mark losing his job, but the boys got over it relatively quickly and have trained well.”
On the transfer front, the Iron have until the end of the month to secure any new permanent signings – with the former Bury player admitting they were still looking at ways to improve the squad.
“If they become available we’ll make that decision,” he said.
“We only had a very brief and tough conversation on Monday. I’ve read the chairman’s press. Obviously it was difficult for him to face that situation, and Jim (Rodwell) as well.
“When we did go in to speak to him it was still quite raw. We were asked to do the role and were told we’d get all the support we needed.
“We didn’t really discuss the transfer situation at that point. We’ll catch up with him today and I’m sure that will be on the agenda.”
See much more from Nick Daws and Andy Dawson on The Iron PlayerHD from Thursday morning.
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