SAMMY McIlroy is looking for leaders.
With Andy Welsh likely to complete his move to Sunderland today, the Stockport County boss has to be allowed the money to bring in the players he needs to get County out of their current crisis adrift at the bottom of League One and with just one win in three months.
Recent departures Luke Beckett and Derek Geary have brought in '100,000 between them and McIlroy should have the cash for the players he wants - those with the mental strength so lacking in Saturdays 3-1 defeat at Doncaster Rovers.
"I can't knock the players' effort or commitment but we didn't have the leaders or were strong enough mentally to capitalise when we got back to 1-1," said McIlroy.
"We need new faces in, it's as simple as that. We need leadership and mental strength in our side."
After the previous Saturday's FA Cup win, normal service was resumed when County fell behind after just nine minutes, James Coppinger racing from his own half to set up Gregg Blundell to sidefoot the ball home.
The rampant Doncaster could have been four up by half-time, County having to rely on a string of saves from James Spencer and goal-line clearances by Ashley Williams and Lee Carwtright.
Warren Feeney equalised four minutes after the restart, winning the race for goal after being put through by Chris Williams.
But County collapsed, conceding two goals in three minutes.
First Tim Ryan fired home from more than 30 yards and then Blundell had another gift set up by Michael McIndoe.
Welsh is expected to put pen to paper today after impressing during a three-day trial at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy said: We've agreed a deal with Stockport and Andy will join us. I saw a lot of him last season and he has a lot of potential.
"He can come inside, play off the front men and get behind people.
"He has a lot of ability but he's also someone who can get better and improve so I'm looking forward to working with him."
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Isn't it amazing? Mick McCarthy can assess the potential talent of Andy Welsh in a matter of days, to the point where he thinks that he has a future at Sunderland. Why no future for him at Edgeley Park? Equally, in match reports in the weekend press, Geary gets a positive write up for Sheff Utd. and other ex-County players spread around the Leagues seem to be doing well. Why does the management at E P fail to develop talent - because the management at EP does not manage.
Mc Illroy does not criticise his players in the Doncaster match but says they lack leadership. You bet they do - because they are not just bottom of the league but rooted at the bottom. I really hoped today that the owners of E P were going to take the decision that is needed but the lack of action only confirms my real fear that, eventually, the sole occupants at E P will be Sale Sharks. It is easy to be cynical but the reality is now looming large.
An interesting assessment by Mr McCarthy and one I totally agree with. Sammy McIlroy wouldn't recognise a good player if he fell over one. He's shipped all the good ones out fcs!!!