THE RIGHT HAND OF THE LORD IS A 'DEVIL'

Jamie Hand

By Adam Moss

In prophecy the right hand of the Lord refers to the Messiah to whom is given the power and authority to subdue his enemies.

And now Stockport County has its own right Hand of the Lord. Jamie Hand and Alan Lord, to be precise.

Jamie Hand has been brought in by the assistant manager and County boss Ian Bogie to be Edgeley Park's new midfield enforcer. 

Just this week Alan Lord described Hand as the 'devil' that the club has been so sorely missing in the middle of the park - a true competitor who will give County the edge in the closest fought battles this term.

Jamie Hand is more than happy to take on that role.

Remember last season when County's 'kids' were forever rolled over by bigger, more powerful experienced teams? Remember when they gave up potential victories because the team simply didn't seem to possess the tools to see out a game to a victorious conclusion?

Happened a lot, didn't it?

No more, according to Hand.

Despite his 'journeyman' tag,  Jamie Hand insists he chose to play for Stockport County this season because he believes 100% in Ian Bogie's commitment to playing the game the right way. A passing game.

Hand had a few offers on the table when he met Bogie and the two discussed how the beautiful game should be played.

He said: "Speaking to the manager it was clear that we both believe football should be played the right way. It's about putting your foot on the ball, looking up, finding a team-mate, passing the ball.

"In my career I've come across a few managers who have absolutely no interest in playing football that way. I've been at clubs where the passing game just isn't in the plan. I've had to leave those clubs because I just can't play for a team or a manager who thinks that way.

"That's maybe why I have played at quite a few clubs over the years. Sure, some I've left to play at a higher level, nearer home or for better money but, in most cases, I've moved on when it became clear that the boss just didn't want to play football the way I think it should be played.

"I don't care what has happened with Stockport County teams in the past but, we won't be losing any games this season because we have been bullied on the pitch"

"Look, even at this level, a player should be able to get the ball down and pass it.

"It is being drilled into us that we all have to be comfortable on the ball, be positive, be hard working."

But he's equally determined that the new Stockport County will not concede a yard of turf or a single 50-50 ball, without a fight.

"I enjoy getting stuck in, that's no secret. At this level, in fact at any level, as a centre midfielder you have to do that or you simply won't survive in a game," he said.

"If everyone in the team gives their all and we go in for everything then the fans cannot ask for much more than that. We have a squad of good quality players - the manager has made sure of that.

"I can tell you this, I don't care what has happened with Stockport County teams in the past but, we won't be losing any games this season because we have been bullied on the pitch.

"I'm getting to know the lads in the team well and I can tell you, the lads here now - they just won't have that."

First things first, though.

Frame of mind and expectation is the order of the day.

As far as Jamie Hand is concerned he won't even countenance talk about putting this club back in the Football League.

"Stockport County is a big club - you only have to walk into the stadium to see that. Everything about this club is Football League but we have no divine right to be there.

"The Football League is not my concern this season. All we are thinking about as a team is winning enough games to put this club back in the Conference National. That's a big problem with a lot of teams, they're looking too far ahead.

"By all means plan for it, but we really can't afford to be looking two seasons ahead as players. We need to focus on the here and now or we'll forget what needs to be done right now.

"It is down to us as a group of players to get us back in the Conference National. Then, and only then should we start thinking about the Football League.

"Our only goal this season is promotion - nothing more, nothing less.

"I'm not being disrespectful to anyone else in our league this season but if we do not get promotion it simply isn't good enough for the team we have got here."

Hand feels Ian Bogie is assembling the right mix of youth and experience to mount that challenge and believes the training the team is doing - repeating basic after basic until everyone is getting it right, every time - is the kind of preparation that will result in plenty of wins during the season.

He said: "Football is all about habits and doing the little things well. In football it is very hard to train badly all week and then play well on a Saturday. We are doing the basics well - training hard. If we can take that into games and do the jobs that are asked of us then it makes all the difference between winning and losing matches.

"Much of my game is about talking to other players. I try to get others around me doing their jobs and keep them organised. Me, Ian Craney and Phil Jevons all have that in our game - I guess it comes from our experience.

"Ian Bogie has brought in players he knows will work well together. Me and Craney, for example. We both know what needs to be done. As long as we continue to work well together then things in the midfield will be fine for us this season."

If his actions are half as direct as his words, it looks like the Cheadle End may have themselves a new hero in the making.