SHAUN Hutchinson says the Lions squad are “looking forward” to working with Gary Rowett – who takes his first training session on Thursday morning ahead of Saturday’s clash with Stoke.
Rowett, the full-time successor to Neil Harris, watched from the directors’ box on Tuesday night as Tom Bradshaw twice equalised for caretaker Adam Barrett’s side to earn a 2-2 draw with Cardiff City at The Den.
The squad were due to have their first training session under Rowett on Thursday ahead of this Saturday’s clash with Stoke.
Speaking after the game on Tuesday, Hutchinson said: “We’ve not seen him, obviously Ads was taking the game [against Cardiff]. [Rowett’s] going to come in Thursday and we’ll probably have a meeting with him.
“You want to play well for him because first impressions are great if he’s watching the game. But it’s three points at stake and that’s the priority. Every three points is massive in this league. We saw it as an opportunity to get the win but unfortunately we didn’t.
“The boys were all aware that he was in the stand and it will be interesting to see what he thought of it.
“We’re looking forward to working with him. He’s got a proven record and I think everyone feels like he can help the club and take the club forward.
“We’re all looking forward to hearing his ideas. As a player it’s exciting because you want the best for yourself and your team-mates. You want to move up the table for the fans.
“He’s going to come in and get his ideas across and if it works well then we’re all happy.
“With Gary Rowett you know his profile pretty well, we’ve played against his teams, seen him in the press.
“He’s not a manager that you need to look into, you know a lot about him.”