Wilkins aims for brink of Premiership

12:04am Saturday 30th September 2006

New Albion manager Dean Wilkins aims to take the club to the brink of the Premiership within five or six years.

The Seagulls' former skipper revealed to The Argus his hopes for the long-term future of the club after being appointed for the rest of the season, with Dean White as his assistant.

Wilkins, caretaker for the past six games since the sacking of Mark McGhee 23 days ago and in permanent charge for the first time against Chesterfield at Withdean today, said: "I feel extremely proud and humble to be offered the task of taking this club forward during what I think is going to be a transitional period.

"I think everyone now realises this is a period of transition and I would urge our supporters to be patient and look into the situation a little bit deeper.

"At times they are going to need to be sympathetic, particularly towards the younger players and the team in general. We will come out the other side better for it and I've said before the future for the club is really bright.

"I had personal feelings and ambitions as a player for the club and as youth coach and I wanted eventually one day to be manager.

"It's difficult to set targets on a short-term basis but I see the job as a five or possibly six-year plan and at the end of that I expect to be knocking on the door of the Premiership."

Chairman Dick Knight acted yesterday afternoon, with the Board's agreement, to remove the "match by match pressure" and mounting speculation over Wilkins' future following a hat-trick of defeats on the back of an encouarging start of two wins and a draw.

Knight said: "I've given Dean the dreaded chairman's vote of confidence in reverse. After three defeats instead of firing him I'm hiring him! I wanted to take the pressure away from him on a day by day basis.

"I spoke to the Board about it and they agreed. I didn't have a dilemma, as far as I am concerned Dean has got all the makings of a very good manager but he wants to learn the craft of it under no pressure.

"He has impressed everyone with his attention to detail and preparation for games. There are other areas he needs to learn about but I have every confidence he will go on to be a very good manager for this club."

Wilkins will not have to deliver a top six place for Albion in League One this season. Knight said: "He will not be judged on where we finish in the League but on "We are not saying he has got to make the play-offs, otherwise he is out of a job. I am not putting him under that pressure. He is at the start of the learning curve in management."

Knight also revealed he has discussed and rejected with Wilkins the idea of bringing in an elder statesman to guide him in matters such as transfer dealings.

"I talked to Dean about whether he would like to have an experienced mentor, a Dave Bassett, David Pleat, Lennie Lawrence or Jim Smith type figure," Knight said.

"That was one of the thought processes I went through but decided against. Dean wouldn't feel comfortable with it. If there is any mentoring to do I can do it in terms of transfer activity. I can teach him and we can work together on that."

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