LJ was always going to be a target — Lockwood

Adam Lockwood

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ADAM Lockwood says following Lee Johnson’s departure, the plan is is to bring fresh inspiration to the squad.

Athletic captain Lockwood is also working as caretaker manager Dean Holden’s right-hand man. In an interview in the Yeovil matchday programme, ex-Glovers player Lockwood — a team-mate of Johnson at Huish Park as they made their way into the Football League from non-league ranks — said Johnson’s work with Oldham was always going to alert rival clubs.

As a former top-flight club with facilities, crowds and an academy Athletic can’t match, Barnsley’s offer prompted what Lockwood believes was a very difficult decision.

“There was a bit of surprise, but not too much when you consider the job he’s done,” Lockwood said, when asked about Johnson’s decision to go. “Other clubs were always going to be interested sooner or later.

“He took his time to implement things, as any manager does. But he believed in what he wanted, stuck to his guns and you can see this season the progress he’s made.

“It was probably a tough decision to go, because he had a long-term plan here and I’m sure he sees it as an unfinished job. But it was an opportunity at an ex-Premier League club that is massively underachieving.”

Lockwood himself has plans to coach when he retires from playing: “I want to stay in the game so it can only be good experience for me,” he said of his current role. “And me and Dean don’t just want to sustain what Lee has done, we hopefully want to bring new ideas and something a bit different.”