'Give them time' - McKinstry asks for patience with Gor Mahia's new signings

Lawrence Juma is back at Gor Mahia ©Courtesy

FKFPL 'Give them time' - McKinstry asks for patience with Gor Mahia's new signings

Mark Kinyanjui 12:08 - 19.08.2023

The K'Ogalo coach believes the new players, including the returning Lawrence Juma, will need time to adapt to his style of football

Gor Mahia head coach Johnathan McKinstry has asked fans to be patient with new players, including the returning Lawrence Juma, who last played for the club three years ago before joining Sofapaka and then Rwanda’s Rayon Sports.

Juma played 45 minutes as Gor Mahia beat Kakamega Homeboyz 4-2 on penalties to win the FKF Charity Shield, as McKinstry attempted to give as many players as possible playing time ahead of the new season.

McKinstry has admitted that his new players will need time to gel and understand each other.

“That is the key thing, it takes time to gel because they have to learn how their teammates play and what type of passes they make," he said. 

“Lawrence, huge experience coming in. He is not the same player he was two or three years ago because with age, you change.

“We have got to learn what the new Lawrence Juma is like as well because he is more experienced and you look at the young guys we have in midfield like Alpha Onyango who can learn off him.”

McKinstry also handed debuts to Kennedy ‘Vidic’ Onyango and Kevin Juma during the match.

“Kevin Juma did well (In the Charity Shield), Rooney Onyango as well. Other players in the squad will also get their chances like Alvin Ochieng’, Kennedy Onyango, Kevin Omondi a back up goalie.”

McKinstry has revealed that the side will add two or three more players to beef up their attack which is 'thin' in his eyes.

“There is more to come but there is still more to be done. We still need to add two or three players in the transfer window. I think you can tell we are short in the attacking areas. We are a little bit thin," he added.

“We are still working hard in the transfer market. We do not have the money we had a few years ago but we are still working hard to get it.”

Gor Mahia will play Sofapaka in their opening game of the  2023/24 FKFPL season.