15.8.08
Motherwell v Aberdeen Preview
Tomorrow sees our first home league game of the season against Aberdeen at Fir Park. Both teams lost their first games of the season. In the last 4 league games against Aberdeen, we won both our games last season whilst Aberdeen won both the previous season. Again, Motherwell will go into the game with a full squad with the exception of Brian McLean. Hopefully the defence will have improved from last week (or even last year) and the whole Cooper stand doesn�t have to cover their eyes every time a cross ball comes into our box.
I think the starting line up will be Smith, Quinn, Craigan, Reynolds, Hammell, Lasley, Hughes, Malcolm, Smith, Porter, Clarkson. My Prediction for the game: 1-1
Clarkson and Reynolds called up
Striker David Clarkson has been called up to the Scotland Squad to face Northern Ireland and Lithuiania, whilst Mark Reynolds has been called up for the under 21 squad
9.8.08
Hearts 3 v 2 Motherwell
Unfortunately I couldnt make it to the game today and had to listen to it on the radio. From the sounds of things we played quite well in our familiar 4-3-3 formation, Malcolm was booked early on and had to be careful for most of the game, Hearts took the lead through Michael Stewart on 24 minutes with David Clarkson scoring on 31 minutes. Hearts scored again before half time as a result of a defensive mix up between Reynolds and Craigan. Malcolm was subbed (possibly before he was sent off) for Fitzpatrick, Darren Smith replaced McGarry and O'Brien replaced Lasley in Midfield. On 81 minutes Clarkson equalised only for Mikalounus to run up the park and score straight away as the team had switched off. Clarkson also passed up the opportunity to score his hat-trick near the end.
Motherwell: G Smith, Quinn, Hammell, Reynolds, Craigan, Hughes, Malcolm (Fitzpatrick), Porter, Clarkson, Lasley(O'Brien), McGarry (D Smith). Subs: Neilsen, D Smith, Murphy, Fitzpatrick, O'Brien, Connolly, Slane.
8.8.08
At last, some new signings
Today, we have made 2 signings, Jim O'Brien a pacy midfielder who was on loan to Dunfermilne and Dundee United from Celtic, he has played in our recent friendlies and has performed well in all of them. He has signed on for 2 years. Our other signing is Gunnar Nielsen a Faroese goalkeeper who plays for Blackburn Rovers, he is here until January on loan.
6.8.08
New Season almost here
Saturday sees the long awaited return of the SPL season with an away game against Hearts. After our excellent season last year, expectations are high amongst the support for a repeat performance. This year we have the added bonus of a European tie not to mention we already have one up on Rangers who are out of Europe already!!!! At the moment we have a really small squad which is worrying considering the number of competitions that we are taking part in, with 1 goalie and 4 fit defenders, our options are limited especially if injuries and suspensions take hold. I�m sure McGhee will pull a rabbit out of the hat and come up with a big signing or two in the near future.
The Teams
Motherwell � only signing made so far is Bob Malcolm on a years contract, Ross McCormack and Simon Lappin have both left the club. Brian McLean is a long term injury doubt leaving Paul Quinn, Stephen Craigan, Mark Reynolds and Steven Hammell as our only defenders, although Kenny Connolly and Mark Fitzpatrick could possibly cover at right / left back respectively. Expect Darren Smith, Jamie Murphy, Mark Archdeacon and Paul Slane to feature more this season. Once again, Chris Porter and David Clarkson will be the main goal threats. Prediction � SPL - 3rd, UEFA � Group stages, CIS /Scottish cup a reasonable run in one / both cups, Bob Malcolm will get sent off against Celtic.
Celtic � yet to make any signings of note, they have told Gravesen and Riordan that they will never play for the club again, Balde that he can go and also released Pressley. Nakamura is out injured for the first few weeks of the season. I feel they have the edge over Rangers at the moment and will win the league and one of the cups, also their fans will be calling for the head of Gordon Strachan following any defeat / draw / 1-0 win /press conference etc and bombarding the radio saying that the refs / SFA / anyone has it in for them when it clearly isn�t the case (aided of course by bizarre refereeing decisions, dodgy penalties, fluky late goals, refs giving offside against other teams when it clearly isn�t)
Rangers � following their embarrassing exit (to them anyway) last night in Europe against the Hearts Reserve team, Rangers fans are calling for Walter Smith�s head following his bizarre signing policy and line up last night. Smith has added 3 strikers - Veliska, Miller and Lafferty over the summer, which is strange considering he only plays most games with only one striker. Barry Ferguson is out for a few weeks, which will be a big loss to them as well. I think they will finish 2nd again but it will be close between us and them with Rangers being aided by bizarre refereeing decisions, dodgy penalties, fluky late goals, refs giving offside against other teams when it clearly isn�t, they will also be finalists in one of the cups
Dundee United � have been weakened slightly by the loss of Hunt, Kerr and Kalvenes from their team from last season, they have brought in some new players over the summer however it remains to be seen how they will gel and if they can put in a sustained challenge for 3rd place. I fell they will finish 4th gaining the 2nd UEFA spot depending on the cup finalists of course.
Aberdeen � Difficult to predict how they will do as they have lost their best player in Barry Nicholson to Preston North End � their form has been indifferent for the past few years with long spells of draws and defeats followed by a few wins. I think however they will do enough to reach 5th place this season.
Hibs � Another team that is difficult to place, they have put 9 players onto the transfer list including the �Invisible Man� aka Brian Kerr. Notable signings include David Van Zanten from St Mirren. I feel that following a victory on the last game before the split, they will reach the top 6 and end the season in 6th place.
Hearts- They have a new manager and it will be difficult to predict how they will do, there are more questions than answers. Will Romanov be able to resist picking the team, will the new manager last more than 1 month before being fired? Will their star players � Berra and Kingston be sold off? Will most of the Kaunus team end up here once they go out of Europe? I think that 7th place will be theirs.
Falkirk � They have signed some new players including, Lee Bullen, Neil McCann and Jackie McNamara. These players added to Russell Latapy will boost their squads average age. Could this have the effect of pushing them towards Europe or will they struggle? I feel they will start brightly but will fade away, but not enough to be involved in a relegation struggle � Prediction 8th Place.
Inverness CT- I Think Inverness will struggle with Niculie being sold before the transfer window. Brewster will probably pull his boots on and make some cameo appearances from the bench to try and aid his team but they will ultimately struggle and settle for 9th Place.
Hamilton Accies � will be the surprise package, I fell they will pull off some shock wins against a couple of the bigger teams. Their talented midfield duo of McCarthy and McArthur will be key to any success. I feel they will find their feet quickly and remain in the SPL this season. Prediction 10th place.
St Mirren � I think they will struggle, they will do enough to remain in the division doing well at Love St but when they move to their new stadium, it will take a while for them to find their feet. Prediction 11th
Kilmarnock � I think they will finish bottom this year, they struggled badly for most of last season, especially with the loss of their main strikers, Nish and Naismith. They have replaced them but I think Killie are in for a long, hard season. Prediction 12th