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  • Archive

    Supporters Advisory Committee update

  • Archive

    Youths face Killie

  • Archive

    Stranraer Tickets and Travel

  • Archive

    Officials appointed for Cup clash

  • Archive

    Smash and grab

  • Archive

    McCall stunned by narrow defeat

  • Archive

    Kilmarnock defeat in pictures

  • Archive

    Motherwell 0 – 1 Kilmarnock

  • Archive

    Stranraer queue busting

  • Archive

    Hutchinson keen on Killie win

  • Archive

    Supporters Advisory Committee update

    Supporters Advisory Committee member Stephen Cameron gives an update as to the latest developments.

    He said, “You may recall some time ago our Chief Executive proposed the setting up a supporters committee. Leeann posted an open invitation via the Matchday Programme and forum websites asking for volunteers to step forward to help form the aforementioned committee.

    [onlymembers]“The club was keen to ensure that the very people who matter most, the supporters, did not become disconnected and disenfranchised going forward.

    “From these Leeann received responses from interested fans who have now met with her on several occasions to discuss how the committee should be formed and how it would benefit the club.

    “The main thing about the newly formed committee is we are supporters just like you, however through the committee we hold a unique position in the structure of the club by having full access to the board. The twelve members sit in all three home stands, vary in age and cover both genders. We all regularly use the same facilities and experience the same levels of service.

    “We feel that with Leeann, board members and the club staff we can help bring everyone together, re-invigorate and enhance the experience not only on the park but off it as well. We can work with the club to bring on board what we, the fans would like to see happen at our club.

    “Now that we are all in place we want to formalise our aims by canvassing supporters. There is no point in us discussing and deciding areas and ideas we would like to tackle or put to the club without first asking for your opinion. So with this in mind, we will be talking to you soon online, on matchdays and at organised meetings to get your views.

    “We won’t always get things right and while we may not always have the answer or on occasion be as effective as you may hope, please bear in mind that we are the first football club in Scotland to launch such an initiative and with a united effort , in time, we can be more effective and influential.

    “We are sure most fans accept there will be many aspects of Scottish Football where the power to change lies with other bodies and organisations. We can however influence many issues where responsibility rests directly with MFC. We would welcome any communication from our peers so please use the following contact methods to let us know what you think the priorities are, and any ideas you might have:

    Email: supporters.committee@motherwellfc.co.uk
    Steelmen Online Forum: MFC Supporters Advisory
    FirParkCorner Forum: Supporters_Advisory

    “ Or, if you prefer, write to us at Fir Park. We will reply within 48 hours and, where possible, give a solution to any issues within 5 days.

    “We want to know your big picture gripes and ideas, views on reconstruction, safe standing, television and the like. In response the club have promised to be transparent on their position and policies in whatever we identify and where possible and appropriate, use their influence to push forward change.

    “Importantly though we also want to work in areas where the club have the ability to make the changes we desire. Stewarding, ticket allocations, pricing, initiatives, club policies, facilities, match day to name but a few. The list is really up to you to help us identify. These are really the most exciting opportunities for you the supporters and where we can most likely see some quick wins. 

    1. As far as our first “win” is concerned we have brought to the attention of Leeann that the way half season tickets were sold, with the first 9 vouchers torn out. This would have meant that these books would not have been valid for the Kilmarnock game were voucher number 9 to be used.  With this in mind, Leeann agreed fully that everyone should be able to get into that match, irrespective of when you bought your season ticket. The club will use “special voucher K” for the match on Wednesday meaning all season ticket holders can get in.  Because of the cancellation, a bonus game for those who bought a half ticket.

    2. The committee has also taken over the running of the official MFC eBay site and we have some great ideas and items for you to bid on through the season.

    “Our committee members are all volunteers and have only your and the best interests of the club at heart. We are not here to replace any of the other supporters groups. Hopefully we can work with everyone to bring an exciting and bright future for Motherwell Football Club.”

    Mission Statement

    The aim of the Supporters Advisory Committee is to enhance the experiences of all who choose to associate with Motherwell Football Club. We will advance frequent, clearer communication due to our unique position between board and fans, endeavour to improve the matchday experience and further increase club revenues through innovative means.[/onlymembers]

  • Archive

    Youths face Killie

    Fresh for their 2-0 win against St Mirren last week, the U19s will be looking to make it two wins in a row when they face Kilmarnock tomorrow.

    [onlymembers]Young’s men are seven points behind leaders Rangers at the midway point of the season, and a win over the Ayrshire men could push the Steelmen as high as joint second.

    Killie suffered a cruel 3-2 defeat at the hands of Aberdeen last weekend and will be keen to bounce back when the teams meet tomorrow afternoon at New Broomfield, Airdrie.

    Match Details:

    Motherwell U19s vs Kilmarnock U19s
    New Broomfield, Airdrie
    Kick-Off: 1pm[/onlymembers]

  • Archive

    Stranraer Tickets and Travel

    Stuart McCall’s Motherwell travel south to take on Stranraer in the Scottish Cup 5th Round this Saturday desperate to get back to winning ways.

    The ‘Well have been on the end of some miserable luck in the last week, playing superbly well in places but coming away with little reward.

    The Stair Park men are riding high near the top of the Third Division and will pose a significant threat to the Steelmen.

    Tickets will be available both from the Fir Park Ticket Office and from a booth at Stair Park with admission prices as follows:

    ADULTS: £15
    CONCESSIONS: £7
    JUVENILE: £5

    • Concessions are listed as Over 65s, teenagers aged between 13 and 16 and disabled fans in the wheelchair accessible area.
    • Juveniles are listed as aged 12 and under.
    • Fans who require wheelchair access should contact Elaine MacDonald at the club on 01698 338009 or email tickets@motherwellfc.co.uk.

    SUPPORTERS ASSOCIATION

    Three Supporters Association coaches will make their way to the match:

    Central Branch: The bus for Stranraer will leave the Bentley Hotel at 11am. Phone Jim on (01698) 299650 or e-mail Christopher on christopher_hutton@btinternet.com.

    Wishaw Branch: Leaving Kenilworth Avenue Wishaw at 10.30 am.  Costs £10 to non-members.  Contact Anne on 01698 470601 for info.

    Bellshill Branch: Leaving Carousel Bar Bellshill at 8.50am, Holytown Monument at 8.55am, Fir Park 9.00am.  Call Brian on 01698 747644 after 6pm.

  • Archive

    Officials appointed for Cup clash

    Referee for Saturday’s Scottish Cup Fifth Round clash with Stranraer is the experienced Charlie Richmond.

    It’ll be the first time Charlie, regarded as one of Scotland’s top officials, will have handled a Motherwell game this campaign following what appears to be a hiatus from SPL action.

    [onlymembers]He has been a fourth official on a couple of occasions but you have to go back to February of last year to find the last time Charlie took charge of a ‘Well game. That was at the home of local rivals Hamilton Accies, when ‘Well were held to a largely uninspiring 0-0 draw by Billy Reid’s men.

    Previous to that, but in the same season, he oversaw another 0-0 draw some seventeen days previous to that Accies game when Motherwell and Falkirk drew a blank. The only real point of note from an otherwise uneventful game was the red card shown to Giles Coke for serious foul play.

    His only other game last campaign was the exciting 2-3 home defeat by Celtic in December as Jim Gannon’s tenure as manager was nearing an end. A very youthful Motherwell side found it tough going against the Parkhead club but still managed to cause a scare only to lose to a piece of brilliance from the now departed Marc-Antoine Fortune.

    Not surprisingly, given the infrequency of the meetings between the side, Saturday will be the first time Charlie has handled a Stranraer versus Motherwell tie.

    His overall record whilst taking charge of ‘Well games is a bit of a mixed bag. In the eleven seasons he has been officiating at the top level, Charlie has taken charge of 26 Motherwell games. The Steelmen have won six, drawn six and lost fourteen.

    28 goals have been scored whilst 24 have been conceded. 96 players have been cautioned, 49 shown to a player wearing Claret and Amber whilst two have been ordered off; the aforementioned Giles Coke versus Falkirk and Filipe Morais in a game against Hibs back in October 2007.

    Charlie will be ably assisted by Stephen Mitchell and Tommy Johnston with John McKendrick on fourth official duties.[/onlymembers]

  • Archive

    Smash and grab

    Good evening folks, or should I say good morning as I type this in the early hours after getting back to my flat in Glasgow.
     
    What a hugely frustrating night that was for everyone. Despite the wind and rain making things extremely difficult, I thought Motherwell played some decent stuff tonight. Particularly second half, we hemmed Kilmarnock in and created a number of good chances. The problem is, and it has been consistent since my arrival at the club, we are not taking enough.
     
    Look, I know how much we need a striker. I can’t tell you how hard I tried to get someone in before the Transfer Deadline on Monday. I went down so many different avenues and hit so many brick walls; it was unbelievably frustrating.
     
    However, that search isn’t dead and I continue to look for someone who can compete with Jamie Murphy, John Sutton, Esteban Casagolda, Robert McHugh and Gary Smith for a spot up top. We have some options open to us, in terms of guys without a club, so we’ll see where that takes us.
     
    However, the positives are that we are playing decent football and creating chances. If I was writing this email and we had been outplayed by Kilmarnock then I am not too sure what I could’ve scribbled that would have cut the mustard with you. But I believe we’re on the right track.
     
    The core of the squad is good. We have good young players coming through and making an impact on the team. We are still in a reasonably good position to fight it out for top six with so many teams bunched together; a run of four or five good results and we’re probably back toughing it out with Kilmarnock for fourth. Not only that, we have a vital Scottish Cup game to look forward to this weekend against Stranraer.
     
    Your support for me since I arrived at Fir Park has been magnificent and I thank you for it. Hopefully as many of you as possible can make it down to the south west coast and cheer the lads on this Saturday. A win and we’re in the Quarter Finals and, with so many SPL teams either out, or potentially going out, then who knows what might happen.
     
    Keep supporting us, keep persuading you friends and family to come along and together we’ll make a better Motherwell.
     
    Forever Claret and Amber,

    Stuart McCall
    Manager

  • Archive

    McCall stunned by narrow defeat

    Stuart McCall was at a loss to explain how his Motherwell side managed to succumb to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Kilmarnock.

    The Steelmen had a host of clear chances, with Steve Jennings, Jamie Murphy and Stevie Saunders all forcing marvellous saves from the impeccable Cammy Bell.

    Stevie Hammell also struck the crossbar with a free-kick in a match which was ultimately decided by a David Silva header nine minutes from time.

    “It’s such a sore one to take,” McCall groaned after the match. “I thought Sunday was bad, but this is really painful.

    “We’ve had two one-on-one chances, we’ve hit the bar, there’s been balls flying across the box; we’ve given our all. The football, given the conditions, was excellent and the desire of the lads was superb.

    “But the bottom line is we’ve lost – and that’s a sore one to take. Anyone who was at that game will know we didn’t deserve to lose it; a draw would have been harsh on us, given the balance of play.”

    In a match which was filled with missed opportunities and rotten luck, it was morbidly predictable that Killie’s match-winning goal would have a slice of misfortune about it.

    Stevie Hammell was toiling with a groin strain – and was about to be replaced – as a through-ball was slipped beyond the ‘Well stalwart, and Tim Clancy was allowed the freedom of the flank to pick out Silva at the back post.

    “Unfortunately Hammell’s done his hamstring,” the ‘Well gaffer confirmed. “We’ve not been able to get him off in time, and the goal comes down that side.

    “The ball then drops between two of our younger defenders. We could, perhaps, have defended it better, but all-in-all we should have won the match and are just missing a killer instinct.”

    After a hugely disappointing evening Motherwell must look to take the positives, according to the defeated boss – starting with a banana-skin trip to Stranraer in the Scottish Cup on Saturday.

    The 46-year old continued: “It would be worse if we were playing badly and getting beat deservedly. At least I can take lots of good points from the game tonight. We had some terrific individual performances from a lot of players.

    “It’s a hugely disappointed dressing room in there, but if we are producing performances like that then I guarantee results will turn.”

  • Archive

    Kilmarnock defeat in pictures

    Pictures from the 1-0 defeat by Kilmarnock in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League at Fir Park.

    These action shots and more are available to buy online at www.motherwellpics.com.

    [svgallery name=”kilmarnock020211″]

  • Archive

    Motherwell 0 – 1 Kilmarnock

    [tab:Match report]

    A late David Silva goal condemned Motherwell to a 1-0 defeat against Kilmarnock in a blistering contest at a rain-soaked Fir Park.

    The Portuguese winger managed to get his head on the end of a Tim Clancy cross late in the second half to secure all three points for Mixu Paatelainen’s side.

    Yet Silva’s strike was preceded by an expansive display by the Steelmen, and Stuart McCall will rue a match-saving display from Scotland international Cammy Bell, who made a string of super saves from Saunders, Jennings and Murphy.

    Garry Hay was also given his marching orders for a foul on Chris Humphrey in a thrilling conclusion to second period.

    Motherwell made two changes to the side which narrowly lost out to Rangers in the Co-operative Insurance Cup at the weekend, with Sutton and Hateley making way for Steve Jones and Esteban Casagolda as ‘Well reverted to a familiar 4-4-2 with the Spaniard and Murphy leading the line.

    Meanwhile, young Gavin Gunning took his place on the Steelmen bench, with the impressive Shaun Hutchinson keeping the on-loan Blackburn defender out of the side.

    Killie came to Fir Park on the back of five matches without a win, while they were also reeling from the deadline day departure of top scorer Conor Sammon. The Ayrshire side also had to make do without their next most prolific scorer, seven-goal midfielder Jamie Hamill, missing out through suspension.

    Paatelainen replaced the prolific Irishman up front with Aubameyang, with inspirational Finn Eremenko replacing Hamill.

    The home side started impressively, in torrential conditions at Fir Park. Keith Lasley found Jamie Murphy with a searching through-ball after five minutes and, after outpacing Sissoko, the Scotland under-21 star clipped the ball over the advancing Cammy Bell. However, the retreating Malian Sissoko managed to hook the looped effort clear.  

    Chris Humphrey was in a lively mood in the early stages, and tormented experienced Garry Hay for the first ten minutes. The Jamaican winger jinked past Hay twice; firing across goal on one occasion and forcing Bell into a low save on the other.

    Despite a promising opening from the Steelmen, Killie gave McCall’s side an almighty scare after ten minutes. The gifted playmaker Eremenko slipped an incisive pass through to Tim Clancy, whose low shot was saved by Randolph before Rui Miguel slipped the rebound into an empty net – but the linesman’s flag correctly cut the away fans’ celebrations short.

    Indeed, the most noteworthy incident of the rest of the half was a saddening one, as Frazer Wright was stretchered off wearing a protective neck-brace following a seemingly innocuous collision with Stevie Saunders.

    ‘Well perked up in the latter stages of the half, with Bell being forced to parry a Humphrey cross away. That was immediately followed by Steve Jones dancing past three challenges before cutting the ball back towards Casagolda, but Killie scrambled clear.

    Both sides exchanged half-chances in the opening stages of the second period. Firstly, James Fowler lashed over from 25 yards, which was followed by a scuffed effort from just inside the box by Jamie Murphy which Bell easily fielded.

    Tim Clancy was being given plenty of license to roam by Mixu Paatelainen, and he fired narrowly wide after being played through on goal, at the angle of the box, by a delightful pass by Mehdi Taouil.

    Cammy Bell, called in to the Scotland squad earlier this week, had to be on top form to deny ‘Well the lead ten minutes after the break. A low Chris Humphrey corner slithered to the near-post, where Stevie Saunders managed to get a toe to the ball, prompting a super stooping save from the Killie keeper.

    Not to be outdone, Randolph parried a Rui Miguel volley wide moments later as both sides desperately chased an end to the stalemate.

    A very watchable second half was becoming stretched, and Motherwell should have taken the lead with 25 minutes left. Sissoko slipped in defence, allowing Murphy a clear run on goal, but Cammy Bell stayed big to block the 21-year old’s effort.

    From the resulting Stevie Hammell corner Shaun Hutchinson rose highest to head inches wide. 

    A goal looked to be inevitable and Stevie Hammell came within a couple of inches of providing it, as the ‘Well stalwart stepped up to smash a 25-yard free-kick towards goal. The splendid effort had Bell beaten, but crashed against the top of the bar and bounced clear.

    This end-to-end encounter was never likely to end 0-0, and Killie got the breakthrough with a little less than ten minutes left on the clock. The excellent, marauding Tim Clancy was played clear down the right flank and delivered a sumptuous cross to the back-post where David Silva was on hand to nod home.

    Cruelly, the goal came moments after Cammy Bell had made yet another superb point-blank save, this time from Steve Jennings.

    There was more drama to come as Garry Hay was sent off for a cynical foul on Chris Humphrey. It looked a little harsh, as the winger was out wide and nowhere near goal, but the trip was calculated from the experienced fullback but a yellow card looked a more reasonable punishment.

    A Tom Hateley free-kick, which was deflected wide late on, and a Steve Jones strike, inches over the bar, would prove to be as close the Steelmen would come to salvaging a point on a night where they were left ruing missed chances – and Bell’s brilliance.

    [tab:As it happened]

    Graham Barnstaple at Fir Park

    90+3mins – Full time Well 0 Killie 1 – out lack of goals is killing us, we made enough chances tonight to win this one

    93mins – Jones fizzes one over from teh edge of the box – its all too late now

    89mins – Hay shown red for pulling back Humphrey as he broke down the right – yellow would probably have done

    88mins – We are still plugging away and a Hateley free is deflected for a corner

    86mins – Taouil off replaced by Billy Berntsson as we line up a free kick at half way

    82mins – Just after goal Gavin Gunning comes on for Hammell, and Miguel picks up a yellow for some reason

    81mins – GOAL Kilmarnock! Spoke too soon about no goals as Killie take lead in 81 mins, a Clancy cross headed in at far post by sub Silva. Nightmare!

    79mins – With just over ten minutes to go its hard to believe this game is still nil nil, particularly given the open nature of the second half

    78mins – Lasley off with Tom Hateley replacing him

    76mins – Piscali booked for handball at the edge of the box

    73mins – A sub for each side, Sutton on for Casagolda for Well and Silva for Aubameyang (causes problems for PA announcer)

    71mins – Thundering Hammell free kick leaves Bell helpless but crashes off the top of the bar and clear for a goal kick

    69mins – Jennings booked for a second two footed tackle, then ref shows yellow to Aubameyang of Killie

    65mins – Sissoko mis judgement allows Murphy clean through but shoots at keeper, Hutchinson heads corner just wide

    63mins – More chances coming, Casagolda flicks on a Murphy cross and Humphrey can only blast wide from an acute angle,.

    62mins – Eremenko cross finds Miguel at the front post and Randolph pulls off a great save from his flick, Casagolda heads wide for Well

    60mins – The weather must be bad – the manager is not braving it with shorts tonight, he is back to tracky bottoms

    59mins – 3640 brave souls have turned out on this wet and windy night – they all deserve a medal

    56mins – Low Humphrey corner to near post shoots through some legs at near post but Bell reacts well to save

    53mins – Killie corner to the edge of the box but Fowler’s shot is deflected into the arms of Randolph

    51mins – Killie break and Taouil sets up Clancy but he only manages to hit a terrible shot wide as Randolph closes him down

    50mins – Jennings lays in Murphy who hits a weak shot straight at Bell

    46mins – Second half underway again – no changes for either side

    45mins – Jones great run down left, his cross to the front post just misses Casagolda as the ref blows for half time.

    43mins – Humphrey inswinging corner almost deceives Bell who eventually does well to get a hand on it to palm it away

    39mins – Frazaer Wright flattened by a Saunders follow through and leaves on stretcher to be replaced by Fowler – he looks spark out!

    35mins – First corner of game goes to Well but Killie clear Humphrey’s kick

    33mins – Kelly shown yellow for foul on Lasley, after ref lectures Jennings for two footed challenge

    19mins – Eremenko tries outrageous lob from 40 yards but flies harmlessly wide

    12mins – Killie have the ball in the net through Rui Miguel but the lineo had already flagged – way before – for an offside Tim Clancy.

    9mins – Another bursting run from Humphrey is followed by a low shot that is well held by Cammy Bell at his near post.

    6mins – Humphrey roasts Garry Hay but smashes a cross-cum-shot just over the bar!

    5mins – Lasley ball over the top has Murphy… The youngster dinks it over Bell but Sissoko is on hand to boot clear.

    1mins – Motherwell burst through but the ball goes out – lineo had flagged anyway!

    [tab:Reaction]

    Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

    “It’s such a sore one to take. I thought Sunday was bad, but this is really painful.

    “We’ve had two one-on-one chances, we’ve hit the bar, there’s been balls flying across the box; we’ve given our all. The football, given the conditions, was excellent and the desire of the lads was superb.

    “But the bottom line is we’ve lost – and that’s a sore one to take. Anyone who was at that game will know we didn’t deserve to lose it; a draw would have been harsh on us, given the balance of play never mind a defeat.”

    Kilmarnock manager Mixu Paatelainen:

    “I must admit, we never really got our passing game going. All credit to Motherwell, they made it difficult for us. They’re a good team.

    “I wasn’t too pleased with the way we passed the ball but we got three points and that’s the bottom line. Our performances are very important to us. We always want to be positive and it showed, we got a great cross in and we had plenty of bodies in the box and a good header from David Silva, so really pleased with three points.

    “We started the second half better. We were on the front foot and played in their half of the pitch and had a couple of half chances but then they got a stronghold and they had a good spell where they troubled our defence. We did place a lot emphasis on defending because we knew that Motherwell have got plenty pace up front.

    “They’ve got good wide players who can create chances, they’ve got strikers in the middle who can finish them off. So, we did realise that defending tonight was key.”

    [tab:Man-of-the-match]

    [poll id=”33″]

  • Archive

    Stranraer queue busting

    With the expected large crowd at Saturday’s Scottish Cup clash with Stranraer, fans can beat the queues by picking up a ticket from Fir Park.

    The Stair Park club have allowed Motherwell to sell tickets from the Fir Park Ticket Office, on sale from lunchtime today. It is hoped that fans who pre-purchase tickets will find it much easier, and quicker, getting into the ground on Saturday.

    Anyone who doesn’t pre-pay and intends to get their ticket on the day of the match should note that a ticket will have to be purchased from the Stair Park Ticket Office (open from 12 noon on matchday), adjacent to the turnstiles, before entry to the ground will be permitted (similar to St Mirren and Inverness CT). Please also be aware that this is cash only!

    Motherwell have an allocation of 3120 tickets in total.

    Chief Executive Leeann Dempster said, “Despite repeated assurances from Stranraer that they could cope with cash at the turnstiles, the club have today been informed you will now need a ticket before you can get into the ground.

    “Stranraer will operate a booth on matchday, similar to St Mirren Park and the Caledonian Stadium, and that will obviously be busy if recent Motherwell crowds in the Scottish Cup are anything to go by. 

    “We want to give fans the opportunity to beat the expected queues on Saturday by picking up a ticket from Fir Park before the match. We also have credit and debit card facilities which will not be available down at Stair Park.”

    On a separate issue, after the success of the supporter’s buses that left Fir Park for Hampden on Sunday, the club were considering hiring more coaches in order to make the trip to Stranraer quicker and easier for travelling fans. 

    We’ve had feedback though from the supporters associations on numbers / buses making the trip already and it would appear that there is still good availability on buses already booked. 

    So with that in mind, we are pleased to publish contact info and departure details for the supporters association below so that we can encourage as many supporters to travel to the match as possible.

    • Central Branch – The bus for Stranraer will leave the Bentley Hotel at 11am. Phone Jim on (01698) 299650 or e-mail Christopher on christopher_hutton@btinternet.com.
    • Wishaw Branch – Leaving Kenilworth Avenue Wishaw at 10.30 am.  Costs £10 to non-members.  Contact Anne on 01698 470601 for info.
    • Bellshill Branch – Leaving Carousel Bar Bellshill at 8.50am, Holytown Monument at 8.55am, Fir Park 9.00am.  Call Brian on 01698 747644 after 6pm.
    • East of Scotland – No bus running for this game although they do normally run to most matches and can pick up via Livingston.
  • Archive

    Hutchinson keen on Killie win

    Shaun Hutchinson is determined to bounce back from Sunday’s Co-operative Cup disappointment with a win over Kilmarnock.

    The Steelmen put up a fine display against the Scottish champions at Hampden, but ultimately succumbed to a late Steven Naismith goal.

    [onlymembers]Now ‘Well must take their frustration out on Mixu Paatelainen’s side and the youngster insists spirit in the camp is high.

    “I think everyone in the squad feels like we deserved a bit more from the game. We played very well, but that game has finished now,” the 20-year old insisted.
     
    “Apart from the Hibs game, we haven’t been on a great run in the league. But we know that after a few wins in the league we could shoot up the table. There’s no better way to bounce back from defeat on Sunday than a win over Kilmarnock.
     
    “We desperately want to climb up the table – we know we have a good enough squad to be higher in the league. Still, we have to be aware that Kilmarnock are doing well too. They have just lost Conor Sammon but regardless of his replacement it will be a tough test.”

    While the transfer window has been cruel to Wednesday’s opponents, it has been fairly kind to the big Geordie defender.

    Hutchinson has stepped up to the plate admirably following the departure of Mark Reynolds, and has shown no ill-effects of a nightmarish year-long battle with injuries.

    He continued: “I’m able to get a run in the first team, and I’m really enjoying it at the moment. I’m looking forward to every game I get to play in.
     
    “It’s been such a frustrating year for me and to be playing again is so big. I just hope it continues. I’ve had a lot of injuries and only played a few reserve games before this run, so it has been about getting back up to sharpness again.
     
    “Against Inverness I tired a bit, and then against Hibs I felt a little bit of cramp, but I’m finding my legs again and my fitness is getting back up to what it was under Jim Gannon.”

    Shaun was also full of praise for the January arrivals at the club. Although Stuart McCall admitted he found the transfer window frustrating, Hutchison believes the club have done some good business – despite not bringing in a striker.

    Young defender Gavin Gunning arrived on loan from Blackburn while Northern Ireland international Steve Jones made the move to Fir Park from Walsall.

    “No strikers came in, but we know that the strikers we have here are more than capable of scoring goals for us,” the 6’2 stopper praised.

    “Some have gone out and a couple have come in, so there’s a few new faces. Jones and Gav (Gunning) have arrived and that adds something to the squad.

    “I’ve seen them in training and they seem like good players, and they are good lads in the dressing room too, so the boys are happy with them coming in and they can make an impact.”[/onlymembers]