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    TV: No lack of confidence for Law

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    TV: Black calls for reaction

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    Dundee Magazine Preview

  • Archive

    Motherwell FC will remember

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    Beaton in charge this Saturday

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    TV: Highlights from Fir Park

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    TV: McCall gutted at late defeat

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    Dundee Utd defeat in pictures

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    Motherwell 0 – 1 Dundee Utd

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    TV: McCall expects tight affair

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    TV: No lack of confidence for Law

    Nicky Law insists confidence in the Fir Park dressing room remains high despite Wednesday’s disappointing defeat by Dundee United.

    The Steelmen won comfortably in Perth before turning in a competent showing against Peter Houston’s side but despite a plethora of chances, were unable to get their noses in front.

    In the end the match was settled by Johnny Russell header eight minutes from time.

    However, the 24-year old former Sheffield United and Bradford midfielder is adamant there is still a positive vibe running through the players and hopes fortunes will change against Barry Smith’s side tomorrow.

    [pullquote]The boys’ heads are still up and hopefully our luck will turn a bit when we play here at Fir Park tomorrow against Dundee.[/pullquote]

    “We are all very keen to get back to winning ways,” he said.

    “After picking up all three points last Saturday against St Johnstone, we were hoping to making it two from two against United on Wednesday night but it was a disappointing result in the end for us.

    “We have watched the game back and I think it’s fair to say we played pretty well. We created plenty of chances and did just about everything but score. We just need to be more clinical and put our chances away; something which we have struggled with a bit lately.

    “Even matches where we’ve lost you could probably look through them and identify moments where we could and should have scored. But the boys’ heads are still up and hopefully our luck will turn a bit when we play here at Fir Park tomorrow against Dundee.”

    -WATCH THE FULL PRESS CONFERENCE ON MFC TV-

    MFC TV

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    TV: Black calls for reaction

    Assistant boss Kenny Black has called for his players to bounce back from midweek disappointment against Dundee Utd when their city rivals Dundee visit Fir Park tomorrow.

    Despite playing well and creating numerous chances, the Fir Parkers crashed to a late Johnny Russell goal which denied the Steelmen third place in the Scottish Premier League.

    Barry Smith’s men travel to Lanarkshire on the back of an excellent win over Hearts and looking to put pressure on the teams above them.

    [pullquote]It’s good to get another game in so quickly and hopefully we can redress the balance from Wednesday night.[/pullquote]

    Black told the gathered press at Motherwell’s weekly news conference: “Over the last couple of weeks it shows you how far Motherwell has came in the past two or three years (in terms of expectations).

    “We’ve had a few indifferent results shall we say and thought we had got back on track last week at St Johnstone but although we turned in a decent performance, we lost to Dundee United which I thought was very unfortunate.

    “It’s good to get another game in so quickly and hopefully we can redress the balance from Wednesday night.

    “The goals tally at home in the last three games is not through a lack of belief from the players. We’re creating chances and we’d be much more concerned if we weren’t.

    “I’m sure all our attackers will be desperate to get scoring and get us back up the table and hopefully we can do that, starting tomorrow.”

    -WATCH THE FULL PRESS CONFERENCE ON MFC TV-

    MFC TV

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    Dundee Magazine Preview

    Another jam-packed edition of the 68-page Steelmen Matchday Magazine returns against Dundee this weekend.

    ‘Well boss Stuart McCall and Captain Keith Lasley both return with the regular columns. Both talk about the frustrations of a midweek loss to Dundee United and the hope of bouncing back at Fir Park against Barry Smith’s men.

    The feature interview is with midfielder Stuart Carswell. The youngster chats about life at Fir Park and his battle to try and secure a regular spot in the starting eleven.

    But that’s not where the features stop!

    There is a 13-page section dedicated to our visitors, Dundee.

    Kris Jack goes through four players to watch from opponents, as we as a player-by-player breakdown of their squad.

    Dark Blues midfielder, and former ‘Well stalwart, Kevin McBride is the man in the spotlight in our opposition Q&A. We also have a scout report from Dundee’s last SPL match when they ran out 1-0 winners against Hearts last week.

    The features and big names keep coming…

    In our Interview Alumni section, Graeme McGarry caught up with former Steelman and Dees hitman Jim Hamilton who recalls ‘that’ goal against Celtic and his successful two years at Fir Park.

    Press & Media Manager Alan Burrows adds his thoughts in ‘The Last Word’ near the back of the publication and looks just how close this SPL is shaping up to be.

    Simon Ramsden is the latest to give his top five’s in the iPlayer feature and skipper Keith Lasley tells us his ‘First and Last’.

    Graham Barnstaple’s Cult Heroes this week focuses on Albert Kidd who is perhaps more fondly remembered by our opponents after a certain goal in 1986.

    But wait, there’s more! We take a look back at last Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat by Dundee Utd, 10 tough questions in our Quiz, the latest news section as well as an in-depth statistical look at referee John Beaton.

    We have the latest from The Ticket Office and the Commercial Department and the latest stats, facts and figures for the already busy 2012/2013 campaign.

    The programme is available for £3 and is currently on sale from the Club Shop as well as the usual sellers located in and around the ground pre-match.

    You can also order back editions or take a season-long subscription to the magazine by visiting the website of our publishers – Curtis-Sports – http://www.curtis-sport.com/

  • Archive

    Motherwell FC will remember

    Motherwell Football Club will commemorate Remembrance Day by wearing special poppy shirts against Dundee on Saturday.
     
    The Steelmen have a close relationship with the Armed Forces and in particular The Royal Regiment of Scotland (both 1 & 2 SCOTS) who receive 30 season tickets for soldiers in Scotland and four season tickets for each of the soldier’s families.
     
    This weekend, members of the 1 & 2 SCOTS, who have only recently returned from duty in Afghanistan, will lead the team onto the park and form part of the minutes silence to pay respect to all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
     
    They will also parade around the pitch at half-time and are sure to get a warm welcome from both sets of supporters.

  • Archive

    Beaton in charge this Saturday

    Referee for this Saturday’s Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash between Motherwell and Dundee is John Beaton.

    It will be John’s first ever Motherwell FC appointment although he has been fourth official on a number of occasions.

    It has been a busy season so far for the FIFA official. He has handled three Scottish Premier League matches – St Johnstone vs Aberdeen, Ross County vs Kilmarnock and Celtic 2-0 home win over today’s opponents.

    John has also handed numerous games in the Scottish Football League, including Rangers’ 2-0 home win over Queen’s Park and Hamilton Accies’ 1-1 draw with Falkirk at New Douglas Park.

    He was also the man in the middle for the Ramsden’s Cup clash between Morton and Albion Rovers at Cappielow. Perhaps the most unusual fixture was the Europa League qualifier between Swedes IF Elfsborg Boras and Floriana FC of Malta. The home side had little problems, running out 8-0 winners including a 21-minute hat-trick from Niklas Hult.

    John also handled a couple of Dundee games last season too – their 1-0 home defeat by Morton last December and the 1-1 draw with Queen’s Park in April, both at Dens Park.

    Thankfully, the whistler is known for keeping his cards in his pocket with just 35 bookings and 2 dismissals handed out in the ten games he has taken this campaign.

    He will be ably assisted by Alan Mulvanny and Alastair Mather with Iain Brines, who was the man in the middle the last time the teams met at Dens, designated for fourth official duties. Referee Observer will be John Young with SPL delegate Tommy McLean.

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Fir Park

    Extended highlights from Fir Park as a late Johnny Russell header gives Peter Houston’s men all three points.

    -WATCH EXTENDED HIGHLIGHTS ONLY ON MFC TV-
    (Audio Summary from Gordon Duncan)

    MFC TV

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    TV: McCall gutted at late defeat

    ‘Well boss Stuart McCall was left shell-shocked after a late Dundee United denied the Steelmen a deserved share of the spoils.

    The hosts passed up a series of chances and Henrik Ojamaa twice hit the woodwork in a frustrating evening at Fir Park.

    But McCall was far from negative about his side but was visibly disappointed to have come away with no points.

    [pullquote]We were unlucky tonight. To be on the end of a defeat is unlucky and anyone who saw this game and thought otherwise is not watching the same game.[/pullquote]

    “We’ll play a lot worse than that and win games,” he bemoaned.

    “I thought in the first half we were the better side and in the second half they had a  little period of being on top for ten or fifteen minutes.

    “However, a lot of their chances came from set-plays. It was too good teams out there tonight but it’s really sore to take that we’ve not put the ball into the back of the net.

    “We’ve hit the woodwork twice and Murph has had a great chance early on where the ‘keeper has made a great save. It’s hard to criticise anyone out there because I thought they all put in a good shift.

    “We were unlucky tonight. To be on the end of a defeat is unlucky and anyone who saw this game and thought otherwise is not watching the same game.”

    -WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ONLY ON MFC TV-

    MFC TV

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    Dundee Utd defeat in pictures

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

    [svgallery name=”dundeeutd071112″]

  • Archive

    Motherwell 0 – 1 Dundee Utd

    [tab:Match report]

     Kris Jack at Fir Park

    A late Johnny Russell sucker punch clinched all three points for Dundee United as Motherwell were once more left to rue missed chances.

    The defeat sees the Tannadice go level with ‘Well in the SPL, robbing the hosts of the chance to go second.

    Henrik Ojamaa hit the woodwork twice as Motherwell failed to continue from where they had left off on Saturday.

    Having secured a first victory in four games, Stuart McCall kept faith in the side that dispatched of St Johnstone 3-1 in Perth. Jamie Murphy was looking to grab his first goal at Fir Park for the season after netting a brace at McDiarmid Park; Euan Murray replaced Adam Asghar amongst the subs.

    Former ‘Well defender Brian McLean came in for Peter Houston’s United side, in place of Barry Douglas, in the only change from the side that snatched a late, late draw against Celtic on Sunday.

    Gary Mackay-Steven, who was amongst the goals at Tannadice, started from the bench after a long injury lay off as did recent recruit Rudi Skacel.

    The first half was full of half chances for both sides, with Murphy looking keen to get on the scoresheet. He was given an early opportunity to open the scoring after cutting in from the left hand side, only to see his effort parried wide by Czierzniak.

    The United keeper was then on hand to make a great point blank save from Murphy after Michael Higdon had knocked Chris Humphrey’s cross down in to his path. From six yards, the Polish stopper somehow blocked out Murphy’s first time effort.

    United should have done better when a breakaway saw Johnny Russell send Stuart Armstrong through on goal, but he could only blast into the stand when he should have worked Randolph at least.

    The Steelmen were kept to efforts from the edge of the box as Ojamaa, Murphy, Lasley and Hateley all tried to score form distance, but couldn’t find a way past Czierzniak. Jon Daly headed wide for United from a good Keith Watson cross, before Gavin Gunning forced Randolph in to a double save from a set piece.

    Richie Ryan was felled at the edge of the box and Gunning’s blast was well stopped by Randolph, with Jon Daly’s follow up also blocked out superbly by the Irish keeper’s legs.

    The best chance of the half fell to Henrik Ojamaa, who, after roasting Watson on the left drove in to the box to crash a shot high past Czierzniak only to see it cannon back off the bar and out.

    It took a while for the second half to come to life, and when it did, the roof almost came off Fir Park, as Ojamaa was once more denied by the woodwork. Ryan lost possession 30 yards from his own goal, as Lasley nipped in to play a great pass to the Estonian. His shot from the angle had Czierzniak rooted as it slithered across the greasy surface only to bounce off the base of the far post.

    Stuart Armstrong then had two chances to give Houston’s team the lead, but his first effort on the break went well wide and the second was deflected past by Hateley. A series of corners ensued and from the final Willo Flood delivery, the ball looked to have been forced over the line. However, referee Alan Muir and his linesman opted not to give the goal, as ‘Well looked to be served a let off.

    Michael Higdon was then in the right place at the right time to fire Chris Humphrey’s low cross on target, but he could neither get the power or the accuracy to beat the keeper. Humphrey then flashed a great low cross just wide after a neat 1-2 with  Nicky Law a the edge if the box, as Well looked to make their pressure count.

    Instead, it was the visitors who snatched the lead and the points after 83 minutes. With Mackay-Steven and Skacel on as subs, United’s attacking options were bolstered, and after both were involved in an attack which broke down, Keith Watson floated a great ball to the back post, catching the ‘Well defence on its heels. The ball dropped over Jon Daly, right on to the head of the onrushing Johnny Russell who crashed the ball in off the underside of the bar.

    It was a well taken goal, which takes Peter Houston and his side back up the A9 the happier of the managers. Stuart McCall’s attention now turns to the Dundee game this weekend to get his team back to winning ways.

    [tab:As it happened]

    Alastair Reilly at Fir Park

    FULL TIME: Motherwell 0 – 1 Dundee United

    90mins+2: Cummins booked

    90mins: Corner to Motherwell…… comes to nothing. Need some magic now.

    90mins: 3 minutes added on….

    87mins: Motherwell sub: Daley on for Humphrey

    86mins: Dundee United sub: Russell off for Millar

    83mins: GOAL: Russell loops a header over Randolph to send United in front.

    81mins: Law goes for the spectacular curler into the top corner……he very nearly finds it……the corner of the stand that is.

    79mins: Motherwell and Dundee Utd subs: McHugh on for Ojamaa and Skacel on for Rankin

    78mins: Should have been! Humphrey and Law link-up well out wide but there are no takers of the cross.

    75mins: ‘Well looking to hit on the break and almost did. Humphrey burst clear and squared to Higdon. He shoots first time but easily saved

    72mins: Rankin booked for handball as Motherwell broke.

    70mins: Dundee United sub: Ryan makes way for Mackay-Steven

    65mins: Oohhh, bit of controversy there. United fans thought their team had scored but linesman says it wasn’t over the line.

    64mins: Good chance for United! Armstrong, dangerous all night, cuts in and see’s his shot deflected just past.

    60mins: Gunning rightly booked for hauling down Murphy just outside the box. Chance here for a penalty as he hit the deck. Hard to tell from up here though!

    56mins: Oh drama! First Ojamaa hits the post. The ball is kept in play and as Law made his way into the box, the FP crowd claimed…

    51mins: Murphy’s touch lets him down at the vital moment after Ojamaa slid him through. Unlucky, surface doesn’t help.

    48mins: Early pressure from United. Armstrong has been a nuisance all night and wins a corner off Lasley. No danger from corner.

    46mins: It’s raining here at Fir Park. Not just raining….RAINING! Tricky surface now….

    Second half underway. Come on the ‘Well!

    A great double save from Randolph to deny United and Ojamaa’s strike off the bar + Murphy’s early chance from close were the highlights

    HALF TIME: Motherwell 0-0 Dundee Utd. Entertaining game and both sides will maybe feel they should be on the scoresheet.

    43mins: Ojamaa drifts out left to collect the ball. He jinks towards goal but his shot is waayyyyy over the bar.

    40mins: Ryan hits a speculative effort from about 30 yards. Sails well wide.

    39mins: Almost the breakthrough! Ojamaa strikes from distance and is denied by the bar. Great effort!

    36mins: Lasley does ok with an effort on the edge of the box. It’s on his weak foot though and never troubled the Cierzniak.

    35mins: Still 0-0 then. The curse of the twitter comment striking again!

    25mins: Should probably be a goal by now! Humphrey is next up to try is luck. It’s well over but it’s just a matter of time now surely?!

    23mins: Chances just keep coming! This time it is Hateley driving forward to then cut in on his weaker foot. It’s an ok strike but is saved.

    19mins: Watson chopped down about 25 yards out. Gunning to take…..it’s a sizzler but Randolph does superbly to save it! And the rebound! Oh that is just fantastic goalkeeping!

    17mins: Murphy continues to threaten! Similar to his last chance, the exact same actually. Corner leads to nothing.

    14mins: Unlucky! Murphy fed in by Law but is forced wide by the United defence. He managed to shoot but it is tipped past for a corner.

    10mins: Decent chance for United there. Daly powered in a header at the back post which went just wide. Cummins hurt but will carry on.

    8mins: Ojamaa spins his man 25 yards out. He shoots but his effort is tame and well wide. Decent game so far.

    5mins: United break up the pitch and Armstrong finds himself 18 yards out. Fails to hit the target and lets Motherwell off.

    5mins: Great chance! Law curled in a cross at the back post which Higdon controlled and squared to Murphy. From 10 yards, Cierzniak saves.

    2mins: Armstrong shoots from 30 yards….never enough power to beat a keeper like Randolph though.

    1mins: Almost a bit of deja-vu there! Murphy driving straight at the United defence gets a shot off from 25 yards. Good hands from Cierzniak.

    [tab:Reaction]

    Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

    “We’ll play a lot worse than that and lose. I found it very difficult to say anything negative other than the result.

    “It was two good teams out there. How we have failed to score I don’t know.”

    Dundee Utd manager Peter Houston:

    “On a difficult night I thought both teams tried to serve up a lot of football. One wee bit of quality has won us the game.

    “It’s not the first time Johnny Russell has scored a goal like that, he scored one at McDiarmid Park last season that was the exact same.

    “I don’t think it was a header across goal, he was trying to score. It deceived the goalkeeper and went over the top of his head but for me that shows great quality.

    [tab:Man-of-the-match]

    [poll id=”121”]

  • Archive

    TV: McCall expects tight affair

    Steelmen boss Stuart McCall reckons it will be another close encounter when ‘Well face Dundee Utd at Fir Park tomorrow (Wednesday).

    Although both teams have struggled in recent times, Motherwell halted their run with a fine 3-1 win over St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park.

    Peter Houston’s men bounced back from their Cup exit to Hearts with a scintillating comeback against Celtic at Tannadice, scoring twice in the closing stages to secure a deserved draw.

    The teams go head to head for the first time this season and McCall is sure it’ll be a tight affair.

    [pullquote]I think it will be a very tight game, although I find myself saying this at every press conference because there is really nothing between the teams in the league.[/pullquote]

    He said: “The preparations have been good however, like I keep saying, we don’t become a bad team overnight but likewise we don’t become world beaters.

    “I think it will be a very tight game, although I find myself saying this at every press conference because there is really nothing between the teams in the league. They have had highs and lows recently.

    “I’m sure they would have been looking forward to get through to the next round of the cup but went out on penalties, which is a massive blow.  But then to fight back from 2-0 down against the champions when it looked like there was no way back showed they have got great spirit and it will give them confidence. Mackay-Stevens is back for them now and Skacel, Daly and Russell are all available who can all cause us problems. It will be an entertaining game and a very close one.

    “We’ll take confidence from Saturdays result but we’ve got to build on it and look to keep collecting points.”