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  • Archive

    TV: McCall challenges his players

  • Archive

    TV: McManus certain of Jags tester

  • Archive

    Partick Thistle Magazine Preview

  • Archive

    Norris to ref Jags clash

  • Archive

    Can you help our Elite Academy?

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Caledonian Stadium

  • Archive

    TV: McCall angered by Caley showing

  • Archive

    Inverness CT 2 – 0 Motherwell

  • Archive

    TV: McCall hoping to bounce back

  • Archive

    Inverness CT: Tickets & Travel

  • Archive

    TV: McCall challenges his players

    Motherwell boss Stuart McCall has challenged his players to get back to winning ways.

    The Steelmen have lost to both Aberdeen and Inverness CT in recent weeks after an opening day victory over Hibs.

    The 40-times capped former Scotland midfielder wants more from his players but is wary of the threat posed by Alan Archibald’s Partick Thistle.

    “You challenge yourself to improve every season as a player, coach and manager and that’s going to be the case with us,” he said.

    [pullquote]You challenge yourself to improve every season as a player, coach and manager and that’s going to be the case with us.[/pullquote]

    “Alright, we’ve not got off to a great start but we have a lot of games ahead of us and I’m happy with the group we’ve got in there.

    “We’ll be looking to bounce back this weekend although I’ve been really impressed with Partick Thistle.

    “I’m really pleased with the way things are going for them because they play a good brand of football. They’re unbeaten in normal time under Alan Archibald which is a fantastic record and they have a winning mentality.

    “I saw their opening game against Dundee Utd and it was a great game. Partick Thistle will bring a big following here on Saturday and I think they’ll be good for the SPFL.”

    -WATCH HIS INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV

    MFC TV

  • Archive

    TV: McManus certain of Jags tester

    Stephen McManus is expecting a tough encounter against Premiership new boys Partick Thistle at Fir Park tomorrow.

    The Jags are unbeaten after three matches, while ‘Well haven’t picked up anything since beating Hibs at Easter Road on the opening day.

    The Scotland defender, who joined the Lanarkshire men this summer, has been impressed how Alan Archibald’s men have adapted to life in the top flight.

    The 30-year is obviously desperate for ‘Well’s fortunes to improve but is wary of the threat posed by the Firhill outfit.

    “They have got good, young, hungry players so they’ve done really well so far,” McManus told the broadcast press at Motherwell’s weekly news conference.

    [pullquote]“That’s the way Scottish football is just now, you want young players that don’t have any fear. I think you get that when you are a young player, you look forward to everygame and you are not aware of the pressures.”[/pullquote]

    McManus knows some members of the Thistle squad from his days with Celtic and he feels many players have responded positively earlier in their careers.

    He added: “I know a few of the lads that are there, Scott Fox and Stephen O’Donnell.

    “They’ve maybe had rejection when they were young kids and they have gone there to enjoy themselves and play football. They’ve done tremendously well so far.

    “You know what you are going to come up against. It is all credit to the players and the manager, they are all pulling in the one direction.

    “The fans at Partick Thistle are a real good bunch of fans. Watching them against Hearts and Dundee United, they really get behind their team. They’ve got a team to be proud of just now.”

    -WATCH HIS INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV

    MFC TV

     

  • Archive

    Partick Thistle Magazine Preview

    The second domestic Steelmen Matchday Magazine of 2013/14 is on sale when Partick Thistle visit on Saturday.

    But what is inside the 68-page issue?

    ‘Well boss Stuart McCall and Captain Keith Lasley both return with the regular columns.

    Both reflect on a disappointing few matches and how the squad have worked hard to try and rectify in time for the weekend’s match.

    The feature interview is with Shaun Hutchinson. The Geordie defender chats in-depth to Press Association’s Gavin McCafferty about creating a home from home in Scotland and picking up after back-to-back defeats.

    There is also the second of a souvenir poster in the centre pages for you to collect.

    But that’s not where the features stop!

    There is a 12-page section dedicated to our visitors, Partick Thistle

    We introduces the SPFL Premiership new boys and there is a player-by-player breakdown of who is likely to line up for the Jags

    We continue our opposition manager section by speaking directly to Alan Archibald. The Thistle legend-turned-boss chats about trying to continue on their positive start to the new campaign and goes into depth about the three ex ‘Well lads in the visitors squad.

    Our guest journalist for this edition is the Herald’s Chris Jack, who follows Thistle for the newspaper.

    He talks in-depth about what he expects from the Firhill club this term and what ‘Well are likely to come up against when the teams meet on league duty for the first time in almost ten years.

    Graeme McGarry’s Us and Them section also makes a return and features former ‘Well and Thistle defender turned BT Sport pundit Stephen Craigan.

    The Fir Park legend recalls his time at both clubs, how his move to Glasgow came about and his hopes for his two former sides in the forthcoming campaign.

    The features keep coming…

    Braidhurst U14s, fresh from their League and Trophy double, will be presented to the crowd at half-time and we will have a breakdown of their success.

    Press & Media Manager Alan Burrows returns in ‘The Last Word’ and the next round of new quiz, MFC Eggheads, pits former Ross County duo Iain Vigurs with Paul Lawson.

    But wait, there’s more!

    Our match reports take a look back at (okay, briefly skims over) defeats against Aberdeen and Inverness Caley.

    There’s also a report from the Under 20s most recent match against Lanarkshire rivals Hamilton Accies last midweek.

    We have the latest from The Ticket Office, Commercial and Community Departments, and update from the Well Society as well as the latest stats, facts and figures from the 2013/2014 campaign.

    Another new feature is the ‘Junior Steel’ kids page that will test the youngster’s quiz minds with puzzles and ‘Did you know’ facts.

    The programme is available for £3 and is will be 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

    Norris to ref Jags clash

    Referee for Saturday’s SPFL Premiership clash with Partick Thistle at Fir Park is Euan Norris.

    The 36-year old will be handling his first Motherwell game of the campaign having taken charge of two last term.

    He was the man in the middle for the 1-1 draw with St Mirren at Fir Park last August and also the memorable 3-1 victory over Celtic last April.

    It should have been three matches; he was all set to handle our home match with Dundee Utd back in early October but a local electrical fault put pay to the match ten minutes before kick-off. Alan Muir took charge of the rearranged fixture a month later.

    Euan will be a familiar face to Fir Park fans having officiated four matches the previous season too.

    He started with the 4-2 away success against Dunfermline at East End Park in late August, the 1-0 win at Easter Road in October, the 3 – 0 defeat at Ibrox in January and the 6-0 demolition of Morton in the Scottish Cup in early February.

    He also handled two games in the 2010/11 season…

    The first, a 0-0 draw with Inverness was instantly forgettable. However, the other was one that will live long in the memory. Celtic were beaten 2-0 at Fir Park; John Sutton netting a brace.

    Going back a further year to 2009-10, Euan also handed two matches. He was the man in the middle when Motherwell edged out Falkirk 1-0 at Fir Park. Lukas Jutkiewicz got the only goal of the game, heading home a corner from the left after 18 minutes.

    His other game that campaign was also at Fir Park; a stormy affair between Motherwell and Hibs.

    The Steelmen won the game 1-0 thanks to a Jamie Murphy goal eight minutes from time but a red card for Liam Miller for a poor challenge on Jim O’Brien midway through the first forty-five marred the match.

    Thankfully, FIFA referee Norris usually likes to keep his cards in his pocket with only thirty-one cautions handed out in all those games, with thirteen flashed at a ‘Well players.

    He had only produced one red to a player wearing Claret and Amber and that was Shaun Hutchinson for a second bookable offence in that match with St Mirren last season.

    Euan will be ably assisted by David McGeachie and Stuart hodge with Crawford Allan on fourth official duties.

  • Archive

    Can you help our Elite Academy?

    The Elite Academy, based at the performance High School at Braidhurst, is the lifeblood of our club.

    This is where our future first team players are found and trained and it is where we make our connection to young talented local players.

    We want to look at new ideas to raise both funds and awareness for the Academy and we are inviting you to get involved.

    We have a reputation of producing fine young players but we are not so good at telling people what we do or coming up with new ideas and new ways to support the Academy.

    Like every Academy club, there are many more tournaments we could attend, other items and equipment we would like to buy, but we are unable to afford. So we want to form a group of local people, Motherwell supporters or not, who have some time, energy and ideas who would like to get involved.

    We would like to put together a group of people who will help us to organise basic fund raising but also come up with ways to connect with supporters, local businesses and generally create ways for us to network with those who can help the club.

    It is not all about collecting money or arranging dinners, however these are undoubtedly important, but we would also like to try new ways to get our message out there.

    We need people who will help us build a new strategy for fund raising but we also need people who can organise, be available couple of times a month and who generally think they either have some experience or energy and time to the club. The group won’t be of a formal nature so don’t let any worries around that put you off – it is more important that you care enough to get involved.

    To get involved please come to our open meeting on Thursday 29th August at 7pm, Centenary Suite, Fir Park. Gordon Young will tell you more about the Academy and what we do and there will be an opportunity for discussions around how we proceed. We will supply some hot food and soft drinks on the night.

    Please email jennifer.reston@motherwellfc.co.uk or drop by the office/phone 01698 333333 to tell us you plan to attend and try to bring along as many friends or family members as you can.

    This is not about how the Academy is run, the teams or the players – it is to focus on fund raising and awareness – please get involved if you can.

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Caledonian Stadium

    Highlights from Tulloch Caledonian Stadium as Motherwell slump to a 2-0 defeat to Inverness Caley Thistle in the highlands

    -WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS ON MFC TV-

    MFC TV

  • Archive

    TV: McCall angered by Caley showing

    Stuart McCall voiced his disappointment with his Motherwell side as Inverness CT ran out 2-0 winners in the Highlands this afternoon.

    Two first half goals via Richie Foran and Billy McKay was enough to hand the home side all three points.

    Motherwell did improve in the second half but by then, the damage was already done.

    It brings to an end a desperately frustrating last ten days for the Steelmen who will now look to pick up the pieces against Premiership newboys Partick Thistle next weekend.

    “I’m angry and gutted because the first half performance was not good enough,” McCall told MFC TV after the match.

    [pullquote]I’m angry and gutted because the first half performance was not good enough.[/pullquote]

    “We talked [before the match] about set-pieces being a key aspect in the game and although it’s a good header from Foran, we’ve not done our jobs defensively and we’re a goal down after 3 minutes. Thereafter, we’ve not done enough and they’ve limited us well.

    “As much as their second goal was well worked,  we’ve talked about how to defend aspects of that yet we’ve  not done it. We’ve got to start learning as if we keep making the same mistakes I’ll make changes, no doubt about that.

    “We have a lot of hard work to do, we know that. We haven’t got the pace or creativity at the moment that we had last season to unlock defences so we have to work really hard to make sure we can build from a platform of a clean sheet.

    “I didn’t think there would be a lot of goals today but we could have made a better fist of it thats for sure.”

    -WATCH HIS INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV

    MFC TV

  • Archive

    Inverness CT 2 – 0 Motherwell

    [tab:Match report]

     Alan Burrows at the Caledonian Stadium

    Two first-half goals were enough to give Inverness a comfortable 2-0 victory over a lacklustre Motherwell.

    Richie Foran’s early header and Billy McKay’s third goal in as many games nine minutes from the interval moved Caley Thistle two points clear of second-placed St Johnstone.

    Motherwell, who were without Adam Cummins due to a back problem, brought in Bob McHugh and Paul Lawson at the expense of Zaine Francis Angol and Henri Anier following the 3-1 loss to Aberdeen last time out.

    The hosts were unchanged from the team that triumphed 1-0 at Dundee United last weekend.

    Carl Tremarco missed out due to suspension after being sent off for the under-20s in midweek, while Marley Watkins (ankle) and Curtis Allen (knee) were still sidelined.

    Terry Butcher’s men were looking to maintain their perfect start to the new campaign and it took them just four minutes to get off and running.

    Graeme Shinnie’s free kick towards the far post flew towards Richie Foran. The Irishman managed to find space and looped a header past the helpless Lee Hollis.

    It almost went from bad to worse for the visitors when James Vincent almost doubled the home side’s lead, but a timely block by Stephen McManus diverted the shot narrowly over the crossbar following good work by Aaron Doran.

    McCall’s men had made a sluggish start yet they almost levelled when Iain Vigurs set up Keith Lasley, but the visiting captain’s fierce drive from twelve yards was turned away by Inverness goalkeeper Dean Brill at his near post.

    Paul Lawson will have been disappointed with his finish when he got on the end of the resulting corner but his effort from the ‘D’ flew high over the bar.

    Inverness were dominating proceedings however and it took a last-ditch block by Shaun Hutchinson to prevent McKay from creating a clear goalscoring chance after being set up by Doran.

    Doran was pulling the strings for the Highlanders and it was his incisive pass that was chased down behind the Well rear guard by David Raven, who found McKay to convert from close range in the 36th minute.

    It could have got even better for Inverness as the interval approached, but Vincent was inches away from scoring with a spectacular volley from the edge of the area as he latched on to McKay’s flick.

    Although the result and game could well have been out of sight, Bob McHugh will fell he ought to have hit the target with a shot from the edge of the box but like Lawson before him, he watched on frustrated as it sailed over the bar.

    In a bid to try and salvage something from the game, Stuart McCall sent on Stuart Carswell and Anier at the start of the second half for Lawson and McHugh.

    The change seemed to have the desired effect as James McFadden’s surge into the penalty area saw him stand up a cross to the back post that Anier connected with, but Raven was well positioned to make the block.

    Motherwell then spurned a great chance to halve the deficit as Brill misjudged Vigurs’ corner, yet Hutchinson could not quite keep his header on target as it landed on the roof of the net.

    The Steelmen were showing more as an attacking force and looked to have strong claims for a penalty as Raven caught Vigurs from behind, but referee Iain Brines was not interested and waved away the visitors’ protests.

    Hollis denied Doran as the game entered its final ten minutes and from the resultant corner, Foran prodded an effort narrowly wide at the back post.

    At the other end, Anier could and perhaps should have target with an effort from just inside the box but it once again flew wide of target.

    But the hard work had been done by Inverness in the opening half as they eased past Motherwell to keep up their 100 per cent opening to the campaign.

    [tab:As it happened]

     Ally Reilly at the Caledonian Stadium

    FT: Inverness CT 2 – 0 Motherwell

    90mins: 3 minutes added on

    89mins: ICT sub, Williams on for Doran

    88mins: Decent chance there for a late goal. Anier turned on the edge of the box but his drive whistled past the post.

    84mins: ICT sub, McKay off for Agdestein

    82mins: ICT sub, Polworth on for Vincent

    80mins: Vigurs booked for a trip on Shinnie

    76mins: Fine save from Hollis to deny Doran from 20 yards!! From the corner, Foran pokes it just past,

    65mins: Motherwell sub, Francis-Angol on for McFadden

    61mins: Looked like a certain penalty there! Vigurs tripped in the box but ref waves it away much to Lasley’s annoyance

    59mins: Ramsden swings a cross in to the edge of the box. Sutton tries to hit it on the spin but hooks it well over.

    56mins: Decent spell here. Corner to Motherwell swung in by Vigurs….Hutchinson heads inches over!

    51mins: Perhaps the best chance of the game for ‘Well. McFadden picked out Anier at the back post but his shot was well blocked.

    50mins: Danger as Foran sneaks in between McManus and Ramsden and heads just over. That said, it’s been a positive start from Motherwell

    47mins: Lasley sends Anier racing clear through but Raven recovers and wins his side a free-kick

    Second half underway. Come on!

    Motherwell subs at half-time: Anier and Carswell on for Lawson and McHugh

    HT: Inverness CT 2 – 0 Motherwell

    41mins: Very nearly 3 there! After some tidy build-up play, Vincent see’s his shot fly inches over the bar

    39mins: Half a chance there for Motherwell but Sutton’s header from McFadden’s cross is tame and straight at Brill

    35mins: GOAL! McKay makes it 2-0! Motherwell cut open and he converts Raven’s cut-back with ease

    30mins: McHugh blasts his shot from 30 yards well wide and over. Claims it took a deflection, ref disagrees.

    Ramsden clips it in but ICT head clear.

    28mins: Nice footwork from McFadden wins a FK 35 yards out. Too far for a shot?

    26mins: Far too easy as Vincent strolls through the ‘Well defence and squares to McKay. Thankfully Hutchinson is alert and slides it clear

    22mins: Meekings downs injured at the minute. Strangely enough it looked like he got hacked down by his own team-mate

    15mins: Raven somehow finds himself with acres of space on the edge of our box. Had too much time to think about it and scuffed it wide.

    11mins: Corner to Motherwell after Brill does well to divert Lasley’s shot wide. Set-piece comes to nothing.

    3mins: GOAL! Foran makes it 1-0. Free-kick floated in and it’s a fine diving header diverted past Hollis.

    Motherwell kick the game off after both sides switch ends. #COYW

    [tab:Reaction]

    Inverness CT manager Terry Butcher:

    “It was a good first half performance, but I felt that overall it was a game of two halves.

    “We knew that with the wind in the second half Motherwell with get it forward to John Sutton, while they have good pace in their team.

    “They caused us problems, but we defended well and showed a lot of grit, resilience and steel. That’s the new mantra at this club – stamina, steel and style.”

    Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

    “We talked before the game about settling into the match, but then we find ourselves a goal down after four minutes.

    “I thought that the tempo of the first half just wasn’t good enough, so there’s a lot of work to do.

    “The second half from us was better, but it had to be.

    “I thought they had the most outstanding player on the pitch in Richie Foran. He defended set pieces in their box, he won tackles in the midfield and scored a goal.

    “It was a really disappointing performance and result. We have to show a bit more than we did against Inverness.”

    [tab:Man-of-the-match]

    [poll id=”154″]

  • Archive

    TV: McCall hoping to bounce back

    Stuart McCall is hopeful his new-look side will bounce back quickly from last weekend’s home defeat by Aberdeen.

    The Steelmen travel north to face an Inverness side who have won both of their Scottish Premiership games without conceding a goal on the back of a 3-1 loss that came two days after they returned from their Europa League trip to Russia.

    The 40-times capped midfielder claimed after the game that they would bounce back and was comfortable with people writing his team off after losing a number of regular starters during the summer.

    And McCall feels his squad are much better prepared to face Caley Thistle than they were Aberdeen following the long trip to Russia.

    [pullquote][Last week] we made a couple of individual errors that cost us goals, and we will be looking to do better than that when we face high-flying Inverness.[/pullquote]

    “We are two games in and we have a 50 per cent win record,” he told the broadcast press at Motherwell’s pre-match news conference. “If we finish the season with a 50 per cent record I’ll be happy.

    “But I look at our games last season at home, after we beat Inverness at home we had a run of five or six games we didn’t win and the doom-and-gloom merchants were out just before Christmas.

    “I’m sure there will be a few doom-and-gloom merchants out because we got beat at home.

    “You never like to get beat, and certainly you never like to get beat at home. On the day Aberdeen were the better side, we made a couple of individual errors that cost us goals, and we will be looking to do better than that when we face high-flying Inverness tomorrow.”

    -WATCH HIS INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV

    MFC TV

  • Archive

    Inverness CT: Tickets & Travel

    Motherwell will make the long journey north to face top-of-the-table Inverness CT on Saturday.

    Stadium Info:

    Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club
    The Tulloch Caledonian Stadium
    East Longman
    Inverness
    IV1 1FF

    Tel: 01463 222880
    Web: www.ictfc.co.uk

    By car

    The stadium is located in the Longman area of Inverness, next to the Kessock Bridge, and so is very easy to find.

    Head towards Perth on the M9 and take the first exit at Broxden roundabaout on to the A9. Then take the second exit at Inveraimond roundabout (signposted Inverness).

    Continue on the A9 towards Inverness and take the third exit at Longman roundabout. The stadium will be clearly visible on the left.

    Parking is available for visiting fans behind the South Stand, priced at just £1.00 per car.

    By bus

    Several operators run buses to Inverness, departing every hour from Buchanan Station in Glasgow city centre.

    Further information and timetables are available online at www.citylink.co.uk.

    The Motherwell Supporters Association will be running a combined Wishaw / Central bus to the match. contact Anne on 07878062614 / Andy on 07575238023 or email christopher_hutton@btinternet.com.

    The Bellshill Branch are likely to run a minibus to the match too. If you would like to book a seat, contact Brian on 07763 061821.

    By train

    Inverness station is served by trains from Glasgow and is within walking distance of the ground.

    Upon leaving the station, follow the signs for the car park and bus station. Cross through the car park, keeping the bus station on your left and on your right you can see a bridge crossing the railway line.

    Go across the bridge and then continue straight ahead along Longman Road. Eventually you will reach the stadium on your left.

    Further information and timetables are available online at www.scotrail.co.uk.

    Traffic / Delays

    Expect heavy traffic on the approach to the Kessock Bridge as renovation work continues. Delays can be as long as thirty minutes depending on the volume of traffic.

    Tickets

    Tickets for match are available from the ground priced at:

    ADULTS: £21
    CONCESSIONS: £16
    JUVENILE: £10

    • Concessions are senior citizens, Under 16s and 16 – 25 year olds. Please note there are no student concession tickets.
    • Juveniles are listed as Under 12s.
    • Please note that the 16 – 25 and Under 16s tickets must be pre-purchased from the ‘Away Ticket Kiosk’ at the Caledonian Stadium and not at the turnstile.
    • Motherwell fans are welcome at the on-site Sports Bar for a pre-match refreshment.

    A look back

    Any Motherwell fan that made the long journey north last season would certainly have been treated to plenty of goals. Thirteen in fact… In just two matches!

    We turned in arguably the performance of the season back in November as ‘Well swept to a 5-1 victory. Goals from Michael Higdon, Jamie Murphy, Adam Cummins, Henrik Ojamaa and Omar Daley gave the Fir Parkers the win while Richie Foran netted for the hosts.

    Although the second match would prove fruitless in terms of points, the match was another incredible spectacle. Terry Butcher’s side roared into a 3-0 lead in the first thirty minutes but were pegged back by a Michael Higdon penalty and a James McFadden double.

    Just as it looked as if ‘Well were going to go on and win, Ojamaa was sent off for a second bookable offence. To rub salt into the wounds, Billy Mackay scored with just three minutes left to give the Highlanders the win.