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‘Well boss Stuart McCall hopes mistakes of the past serve him well ahead of tomorrow’s Europa League clash with Kuban Krasnodar.

The Steelmen lost at home to Panathinaikos and Levante in two very similar games.

In both, the Fir Parkers were hit on the counter-attack after chasing an equalizer.

McCall reckons not only has his side learned a harsh and valuable lesson, but he himself will need to be more streetwise.

[pullquote]I’ve probably learned from that because as much as we were on top, we forced corners, free-kicks and loads of play in and around their box, we got caught with pace on the counter and the tie was effectively lost with the second goal.[/pullquote]

Speaking to the gathered press and Motherwell’s pre-match news conference, McCall said: “Looking back at the games, I probably got caught up, particularly the Levante game, thinking ‘we can go and win this’.

“We had just lost a goal right on half-time and were 1-0 down. The crowd was really behind us, we were throwing bodies forward and I am probably the type of manager that encourages that and would want my side to go and have a go.

“I’ve probably learned from that because as much as we were on top, we forced corners, free-kicks and loads of play in and around their box, we got caught with pace on the counter and the tie was effectively lost with the second goal.

“You need to look at Europe that little bit different and I would say that is the main thing for me.

“For me not to get too caught up with it and for the lads at the back to not get absorbed in the atmosphere and the occasion and remain switched on.”

-WATCH THE FULL PRESS CONFERENCE ON MFC TV–

The Steelmen Matchday Magazine returns for a 84-page bumper edition when Kuban Krasnodar visit Fir Part in Europa League action.

Motherwell face their tenth European tie in the last five years and will meet the Russian Premier League side. The one-off Europa League cover certain catches the eye and it’s an edition you won’t want to miss.

But what is inside the 84-page issue?

‘Well boss Stuart McCall and Captain Keith Lasley both return with the regular columns. The manager gives a rundown of what we likely expect from Kuban and how he plans to try and beat them. The skipper reflects on more Euro nights at Fir Park and his hopes to finally progress to the latter group stages.

The feature interview is with legendary left-back Stevie Hammell, who hopes to make more history by becoming Motherwell’s most apped player in Europe and make his Scotland return at Wembley all in the same month.

The features and big names keep coming…

There is a 14-page section dedicated to our visitors, FC Kuban Krasnodar.

Kris Jack goes introduces the side and breaks down each player’s vital statistics.

Former Liverpool, Lazio and Panathinaikos hitman Djibril Cissé is the man in the spotlight for our opposition Q&A where he talks about his move to Russia and his hope of winning his spot back in the French International side.

Russian journalist James Appell looks at a summer of change at the Kuban stadium and the Press Association’s Gavin McCafferty has ten facts you might never have known about Krasnodar. We also have a general look at the Russian football scene.

The features and big names keep coming…

In our Interview Alumni section, we catch up with former Steelmen midfield maestro, turned BT Sport presenter, Gary McAllister who talks about his time at Fir Park and his new role.

We also catch up with former Sibir Novosibirsk boss Alex Miller who chat’s about Kuban’s goal-getting Frenchman Cissé, who he worked with at Liverpool.

Motherwell’s all-time European hitman Jamie Murphy also takes time out to chat, remembering some fantastic games and goals for ‘Well on the continent.

Press & Media Manager Alan Burrows returns in ‘The Last Word’, Graham Barnstaple jots down his memories from the Third Qualifying Round draw and there is also a match-by-match breakdown of the clubs’ pre-season programme.

But wait, there’s more! There are ten tough questions in our Quiz, the latest news section, an update from our Community department and their grant from ‘Healthy Hearts’ as well as a full fixture list for the season.

We have the latest from The Ticket Office, the Commercial Department, and update from the Well Society as well as the latest stats, facts and figures from the 2012/2013 campaign.

The programme is available for £4 and 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/

Motherwell Football Club can today confirm the loan signing of Estonian International striker Henri Anier from Viking Fotballklubb.

The 22-year old came highly recommended by his Estonian teammate and former ‘Well forward Henrik Ojamaa and is the eighth new face of the summer.

The forward has already pulled on the Claret and Amber in a pre-season friendly against Newcastle Utd before scoring in his second match against Morecambe.

Anier came through the youth ranks at Flora Tallin before spending a year at the Sampdoria Academy in Italy.

He signed professional for FC Valga Warrior, netting 13 league goals in 24 starts in his rookie year. His performances earned his a move to Flora where he spent three seasons, scoring 52 times in just 86 matches.

That form earned him at move to Norway and Viking Stavanger. His time in Norway hasn’t been as profitable and he has been farmed out on loan to Fredrikstad Fotballklubb.

[pullquote]My first impressions are really positive; the lads are really friendly and everyone from the manager to the rest of the staff are great so I’m really happy to be here.[/pullquote]

Anier has been ever-present for Estonia’s youth national teams. He won his first cap full cap against Chile on 19 June 2011 and Uruguay on 23 June 2011, although he had played in non-FIFA Internationals prior to those games.

He scored his first goal for Estonia on November 2012 in an international friendly game against Oman. Further goals against Andorra and Trinidad & Tobago have followed, taking his tally to three in seven for the Sinisärgid.

He joins the Steelmen on an initial six-month loan and will be a part of the squad that faces FC Kuban Krasnodar this Thursday.

Speaking exclusively to MFC TV, Anier said: “I’m really happy to join and I’m really looking forward to starting.

“My first impressions are really positive; the lads are really friendly and everyone from the manager to the rest of the staff are great so I’m really happy to be here.

“I want to keep working hard and do really well for the team and hopefully we can be successful this season.

“Henrik (Ojamaa) is my good friend and recommended me, telling me all positives about the club so I’m delighed to have joined Motherwell.”

-WATCH HIS FIRST INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

‘Well fans who are subscribed to our e-newsletter got this information first. Click Here to join to ensure you don’t miss out on the breaking news from Fir Park.

The Fir Park Ticket Office will be open late all this week for fans looking to buy Europa League tickets.

Tickets are priced at:

* Concessions are listed as over 60s and full-time students with a valid matriculation card.
* Juveniles are listed as sixteen and under.
* Family 1 tickets include one adult and one Juvenile.
* Family 2 tickets include one adult and two Juveniles.
* Prices are for all stands, although the Maxim Office Park Stand will only be sold after the other three are sold out.
* 2013/14 Season Ticket holders seats have been reserved until Saturday. Any not purchased before close of business on Saturday will then go on full general sale.
* If Season Ticket holders cans make note of their relevant seat numbers before purchase, it would help speed up the sales process at the Chapman Building.
* The match will kick-off at 7.45pm

The office will be open:

Monday 29th & Tuesday 30th July: 9.15am – 6.30pm
Wednesday 31st July: 9.15am – 8pm
Thursday 1st August (Matchday): 9.15am – kick off

Highlights from Fir Park as Motherwell and Nottingham Forest played out a 1-1 draw.

-WATCH THE FULL HIGHLIGHTS ONLY ON MFC TV-

Stuart McCall declared himself satisfied after finishing the pre-season programme with a 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest.

Billy Davies’ men came out the blocks flying and took the lead after 11 minutes when Matt Derbyshire finished off a neat counter-attack.

As the game worn on, ‘Well forced themselves into things and eventually drew level through Bob McHugh, the striker finishing well after good work on the left flank by Zaine Francis-Angol.

It brings the curtain down on the pre-season preparations for 2013/14, with ‘Well drawing with both Forest and Doncaster, losing to Newcastle and beating Morecambe and Cowdenbeath.

[pullquote]You want to come through your last game before the European game without any serious injuries and although we had to take McManus, Vigurs and Hutchinson off, they probably all would have stayed on had it been an SPFL game and they’ll all be fit for Thursday.[/pullquote]

McCall was satisfied with how things went and is now looking forward to Thursday night’s Europa League clash against Russian side Kuban Krasnodar.

He told MFC TV: “It was tough early on. They came with a diamond and we struggled in the early stages to cope with that but once we matched them up we gave as good as we got against a strong Nottigham Forest side and made a couple of chances before half time.

“I think we merited the goal when it came and I was really pleased with the workout we got. It was a tidy finish from Bob who has been looking sharp in training and I’m pleased for him.

“You want to come through your last game before the European game without any serious injuries and although we had to take McManus, Vigurs and Hutchinson off, they probably all would have stayed on had it been an SPFL game and they’ll all be fit for Thursday.”

-WATCH HIS INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

In their final game before the Europa League tie, ‘Well had an entertaining and evenly balanced workout with Billy Davies’ side.

Forest dominated the early stages and took the lead through Matt Derbyshire. But ‘Well controlled play in spells and had chances of their own before Bob McHugh grabbed a deserved equaliser seven minutes from time.

Until the usual flurry of substitutes in the final half hour, with Stephen McManus, Shaun Hutchison and Iain Vigurs all withdrawn as a precaution with the visit of Kuban in mind, ‘Well had a settled look about them.

It was the Championship side though which started strongly and Andy Reid brought out an excellent stop from Lee Hollis in the opening minutes and the visitors continued to dominate early on.

The deadlock was broken on 11 minutes when Derbyshire slid home from Dexter Blackstock’s cross.

Stuart McCall’s side reacted positively and Danny Collins was twice forced into important clearances – where on both occasions goal scoring opportunities looked likely.

Jamie Paterson really should have done better when he latched on to Adlene Guedioura’s slide-rule pass, however he blazed high over.

Motherwell responded at the other end with Iain Vigurs heading over Simon Ramsden’s cross.

Bob McHugh fired just wide of the target as the hosts created their best chance of the opening half hour.

John Sutton came agonisingly close to levelling proceedings on the stroke of half-time when he threw himself at Paul Lawson’s pin-point delivery.

‘Well suffered an early second half blow and perhaps a concern for next week when Stephen McManus limped off after 49 minutes replaced by Fraser Kerr.

The rearranged Well defence almost conceded a second goal on the hour mark. From six yards Guedioura looked to have swept home Chris Cohen’s cross but Lee Hollis produced a remarkable reflex save to push the ball behind.

Three minutes later McFadden and Vigurs came off allowing Carswell and Francis-Angol 27 minutes to impress.

Stevie Hammell’s cross gave Sutton half a chance but his downward header was easily held by the de Vries.

Motherwell then passed up their best chance when Sutton nodded the ball into the path of McHugh who thumped a left foot drive against the keeper’s legs.

With 15 minutes remaining Lee Irwin and Gunnar Neilsen replaced Lasley and Hollis before the last two subs Euan Murray and Craig Moore came off the bench.

In terms of goal action Forest came close to increasing their lead when Ishmael Miller dragged his shot across goal and just wide of the post.

But with seven minutes remaining ‘Well grabbed the equaliser. Francis-Angol swept down the left before picking out McHugh 10 yards in front of goal. The on form striker took a touch before hammering the ball high past de Vries to take his pre-season tally to three goals and give a satisfactory end to the evening.

Motherwell: Hollis (Nielsen, 75), Hammell, Ramsden, Hutchinson (Murray, 78), McManus (Kerr, 52), McFadden (Francis-Angol, 63), Lawson, Sutton (Moore, 80), Vigurs (Carswell, 63), Lasley (Erwin, 75), McHugh

Motherwell face FC Kuban Krasnodar in Russian on August 8 and there are fifteen seats remaining on the official club charter flight.

The package costs £1335 inclusive (which includes the £135 charge for a travel visa), accommodation, all transport to and from the stadium and a match ticket.

Although higher than we would like to charge, the price has been discounted by the club in order to encourage supporters to attend what is sure to be another exciting European adventure.

If you are interested, we can assure you of a really great experience travelling on the official charter flight and with the group at large. Previous trips have been well-organised, with many already booked for this trip having travelled before with the club. The flight would leave Glasgow early on Wednesday and return to Scotland immediately after the match.

Essentially all you have to do is turn up on the day and we’ll look after the rest for you.

We also have a dedicated member of staff working on the visa applications. If interested then please contact Jennifer Reston on 01698 333 333 or email jennifer.reston@motherwellfc.co.uk.

Motherwell take on English Championship side Nottingham Forest tonight at Fir Park.

Billy Davies’ side travel north of the border for what is our last outing before the Europa League Third Qualifying Round, First Leg, due to take place on Thursday 1 August.

The match with Forest will kick-off at 7pm with pay at the gate prices as follows:

Adult: £15
Concessions (60+ & FT Students): £10
Under 16s: £5

Fans should also note both the Centenary and Davie Cooper Suites will be closed both pre and post match due to a previously booked private function.

Stuart McCall hopes tomorrow’s tester against Nottingham Forest will prove perfect foil ahead of the Europa League opener next week.

The Steelmen will welcome former boss Billy Davies and his assistant David Kelly back to Fir Park for the final warm-up match before taking on FC Kuban Krasnodar.

‘Well have enjoyed a tough pre-season schedule, facing opposition from south of the border, starting with Doncaster two weeks ago and including Newcastle and Morecambe.

And McCall is confident that programme will benefit his side, particularly as the Russians will have played three competitive matches before they touchdown in Scotland.

[pullquote]Forest is great preparation for us. They started round about the same time and have played a similar amount of matches so they’ll be up to speed.[/pullquote]

Speaking exclusively to MFC TV, McCall said: “We’ve obviously got one eye now on the Russians who we face next Thursday at Fir Park.

“We are keen to work on our shape but are also mindful of not giving too much away given it is almost certain Kuban will see the match.

“They won’t have seen a lot of us but we’ve seen their last two matches and will take in their match with Zenit on Friday.

“Forest is great preparation for us though. They started round about the same time and have played a similar amount of matches so they’ll be up to speed.

“With the size of the squad, they’ll be able to mix it up. They have quality throughout the side and a real goal threat.

“It will be a tough test for sure but it is one we are looking forward to.”

-WATCH HIS INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–