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  • Club

    Graham Alexander appointed as new Motherwell manager

  • First team

    Tony Watt is Paycare Player of the Month for December

  • First team

    Liam Kelly signs on loan

  • First team

    How to watch St Mirren v Motherwell

  • First team

    Callum Lang returns to Wigan Athletic

  • First team

    Storylines: St Mirren v Motherwell

  • First team

    Jordan Archer joins Middlesbrough

  • First team

    Next up: St Mirren

  • First team

    Lasley reacts to Hamilton defeat

  • First team

    Hamilton Academical 3-0 Motherwell

  • Club

    Graham Alexander appointed as new Motherwell manager

    Graham Alexander is the new manager of Motherwell Football Club.

    Graham becomes the 25th man to lead the club, succeeding Stephen Robinson.

    A former Scotland international and captain of both Preston North End and Burnley, the 49-year-old arrives with 363 games of managerial experience at Fleetwood Town, Scunthorpe United and Salford City.

    He will be joined by his long-term assistant Chris Lucketti, himself a former captain of Huddersfield Town who made over 600 career appearances, who will work alongside current assistant Keith Lasley.

    “I am delighted to have been handed this role at a great club,” said the new Motherwell manager.

    “People will get to understand the hard work I put in, along with my staff and players. I have always brought that to every club, as a player and a manager.

    “It’s something different. It is something I am really excited about. I have been a manager now for seven to eight years, and had success with the three clubs I’ve been at. But this is out of my comfort zone. I’m someone who is up for a challenge, and I will get that here.

    “I spoke to Stephen Robinson, as we played together at Preston. He said nothing but good things. That together with what I heard from the board meant it was a challenge I wanted to take on.

    “The obvious first objective is to win on Saturday. This is a team which is underperforming but there is talent there. We are in a month where we can also make additions, but there is no way I see this current group should be where they are.

    “I believe in producing young talent and I’ve always given chances. The board have made clear what they see as success for Motherwell, and I want to exceed those expectations.

    “I’ve seen if you work hard enough, you can achieve whatever you want. But the work has to go in. And that not only comes from me, it comes from the whole group. My role is a manager is to get that working straight away.”

    Graham started his playing career with Scunthorpe United, moving onto Luton Town, Preston North End and Burnley, before ending with a final season with Preston.

    The 863 league appearances he made across a 24-year career ranks him fourth in the all-time list of games played by footballers in England.

    Although born in England, his long-held international commitment was to Scotland through his father. His call would come in 2002 in a friendly against Nigeria at the age of 30, kicking off a Scotland career which would bring 40 caps.

    Having had a brief spell as caretaker at Preston North End in 2011/12, his first permanent managerial appointment would come at Fleetwood Town in December 2012. A near-three year spell saw him lead the club up from League Two through the play-offs.

    A return to his first club Scunthorpe United would follow in March 2016, spending two years at Glanford Park and leading them to the League One play-off final, where they would lose to Millwall.

    The call from ambitious National League side Salford City came in May 2018, winning promotion to the Football League through the play-offs. The curtailment of the 2019/20 campaign due to the Covid-19 outbreak would end back-to-back promotion hopes, and also halt an appearance in the final of the EFL Trophy.

    “We are delighted to have chosen Graham to be our next manager,” Motherwell chairman Jim McMahon said of the appointment.

    “The calibre of candidates for the role was high, as were the qualities shown by those we interviewed.

    “Graham has demonstated to us he is the man to take us forward. He fits the profile of what we expect a Motherwell manager to be.

    “He is dynamic. He is hungry. He will lead from the front and shares in our belief of developing talent. He also has a track record of success, leading clubs to promotions and cup finals.”

  • First team

    Tony Watt is Paycare Player of the Month for December

    Tony Watt is Paycare Player of the Month for December

    Tony Watt is the Motherwell FC Paycare player of the month for December.

    The forward continued his form and all-round combative play up top for the Steelmen, netting in the 1-1 draw at Dundee United.

    Watt was also the winner of the October and November awards.

  • First team

    Liam Kelly signs on loan

    Liam Kelly signs on loan

    Liam Kelly has joined on loan from Queen’s Park Rangers.

    The goalkeeper signs up for the remainder of the 2020/21 campaign, providing further competition for the number one jersey.

    Kelly, 24, moved to the English Championship in June 2019, featuring 22 times for the Rs.

    Previously, the Scotland call-up was with Livingston, impressing over two spells following his move from Glasgow Rangers.

    “I’m grateful for the opportunity Motherwell have offered me,” said the goalkeeper.

    “My objective is to play games. I know there’s strong competition here and I will have to earn my place.

    “I’m ready and available when called upon. We’ve got a good squad and need to start picking up results.”

    Kelly will wear the number 13 jersey vacated by Jordan Archer.

    “Liam will strengthen our options in the goalkeeping department, with Jordan Archer having left us,” interim manager Keith Lasley said.

    “He has already proven his ability at this level, playing a big part in Livingston’s success and also earning the recognition of an international call-up.”

  • First team

    How to watch St Mirren v Motherwell

    How to watch St Mirren v Motherwell

    You can watch St Mirren v Motherwell on Saturday wherever you are in the world.

    If you’re in the UK or Republic of Ireland, a live stream of the game will be available to buy on a pay-per-view basis from St Mirren for £12.50.

    International-based supporters can watch via their usual subscription at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.

    Kick-off at St Mirren Park on Saturday is at 3pm GMT.

  • First team

    Callum Lang returns to Wigan Athletic

    Callum Lang returns to Wigan Athletic

    Callum Lang has returned to Wigan Athletic.

    The forward has been recalled by the English League One club, having moved to Fir Park on loan in the summer.

    Lang scored five goals in 21 appearances, becoming a regular starter in the forward line.

    We thank Callum for his contributions and wish him all the best for the future.

  • First team

    Storylines: St Mirren v Motherwell

    Storylines: St Mirren v Motherwell

    Motherwell are on the road against on Saturday, with a trip to face St Mirren.

    Kick-off in the Scottish Premiership match is at 3pm.

    Here are the key topics going into the game.

    New man at the helm

    Graham Alexander’s arrival on Thursday night as Motherwell manager will see him in the dugout for the journey to Paisley.

    The boss, who succeeds Stephen Robinson, will spend Friday preparing his squad before taking his first match.

    A run to arrest

    A run of 10 matches without a win is there for the Steelmen to put a halt to on Saturday.

    Three wins and seven defeats has put the team in 11th spot in the league, albeit with two matches still to catch up.

    St Mirren, however, are undefeated in their last four matches against ‘Well, winning two and drawing two.

    In-form Saints

    In contrast to Motherwell, St Mirren have picked up a host of positive results in the past few months.

    Incorporating Premiership and Betfred Cup matches, Jim Goodwin’s side have won 10 of their last 15 matches and enjoyed an 11-game unbeaten run between 7 October and 23 December, before Hibernian picked up a 1-0 win at Easter Road.

    Since that blip, a recovery 2-0 win over Ross County was followed by a home league loss to Rangers and a draw at Kilmarnock, which came via a late equaliser for St Mirren at the weekend.

    Happy hunting ground

    Motherwell are undefeated in their last four trips to Paisley, winning three league encounters and drawing in last season’s Scottish Cup.

    In those games, the visitors have netted scored eight, with two scored in reply.

    St Mirren’s last win in the fixture at home came back in May 2015, with two late goals sealing a 2-1 victory.

  • First team

    Jordan Archer joins Middlesbrough

    Jordan Archer joins Middlesbrough

    Jordan Archer has left Motherwell to join Middlesbrough.

    The goalkeeper, who made four appearances for the club, joined the Steelmen on a short-term deal in October.

    With that contract now at an end, the Scotland international ‘keeper returns to the English Championship.

    He will chase a second successive promotion, having been part of the Fulham squad which went up to the English Premier League last campaign.

    We thank Jordan for his contributions and wish him well for the future.

  • First team

    Next up: St Mirren

    Next up: St Mirren

    Motherwell head to St Mirren next in the Scottish Premiership.

    The Steelmen go in search of a win to kickstart their campaign, which has faltered in recent months.

    Kick-off at St Mirren Park on Saturday is at 3pm.

    Watch live

    If you’re in the UK or Republic of Ireland, a live stream of the game will be available to buy on a pay-per-view basis from St Mirren for £12.50.

    International-based supporters can watch via their usual subscription at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.

    Tale of the tape

    St Mirren were victors at Fir Park in December, with Jamie McGrath’s early goal handing the visitors a 1-0 victory.

    The Buddies are unbeaten in four against Motherwell, winning their last three at Fir Park and drawing 1-1 at home in the Scottish Cup last February.

    Form guide

    Motherwell are now 10 matches without a victory, drawing three and losing seven in that spell.

    The run was compounded by a 3-0 loss to Hamilton Academical at the weekend.

    St Mirren’s last-minute equaliser at Kilmarnock on Saturday kept them seventh in the Premiership.

    Jim Goodwin’s men have won four, drawn three and lost three of their last 10 league matches.

  • First team

    Lasley reacts to Hamilton defeat

    “I’m angry. This is a club which has always fought against the odds. We don’t have that fighting spirit at the moment.”

    Keith Lasley reacts to the 3-0 derby loss at Hamilton Academical.

  • First team

    Hamilton Academical 3-0 Motherwell

    Hamilton Academical 3-0 Motherwell

    Motherwell started the new year with another disappointing defeat, this time in the derby at the hands of Hamilton.

    Goals from Lee Hodson, Ross Callachan and Callum Smith consigned ‘Well to the loss in the week where Stephen Robinson left as manager.

    Interim boss Keith Lasley made four changes to the side which started the 2-0 loss to Kilmarnock in midweek.

    Trevor Carson, Mark O’Hara and Ricki Lamie were the enforced absentees, with Aaron Chapman, Jake Hastie and Bevis Mugabi coming into the team.

    Jake Carroll also made his first start since returning from injury, with Robbie Crawford moving to the bench.

    The first chance in the game fell to the visitors. Hodson found room on the right, but his shot was gathered by Chapman.

    Tony Watt then came agonisingly close to giving Motherwell the lead. O’Donnell’s driven cross from the right was scooped just past the left-hand post by the striker.

    Hamilton would take the lead on the 10 minute mark. Hodson got himself into acres of space on the counter on the right-hand side.

    He had to steady himself for the shot, which was close to the goalkeeper but still found the net.

    Lasley’s men would carve out half-chances as the first 45 wore on. Gallagher hit the post from a Polworth free-kick, before being ruled offside, while Watt’s shot from Polworth’s flick was well saved.

    The half-time interval would give Motherwell time to take stock and come out the traps, but it proved to be the opposite.

    Moyo found room on the right and steered the ball back to the edge of the box, where Callachan was on hand to fire past Chapman to make it two.

    It would be worse on the 65th minute mark. More room down the right allowed a cross to Smith, who steered his header with precision off the left-hand post and in.

    Motherwell: Chapman, O’Donnell, Gallagher, Mugabi, Carroll, Grimshaw, Campbell, Polworth, Cole (White), Hastie (Maguire), Watt.

    Subs not used: Morrison, Devine, McGinley, Johnston, Crawford, Cornelius, Seedorf.