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Stephen McManus thinks fighting for a spot in the team should motivate the Motherwell squad.

With injuries decimating the first half of the 2014/15 campaign, it has often been the eleven fittest players who have been selected for matchdays.

However, with the addition of seven new recruits during the January transfer window, the emergence of the exciting young talent at the club and some of the injuries starting to clear up, ‘Well boss Ian Baraclough now has some big decisions to make in positions all across the park.

Former Scotland International McManus, who himself has recovered from a knee injury which kept him out the St Johnstone match, says there is a real hunger in the dressing room to be amongst the starting eleven.

[pullquote]You’ve got to relish and accept the challenge and try to ensure you’re the one who is playing. Competition for places is always healthy.[/pullquote]

He said: “The fact we have some real quality additions has given the squad a real freshness.

“Because we’ve added new faces obviously does not mean all our problems are solved and we’re going to win every match. Some guys will take time to settle in, others will hit the ground running.

“What it has given us though is a real battle for places. Obviously a few guys have managed to get off the treatment table too, so there are options, something we’ve perhaps not had here in quite some time.

“That’s a challenge to everyone who was here. You’ve got to relish and accept the challenge and try to ensure you’re the one who is playing. Competition for places is always healthy.”

‘Well boss Ian Baraclough hopes his new recruits will give the squad a boost ahead of Saturday’s match against Ross County.

The Steelmen added seven new faces during the January Transfer Window, including four on the last day.

With no game last weekend, that has allowed the former Scunthorpe and Sligo boss to work with his troops as they prepare to launch into the second half of the season.

And speaking ahead of the game in Dingwall, Baraclough admitted he has a real conundrum now on who will make the starting eleven.

[pullquote]We’ve had a really good fortnight, the intensity in training has been given a real lift and we have some real competition for places ahead of the game in the Highlands.[/pullquote]

Speaking to the broadcast press at ‘Well’s weekly news conference, he said: “Three of the lads – Stephen Pearson, Louis Laing and Anthony Straker have now been here for a good few weeks and have trained a lot with the lads so I would like to think they have settled in.

“Given we didn’t have a game last weekend, it has given us a good chance to bed in the four deadline day signings and they’ve worked with everyone and integrated themselves well.

“We’ve had a really good fortnight, the intensity in training has been given a real lift and we have some real competition for places ahead of the game in the Highlands.

“I for one can’t wait to get up there and hopefully get our season started.”

Motherwell FC is today (Friday) delighted to confirm the appointment of Steve Robinson as the club’s Assistant Manager.

40-year old Robinson is a former Northern Irish International, but started his career with English giants Tottenham Hotspur back in the early 1990s.

He went on to play for the likes of Leyton Orient, Bournemouth, Preston North End, Bristol City and Luton Town over a fifteen-year period. He also collected several Youth International caps and seven senior caps for his country of birth.

When he retired from playing, he joined the Irish FA and was appointed as their Under 21s team manager on a short-term basis.

He was then confirmed as manager of the Under 19s and Under 17s teams. A re-jig of the underage coaching set-ups saw him take charge of the Under 21s too.

In early 2014 he stepped down from his role with the Under-21s to work within the IFA’s Elite Development Programme and has been credited with making significant improvements to that level of the game in Northern Ireland.

He retained his post as Under 17s manager and also took charge of the Under 16s Schoolboys side. In September 2014 he also joined-up with the senior set-up as coach, working with Michael O’Neil’s first-team squad; a role which he will continue whilst at Fir Park.

He was reportedly being chased by English Championship side Watford when former Dundee Utd midfielder Billy McKinlay briefly took the role at Vicarage Road, but nothing came of it and he’ll now team up with Ian Baraclough in ‘Well’s new-look management team.

[pullquote]It is a really exciting prospect and as soon as I spoke to Ian, I was absolutely desperate to get involved. I’ve only heard great things about the club. Obviously, the first challenge is to try and ensure we push ourselves up the table as quickly as possible and I will do everything I can to assist in that target.[/pullquote]

He will officially take up his new post this coming Monday (15th February).

Speaking to motherwellfc.co.uk, Robinson said: “I look forward to getting started and working with both the staff and players at Motherwell.

“It is a really exciting prospect and as soon as I spoke to Ian, I was absolutely desperate to get involved. I’ve only heard great things about the club. Obviously, the first challenge is to try and ensure we push ourselves up the table as quickly as possible and I will do everything I can to assist in that target.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Irish FA, thank them for all they have done for me and look forward to continuing to work with senior squad in the coming months and years.”

‘Well boss Ian Baraclough added: “Steve is a fantastic coach and we are absolutely delighted to have him on board.

“When I was between jobs I took it upon myself to watch as many different sessions as I could and was hugely impressed the times I watched Steve in action. He’s a very modern, forward-thinking coach and I am sure the lads will love working with him.

“I’ve also had some excellent feedback from a number of people in the game; he came very highly recommended from every single person I spoke with.

“Not only does he put on a great session, he is very tactically aware and very good at working with young players too, which is essential in the new model and refocused strategy we have at the club.

General Manager Alan Burrows commented: “We are really pleased to have someone of Steve’s talent and reputation on board. It’s certainly an exciting time at the football club.

“I would like to thank the Northern Irish FA, Head Coach Michael O’Neil and CEO Patrick Nelson in particular, for their professionalism, support and cooperation during this process.

“We have long had an affinity with the IFA with the former players, staff and current Youth players and are pleased to see that continue now through Steve’s appointment.”

The referee for Saturday’s SPFL Premiership clash with Ross County at Global Energy Stadium is Calum Murray.

Murray is an experienced whistler with well over fifteen years in the top flight and this is his third ‘Well match of the campaign, the others being the opening day success of St Mirren thanks to Lee Erwin’s first senior goal, and the 1-0 defeat to Celtic in December, in which he sent off Simon Ramsden for a tackle on James Forrest.

He only took charge of one ‘Well match last term, that was the disappointing 2-0 defeat at McDiarmid Park – Stevie May and Nigel Hasselbaink on the score sheet.

Previous to that, it was February 2013 and a 3-0 for Stuart McCall’s side over Inverness (Michael Higdon double and a Nicky Law strike) at Fir Park.

Murray took charge of another two Motherwell matches that same campaign, the instantly forgettable 2-0 defeat to Rangers at Ibrox in the Scottish Communities League Cup and the 3-2 victory over Ross County at Fir Park.

Back in 2011, he also handled the Scottish Cup Final between Motherwell and Celtic at Hampden.

His overall record in charge of the Steelmen is fairly mixed. Of the 23 games he has taken charge of, Motherwell have won ten, drawn four and lost nine. The Fir Parkers have scored 29 whilst 30 have hit the back of the ‘Well net.

65 players have seen yellow on those twenty three matches, 35 of which were shown to a player wearing Claret and Amber.

Three players has been sent for an early bath, Bob Malcolm in the famous 1-0 win over Celtic back in early 2008 and Jim Goodwin, for a second bookable offence, in that match this term and most recently, Simon Ramsden against Celtic for a last man challenge on James Forrest.

Calum will be ably assisted by Stuart Stevenson and Mark McLean with Colin Steven on fourth official duties

Motherwell Football Club can today confirm assistant manager Kenny Black has left the club.

Black joined Motherwell as Stuart McCall’s assistant some four years ago and together they carved out one of the clubs’ most successful eras on the pitch, with three ‘best of the rest’ finishes in the Scottish top flight and a Scottish Cup Final in May 2011.

The club will now search for a new assistant with a view to making a swift appointment.

‘Well boss Ian Baraclough said: “I can have no complaints about Kenny’s professionalism or work since my arrival late last year.

“However, I felt it would be a good time to change things and that a freshness and something different in that role might help us.

“The club is heading in an exciting new direction both on and off the park and we’ll make further announcements in due course.”

Kenny added: “I understand how football works and accept today’s decision.

“The manager spoke with me earlier this afternoon and everything was and is amicable.

“I want to thank Motherwell FC for the four great years we’ve had together and wish them and the people at Fir Park every success.”

Everyone at Motherwell Football Club would like to put on record our sincere thanks to Kenny for his four years of sterling service and wish him all the very best in his future career.

‘Well boss Ian Baraclough talks in-depth about his January recruitment and what fans can expect from the Deadline Day quadruple.

On loan Evertonian Conor Grant revealed it was a former ‘Well midfielder who helped sell his short-term switch.

The Toffees are bossed by ex-Steelman Roberto Martinez, who advised the 19-year old to seize the opportunity with both hands.

Now the Liverpudlian, a regular in Everton’s Development Squad and on the fringes of the first-team, can’t wait to get started and has vowed to help the Fir Parkers in their quest to get clear of the foot of the table.

[pullquote]As soon as I heard the manager had been in touch with the staff at Everton, I wanted to come. Roberto Martinez told me it was a great place to come so it was an easy decision to make.[/pullquote]

Speaking to MFC TV, Grant said: “I’m delighted to be here, this is a big opportunity for me at a great club and I am really looking forward to it.

“As soon as I heard the manager had been in touch with the staff at Everton, I wanted to come. Roberto Martinez told me it was a great place to come so it was an easy decision to make.

“Fans can expect me to give absolutely everything for the team. I will get on the ball as much as I can, try to create things and hopefully we can start climbing the table.”

Fans should note forthcoming fixture amendments in March and April.

The match with Aberdeen, originally scheduled for Saturday 14th March has been switched to Friday night, 13th March (7.45pm KO).

The Lanarkshire Derby match with Hamilton Accies, originally scheduled for Saturday 21st March has been switched to Friday night, 20th March (7.45pm KO).

Finally, in April, the match against St Mirren, originally scheduled for Wednesday 8th April will now take place on Tuesday 7th April (7.45pm.KO)

All three games will be live on BT Sport.

>> Updated Fixture List

There is now only a limited amount of tickets left for Friday’s Burns Supper at Fir Park.

Burns Suppers have been part of Scottish Culture for two hundred years as a means of commemorating our best loved bard and when Burns immortalised haggis in verse, he created a central link that is maintained to this day.

Close friends of Burns started the ritual a few years after his death in 1796, as a tribute to his memory.

On Friday 6th February, Motherwell Football Club will be celebrating that tradition with the annual Burns Supper in the Centenary Suite.

Enjoy the finest traditional fare with a healthy dram in congenial company and listen to the convivial tones of our invited speakers all for just £25 per person.

For further information or to make a booking, phone 01698 333 333, email commercial@motherwellfc.co.uk or online by CLICKING HERE.

Slainthe!

 Extended highlights from the Excelsior Stadium as the U20s battle back to earn a deserved point against Hibs.