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Stuart McCall has urged his side to get back to basics as the Steelmen aim to recapture the form of late August and September.

‘Well went six weeks unbeaten during that run, including five wins and a draw from six matches,

Recent form has been patchier though; four defeats in the last six outings, with just two victories.

Conceding cheap goals has been an Achilles heel and that is something the Fir Park boss has focused on in recent training sessions.

[pullquote]We’ve got to cut that out; it’s down to concentration, communication and organisation and that’s what we have been working on.[/pullquote]

“As much as the Dundee United game is out our system now, we have to learn lessons from it,” he told MFC TV ahead of Saturday’s SPFL Premiership match against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

“If you look at the first two we conceded [against Dundee Utd], they are extremely poor goals to lose in terms of communication and decision-making. That gave them a boost and deflated us a little.

“Over the last four or five matches, we’ve dropped our standards a little bit, both in terms of creating and taking chances and defending. We’ve not really been ripped open by many teams but we’ve given away far too many sloppy goals.

“We’ve got to cut that out; it’s down to concentration, communication and organisation and that’s what we have been working on.”

-WATCH HIS INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

Referee for Saturday’s SPFL Premiership clash with Kilmarnock at Rugby Park is Stephen Finnie.

It will be Stephen’s first ‘Well match of the 2013/14 campaign after officiating the Fir Parkers twice last term.

The first was, ironically enough, at Rugby Park as a Jamie Murphy double secured all three points in a 2-1 win.

The other was the rearranged match against Dundee United at Fir Park last February. Johnny Russell scored the game’s only goal in a 1-0 win for the Terrors.

Prior to that match at Rugby Park last season, Stephen had almost gone two years without a ‘Well fixture; you have to go all the way back to the Steelmen’s narrow defeat to Celtic in Glasgow the day before Stuart McCall took up the hot seat at the club in December 2010.

In the same season, he was also the man in the middle as ‘Well crashed 4-1 at Ibrox. Nick Blackman had actually put the Fir Parkers ahead but second half strikes from Steven Naismith, Steve Davies, Kenny Miller and Vladimir Weiss gave the home side a comfortable victory.

In actual fact, since taking matches in the top-flight of Scottish football, Stephen has only ever officiated seven Motherwell matches.

Other than those Old Firm defeats, there was a 3-1 home win over Hearts in March of 2010 (Goals from Mark Reynolds, John Sutton and Jim O’Brien), a 1-0 defeat at Tannadice in October 2007 (Darren Dods heading home the games’ only goal) and a 2-0 win over Dunfermline in March 2007 courtesy of a Scott McDonald brace.

In those seven matches, he has dished out 32 cautions, eight of which flashed at a player wearing Claret and Amber. Only one player has been sent for an early bath and that was Scott Brown for a second bookable offence in that match at Parkhead in 2010.

Stephen will be ably assisted on the day by Stephen Mitchell and Stuart Hodge with John McKendrick assigned as fourth official.

Henri Anier came off the bench and netted a brace as Estonia beat Liechtenstein 3-0 in Vaduz last night.

The on-loan Viking striker scored his third of the year for the national team in the 61st minute, calmly capitalising on a defensive error.

The 22-year old then added his second of the evening two minutes later to complete the scoring for Tarmo Rüütli side.

That takes his tally to five in thirteen appearances for the Sinisärgid, whilst he has four in eleven starts in Claret and Amber.

Meanwhile, Gunnar Nielsen is travelling back to the club for training tomorrow after winning his twentieth cap for the Faroe Islands in Malta.

Unfortunately, despite fighting back from 3-0 down, the Islanders could only manage a 3-2 defeat.

Both will be in the squad for Saturday’s visit to Rugby Park as ‘Well look to bounce back against Kilmarnock.

There are still a handful of tables left for this Sunday’s Sportsman’s Dinner.

Held at Dalziel Park Hotel on Sunday 24th November, and starting at 7pm with pre-dinner drinks, it promises to be a night to remember.

The Scottish Sun’s Andy Devlin will host a Q&A with ‘Well boss Stuart McCall, before throwing it open to the floor for guests to ask the former Scotland International whatever they want.

The Daily Record’s Tam Cowan will host something similar with cult hero Sieb Dijkstra, who is flying in especially for the event.

The 6ft 5 inch Dutch stopper was a mainstay between the sticks for the Steelmen back in the early 1990s and ‘Well fans will no doubt relish the opportunity to hear some of his stories and ask him those probing questions.

The ‘Well legends will take to the stage after a delicious three-course meal.

The speaker for the night will be the hilarious Eric Davidson who is, without doubt, one of the finest blethers on the After Dinner circuit.

We will also have an auction not to be missed, with some of the most incredible ‘money can’t buy’ experiences that any ‘Well fan would love.

If you want to attend, tables of ten cost just £350+VAT. You can book by phoning 01698 333333, emailing alan.burrows@motherwellfc.co.uk or online by CLICKING HERE.

Attenders should note that some of the language used on the night may by a little coarse and not suitable for children or the easily offended.

DRESS CODE: Lounge suits / open shirt – no requirement to wear a tie.

Motherwell are delighted to offer the perfect destination, a choice of tempting cuisine and sparkling entertainment this winter.

Christmas parties at Fir Park are always a night to remember and this year will be no different.

We’ve all the ingredients for a great party; high quality catering, lively entertainment and excellent service.

Enjoy a fabulous three-course meal in the Centenary Suite then afterwards dance the night away with our live band and in-house DJ.

All this for an unbelievable £27.95 per person.

>> CLICK HERE TO BOOK ONLINE

If you would rather not book online, phone the Commercial Team on 01698 338008 / 338062 or email commercial@motherwellfc.co.uk to secure your seat.

Extended highlights from Fir Park as Motherwell U20s are comprehensively beaten 5-0 by Celtic U20s.

-WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

Under 20s boss Jonatan Johansson conceded his side were well beaten by a rampant Celtic this evening.

The young Steelmen had been on an impressive eight-match unbeaten run stretching back to early September.

But they were second best for majority of the match at Fir Park and Stephen Frail’s side racked up five goals without reply.

The 106 times capped former Finnish International reckons the defeat will act as a wake-up call for his squad and spoke of his disappointment at the manner of goals conceded.

[pullquote]It’s a wake-up call though and a reminder of what the best standard of youth football is in Scotland at this moment.[/pullquote]

He told MFC TV: “I have no complaints about the score, it was always going to be a tough game against a good side.

“From our point of view, if there is one thing I want to criticise, it’s the manner of the goals we lost, especially the first, second and fourth.

“We looked a bit tired towards the end and unfortunately shipped three goals. It’s a harsh score line for my boys, but a comprehensive victory for Celtic.

“It’s a wake-up call though and a reminder of what the best standard of youth football is in Scotland at this moment.

“With the run of form we’ve had, we’ve been confident but sometimes complacency sets in and games like this are good to show them where to aim for.”

-WATCH HIS INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

Motherwell’s two-month unbeaten run came to a shuddering halt at the hands of Celtic tonight.

The Steelmen were looking to take their undefeated run to nine matches but were outclassed by the reigning Under 20s Champions in a 5-0 win for Stephen Frail’s side.

Jonatan Johansson’s plans were dealt a blow in the warm-up when Steven Higgins was forced to pull out, being replaced by Morgyn Neill and causing a bit of a reshuffle to his side. Neill slotted in at right back and Chris Cadden having to switch to left midfield.

The other changes came in the shape of Paul Lawson, Adam Cummins and Bob McHugh all drafted in to replace the aforementioned Higgins, Thomas and Craig Moore.

The game got off to a slow start before the visitors took the lead in the seventh minute. Left back Aidan McIlduff burst down the left flank and summer signing Amido Baldé deftly poked his front post cross past Ross Stewart and into the net.

Celtic then took a grip of the game, and Stewart had to look lively to save from an angled shot from Lewis Kidd. Baldé then burst through the ‘Well rearguard but this time his finish wasn’t so clever as blasted high and wide.

On 20 minutes Celtic were awarded an indirect free kick just inside the box when Stewart was penalised for picking the ball up twice. The keeper was booked for taking his protest too far and, to rub salt into the wounds, was beaten by a Bahrudin Atajic shot after Liam Henderson had laid it off.

Celtic were dominant but were now restricted to fewer chances before the break although Baldé could’ve had a second but he sent a header wildly over, then blocked a shot from team mate Jamie Lindsay.

Motherwell started better in the second half with Bob McHugh pulling a couple of saves from keeper Leonardo Fasan. The first with an ambitious shot from 30 yards and then a shot on the turn, both of which were dealt with comfortably by Celtic’s Italian stopper.

And it was the visitors who got the first goal of the second period when Jamie Lindsay sent a curling shot high past Stewart from just outside the box. This was rough justice for the young Well after the start they had made to the second period.

Celtic sub Denny Johnstone put a harsher reflection on the score line when he added two goals in the last ten minutes.

His first was a back post header from a Lewis Kidd cross, his second saw him sent clear following some nice passing and, from the edge of the box, he slotted coolly past the advancing Stewart to complete the scoring.

Motherwell: Stewart, Cadden (Anderson), Ferguson, Cummins, Murray, Leitch, McCafferty, Lawson, McHugh, Shirkie, Neill.

Subs Not Used: Currie, Watt.

The Under 20s return to action tomorrow (Tuesday) night when they take on reigning Champions Celtic at Fir Park.

Jonatan Johansson’s men have been in fine form, unbeaten in the last eight matches, a run that includes seven victories and has taken the team to within two points of top spot.

They face arguably the league’s toughest test against a side who have won the competition the last four years in a row.

‘Well lost both matches 3-1 last term, but Johansson will be looking to reverse that tomorrow.

The match will kick-off at 6pm.

PRICES:

Adults and Concessions:
Season book holders or Well Society membership: £2
Standard: £3

Under 16:
Season book holders or Well Society membership: £1
Standard: £2

Motherwell’s William Hill Scottish Cup clash with Albion Rovers has been switched to Hamilton’s New Douglas Park.

After consultation with Motherwell, Rovers have opted to move the Fourth Round tie away from the 1,200 capacity Cliftonhill to ensure all spectators who want to see the match can do so.

The match will be played on Saturday 30th November 2013, kick-off is 3pm.

Motherwell have been allocated the West (Main) Stand…

Tickets will be available from the gate priced at:

• Concessions are listed as Over 65s, Under 16s and Full Time Students with a valid matriculation card.
• Fans who require wheelchair access should contact Sharon or John McCaskie on 07745 494 631 or email disabledfans@motherwellfc.co.uk.