'WELL SUNGLASSES
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10.30pm

Reports suggest that the FIFA-imposed transfer window has prevented Motherwell from signing Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Andy Reid, who spent a trial period at Fir Park a couple of months back.  The club were apparently told by the SFA that the move could go ahead, but they have since backtracked and told Motherwell to wait until the transfer window re-opens.  Terry Butcher is quoted as saying:
"The whole situation is crazy because Andy isn't getting a game. We want to sign him but can't because of this transfer window.  We will continue talking to his agent and we are looking to get something sorted out for the summer.  He wants to return to Scotland - he's a very highly-rated keeper and we saw that when he came and trained with us."

Meanwhile, TB has urged his players to forget about the upcoming Hampden semi-final and instead concentrate on the three vital league matches we will play before then.  In today's local press he is quoted as saying:
"There’s no question about any of our players thinking about the semi-final because they know we have three massive games before then.  And if they are then all I have to say to the players is that places in the semi-final are up for grabs and it’s up to them to stake their claim by impressing me in the league games.  I’m quite open about it and I’ve already told the players that I’ll be going into the semi-final looking for players who are showing signs of good form, so it’s up to them.  In many cases these three league games are equal to, if not bigger, in terms of importance than the semi-final and if we are to start moving away from the bottom of the table then we need to try and take three points on Saturday."

First up is a trip to East End Park, a ground Motherwell have struggled badly at in recent seasons.  TB added:
"I would be happy to settle for a point, but we will be going into the game looking for all three.  Obviously, if you’re not going to win the game then you would then go for the draw, however, we’ve beaten them at home recently and I’m confident we can get something from the game.  They will want the points to try and finish as high up the league as possible and I’m sure they’re well aware we have a poor recent record against them at East End Park.  However, like I said before, the players are now playing for places ahead of the semi-final and I’ll be looking for a positive performance, as well as showing me they are worth a starting place at Hampden.

"Our recent record at East End Park is disappointing, but we definitely need to improve our overall away record as it’s been poor and we’ve got to do it before the end of the season.  It’s not so much a worry or a concern as we have had plenty of positive results away from home in the cup so I know the players can do it.  You look at the games we’ve played away to Dundee Utd, Hibs and Hearts twice and we should have won all these games.  However, it’s difficult to put my finger on one thing where I think we’re going wrong.  To be honest, I think it’s been a combination of different factors which has stopped us from winning more games on our travels.  It’s possibly been a lack of confidence at times, or self-belief, or even a little bit of naivety on our part which has cost us in certain games.  But if we can brush up on all of these between now and the end of the season then we will have much more of a chance away from home.  Basically, it’s now time for the players to stand up and be counted.

"I’m looking forward to Saturday as it’s really been two weeks of inactivity for us following the win over Stranraer.  It’s been frustrating more than anything else with international matches taking centre stage as we haven’t been able to work on certain situations in training as we’re missing three key players.  However, there’s nothing I can do about it. The rest of the players have all had a couple of days off and everyone should be fully fit for the game against Dunfermline."

As mentioned above, James McFadden, Stevie Hammell and Stephen Pearson have all been away on Scotland Under-21 duty recently.  Last Friday, Faddy was watched by a host of Premiership scouts when he turned out in the U-21 match against Iceland at Broadwood, a match in which he was substituted after 62 mins.  Pearo was an unused sub while Hammell was left out altogether due to a slight injury.

Then last night, McFadden again started for the young Scots in their match against Lithuania in Vilnius, and set up a first minute goal for Kevin Kyle before being subbed at the interval.  Scotland went on to lose the match 2-1.

The referee for Saturday's match at Dunfermline will be none other than our old friend Mr Willie Young.

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