'WELL SUNGLASSES
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6.30pm

'Well fan extraordinaire Matt Johnstone is launching a new book entitled 'Joe Wark Knew My Father Tae!' this coming Sunday at Jack Daniels, kick-off at 12.30pm.  In the book, Matt charts his memories of following the club from around 1966 up to and including the 1991 Cup Final.  A snip at £10, the book is available from the following outlets as well as from www.dosserdom.com :

Bandoni's, New Stevenston; St John's, The Loaning; Corner Shop, The Loaning, Jack Daniels, Glencairn Street; and from Motherwell Daft Productions, PO Box 19018, Motherwell, ML1 3YZ.

The book has been published and financed solely by Matt himself, and he will be making a donation to the 'Well Worth Saving campaign in return for their backing with the venture.

Best of luck, Matt!

'Well boss Terry Butcher is still confident his side can avoid the drop, despite the 3-0 gubbing at Dunfermline last Saturday:
"It was always going to be hard for us when we went down to 10 men, especially as Dunfermline were already a goal in front.  After losing the first goal I thought we started to get a grip of the game and even managed to hit the post twice before Tony (Vaughan) was sent-off.  The next goal was always going to be crucial and Dunfermline got it, but the players deserve tremendous credit for keeping on going, even at 3-0 down.  At the moment, we just don’t seem to be getting a break of luck. I know some people might say I’m moaning, but the simple fact is it does play a big part in football.  We know we are a better team than we’ve shown in recent matches and our aim is still to finish 11th or higher in the SPL.  

"OK, so we lost the battle against Dunfermline, but we haven’t lost the war.  The players have been quoted in interviews saying we are to good to go down. However, better teams than ourselves have been relegated.  We know we have a good squad here, but the players must start taking more responsibility on the field. Instead of waiting for things to happen they should be making them happen.  Maybe we just lack a little self-belief just now, although we know we have to play more as a team and not as individuals.  The players give it everything in training and, when it comes to the crunch, they must start taking this attitude out onto the pitch."

Dundee visit Fir Park on Saturday in the final league game before the split, and TB added:
"Dundee are riding high just now and are doing really well in the league.  We’ve drawn twice with Dundee already this season so we know we are more than capable of matching them.  They did really well against Celtic and are looking extremely confident, but we are hopeful of getting something from the game."

On the injury front, Khaled Kemas again misses out, while both Stephen Pearson and Tony Vaughan are suspended.  Pearo is serving the third of his four-match ban while Vaughan is banned for one game following his red card at East End Park.

Meanwhile, Butcher hit back at criticism from Dundee Utd chairman Eddie Thompson after he claimed that Motherwell were receiving an unfair advantage by playing Celtic after the split.  TB said:
"Celtic approached us to change the fixture because of their heavy schedule and we were only too happy to agree to the change.  Obviously, I think it does suit us, but I’m sure if the shoe was on the other foot then Dundee Utd would do the same."

The post-split fixtures will be published by the SPL on Monday.  Check back here then for first news of our final 5 matches of the season.

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