5.40pm

A report in one of today's newspapers claims that all SPL clubs will be forced to install undersoil heating within two years, or face being demoted to the SFL.  The new legislation comes after the majority of last week's fixtures were wiped out due to the sudden cold snap, however club Administrator Bryan Jackson remains unconvinced:
"A bill for £100,000 would mean our wage bill could have to be reduced still further.  It will also make it more difficult to find a buyer for the club because of the additional debt.  And it could mean we would have to sell a player to meet the cost of pitch protection because no bank will lend £100,000 to a club in administration."

However, Jackson admits Motherwell will have little choice but to follow the SPL's directive:
"The cost of not being in the Premier League far outweighs the cost of installing undersoil heating.  It would be horrendous under the circumstances to think of Motherwell in a lower league.  We might have to fund the heating system on a long-term, hire purchase plan or sell a player.  I will put our preferred option into operation while I am still in charge of the day to day running of the club's finances.  But the bottom line is every pound I have to take out of the club for something like this is a pound less devoted to the team."

Newspaper reports suggest that Dirk Lehmann could be fit for tomorrow's cup tie at Clyde, although Scott Leitch and Richard Offiong will again miss out.  James McFadden will return after suspension.  

'Well boss Terry Butcher is looking for a good cup run from his young side this season:
"We've got to go into this game full of confidence after our two recent SPL victories.  I don't know why, but, for some reason, we tend to save our best performances for the teams at the top end of the league.  We are the kind of side who don't give opponents a minute and the better players don't like to be closed down and frustrated, which is what we do to them.  It must be the same against Clyde and I'm hoping we can build on our recent good displays. The cup can prove to be a welcome distraction, and we would like to go as far as we can.  I don't know the last time we won three games in a row, but it must be quite a while, so that is the incentive for all my players."

Apparently all the free buses running to tomorrow's cup tie are fully booked!

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