8pm

This is the first opportunity I've had to update the website since yesterday's 2-0 cup win over Clyde, and I suppose all I can say is that the result was far more important than the performance.  The scoreline probably flattered us a little, and at the end of the day the only difference between the sides was that we took our chances and Clyde didn't.  For that we had James McFadden to thank, and I suppose its the sign of a class player that he didn't have one of his better games yesterday but still produced two superb finishes to take us through to the next round.  The defense was fairly solid, with Corrigan and Hammell in particular outstanding, but the midfield was once again sadly found to be wanting and for long periods of the game was simply overrun by their opposite numbers.  Still, can't complain too much as we never really looked in any danger of losing the tie.  Here's hoping for a home game in the Quarter Final draw, which will be held at 6.45pm tomorrow evening.

Finally, I can't let yesterday's game pass without mentioning the huge traveling support we took through to Broadwood yesterday.  There must have been at least 3,000 of us, which resulted in long queues at the turnstiles as early as 2.25pm!  For some reason though, we generated very little in the way of atmosphere, but it was still great to see 'Well fans occupying two stands and vastly outnumbering the home support.  Clearly the initiative of running free buses has been a great success, although its just a pity that from an administrative point of view the club still can't get things right.  I had phoned up earlier in the week to book seats for myself and a few mates, but upon arriving at Fir Park yesterday lunchtime I was told my name wasn't on the list and I couldn't travel!

On the plus side though, I had a quid on McFadden to score first and Motherwell to win 2-0 at odds of 34-1, so it wasn't a bad old day really.

Here's a nice little double-header for you (oo-er missus) - Ricky's reports of both the Clyde and Dunfermline games.  I'm afraid technical problems had prevented the Pars report from appearing online before now.

Terry Butcher was delighted with the performance of his matchwinner yesterday, and said:
"I don't think he argued with the referee so maybe it's a new James McFadden. I hope so and I think he's learned his lesson.  I've told him not to say anything to referees and he's taken that on board.  It's a good start for him and I hope he'll be there for the rest of the season.  I think he's spent too much time out looking at things rather than being on the pitch.  I was pleased with him although he's not fit. He was struggling with a hamstring but we kept him on because you know he can score.

"There's no doubt that I was going to play him today. It was difficult to break up the Stevie Craig and David Clarkson partnership because that was blossoming well but James is a big occasion player.  It was his first game for a while and it was good to see him on the pitch for us because we know he's a match winner.  But credit to Clyde. They played football, tried to play football and had the chances in the end to have got the goal which would have made the last 10 minutes tasty.  So it was a banana skin and luckily we've come through that. We're in the quarter-finals of the cup and I look forward to the draw.  If we can get any team at home, and play them on the beach at Fir Park then we'll be delighted."

Noticed Maurice Malpas going in to Broadwood yesterday to watch the game.  Apparently he will be official announced as our new assistant manager tomorrow.  George Adams was also among the 'Well fans at the game, so I guess his move to Rangers has still to be finalised.

Another snippet of news from last week that I forgot to mention earlier.  Man of the moment James McFadden has signed a lucrative deal with sports giants Adidas, and will be at the forefront of the company's advertising campaign in Scotland.  And still of the subject of Faddy, apparently he is suffering from a slight hamstring injury and might be withdrawn from the Scotland 'Future' squad to play in Turkey on Tuesday night. 

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