8.40pm

Missed the Hibs game yesterday as I was down at Old Trafford watching Man Utd v West Brom with a mate who'd won free tickets.  Man U played some good stuff and should have been around 4 or 5 goals up before West Brom sneaked an unlikely point courtesy of a dodgy penalty.  However, apart from the West Brom fans, the atmosphere was like a morgue.  My mate and I were in amongst the "prawn sandwich" brigade in the huge 3-tier North Stand, and I imagine it must be similar to being a Celtic or Rangers supporter whenever a team like Motherwell comes to visit.  There was no singing whatsoever, and the fans basically just sat back and waited for Man Utd to score a goal.  When it came, they cheered for a second or two and then sat down again and waited for goal number two.  When it didn't come, they started moaning, and with 5 mins still to go most of them were heading for the exits.  I know Fir Park isn't exactly known for its deafening noise, but at times yesterday I didn't feel like I was at a football match at all.

Anyway, yesterday I missed Motherwell's 2-2 draw with Hibs at Fir Park.  Sounded like an eventful game, with Stephen Craigan scoring twice (no, seriously) and Gordon Marshall saving a penalty before Hibs hit back with two late goals, the equaliser coming in the 90th minute.  Apparently we had a good shout for a penalty too.  Oh well, at least Scott McDonald was back in the team after injury.

Ricky's report of the game is available here.

Terry Butcher's post-match comments were as follows:
"We've had to cope with a system that doesn't really suit us and we've done it well.  Midfielders have been dropping like flies recently but the boys who have come in have done a good job.  We were up for this one, just as we were against Hearts last week. We had to be - they are both good sides and you only had to look at the players Hibs brought on to see that.  They never gave up and could even have snatched it at the end. It's disappointing not to win but when you consider the penalty miss and the saves Gordon Marshall made you have to be happy to an extent."

It seems that John Boyle has opened a real can of worms with his proposal to relocate Davie Cooper Stand season ticket for the final league game of the season against Celtic, with many supporters quite understandably up in arms at the decision.  

Terry Butcher got in on the act last week when he spoke to the Evening Times last week to back the plan:
"Any manager in the world would be interested in extra revenue and I am no different. Our squad is already very small and this money could mean another player in the summer.  It is perhaps a unique situation in football, but if there is a chance of extra funds I would be in favour of it."

The proposal prompted many 'Well fans into protesting at yesterday's game, with placards containing the simple message "NO" held up before kick-off and a few chants of "we shall not be moved."  This seemed to provoke an angry reaction from the normally mild-mannered Butcher!  He is quoted in today's press as saying:
"I'm disappointed it's taken a protest over the moving of some of the fans to get our crowd going.  The fans who were here certainly have the right to their opinion but it's the fans that weren't here that really disappoint me.  It was a very disappointing turnout and I'm not particularly happy about that.  We had a superb support at the CIS Cup final and my message to the fans would be to get behind the team.  We're in the top six and got to a Cup Final. What more do they want us to do?  We've got good exciting young players here, the future of the club is in good hands.  How much more do we have to do to get these fans back? Get off your backsides and get down to Fir Park."

MIOW!!!

The BBC website today contains the following quote from Butcher:
"If our fans don't want to do this I'll be disappointed.  If they move from the Cooper stand to the main stand, Celtic could have it as well as the South stand and that could make us £50,000 or £60,000, which is a wage or two wages for new players.

"The season-ticket holders have until Tuesday to vote.  If the majority say yes, they'll move. If the majority say no, they won't.   If they don't, there's going to be the problem of Celtic supporters buying tickets off Motherwell fans and sitting in beside them.   At least if Motherwell fans moved to the main stand, the Celtic fans could have the Cooper stand and the South stand.   Then, although they're at opposite ends of the ground, they could be properly policed and segregated. Otherwise there could be mayhem." 

With the vote almost certain to result in a resounding "no", it will be interesting to hear what JB and TB have to say after Tuesday.

The Official Site is carrying a photo of our new third strip for next season.. Personally, I think its absolutely minging!