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10.20pm
The Official Site confirms that the CIS League Cup tie against Airdrie will
go ahead at New Broomfield on Tuesday, September 25th with a 7.30pm
kick-off. On hearing news of the draw, Pat Nevin said:
"Great draw, great atmosphere for players and fans alike, although a
tough game! This derby match is one which will have the whole club
"buzzing" and we will look forward to it, maybe with even more relish
than any other tie."
Andy Dow and Roberto Martinez were present at this week's press
conference, and Dow insisted that talk of a crisis at Fir Park was premature:
"It is too early to talk about a crisis. There have been
only six games, and we have played well in parts of games. But we have
just not done it over a whole game, and that is what we have been working hard
on. We are confident but we need to perform over 90 minutes and get one
result - then take it from there." When asked
about the League Cup draw, Andy replied:
"It is a good one for the fans but it could have been
better for us. It is a difficult one, but we are looking forward to it.
Everybody knows the start Airdrie have had. They are a whole new team with a lot
to prove to everyone. I don't think the fact that they are playing us will
mean they have anything to prove to themselves - they want to prove it to
everyone. But to get a good cup run is a confidence boost for league
performances - and we will be looking to do that.
"I scored against Rangers. But that is past history now, and we are looking
for a good cup run. Aberdeen were doing worse than Motherwell are doing at
the moment and we managed to reach two cup finals - which is just proof that you
are capable of beating anyone in one-off cup games." Roberto
Martinez was then asked about Sunday's game at Ibrox, to which he replied:
"It will be one of the biggest games of the season
for us. Every time you go to Ibrox or Parkhead this is something special in the
league. We are not going there just to enjoy a game of football or the
atmosphere we are really focused to go there and really try to get something
from the game." When asked about
the poor start to the season and why he thought it had happened, he responded:
"There is not only one thing when this happens it
is a lot of things. One being we have a lot of new faces and it is going to take
time to gel but if you see our training sessions you would know that there was
much potential. We also have several young players with quality and that is why
we want to get our first win as soon as possible. "Confidence
in the dressing room is very high but it can be improved with a win and there is
no better feed than a win and we know that we have to help each other even more
in these hard times to get that win. "I
think we have been lucky with the supporters. We have to be delighted with them
in that they have been patient so far and from the dressing room we want to say
keep supporting the team because we really really need you and all we ask is for
a bit of time and we shall reward you." Roberto
was then asked about the week's events in America, to which he replied:
"Well it makes you appreciate what you have here
and it makes us realise how lucky we are that we can go out with the family and
enjoy our lives. It is something to think about since it is one of the biggest
events in history and I think it makes you stronger and more focused in your
preparation for the match ahead." Assistant
Manager John Philliben gave the team news for Sunday:
"We have one or two players carrying slight
knocks. Obviously we are not going to name them but hopefully with the extra day
to recover we should manage to have a full strength squad. Greg Strong is
a possibility but again we shall have to wait and see. He has trained all week
but really not been tested in a game. It will depend on how he comes through a
practice match." It was then
pointed out that teams which have returned from Ibrox with points this season (Livigston
and Hibs) have gone there and attacked. Philliben was asked if Motherwell
would do the same, to which he responded:
“I think so at this stage of the season. Like
Roberto said earlier on there have been 8/9 new players brought in and I think
given time this team will gel together and will move Motherwell forward. The
Manager and Pat Nevin have worked extremely hard to bring these players in and
also are at the moment working extremely hard to try and bring in another one or
two players. The players are going to Ibrox on Sunday and as Roberto said
earlier they love to go and do well and hopefully we can do that on
Sunday."
Full details of the press conference are
available from the Official
MFC Site.
Oh dear. We've been drawn away to Airdrie
in his afternoon's League Cup Second Round draw, with the tie to be
played at New Broomfield on September 25/26.
Cast your vote in our Emergency Fans' Poll...
Is it time for Billy Davies to go?
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