9.50pm

Normal service was resumed as Motherwell went down 2-1 to a much hungrier looking Airdrie side at New Broomfield this evening. Exactly the same 11 players who produced such an excellent performance against Hearts at the weekend turned in a very poor display and Airdrie ran out deserved winners.

I think I knew it wasn't going to be our night when my mates and I missed the first 15 mins of the match after being held up in traffic due to the unusually LARGE Motherwell support. By the time we got into the ground we were 1-0 down, with Owen Coyle scoring from the spot after Karl Ready gave away a seemingly needless penalty kick. The rest of the half saw Motherwell huff and puff, and although we forced a series of corner kicks we rarely threatened the Airdrie 'keeper. Our tactic seemed to be to lump high ball after high ball up the park in the general direction of our strikers, a ploy which was easily dealt with by the towering Airdrie central defenders. Our midfield, which had performed so superbly against Hearts, was virtually non-existent tonight.

The second half looked as though it was going to be much of the same, however Motherwell managed to grab an equaliser out of virtually nothing after 56 mins. A goalmouth scramble resulted in Kelly heading the ball into the net, although it appeared as if it had already crossed the line and was eventually given as a Stewart og. The 'Well fans were hoping that we would go on and win the game, but it was Airdrie who still appeared to have the upper hand at this point, and they still looked the side more likely to score again. Indeed, just when it appeared that we were heading for extra time, Airdrie grabbed a winner when a dangerous ball into the box was prodded past his own goalkeeper by Keith Lasley.

It really was back down to earth with a bump for the large travelling support tonight. All the talk after the game surrounded Airdrie manager Ian McCall and whether or not he was about to be appointed as our new boss. I don't know who will get the job, but it looks as though whoever it is will have a hard job keeping us in the SPL if tonight's performance is anything to go by.

Pat Nevin Interview - Part 1

Motherwell's Director of Football recently agreed to a question and answer session with Ricky and myself.  The first part of the interview is reproduced below with more to follow later in the week.  We'd like to thank Pat for taking time out to answer our questions at what must be an extremely busy time for him.

Q1: How are the plans for the Youth Academy progressing? Are we getting any assistance with the funding? Can you give us some information on the facilities that will be provided (and perhaps a timescale)?

A: Timescale is hard and at the moment we are on the brink of announcing the new youth development manager. That is taking precedence. Alisdair Barron is looking closer at the academy possibilities and as ever funding is the biggest problem, but we will press ahead when we can.

Q2: A number of people have been linked with the vacant Youth Development Manager’s position recently (e.g. Tommy Coyne, Steve Mungall and Billy Stark). Can you give us an update on this situation? Has a short list of candidates been drawn up and when can we expect an appointment to be announced?

A: By the time you read this a decision will have been made probably. We will put it on the website right away.

Q3: The Old Firm. Should they go, and what impact would it have if they were to leave the Scottish game?

A: I've felt for quite a while that if they go then so be it. Scottish football will see some benefits as well as some negative aspects. I am not afraid of them going, but while they are here I would like them to continue to be dedicated to the good of Scotland, Scottish football and the SPL.

Q4: The TV deal. What was your opinion on the Old Firm claim of 40% each, and would you consider the 25% they are to get (compared to the 5% the other 10 teams will receive) either adequate or still excessive?

A: I don't think it was a big secret that we felt we deserved a fair share of the takings and were very very strong on this. Happily there seems to have been a deal agreed with the clubs.

Q5: What is your honest opinion of ‘Well fans, particularly the home support, given the bad press we have been receiving recently (i.e. the Townsley affair). Is it true that undercover stewards were placed in the East Stand last season in an attempt to identify the "boo boys"?

A: There is no point in complaining about the 'boo boys'. They pay there money and are entitled to a view. It would be easier for players to have full backing from everyone all the time but this is the real world we are in. One thing for sure is that the Motherwell fans to a man and woman gave the lads fantastic backing on Saturday against Hearts and long may that continue.

Q6: Are you pleased with our home attendances, bearing in mind we have the cheapest season ticket prices in the SPL? Will there be any further initiatives to attract new fans to Fir Park?

A: Not really but it is up to us to get better home results and hopefully that along with our other ideas will bring people back.

Q7: How would you assess our start to the season?

A: Not good enough as recent events have shown. The board felt action had to be taken and as such it was and is being taken.

Q8: Now that the wage bill has been reduced, are we still losing money and relying on JB putting his hand in his pocket every month? Or are we now self-sufficient and living within our means?

A: We are on a more sound footing financially but we still need the fans to turn up in as large numbers as possible to gave us as much financial support as possible. JB will back the club of course financially but not to the level of losing millions of pounds every season. I fully accept and understand this.

Q9 :Was a move to Ravenscraig ever considered, especially with the Euro 2008 bid?

A: Yes like many other things that sound far fetched there was discussion about it. But nothing went very far at all. We are hopefully radical and far thinking enough to take on board all suggestions and consider them fully.

Q10: Has John Boyle ever discussed, at any level, the possibility of a takeover of Airdrie or the purchase of New Broomfield?

A: JB would know more about that than me.

Stevie Hammell believes the players would like to see Miodrag Krivokopic and John Philliben handed the manager's post on a joint full-time basis:
"Everybody gets on well with them.  The players don't decide, but they'll back whoever the new manager is. The players have got great respect for them so if they were appointed the managers I'm sure none of the players would argue."

"We definitely regret not winning for him (Billy Davies). He's been brilliant to everybody here and it was sad to see him go. He didn't bring me here, but he gave me my chance in the first team and maybe if it was a different manager here maybe I wouldn't have got my chance and I'd be somewhere else now."

"I really couldn't tell you what the difference was.  I don't know if the boys were more relaxed or there was less pressure on us. Maybe we thought the new manager was watching the game and we tried to prove something already. The boys played brilliantly, but I honestly don't know what the reason was for the difference."

"It was crucial to win before the Airdrie game.  The longer it went on without us winning the harder it would be for us. But it was a great win for us and we played some great stuff and hopefully we can play like that in Tuesday's game. 

"The pressure is definitely off us now. You don't want to be going into this game without a win and it was a great win for us. We really did play some good stuff as well as winning.  

"I think if we win we're expected to win, but if they win the pressure's on us again. But I'm sure we can get a victory."

Miodrag Krivokapic revealed that Motherwell should be unchanged tonight from the team that beat Hearts on Saturday. When asked if he would be interested in the manager's job if offered it by John Boyle, he replied:
"I'm not thinking about that. Me and John Philliben both have jobs to do at the moment. We started that on Saturday. We are here to do a job and I like coaching, it's the best part of football to go and train with them and take part. That's what I want. We have jobs to do and I just want to get on with the job."

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