August 2002 Wednesday, August 21
7pm
The club are advertising a special offer for season ticket holders. For twenty quid they will personalise your season ticket seat with a gold member nameplate for a 10 year period. Tempted? Nah, didn’t think so.
11.30am
Speaking in today’s local press, Terry Butcher reveals that he is set to strengthen his forward line by bringing in a new striker before Sunday’s match with Dundee Utd:
“Weve got a couple of things on the go just now and I hope to have a new face in before the weekend. Its no secret were a bit short of cover upfront, so Im trying to strengthen this area before the transfer deadline, although it will only be a loan deal.”
Butcher also commented on the recent offer from Preston for James McFadden:
“Preston put in a written offer for James, but it was very poor and we turned it down immediately. They have not came back with an improved over and, to be honest, Ill be glad when the transfer deadline arrives, so all this speculation surrounding him will stop. We know hell move eventually, but he is enjoying his football here and wants to stay.”
Terry then looked ahead to the Dundee Utd game, and says he has already told his players to expect a backlash following the Tannadice side’s thrashing at Celtic Park:
“After losing at Celtic I fully expect Dundee Utd to come out all guns blazing. They have some quality players and everyone will be desperate to bounce back as quickly as possible. United are a very tough team at home and well have to be at our best, but everyone is looking forward to the game. The result against Kilmarnock was excellent and I think it shows the team is now beginning to grow in stature and confidence. Our start to the season has been good compared to Motherwell teams in the past and everyone will have received a confidence boost from beating Kilmarnock, so its important we keep up this momentum against Dundee Utd on Sunday.”
The Motherwell boss was delighted with the performance of his players in last week’s game at Rugby Park:
“It was unique experience for us having to play against ten, then nine and then eight men. After they went down to nine it was a completely different game and it forced us to change our system. All you can do in this situation is try to keep on doing the things you did before, as well as keeping up your concentration. Kilmarnock did come into the game more, but the goal really helped to settle us and, overall, it was a good team performance. Both William and Shaun did really well when they came on for the second-half and werent phased by everything that was happening in the game. I must admit, I feared the worst at half-time when we had to bring the youngsters on, but we started the second-half well and took the game to them while Kilmarnock really shot themselves in the foot and handed us the initiative we needed.”
However, Butcher was unhappy with the four bookings his side picked up:
“We got David Partridge and William Kinniburgh booked for fouls which I can accept, but it was disappointing to see James McFadden and Stephen Pearson booked for dissent. With such a small squad we cant really afford for players to be suspended for such a stupid thing as this and the players have got to learn they cant get away with it.”
Terry also confirmed that both Stevie Hammell and Scott Leitch should be fit for the Dundee Utd game.
Andy Goram has quit his coaching role at Motherwell to concentrate on playing for new club Queen of the South
Time for a new Opinion Poll!