LASTSEASON
PREMIERSHIP 8th SCOTTISH CUP Fourth Round
LEAGUE CUP Quarter-Finals TOP SCORER David Turnbull (15)FourFourTwo Season Preview 2019-20 91MOTHERWELL
SEASOn PREVIEW
FFTVERDICT
9TH FFT VERDICT
7TH
The exits of Craig Halkett, Declan
Gallagher and Liam Kelly have left
a huge void to fill but, with a little
transfer nous, manager Gary Holt
has proved that he can craft a fit,
organised and effective Livingston
side which will bag enough points
to survive. There’s a lot to admire.Although their close-season was
dominated by the on-off David
Turnbull transfer saga, Motherwell
quietly completed a swathe of
business very early, with Denmark
international Casper Sloth the
standout among a host of new
faces. The Steelmen look strong.This season will be different because
our squad is now weaker, losing key
players like Craig Halkett, Liam Kelly,
Declan Gallagher and Shaun Byrne.
I won’t be happy unless we maintain
our top-flight status.
Our most underrated player is Scott
Robinson, who always gives 100 per
cent despite not always being picked.
Look out for Scott Tiffoney, a winger
who signed from Morton and showed
promise towards the end of last year.
The best away ground is Tynecastle.
Seeing their seething faces after both
0-0 draws last season was incredible.
The best away fans are Motherwell’s,
who bring everything the ‘bigger’ clubs
do, minus vandalism and controversy.
The player I’d happily drive to
another club is Gregg Wylde – hasn’t
worked out and likely on good money.
The opposition player I secretly
admire is Glen Kamara – signed from
Dundee for £50,000 in January and
an absolute Rangers bargain. Class.The pantomime villain will be every
referee. They are horrendous.
Save the date for St Mirren at home
[August 31]. Early into the season but
we need to beat the teams around us.
The best club social media account
is @CallumCarson34 – a journalist for
the local paper who keeps fans up to
date with all the news. Great guy, too.
The best thing about the matchday
experience at Livingston is the
iconic pre-game anthem by Starbeat.
Pure synth-pop brilliance. Seriously.
The signature local dish is one of
three McDonald’s within a mile radius
in the town centre. Ideal for topping
up your cholesterol levels.
The other recommendation for
away fans is to go round every single
roundabout in the town. The shopping
centre is all right too, I guess.
Our key players will be Scott Pittman
[above] and Keaghan Jacobs – both
midfield ever-presents last season.
The fans’ opinion of the gaffer is
that Gary Holt [below] did a brilliant
tactical job to seal survival. He could
now do with putting together a strike
partnership for a better goal threat.
We’ll finish 10th.This season will be different because
manager Stephen Robinson [above]
has abandoned ‘hoofball’ in favour of
a 4-3-3 dominating midfield. More
entertainment and (hopefully) wins.
Our most underrated player is keeper
Mark Gillespie, who steadied the ship
after Trevor Carson contracted deep
vein thrombosis back in December.
He helped us climb away from danger.
Look out for local lad Dean Cornelius.
The midfielder, 18, came off the bench
in the final game of last season.
The best away fans are St Mirren’s –
good numbers, with a sense of reality.
The opposition player I secretly
admire is Ross County midfielder
Michael Gardyne. A great professional.
The pantomime villain will be Scott
Brown, as always, or his new manager
at Celtic, Neil Lennon.
The one change I’d make to the club
would be for the Well Society to be
more open, and meet more regularly
with, members and club investors.Save the date for the derbies with
Hamilton. The Accies are established
in the Premiership and there’s real
tension to be the Pride of Lanarkshire.
The best Well social account is
@MFCPodcast86. Never short of an
opinion or two, the guys also raise
money for local good causes.
The best thing about the matchday
experience at Motherwell is mingling
in the Cooper Bar before the game in
a safe family environment. The Indian
Villa does a great post-match curry.
Did you know that Motherwell used
to tour South Africa, South America
and Europe in the 1920s and ’30s, and
even beat Barcelona and Real Madrid
along the way.
Our key player will be Richard Tait
[below], another unsung hero who
gets up and down from full-back.
The fans’ opinion of the gaffer is on
the turn. There had been calls for his
head, but after a Scottish Cup defeat
to Ross County he changed the shape
and put his faith in younger players.
We’re now much more fun to watch.
If he left, he should be replaced by
assistant (and legend) Keith Lasley.
We’ll finish 7th.FAn FILE
GRAHAM BARNSTAPLE
@grahamb2105FAn FILE
CIARAN VAUGHAN
@ciaranrdvLIVInGSTOn
LAST SEASON PREMIERSHIP 9th SCOTTISH CUP
Fourth Round LEAGUE CUP Second Round TOP SCORERS
Craig Halkett, Ryan Hardie, Scott Pittman (7)