As supporters start saving for the yet another European tour, they will look back over the season and find it hard to believe thatthe team has improved on last year’s third place.
The squad lost Jennings, Craigan and the rest before we started the current campaign unsure of our prospects. We were out of four cup competitions by the middle of December but showed consistency in the league. We have been in the top six throughout (excepting a one week absence) and now look certain to finish as runners up.
To crown it all the team has been playing with an entertaining and adventurous style that has now produced 60 goals, two short of last season’s total but with three games remaining. The confident passing and speed of movement that turns defence into attack has thrilled 'Well regulars and brought praise from many onlookers. Maybe there is hope for the Scottish game after all?
Quick fixers!
The troublesome advertising panel above the East Stand caused a short delay to the kick off and produced very long queues at the turnstiles. Those of a certain age will remember when it was routine to form a slow shuffle before gaining entry to watch the dazzling skills from the Ancel Babes. The modern high churn rate of players means that we'll not see a return to the stability of that era but it underlines the achievement of this group that they have gelled so well in a short time.
The season's work is not complete. We are a point short of the mathematical certainty of the second place finish and that might be achieved in Inverness next Saturday. The aggregate for the three meetings this season is, remarkably, 12-2, so it would seem that complacency is the most likely opponent.
Motherwell season tickets for 2013/14 are now on sale. They offer spectacular value and include free entry for U16s. There can be no better promotion for them that the stellar displays on offer on the Fir Park turf.