In his latest blog, Neil Doncaster correctly points out that all the work done on our pitch over the summer was done "in conjunction with the SPL's own specialists". Their involvement in the works was crucial given the poor history of the pitch but it does imply that they must share responsibility for approving the building of the new pitch.
Great works in progress
The chief executive points out that, until recently, the pitch was rated 4.5 out of 5 by their delegates. Since the dreaded snows arrived the pitch has been passed as fit by every SFA referee on every occasion yet Doncaster says that it is "unfir for SPL football". Of course we can agree that the pitch is in trouble but his suggestion that this week's game was at risk is nonsense.
The wet weather which descended on the park today (Wednesday) will help the surface no end. The root zone, parched from weeks of baking on top of the undersoil heating will soak up the moisture and firm up. The club has been working of the worst areas all week.
Maybe the Motherwell pitch has been too easy a target and the new man at the helm couldn't resist the opportunity to grab a headline or two.
Perhaps he would be better addressing some of the major issues affecting SPL clubs. The list of tasks might include youth development, crazy pricing, late call-offs and most important, the deteriorating status of Scottish clubs in European football. Some drum beating in these areas would be welcome.
Here are a few quotes from the blog….
"After the events of last season, when Motherwell's pitch caused serious concern, the Fir Park pitch was ripped up. In conjunction with the SPL's own specialists, a programme of reconstruction work took place, at huge expense to Motherwell, last summer."
"We have inspected the pitch twice over the last week, since the Hibernian game there on Saturday. And we have met with representatives from Motherwell, including their head groundsman and pitch experts that have been brought in by the Club. Motherwell are undertaking an extensive (and expensive) series of remedial works this week. The Club have given firm assurances that the remedial works will give the pitch far more stability and will be safe for play this weekend. On that basis, we have decided to allow the match against Kilmarnock to go ahead at Fir Park.
However, we will be sending our pitch experts to review the state of the surface pre-match, during the game and post-match. If the remedial works prove insufficient to create a safe, stable, adequate surface, we will revisit the situation next week."
The blog in full can be read here.