The riches that would follow from a win on Thursday evening easily outstrip any windfall in Motherwell’s history. The anticipated bonus from UEFA, TV income and gate money for the victors will easily exceed £1M and secure the club’s finances. The increased profile that will flow from our participation in the group stage will benefit us for years to come.
The beauty of the match is that we have nothing to lose but everything to gain.
This is no relegation decider, if we don’t progress then we can look back on a six game run that prepared us for the start of the SPL campaign and provided some fine entertainment on the way.
Craig Brown choose to rest Murphy, Craigan, Lasley and Sutton for Sunday’s game at Kilmarnock. That we fielded a weakened side for an SPL fixture underlines the importance that the club places on the match against Odense.
Jennings’ indiscretions in the first leg mean that he is suspended and a change is forced in our midfield. It might mean a start for Forbes, CB was impressed with his contribution on Sunday. A reshuffle involving Page is another possibility.
Blackman’s goal at the weekend will do his chance of a game no harm but it is more likely that he’ll come off the bench.
Odense have their own issues to consider. Absalonsen is injured and will be missing while Gislason has travelled with the squad and has started light training. Our opponents played Brøndby at the weekend and Kalilou, who did not play against us last week, impressed with his defensive qualities.
The tie is delicately poised. If we were to win 1-0 we would go through but a 3-2 win would see us lose. A big home crowd will create a fine atmosphere at Fir Park and with any luck we’ll be in Friday’s draw but we may have to endure some extra time after a 2-1 win after 90 minutes.