It's been eventful this season for many different reasons. No one can deny that. And on a personal note I can echo those sentiments. Putting my memories of following the Mighty Dossers down in print runs alongside those of a record 6-1 defeat of those dreaded Tuaregs fae the Gorgie, or the magnificent victories over Celtic and Rangers. Having my first publication dragged up in the papers can easily equate with the disastrous run we went on after the victory over Celtic.
Whilst I make no apologies for the book that outlines my time in the Saturday Service, similarly I feel, personally, the team can be excused somewhat from excessive criticism for the situation in which we find ourselves. We set out in August, or was it July, with a team full of youngsters with low expectations for the season ahead. Eleventh place was always the target and realistically we could expect nothing more. By all accounts we shouldn't even have been in the running but the boys have shown at times they have the potential to compete with the best. Unfortunately they have also shown they can slum it with the worst in the league as well.
Typically, there are featured within this issue a myriad of opinions and no censorship or fingers pointed from myself. Every 'Well fan is entitled to have their opinion whether I personally agree or not and I see my job as merely to provide that platform for opinions to be expressed. No punches thrown, sorry pulled (lapsing into my old ways for a minute there) Motherwell fans tell it like it is, the way they see it. There's no holding back when criticism is required that's for sure and that's no bad thing. I'll argue the point with best mates over Stevie Woods for instance but we'll not fall out because we all realise Motherwell is closest to our hearts in the end up.
Wherever we may be next season won't make the slightest bit of difference to me or many others who will follow Motherwell through thick or thin. In fact relegation might help to sort out the wheat from the chaff in terms of the most ardent of supporters. But we have a good hard core of passionate fans and we will come out stronger, sometimes fanzines prosper in adversity. I don't really want to test that theory but you can be sure your views will still be getting an airing next season, no matter what!
Enjoy the rest of the season like it's your last, you never know what's round the corner.
Up The 'Well
Mj