Firstly there was the news that Stevie Woods and Dirk Lehmann were being freed. Neither have been outstanding this season but both performed reasonably enough and we are not overflowing with experience. Nevertheless, the decision to move them on in an attempt to improve the team could not be condemned. What is worrying though, are the stories that are leaking from Fir Park about the manner of their departures.
Woods was recently made the offer of a new deal, with coaching thrown in, and allegedly paid the deposit for the a new house on the strength of this. Dirk Lehmann was strongly encouraged during the season to move from Edinburgh to Motherwell. After his initial protestations, he was assured he would be around for at least another season and a house was duly purchased. FPC understands that Dirk and Butcher had a falling out that made the Eric Black/David Kelly disagreement look like a lovers’ tiff.
With Woods being released, it looked as though Frankie DuBourdeau would be our main ‘keeper for next season. He’s been shaky recently but some wonderful saves against Livingston ensured the fans were not totally disappointed he had been offered a two year deal. But, like Woods, when he went to Fir Park to sign the contract, he was told it was no longer available and he had no future at the club.
While some of the details maybe sketchy, it seems undeniably clear that the club have been mucking players about and behaving in an unacceptable manner. What’s prompted these actions? There are a number of possibilities.
1) Butcher is an appalling man manager and arguably a downright liar. This cannot be! In addition, the prospect of Butcher offering contracts only to whip them away seems nothing short of absurd. Does he have a string of replacements ready and waiting now that our SPL survival has been confirmed?
2) The financial situation is worse than we have been led to believe and we can no longer afford to offer the contracts. Considering that we have been operating at a small profit for months, had a cash windfall from a semi final and we will probably sell McFadden in the summer, the chances of us not being in so much bother we can’t afford Lehmann, Woods and DuBourdeau are remote.
3) The financial situation is better than we have been led to believe and since we can afford better players, we do not need the three that are departing. Hardly totally convincing, we may be able to offer slightly more money now but the chances of actually attracting several better players are slim. The released trio are also good value for money and it is unthinkable we would gamble on wages again.
5) Terry Butcher is on his way and a new manager has already been identified. The new man has seen us play recently and was eager to get shot of three players he is not keen on keeping. It looks bad the way it’s been done but it frees up space in the dressing room for the new gaffer’s own players.
6) Ian McCaldon, freed from Oxford, and Andy Reid of Nottingham Forest were targets of Butcher. Both have now agreed to move to Fir Park and as such the two ‘insurance’ goalies, Woods and Frankie, are no longer needed.
Take your pick!