Prediction v Dunfermline (h)

Last updated : 17 February 2003 By Phil Swainston

OK, so centre halves with the turning circle and pace of a double decker bus would hate playing on such a surface but it was always entertaining just spending ninety minutes watching the pros of the time struggling just to stay on their feet.

Football is just too sanitised these days. All the risk is taken out. Lets get back to the days when you were only allowed to name two subs and occasionally an outfield player would find himself in goals after an injury to the keeper. That was always fun! I also hate the squad system. Get team sheets back to 1-11. Last season I heard a commentator utter the statement that “Neil Lennon had made the number 19 shirt his own”! Who the hell wants the 19? Back to the days please when if you were handed 12 or 14 you knew you were on the bench. Goalkeepers we all know are over protected these days so lets ban the wearing of those ridiculous shovels some people call gloves and see how they cope.

More importantly we need three points on Wednesday night against Dunfermline. McFadden has to sit tight a little longer before we can unleash him again but Lehmann will hopefully be fully recovered from injury. The Pars will be determined to win to keep up the pressure on Hearts in third but they have been fairly inconsistent recently throwing in the occasional dire performance after a decent win. Signs, perhaps, of yet another side with plenty of ability up front but not too clever at the back.

It’s going to be another tight, nervy affair with the points shared at the end of the evening.

Motherwell 1 - 1 Dunfermline