After a hectic couple of weeks, 'Well fans can look forward to a game at Fir Park on Tuesday. There's no pressure on the team but the supporters need to turn out in numbers for the visit of Italian side Chievo.
Chievo are in the country to play Dundee but they have agreed to come to Fir Park as well in a bid to help out our financial situation. Chievo is a small suburb of Verona and they are currently enjoying an astonishing debut season in Serie A. A town of 2,900 will be represented in European competition next year and depending on the final day results, they may even be in the Champions League. To do as well as they have in Italian football requires an exceptional level of performance and they should draw a big crowd. That's a very good thing, because getting a large crowd into Fir Park happens to be just what the club needs at the moment. 'Well fans must turn out in numbers and show that they are willing to support the local side. Potential buyers must be convinced that the town can support a football club, ideally in the top flight. Regardless of the rights and wrongs of the Airdrie situation, it remains a fact that they couldn't attract more than a couple of thousand people to their games. We must not be like that. While our situation appears to be far from terminal, everyone must realise that there is a lot of work to be done and that involves turning out to matches and encouraging 'lapsed' fans back to Fir Park. The game and result is irrelevant. This is a very good thing because anything other than an absolute thrashing would be a pleasant surprise. While most of our starting eleven will be recognisable, we will have a small problem with the defence. In releasing Ready and Strong and with Deloumeaux still considering his position, we have all but axed our first choice back three in one swoop. An impressive feat, I'm sure you'll agree. The first option that springs to mind to solve our defensive crisis is a back four of Ramsay, Corrigan, Dempsie and Hammell. Hardly a line that fills you with confidence for the SPL, never mind crack Italian opposition. Then there is the midfield. McFadden, Adams, Pearson and Elliott? (Lasley is believed to be injured). But what of the opposition? The 'flying donkeys' lead Serie A by a point in December and though they have slipped a bit during the last couple of months they have performed well above expectation for their first season in the big time. Fifteen years ago they were in the amateur leagues. The collective value of their team is reckoned to be around £30m (less than Juve's goalie, Buffon). Their president dreams to have a trip with the squad for a cup match or friendly in a British stadium - which stadium is 'not a problem' he insists - although if pressed "Leyton, Preston or Stirling Albion would be nice." Those flying donkeys are heading for the big time at last! They will be at Fir Park on Tuesday - be there! |