GLF 65: Ricky's Rant

Ricky's Rant

SEEMS TO have been a long, long Summer, and a pretty dismal one at that on the weather front but it's been another Summer of change at Fir Park and, from the looks of things, for the better. After a somewhat disappointing year last season (and that's to say the VERY least), there's realistic hope for the future, and it looks like we have a lot to look forward to.

Maurice Malpas was, in a lot of people's eyes, never the right man for the job and so it turned out. Stories abound of unrest behind the scenes right from day one, and given the way the team has turned around with the minimum of changes it's fair to say the previous regime had a lot to do with that. Whilst any new Manager must be given time to turn things round about, to impose his own "brand" on the team, it was fairly clear from the beginning that things weren't right. On many an occasion players were being played way out of position, people looked far from fit, and they looked disinterested and lacklustre.

We had the disastrous start to the season which almost caused us our Premier League status and, given Dunfermline's terrible start, we have indeed been fortunate to survive despite the Malpas year. I was down South when Yir Elder telephoned the news to me. Walking down a Derby high street, resplendent in my newly obtained Motherwell shirt, I had a few strange looks from folk walking by as I let out a roar and danced about delighted at the news. Some hated Malpas, and they took it a bit far with the personal attacks on his family. But you could understand the delight in most when he did leave Fir Park. We would undoubtedly have been favourites for relegation this season had Malpas still been in charge. There was no direction in the team; no one seemed to know where they were to play or what to do on the park. The Manager sat motionless in the dugout on many an occasion and, whilst it's fair to say that ranting and raving is about as effective as sitting doing nothing, I'd say it's the impression it gives to players and fans alike which speaks volumes.

Players are surely more likely to react to a rocket from the Manager rather than seeing him sit arms folded, after conceding goals. Only thanks to Dunfermline changing Manager about two weeks later than they should have we survived. It was amazing to see the quite visible lift when Malpas left, although that put a little period of uncertainty in with the search for a new man.

And with it, we have definitely got our hands on a winner. Mark McGhee is everything Malpas wasn't. He's a winner, a hard worker and a good tactician. The players are far fitter than they have ever been. We play for the full match now instead of looking like a Marathon has been attempted in just 90 minutes. Guys like Steve McGarry are virtually new signings; he's been absolutely fantastic in the opening stages of the season. It's all down to the Manager. Malpas did himself no favours in my opinion, and the past 12 months have already been consigned to the bad memory banks, which won't be visited very often. Football is a game we all love and take on board so seriously, and it's amazing just how much it can go from being despairing to delighting. Two games in, two wins, joint top of the league. Go back a year. Two games, two defeats, no hope and nothing to be remotely excited about. You'd have thought we signed a whole new team. Take the game against Inverness. In the corresponding fixture a year back we were well and truly pumped 4-1. Going one down so late, had that been 12 months ago, we'd have lost perhaps another one or two in meekly succumbing to defeat. Not the new Motherwell. We still believe we can win, and take all three points by refusing to be beaten. At Love Street the previous week a brilliant team-goal then supported by fantastic defending throughout the remainder of the match at a place we have rarely done well in recent years. All about belief, a hard to install attribute which Mark McGhee, Scott Leitch and co have managed to build into our lads. A lot to look forward to, that's for sure.

At long last the Motherwell Masters became Scottish Champions at the fourth time of asking in a never-to-be forgotten night in the Braehead arena. The past two seasons have seen Motherwell play the best football but fail to turn up for the final, but you had the feeling the whole time, from when we all gathered at Jack Daniels to the final whistle, that this was the year we'd finally do it. Over 100 Motherwell fans made the journey through and we all took our place in what is now the Motherwell end at Braehead; we've made it our own for sure. Loud, vocal, and colourful, you can tell we are in town and on TV it certainly looked brilliant, receiving lots of plaudits. And, like the Motherwell team of now, the Masters refused to be buckled during two of the three games. Twice Rangers levelled, but, as always, the last-minute winner against an Old Firm team is special and this was no different. Thanks though to Nicky Walker for allowing Owen Coyle a tap-in to complete his hat trick! Rarely will you see such a half in indoors footie dominated by one team and yet no goals scored, and this was certainly the case in the game against St Mirren. It was virtually 90% possession but the Masters just couldn't break through, though in the second half a peach from Coyle set us up for a fine 2-0 win to reach the final again. It looked to be a cruise against Celtic as we strolled 2-0 up, but they hit back to lead 3-2. The spirit kicked in and it was 4-3 Motherwell with little time left, with Celtic nabbing a late equaliser, somewhat undeservedly, to join us in the final.

After watching St Mirren beat Rangers, the scene was set for Motherwell to at long last do the needful. Dominating, we went ahead but conceded an equaliser to, of all people, Darren Jackson near the end of the first half. He's one of those players who seem to revel in winding up opposing fans, and he took great delight in scoring. Can't think if he was as happy after the end of the match. Motherwell were rampant, Coyle completed his second hat trick of the tournament, and it was 5 going on 7 or 8-1 to Motherwell at the end of a fantastic show of football from our Masters team. It was delirium in the Motherwell end; perhaps it should be nicknamed "The Cage" in honour of our own former Cage in the East Stand. And with the trophy, Owen Coyle took Player of the Tournament as well as top scorer, and qualification for the finals in Manchester in September. Motherwell have been drawn against Manchester United and must be in with a great chance of winning. They look fit, organised, and play some fantastic stuff and if you haven't seen the guys in action, you're missing out. Even if you cannot make the Finals, get along to Braehead next summer for what is a great day out seeing some real heroes. We had the perhaps unusual sight of some Buddies coming up to us at the end of the tournament to congratulate us, and wish us all the best for final. Funnily enough, none of the Celtic or Rangers fans seemed as gracious in defeat. Highlight for me, and many others though, was Jamie Dolan putting a seal on the final with his goal. The sheer delight on his face just said exactly what we were all thinking, a true legend of the fans. Have to say though, Kenny Black's tackle on Durie must've came a close second! What a night!

Although the season is still in it's infancy, the confidence in the squad is clearly high and the fans are beginning to get a little bit excited about what could be ahead. We've a long way to go, and things won't always go right, but I think given last season we could be excused for being a bit cock-a-hoop. The Motherwell Rollercoaster is again on the way up, let's continue to back it and give Mark McGhee and the players the support and backing they need. It's surely what we are all about.

Awrabest,

Ricky Mullen