Looking back at McCall's settling period and forward to hampden on Sunday...
So, since my last Blog, my predictions haven't completely fallen apart. Reynolds left us for the heady heights of League One, Sheffield Wednesday forking out an "undisclosed fee" for him. A Scotland Cap is surely an inevitability now.
We also ground out a bore draw with Inverness in quite possibly one of the worst games I've ever witnessed at Fir Park. The only thing of note that I can recall is Foran missing a sitter when the returnign Shaun "The Bus" Hutchinson made his only mistake of the match.
Alas there was no Casagolda last minute equaliser, but his time will come...
Saturday's win over Hibs, a phrase which I love reading, writing and saying, was prefixed by one of the more embaraasing/ridiculous moments in the club's hsitory. The loan capture of Mike Grella from Leeds looked like it could have been a fruitful signing.
Having been on loan at Carlisle for the first half of the season, he seemed pleased to be in the SPL fighting for regular action, (According to Twitter anyway.) Holding a shirt was as close as he came to pulling one on though, as due to a FIFA loophole, his signing was to be short lived. As he had played for both Leeds and Carlisle this season, the rules dictate he could not play for a 3rd team in one season.
Cue the message boards and forums bashing everyone from McCall to Boyle to Dempster, claiming what an embarassment of a club we are. In my opinion, when whoever inquired about Grella was on the phone to Elland Road, someone should have said no from the get go. The player, the manager, and Leeds United must have known when and where ha had played and therefore should have kiboshed any move involving Grella.
Instead, Motherwell are made to look like plums in the media again and adds another chapter to one of the most disrupted seasons we have had in a while.
The win over Hibs, while not a surprise, was certainly one to savour. For a team with such "skilled" players as Riordan, Nish, Zemamma, Thompson et al, I don't know how they are so poor. If we had upped our game a bit, we could have taken more than 2 off them on Saturday. I'm still convinced that Graeme Smith still has a fondness for us, as thats twice he has chucked a goal in for us since he left.
From where I sit in the East, it looked like Hammell's free kick had gone straight in. My query was quashed on Twitter though when Murphy tweeted he wouldn't have claimed it had he not touched it. There was no doubt Saunders connected with Hammell's corner for the second goal.
Young Steve had a blinder on Saturday, his goal, getting forward and stopping anything down the left all contributed to a sterling performance. Along with Hutchinson, Page and Meechan, our youngsters all had solid games, hopefully showing that we can rely on them if the transfer window closes without more additons.
Steve Jones debut was competent. he reminded me of Jim O'Brien in that he wasn't scared to take players on, but maybe tried a bit too hard to start with. It remains to be seen how important a role he will play, but he made a decent start to his claret and amber career.
Zemamma's penalty miss was horrific. No doubt, Riordan would have buried it, but that was one of the worst penalties to ever end up in the away stand for quite some time.
The main plus point from Saturday was that we were back amongst the goals. Although they came from set pieces, they all count, and with results going our way for Kilmarnock, ICT and Dundee United, this may be the turning point we have needed. 1 Defeat from McCall's first games in charge doesn't look too bad now there's a win in there.
A midweek jaunt to Perth could be a tricky one. Do we go for the points against McInnes mob, or do we rest players ahead of the Semi on Sunday?
The CIS Cup Semi v Rangers is going to be a tough watch I feel. In both games agaisnt them so far this season, we have been in positions where they were there for the taking, only for us to capitulate. Sunday is no time to fall apart.
If Rangers win, then fair enough, that's a final for them, if they lose, it's only a Diddy Cup anyway. For us though, it's our first chance at Silverware for 6 years if we progress, and it's against the team that thwarted and humiliated us on that day.
A humping in a Cup Final is never nice, a humping in a Semi is worse. It shows that you have bottled the big challenge and shows you up for punching above your weight. For perennial underdogs like ourselves, we know we have a decent squad, but can we outpunch our heavyweight rivals.
In a one off game, I say yes. A (kinda) neutral venue, a wide park for Humphrey to wreak havoc on and an eligible Steve Jennings battling in the midfield, would hopefully quell any pumpings from Rangers. Do what they want to us in the league, but not in the Cup.
This Semi is the chance for players like Murphy, Humphrey, Jenno, and Hutchinson all to shine. It could be Craigan's last attempt at winning anything with us, and I believe his contrbution on Sunday will be pivotal. Whether it be in his own game or helping Hutch through it, he is the Captain, the one who loves the club. The man who punches a hole in his chest every game, indenting that Well badge firmly upon himself. He knows the importance of this semi. For the Club and for himself.
By no means will Sunday be a classic. If we are to get anything from it, I feel it will be a steal. a 1-0 or even a penalty shoot out win. Rangers struggled without Miller on Saturday, and with Naismith possibly an injury doubt, Weiss and Lafferty will probably be their danger men. Weiss ran us ragged at Ibrox, so he needs to be stopped if we are to have any chance.
I've predicted a Well win, as I believe we are due it, but it will be hard fought. Regardless of the outcome, I'll keep my head high come Monday morning, knowing that a trip to Hampden is not a regular occurence and that a win is even rarer.
The team know what they need to do, let's hope they do it.
Up The Well!
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