MOTHERWELL FC: A FAIRLY DRAUGHT FREE TRANSFER WINDOW…
It’s February 2nd and Motherwell FC have just closed what was a fairly quiet, but eventful transfer window. A time of year which usually sees a mass panic amongst certain clubs over expected losses of players, a period of excitement for those who usually make some key additions to their squads, or, if you’re a Motherwell fan, a month of hoping not to lose key players, and not expecting to bring many in.
The summer transfer window always seems to be more fruitful down Fir Park way, as the players brought in are done so to shape the season ahead. It is very rare that a winter window signing goes on to make much of an impact at Motherwell. In past years, the likes of Chris Porter, Lukas Jutkiewicz, Nick Blackman, Darren Randolph, Steve Jennings, Tom Hateley, Nicky Law etc have all been summer signings who have had decent short and long term success at The Well. With the exception of Scott McDonald, we’ve never really brought in anyone influential post Christmas.
The likes of Allan Gow, Trevor Molloy, Danny Murphy, something Keegan, Lewis Grabban and a host of other players surplus to their teams mid season, have failed to make much of an impact in the run in. It could be argued that Gavin Gunning bucked that trend last year, but his indifferent displays, may have led him to Tannadice instead of Lanarkshire this season.
However, the one signing we have made permanent as of today, could be one of the most significant in the club’s recent history. Henrik Ojamaa has committed himself to a 2 and a bit year contract, tieing him to the club which has already propelled him in to the SPL spotlight. In just 4 games and 2 starts, Henrik has notched 4 goals and 3 assists, and by unleashing the guns, has become a firm fan’s favourite. In the space of a month, he has become the sparkiest thing at Fir Park for an age.
His tenacity, his strength, his speed, his link up play, has all been spot on so far. He has created a buzz around the club and has lifted the fans, particularly those who have been going to home games all season, out of a slump in confidence in the team. Just short of 2 weeks ago, Motherwell had slumped to the lowly depths of 5th in the table on goal difference. Enter Ojamaa, and we are now 6 points clear in 3rd place, still with a game in hand. 7 points from 9 and 6 of those at home, scoring just as many goals, shows there has been a marked improvement from pre Ojamaa times.
Our mini Christmas slump was enough to get the boo boys out in force, but any Motherwell fan will tell you that December is never a good month for us. In the last 2 season’s we have lost our manager around Christmas time, which has caused a shake up. This season, we suffered a temporary blip in form since losing 3 league games on the bounce. Those games weren’t games we had a right to win.
Hearts away on Christmas Eve was always going to be a toughy, Ibrox (as has been the case for 15 years) was never going to see us bounce back, and Inverness needed a Tade wonder goal to beat us. However, since little Henrik burst on to the scene against Queen’s Park, the bite and grit in the team has been upped, and has turned our home form around in the space of a week.
Early on against Dunfermline, we were down to 10 men, yet dominated the game for spells amd scored 3 great goals. On Saturday, St Johnstone came to Fir Park and with Ojamaa’s 2 goals and a brilliant Keith Lasley strike, we put the 3-0 drubbing at home to the Saints from earlier in the season well and truly to bed. Not only was it a great win, but it pushed us further away from Steve Lomas side in 3rd place.
The Ojamaa factor has seen a higher level of performance from the side and how much of a bearing his introduction to the team has had on his new team mates is open to interpretation. What can not be denied though is that the home fans now have something to cheer about, where earlier in the season they did not.
Estonian flags rippled in the East Stand in homage to Henrik. A” Stop! Ojamaa Time!” banner fluttered alongside a Stevie Hammell tribute and the ever present Craigan portrait. This shows how much he has endeared himself to the home faithful in such a short space of time. He just needs to keep it up for the next 2 and a half years…
The only other major bit of transfer chat was Jamie Murphy turning down a move to Blackpool after the clubs had agreed a fee. It was a bold move by Murph, as many others in his position, may have been all set for the seaside as soon as the opportunity arose. It says much for his character that he considered all of the elements of the deal, before deciding to remain at Fir Park, until the summer at least.
Speculation surrounding the deal ranges from it being a half million pound bid, to £250k, but on the same wage he is on at Fir Park. The fact is that, for himself, Jamie decided that the SPL at this moment is better for him than a move down south. How this effects his performance for the rest of the season, only time will tell. The fact the club had agreed a fee may play on his mind that we were willing to let him go. Perhaps, he sees himself that his overall game needs work and that wouldn’t be developed warming a bench by the Pleasure Beach. Regardless of his reasoning for staying, I’m sure he will be given a rapturous applause come Saturday against Greenock Morton.
This weekend’s Scottish Cup game is one for the nostalgists, as it brings back memories of the 1991 Quarter final which Motherwell eventually won on penalties. While there is perhaps a different kind of gulf between the sides some 22 years on, Morton will be right up for it, as I would hope will McCall’s men. Having made it all the way to Hampden last year, only to come up short in the final, the likes of Jennings, Randolph, Humphrey, Hammell, Lasley and Craigan especially, will be wanting to get back there more than ever. A win on Saturday will put us in with a great shout and will lift the team and fans in what has already been a decent season.
Third place is pretty much as good as it is going to get in the SPL these days, and with Ojamaa inspiring confidence, the rest of the side back to playing entertaining attacking football, and Darren Randolph only getting beat by wonder goals it seems, then I’m confident that we can eclipse the top 6 finish and Cup Final disappointment of last year.
But for now, I’m looking forward to seeing what Saturday brings. Hopefully it will involve a pyow pyow or a bang bang or two.
Up The Well!
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