Sometimes There's A Man...

Sometimes there's a man...I won't say hero, because what's a hero? but sometimes there's a man, and I'm talking about Stephen Craigan here. Sometime's there's a man, well there's a man for his time and place. He fits right in there. And that's Craggs, in the heart of the Motherwell defence. and even if he's a committed man - and Craggs is most certainly that. Quite possibly the most committed in this Motherwell squad, which would place him in the running for most committed SPL wide. But sometimes there's a man, sometimes, there's a man...Aw I lost my train of thought there. But aw..hell, I've introduced him enough.

It's been evident for a while now, that Stephen Craigan, the man who has kept Wayne Rooney and Fernando Torres in his back pocket in the last few years, has become Mr Motherwell. In the space of 12 months, he has gone from being almost surplus to requirements under Jim Gannon, to being the rock which the team is built upon, and a man who many believe could manage the club once he hangs up his boots. Being the elder statesman of the team and enjoying his testimonial year at the club, his passion in our Euro endeavours has been displayed for all to see.

At a time when we as Well fans are used to having heart in mouth moments any time a ball is fired in to the box, Craigan and his protege Marky Reynolds have excelled. Last years Euro run saw us ship easy goals to Llanelli, Flamurtari and Steaua, but they have stood firm this term so far and I feel it is down to the confidence that Craggs' passion for the club has generated in the defence. On the field, we are all well aware that he is prone to error, just like everyone else. But it is about how a person recovers that shows their resolve. I'm sure this season at some point we will see him bullet a header past Randolph or be caught flat footed by some crap St Mirren forward.

I'm equally assured that he will lead from the back and instill confidence in Saunders, Reynolds, Page, Hutchison et al as they get more experience in the first team, and will inspire the whole team. Off the field, he is our main media representative. a regular on BBC Scotland for any footballing matters, whether on TV or Radio, he represents Motherwell at any opportunity. Even after Thursday night's game, he bantered with Chic Young about being a "closet" Bear and scooshed him with a water bottle after the second goal went in. He was humble in victory admitting he didn't see us winning by 3, but was clearly proud of the achievement.

This was demonstrated at the final whistle with his chest pumps, clenched fists and cheers that we had made the playoffs and that he had kept that 6 foot 9 inch striker of Aaselunds out the game for 2 games running. Craigan, more than anyone, will be relishing the chance at being the first Well captain to have a shot at taking us to the Europa group stages. Odense will be no easy trip, but will certainly pose less of a threat than the teams we could have been paired with. Despite our 3 goal win against the Norsemen, for a good 25 minutes of the second half, we looked very shaky, and were lucky that Aalesunds are a one trick pony and could not function without Demar Philips. Jamie Murphy is a man on fire, Sutton ran and ran and deserved his goal and Page, who looks uncannily like Russell Howard minus the squint, finished the game off to send the 7500 Well fans home happy. Another plus was the performance of Randolph. While John Ruddy is enduring a bit of a torrid start to his Norwich career, Big Randy looks composed and assured and comfortable in dealing with high balls in to the box. While having only one save to make on Thursday, I reckon he could be a big player for us this year.

So, not long until the SPL season kicks off, not much in the way of new signings, or a sponsor for that matter, but all seems to be Well.

Up The Well!

Aalesunds 1 - 1 Motherwell... Quite Possibly The Worst Way Of "Watching" A Game Ever...

It's 17:27. Stevie at work has just given me the OK to leave work. Contemplate taxi over bus, either way I'm going to have to spend more than i want to to get home in time as I only have pound coins and a £1 note that Simon gave me at Fives on Wednesday. (I don't know where he got it either...). Decide to opt for a chippy as the queues in Co-Op at that time of night take ages. Chippy takes ages as girl gives me a pie supper instead of a sausage supper. Main gate of flat complex is locked so need to go long way round. Finally get upstairs, say hello to the girlfriend briefly, grab laptop and trawl Steelmen Online and Fir Park Corner for a stream to watch. At this point, it's 17:57. Find 360 Soccer link. Not working. TV2 Sumo link. I'm not Norwegian so won't let me on. Gutter. Hear that Images in Lanark is showing game, consider belling them to ask how they got it. Don't.

For the next 2 hours, I sit, watching my dusty laptop screen with 4 windows open. FirPark Corner in Tab 1, SteelmenOnline in 2, Twitter in 3 and BBC Sport on 4. All giving text updates, none giving any pictures. Hollyoaks is on in background for first half. While Geordie Des is being a racist, I have read that Tommy Hately has had a 35 yard rocket tipped over and that Stevie Hammell looks most likely to score. As Steph turns down Gilly's proposal, I learn that Aaselunds have hit the bar and are peppering the box with crosses but Darren Randolph is standing firm. Half time 0-0 and I can get out of my work uniform at last.

Second tweet of the second half and we are apparently 1-0 up thanks to Jamie Murphy's record breaking goal. Brilliant. I shout Brilliant quite loud. Feels hollow, cant see it, not hearing a radio commentator describe it, and in all probability, it happened about 3 minutes before I knew about it. The dust settles, Twitter slows down, all the forums are saying the same thing. We have the away goal, the ball is in our court, only Motherwell can muck this up now blah blah blah. Craigan inexplicably misses the opportunity to put through his own goal, saunders has had a major let off and Randolph has made 2 great saves. On our way to an away goal victory.

In Eastenders, some woman has just come back from the dead and the guy who had kidnapped her is trying to kill the rest of her family. Other folk are playing rounders in the Square. Somebody is running near the house where the mental stuff is happening. A telly is thrown through a window and somehow, Aaselunds have a penalty. In the last minute. Bugger. 1-1 with last kick of the ball. Duf duf duf duf duf dufaduf.

As i head out for the night, I feel a sense of dissapointment, but not too much as a 1-1 away draw is pretty good. we snuffed out the giant striker they have and seemed to defend pretty well when under the cosh. When i woke up this morning, i searched for highlights and duly found them. Exactly as Twitter and BBC Sport had described it. Don't know why i was expecting any different. What they failed to mention though was how Hateley absolutely done, I mean Done, 2 of their defenders before crossing for The Humph to cut back for Jamie Murphy to pick his spot. 6 European goals, with another week to get more at least. Let's not forget, Ross Forbes is 2 away from Murphy's record as well. That's a penalty and a free kick next week...Kirkie's record may be gone but he still has an eye for talent, after telling my 3 year old nephew that if he sticks in, Wee Aiden could be an awesome player when he's older. apparently Stevie likes the way he gets in about the bigger boys and can dribble a ball pretty damn well for essentially a toddler.

In other news, got my new top through this morning. Always get excited about getting my new kit. I've had all but 2 of the home kits for the last 16 years. got my first one on Christmas day 1994, Pony/Motorola with button stud collar and claret hoop. Wore it to Falkirk on Boxing Day where Rab Shannon scored the winner at old Brockville. Had the shirt, shorts and socks on over my jacket and jeans. Magic.

Return leg next week, if we believe, we can achieve. Hopefully Casagolda will be signe dup by then too...

Up The Well!

New Grass, New Strip and First Leg Home Win...The Europa League Is Surely Ours!

EUROPA LEAGUE FIRST ROUND, FIRST LEG: MOTHERWELL 1 BRIEDABLIK 0

After a slightly disappointing World Cup, League football came back with a bit of a bang as The Mighty Well kicked off on their preparations for the new season. 3 friendly wins from 3 set us up for a competitive run out against Icelandic upstarts Breidablik. Currently 11 games into their domestic season where they are top of the league, much was said pre game of their match fitness and sharpness versus The Well's lack of both. New signing Darren Randolph ran out as the only summer signing to make the first team, with Cypriot Angelis Charalambous making the bench. Chris Shuker is yet to be added to the squad, while other loanee, Carlos Gazapo failed to impress versus Forfar and Brechin. While winning all 3 of our friendlies, it cannot be forgotten that we conceded goals in each of those games, and to concede at home in a Europa game could have been costly.

Fortunately that wasn't to happen. Apart from the addition of Randolph, a fairly familiar line up started Motherwell's foray in to Europe. Tommy Hateley resumed the right back position behind Chris Humphrey on the wing, with John Sutton playing wide left of Jamie Murphy up front. The midfield comprised of Jennings Lasley and Forbes, with Reynolds, Craigan and Hammell doing the majority of defensive duties. Resplendent in our Choose Life sponsored spanking new Puma kits, we looked the part on the new bowling green surface gracing Fir Park. While our new keeper had little to do over 90 minutes, he looks like he could fill John Ruddy's gloves. However, it is obvious that last season's other star men, O'Brien and Jutkiewicz, need to be replaced.

The rain before kick off had me hoping for a deluge of goals ala Flamurtari last year and in the first 45 minutes, we could easily have wrapped the game up. A lack of precision after effort from Humphrey, coupled with a lack of strikers instinct meant we went in level at the break. Hindsight is a magnificent thing, but had O'Brien been out right and The Juke been in the box, then I'd wager my overtime that we would have won more convincingly. Humphrey, for all his pace, still can't cross a ball and the decent ones he did put in had no one near them. Maybe the forward line were caught by surprise at his few quality efforts. Hateley came close after a mazy run down the wing, with the rebound being headed over by Forbes. Murphy and Sutton also made probing runs in to the area, but a lack of composure saw efforts go wide or blocked.

As is the norm for a Well Fan, set pieces from the opposition give us heart in mouth moments, and 2 at the start of the second half almost saw us go behind. A free header from a free kick by Someone Someonesen and then a glorious chance when an unmarked Somoene Elsenson caught the defence napping and kept us in the game. Despite being top of their domestic league, that was all the Icelander's threw at 'Well. The game degenerated in to a midfield battle, and half way through the second half, Fir Park breathed a sigh of relief when finally we scored.

Ross Forbes, who like last year, has had a free scoring pre season, whipped in a corner that was cleared back to him. His cross back in to the box evaded everyone and bounced in at the far post. Cue scenes of joy in the East Stand as memories of the 6-6 game v Hibs at the end of last season came back to me. We now expected glut of goals to make the game more comfortable. Alas they did not come. Gary Smith, who came on for Humphrey just before Forbes struck, looked lively up front, while Steven Saunders came on and almost scored twice. Firstly his back post header was bulleting in, if not for a Briedablik back. Then in the final minute, a speculative shot from distance forced their keeper to look lively.

At the final whistle, the Well players applauded the crowd as the Briedablik players made their way to the 50 or so fans housed in the Phil O'Donnell Stand. Happy with the win and a clean sheet, but feeling we could have got more goals, means that the onus is on us to finish the job in Iceland next Thursday. A jaunt to Norway awaits the victors of this tie to face Aalesand after today's second round draw. Confidence will be high, but must not come before a fall. Both teams know what to expect from each other, but hopefully we will shade it.

Up The Well.