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Motherwell FC can today confirm the loan extension of Derby County defender Mark O’Brien until the end of the season.

The 22-year old has played fourteen times since his arrival from Pride Park back in August.

He will now spend the remaining five months of the 2014/15 campaign at Fir Park, attempting to help the Steelmen climb the table.

[pullquote]He’s a strong, aggressive centre half who gives absolutely everything for the cause. He attacks the ball well in both boxes and we feel he can help up us over the next few weeks and months.[/pullquote]

Speaking to motherwellfc.co.uk, ‘Well boss Ian Baraclough said: “I am pleased that we have been able to extend Mark’s loan until the end of the season.

“He’s a strong, aggressive centre half who gives absolutely everything for the cause. He attacks the ball well in both boxes and we feel he can help up us over the next few weeks and months.

‘We want to add competition for places and alongside Stephen McManus, Fraser Kerr and Adam Cummins.

“January is likely to be a busy month. We’ve got to move some players on and get a more fresh faces in. I expect my phone will be very busy indeed.”

Motherwell Football Club can confirm that it has today (Monday) formally submitted an appeal to the Scottish FA in relation to Stephen McManus’ red card in yesterday’s SPFL Premiership match against Aberdeen at Fir Park.

The former Scotland International defender was shown a straight red card by the match official, Willie Collum, in the closing stages after being erroneously penalised for ‘handball’ as he blocked a Jonny Hayes shot on the line.

The club strongly believes this to be a case of wrongful dismissal and have therefore submitted an appeal this morning.

Manager Ian Baraclough said: “Stephen cannot get out the way of it, the shot has been struck with such velocity. He has not put his hand out, but the ball has hit him at the top of the arm, in line with the shoulder.

“To be sent off for that, and subsequently miss games further down the line for us, would be a travesty.

“To be fair, Willie has had to make a split-second decision. He doesn’t get the benefit of a replay and, at times, referees get it wrong and you have to accept that.

“We’re all human beings and we all make mistakes. It’s no different to me as a manager making a wrong decision or a player taking the wrong option; it’s part of the game.

“There were plenty of cameras at the match that show quite clearly what happened, so I would expect the appeal panel to look favourably on this one.

General Manager Alan Burrows added: “Our Football Administrator Karen Paterson has already submitted a Player Reference for Fast Tracking proceeding to the Compliance Officer, and will follow that with the evidence from our broadcast partners.

“We have already had feedback from the Association to confirm the hearing date of this Thursday, 8th January. We hope for and expect a positive outcome.”

 Extended highlights from Fir Park as an Adam Rooney double gives Aberdeen a 2-0 win over Motherwell

Action pictures from this afternoon’s 0-2 SPFL Premiership defeat to Aberdeen at Fir Park.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix.

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Ian Baraclough lauded the impact his younger players made as ‘Well battled it out with Aberdeen today.

The Steelmen eventually lost, with Adam Rooney netting a double, but there were bright moments for the Fir Parkers in the shape of Luke Watt, who made his debut at left full-back, as well as Dom Thomas and Lee Erwin.

Watt had a very steady ninety minutes for his first ever game against the league leaders, whilst Thomas and Erwin both changed the flow of the match towards the Dons’ goal.

All three have given the new boss something to think about and Baraclough insists they’ve now very much played their way into contention.

[pullquote]I felt the younger players gave us a bit of an impact. Not just Luke Watt, who had a great debut at full-back as a 17-year old, he was fantastic, but the boys who came off the bench.[/pullquote]

“Despite the result, there were elements in our performance that have given me some cause for optimism,” he said.

“I said after the Hamilton game that there is ways to lose and that day certainly wasn’t it, but there was a bit more about us today. We competed for longer periods, we had spells where we might have got back into the game.

“I felt the younger players gave us a bit of an impact. Not just Luke Watt, who had a great debut at full-back as a 17-year old, he was fantastic, but the boys who came off the bench.

“Lee Erwin and Dom Thomas gave us a spark and gave us our second and third wind. These guys want a chance, they’ve got a hunger and they’ve backed it up today. We’ll manage them, they have potential, but they’re certainly knocking on the door now.”

[tab:Match report]

Phil McGhee Fir Park

Motherwell failed to halt Aberdeen’s winning run as an Adam Rooney double sent all three points north and kept the Dons on top of the SPFL Premiership.

But after the humbling defeat at Hamilton, it was much more disciplined and spirited performance from the injury-ravished Fir Park side.

And following the introduction of Dom Thomas, the home side chased an equaliser until referee Willie Collum dealt ‘Well a double blow in the closing minutes.

Having adjudged that Stepehen McManus had deliberately handled on the goal line, he sent off the ‘Well defender and presented Rooney with his second goal from the penalty spot.

Television pictures would show that it was an incredibly harsh decision, although it should be acknowledged that it didn’t have much bearing on the overall result.

It was a tough ending for the ‘Well players who had responded positively to the New Year Day drubbing.

As anticipated Simon Ramsden and Stevie Hammell, who both left New Douglas Park nursing injuries, failed to recover. As expected Mark O’Brien was fit enough to partner Stephen McManus but Ian Baraclough gave a surprise debut to 17-year old Luke Watt who started at left back.

The Dons, on superb run of six consecutive wins without conceding a goal, were full of confidence and put the new look ‘Well defence under pressure from the start.

Within three minutes Dan Twardzik produced his first save standing strong to beat away a thumping shot from David Goodwillie. Six minutes later Adam Rooney nipped beyond McManus to flash a header past the post.

A cross come shot from Jonny Hayes was drifting inside the far post until Twardzik, back tracking, palmed the ball over his crossbar.

At the other end Scott Brown finally got involved racing from his line to gather a long high ball from Lionel Ainsworth with John Sutton chasing in.

The Dons’ goal faced more of a threat after 22 minutes. Josh Law broke from the middle of the park before feeding the ball to Henrik Ojamaa who took a couple of steps towards the box before unleashing a swerving drive.

Having withstood the early flurry from the Dons, the Fir Park defence had largely contained the visitor’s threats until a slip in the 36th minute let them in for the opener.

Under no real pressure, Fraser Kerr gave possession to Andy Considine who immediately released Rooney and the Aberdeen striker slipped the ball beyond the advancing Twardzik and inside the post for his 18th goal of the season.

It would have been 2-0 four minutes from half time but for Twardzik’s fingertips touching Niall McGinn’s curling shot onto the crossbar.

Having contained the league leaders for most of the first half Motherwell were more adventurous in the second half and gave the Dons’ defence a few anxious moments.

The Fir Park goal had the narrowest of escapes after 66 minutes when Considine’s looping header rebounded from the base of the post and as Rooney attempted to lash home the rebound Twardzik reacted brilliantly to block.

Play swiftly moved to the other end where an exchange of passes ended with Ojamaa’s shot straight at Brown.

The introduction of Dom Thomas and Lee Erwin after 69 minutes brought renewed life into the home side and a belief they could take a point from the game.

Thomas in particular lifted the tempo and a couple of his teasing crosses went begging although Ojamaa forced a couple of efforts on goal, none of them troubled the Dons keeper.

However, any thoughts a of a late equaliser were killed off when the referee sent off McManus before Rooney sent Twardzik the wrong way from the spot to settle the game.

[tab:As it happened]

 Ally Reilly at Fir Park

FT: Motherwell 0 – 2 Aberdeen #MFCvAFC

Ball was fired at McManus and hit his shoulder. really poor decision.

Looks like a really soft one!

88mins: Goal – Rooney slots home the penalty. 0-2 #MFCvAFC

87mins: Penalty + Red Card! McManus is sent off for what the ref says was handball on the line.! #MFCvAFC

86mins: Aberdeen sub, Flood is on for Goodwillie, complete with head bandage #MFCvAFC

85mins: Motherwell free-kick, 25 yards out which Ainsworth blasts well over the bar #MFCvAFC

84mins: Goodwillie is sent through on goal but Twardzik gets a touch on it. and it goes wide. Ref gives a goal kick #MFCvAFC

78mins: Erwin wins a corner…..Law wins the header but can’t aim it goalwards! #MFCvAFC

77mins: Goodwillie breaks free and fires just past the post #MFCvAFC

76mins: Smith on for Pawlett #MFCvAFC

75mins: Again Ojamaa and Thomas combine, this time Ojamaa’s half volley is tamely fired at Brown #MFCvAFC

74mins: Thomas giving ‘Well a bit of a spark. Picks the ball up 20 yards out, creates some space and curls just past #MFCvAFC

73mins: Thomas and Ojamaa combine as ‘Well look for an equaliser. The Estonian shoots straight at Brown, though #MFCvAFC

And another, Sutton off for Erwin #MFCvAFC

69mins: Motherwell sub, Kerr off for Thomas #MFCvAFC

66mins: Considine heads off the post and Twardzik reacts well to get up and block from Rooney. #MFCvAFC

60mins: O’Brien is booked for hacking down McGinn as Aberdeen broke away #MFCvAFC

52mins: Sutton heads an Aberdeen corner clear to Hayes who hits on first time, well over the bar #MFCvAFC

Jack floats the free-kick in and McManus heads clear #MFCvAFC

50mins: Free-kick to Aberdeen in a central area half way into the Motherwell half #MFCvAFC

Second half is underway #MFCvAFC

Teams are back out for the second half….#MFCvAFC

HT: Motherwell 0 – 1 Aberdeen #MFCvAFC

41mins: McGinn cuts in from the left hand side and curls a shot off the bar! Twardzik got a slight touch #MFCvAFC

40mins: Pawlett takes a shot from 18 yards, looking to place it into corner but curls it wide #MFCvAFC

36mins: Goal – Goodwillie clips a ball over the top to Rooney who taps it past Twardzik in off the post. 0-1 #MFCvAFC

29mins: Good ball from Watt to Sutton who has no options ahead and opts to shoot. It’s well over but a little more encouraging #MFCvAFC

23mins: Great effort from Ojamaa as he pulls the trigger from 25 yards and it flashes just past the right post #MFCvAFC

15mins: Hayes whips in a cross that turns into a shot and almost catches out Twardzik. Thankfully he gets a hand to is as it was sailing in.

13mins: Brave goalkeeping from Twardzik to get out at the feet of Rooney and clear Pawlett’s low cross from danger #MFCvAFC

10mins: Watt puts Rooney under enough pressure to force him to head wide from McGinn’s inviting cross #MFCvAFC

7mins: Logan whips in a cross which O’Brien takes no chances with and heads out for a corner #MFCvAFC

3mins: Early chance for Goodwillie. He gets a shot away 12 yards out but Twardzik does well to beat it away to safety #MFCvAFC

Here we go, game is underway. Come on ye ‘Well!! #MFCvAFC

Out come the teams, Motherwell in claret and amber, Aberdeen in full black #MFCvAFC

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Ian Baraclough:

[REACTION TO McMANUS RED] “He has put his body on the line, he has not moved his arm towards the ball, it has hit him just below the shoulder.

“He couldn’t get out the way of it because it has been struck so well.

“Would it have changed the result? Possibly not, but it could affect us further down the line. So we’ll appeal that.”

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes:

“The players are honest enough just to have a real proper approach to the next challenge. We have come through the festive period with some strong performances and results. The pressure side of it hasn’t reared its head, it’s just something that we are enjoying.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

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Ian Baraclough has challenged his players to react positively to the New Year defeat at Hamilton.

The Steelmen were soundly beaten at the home of their near neighboours, bringing to an end the former Sligo boss’ 100% record since taking over.

It was a reality check for everyone at Fir Park, who now face top-of-the-table Aberdeen in the Sky live game on Sunday afternoon.

“The players know in no uncertain terms what is expected of them when they pull on a Motherwell shirt and they need to perform, not just for themselves, but for the team and Motherwell Football club”, said Baraclough.

[pullquote]It should be in any players mindset to go out there and give it their all and come off the pitch leaving nothing out there whatsoever.[/pullquote]

“We have spoken about Hamilton and while at times I can accept losing game, I can’t accept losing in that fashion. The players know that and if they want to stay here, we need to get better.

“We have a chance to put that to bed tomorrow. It’s a good test and one we should be relishing going into. Nobody will be expecting us to win, other than myself, the squad and the coaching staff but we will approach it in a positive manner. We are at home so have to ask questions of Aberdeen. We can find ways of breaching their defence and hopefully we can come away with a good result.”

The eleventh domestic Steelmen Matchday Magazine of 2014/15 is on sale when Aberdeen visit Fir Park this Sunday.

But what is inside?

Ian Baraclough and Keith Lasley both return with their regular columns.

The gaffer looks back at the Festive fixtures and the skipper, Keith Lalsey, reviews 2014 and talks about what he wants to achieve in 2015.

The feature interview is with Antiguan International Zaine Francis-Angol. The former Spurs wide man talks openly about his injury frustrations, his aspirations for the rest of the campaign and working with the new boss.

Zaine also features as the next in the centre-page souvenir poster collection.

But that’s not where the features stop!

There is an in-depth section dedicated to our visitors, Aberdeen.

As ever, Ray Morrison introduces the Granite City side and Andy Paterson talks through four vital characters in the Dons’ squad likely to cause issues.

The big features keep coming…

‘From the Press Box’ returns with regular host, the Herald’s Scott Mullen and ‘Voices from the East Stand’ blogger Eddie McGuigan once again gives a fans viewpoint on recent happenings.

Eddie Ferguson’s fascinating feature looking at every Motherwell manager in history continues and focuses on the short and unsuccessful reign of Bobby Watson, who had to pick up the pieces of Jock Wallace’s tenure, but couldn’t stop the Steelmen from dropping a division.

Our match reports section takes a look back at the 1-0 win over Partick Thistle at Fir Park last weekend. There’s also a short ‘Review of the Year’ – looking at the top five moments of 2014. No prizes for guessing what is number one?

There is also a short feature on kitman Alan MacDonald’s new Boys Club team, Alpha BC, who recently took a donation from the players and management to buy new training balls.

We have the latest from The Ticket Office, Commercial and Community Departments, and update from the Well Society as well as the latest stats, facts and figures from the 2014/2015 campaign.

We also take a statistical look at the match official and the GIRFEC sponsored ‘Junior Steel’ kids page returns and is sure to test the youngster’s quiz minds with puzzles and ‘Did you know’ facts and a new Man of the Match feature sponsored by Match Attax.

The programme is available for £3 and is will be on sale from the Club Shop as well as the usual sellers located in and around the ground pre-match.

You can also order back editions or take a subscription to the magazine for the rest of the season by visiting the website of our publishers – Curtis-Sports – CLICK HERE.

Action pictures from this afternoon’s hugely disappointing 5-0 defeat at New Douglas Park.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix.

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