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Stuart McCall expects a dangerous, fully focused Hearts side to arrive at Fir Park on Sunday, despite the events of an utterly tumultuous week in Gorgie.

To the surprise of many, Vladimir Romanov decided to dispense with the services of Jim Jefferies and Billy Brown, replacing them with Sporting Lisbon boss Paulo Sergio, and his assistants Alberto Cabral and Sergio Cruz.

And while there was initial anger regarding the decision from many quarters, much of the outrage has subsided after a fine 4-1 victory in the Europa League third qualifying round and subsequent draw with Tottenham Hotspur – factors which the ‘Well boss is wary of and Sergio makes his SPL bow in North Lanarkshire this weekend.

“It happens in football [the dismissal of coaches] l and I’m sure Jim and Billy understand it and accept it – especially working at Hearts,” the 47-year old said. “I was at the game the other night and from the first whistle the crowd got behind the team and behind the new manager. They got the win and – I’m not saying Jim and Billy will be forgotten – it’s a new era.

“They’ve certainly got strength in depth there; a lot of players, so we’re under no allusions how difficult Sunday will be.”

While McCall’s regard for Hearts’ squad is clear, the former Bradford gaffer is somewhat skeptical regarding the claims of Marius Zaliukas that Vladimir Romanov is looking for Paulo Sergio to deliver the SPL title.

“I still think it’s difficult for any team to split the Old Firm and I think most people would say that, but Hearts had a terrific run last season,” the Motherwell boss acknowledged. “I think they won ten out of eleven before fading away. But they’ve got the strength in depth which most clubs are envious of; two players for each position. The strength is there and the quality is there, but it’s a big ask [to split the Old Firm]. It will be expected to be between them and Dundee United to finish third.

[pullquote]I was at the game the other night and from the first whistle the crowd got behind the team and behind the new manager.[/pullquote]

“Who knows? If they can consistently hit the form that they hit for a spell last season and Mr Romanov earmarks some more players. They’re a good side; that much is for sure.”

The former Bradford boss had admitted a degree of frustration regarding missing out on transfer target Gavin Gunning in the last week.

The Irish under-21 international looks set to complete a move to Dundee United, with the Arabs using some of the finances afforded to them by the departure of David Goodwillie to make a lucrative offer for Gunning – something ‘Well could not cope with.

“We can’t get near the package Dundee United will be offering him [Gunning],” a candid McCall admitted. “He’s one that we would’ve liked to bring in but it’s outwith out wage structure and we will move on. It’s not a problem; we understand it.

“If he’d came back on loan then we could have offered him something, but it’s a permanent deal and his wages at Blackburn are quite high and we couldn’t pay anywhere near that last year and we can’t pay anywhere near it this year.”

Missing out on Gunning means that the search for new talent to add to the arrivals of Michael Higdon and Nicky Law continues.

The gaffer has acknowledged that he would like to add an attacker and a defender to the ranks, as he looks to add depth to what is a talented, but shallow, pool.

He continued: “We haven’t got much left in the budget so we’ve got to spend it wisely. Nobody can pinpoint where you are going to get an injury so we possibly could need a forward player that can play out wide or up front – like Steve Jones last year.”

“But we also know we’re short at the back if we get a couple of injuries to our centre-halves. It’s a balancing act but it’s what managers get paid for. We’ve got what we’ve got to spend, and that’s football; we get on with it.

“It’s difficult, and we’ll be looking at the younger end of the market – boys who are going out on loan for the first time. But I’ve also said we have to give our own young players a chance. Bob McHugh played last week, was unlucky not to score and had a decent full 90 minutes.

“We’ll need to see how these young players progress in the next few weeks and hopefully they can improve and keep learning.”

Motherwell FC is taking part in the MARS Just Play project which aims to provide men and women with the chance to play football free of charge throughout the Summer!

Mars have teamed up with the SFA in a project designed to get people back into football and there will be the opportunity to sign up and get a game of football free of charge on the Fir Park Astro.

To sign up couldn’t be simpler, register for the date/dates (9pm – 10.30pm) you want to play then turn up on the night and our dedicated staff will be on hand to provide equipment and co-ordinate matches!

Email Graeme.mcarthur@motherwellfc.co.uk or teresa.okeeffe@motherwellfc.co.uk  or telephone us on 01698 239 926 for more information.

The programme will run at Fir Park on Monday nights, 9-10.30pm on the following dates:

• August 8th 2011
• August 15th 2011
• August 22nd 2011
• August 29th 2011
• September 5th 2011
• September 12th 2011

Get involved!

Motherwell U19s continued their pre-season preparations with a good 2-1win over Blackburn Rovers at Dalziel Park this afternoon.

The young Steelmen side, who drew 0-0 with Bathgate Thistle in Paul McGrillen’s Memorial Game just four days ago, played well throughout the match and probably just about deserved the win.

Rovers had the best of the opening exchanges and hit the post early on but it was the only time Willie Muir’s goal came under any real threat in the first forty-five.

Motherwell looked dangerous on the counter but it was all square at the interval. However, the home side did eventually break the deadlock early in the second courtesy of a close-range strike from Lee Erwin after good work by Adam Ashgar.

It remained that way until two minutes from time when Rovers equalised, the substitute striker curling home from what looked like an impossible angle.

However, Motherwell wouldn’t be denied and, deep into stoppage time, Josh Watt pounced on a lovely hanging cross to fire home to give ‘Well the victory.

Motherwell: Muir, Devlin, Francis-Angol, Cummins, Brownlie, Trialist, Hetherington, MacDonald, Ashgar, McGachie, Erwin

Subs On: McLean, Murray, Watt, Moore, Leitch

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Enter the Cash Converters “Convert for Cash” Challenge for a chance to win £100 against Hearts this coming Sunday.

It’s on STEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELMEN!!

The Cash Converters “Convert for Cash” challenge is here ready to take the SPL by storm. The event that pits home fan against away fan, confronted by the site of our very own gaffa Stuart McCall, is sure to get Fir Park rocking.

Faced by a life-sized statue of Stuart McCall, fans must run round him 3 times, before composing themselves to score past our mascot, Claret, EITHER from the edge of the box (the £100 ball) or the penalty spot (the £50 ball).

Enter at the Cash Converters Motherwell Facebook page by CLICKING HERE.

In addition, Cash Converters will also be donating £150 per challenge to their official charity for the 2011/2012 season, Dreams Come True.

For your chance to win £100 in the “Convert for Cash” challenge, enter your details at the Cash Converters Motherwell Facebook page now: CLICK HERE.

The Facebook page will also give you the chance to win a whole host of other prizes, including tickets and exclusive, money-can’t-buy experiences. Simply “Like” the page, and get entering.

The draw will close at 10.00am on Friday August 5th.

*Please note: You must be aged over 18 to take part, and proof of age will be required on the day. You must also already possess a match ticket.

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For the second successive season, Motherwell FC are delighted to announce another healthy increase in Season Ticket numbers.

The club recorded a fantastic 13% growth in 2010-2011 and, once again, figures this year (2011-12) show another 10% like-for-like increase on the previous season.

The figures justify some of the fantastic initiatives centred around families and youngsters with the Cooper Stand offer and the WELLevate deal in the East and O’Donnell Stands proving extremely popular.

[pullquote]It’s not rocket science; we know we have to get more families and youngsters through the gate to ensure the long term stability and growth of our football club.[/pullquote]

These long-term polices have seen the club increase season ticket holders from 2650 in 2009-10 to 3,500 this year although it has come with a £10,000 drop in revenue as fans take up the free kids offer.

Chief Executive Leeann Dempster said, “Everyone at the club is absolutely delighted with these results and it is further evidence that our long-term family and community commitment policy is working.

“We’ve had a great few years on the park but we’ve also been working extremely hard off it to revaluate our position and start re-building the club from the bottom up.

“It’s not rocket science; we know we have to get more families and youngsters through the gate to ensure the long term stability and growth of our football club. The hard work is far from finished though – we will keep working as hard as we can to improve and invest in families, community and young people.”

Craig Levein has left the door open for Motherwell’s rising star Jamie Murphy after the youngster missed out on the recently announced Scotland squad.

Murphy, in sensational form of late, has been courting interest from Premiership clubs south of the border but hasn’t yet received full international recognition and missed out on the pool for the match against Denmark next week.

[pullquote]I can assure people who are out there thinking that players only get picked from bigger clubs, that isn’t the case. Everyone is monitored.[/pullquote]

However, the Scotland boss is adamant that the 21-year old is on the radar and could come into contention in the near future.

“I went to watch him on Saturday. He’s somebody that’s very much on the radar,” Levein admitted.

“But if you have a look at that group of players in the squad, it’s extremely difficult for people to break into. We have some extremely good players.

“People have their own feelings about who they believe should be in the squad. I have to go with what I see and hear and watching players who I believe have the consistency and ability.

“We spoke about Lee Wallace (being on the fringes) and Jamie falls into that same watch list and will be monitored very closely.

“And I can assure people who are out there thinking that players only get picked from bigger clubs, that isn’t the case. Everyone is monitored. We have a lot of people out watching matches all the time, I’m constantly getting feedback.

“For someone to get in the squad is extremely difficult – they have to be playing well, playing regularly with their club and impressing.”

Motherwell have been drawn away to Clyde in the Scottish Communities League Cup 2nd Round.

The draw took place today in Dingwall with the matches scheduled to take place on either Tuesday 23rd or Wednesday 24th August, 2011,

The Draw is as follows:-

• Hibernian v Berwick Rangers
• East Fife v Dunfermline Athletic
• St. Johnstone v Livingston
• Airdrie United v Raith Rovers
• Falkirk v Stenhousemuir
• Ayr United v Inverness Cal. Th.
• Queen of the South v Forfar Athletic
• Morton v St. Mirren
• Hamilton Academical v Ross County
• Clyde v Motherwell
• Aberdeen v Dundee

The Supporters Advisory Committee have been busy throughout the close season and are keen to give an update on a number of initiatives.

A new carpool system has been launched and although it is in its infancy, they plan to offer supporters the opportunity to combine their resources to help get them get along to games. If you live outside a 15-mile radius from Fir Park or in a remote location you are invited to post your details via carpool@motherwellfc.co.uk.

For more information – Click Here

The members of the Supporters Advisory Committee benefit from sitting just below the club board and also use the same facilities as frequently as the core support.

They are therefore in a unique position to act as advocates on behalf our fellow fans to champion and achieve satisfactory answers or solutions to issues raised by our peers.

If you have a particular issue relating to the stadium or facilities please read through the FAQ’s first to see if it has already been covered, if not email us on supporters.committee@motherwellfc.co.uk.

To check out the current FAQ and complaints list – Click Here

Finally, following the launch of the group in early 2011, the committee launched a survey designed to gather your opinions.

They wanted to know your big picture gripes and ideas, views on reconstruction, safe standing, television and the like.

In response the club promised to be transparent on their position and policies in whatever we identify and where possible and appropriate, use their influence to push forward change.

To read the results of the survey on PDF format – Click Here