Motherwell Face Drop In Standards

Last season was an historic campaign for Motherwell after a 2^nd place finish earned qualification to the Europa League. Not only that, but rivals Hamilton Academical served up mid table mediocrity in the Scottish 1^st Division. Topping it all off, the SPL top goalscorer (Michael Higdon) was a Motherwell player... and so was the man who created more goals than any other player that year (Henrik Ojamaa). Onwards and upwards for The Steelmen then?

Both of their stand out players already mentioned have left Fir Park this summer, breaking the hearts of many in North Lanarkshire. Many are adamant that Aberdeen will improve greatly on their 8^th placed finish last season, causing Motherwell even more problems as they embark on a ‘damage limitation’ sort of campaign. These claims that the Wells will suffer in 2013/2014 were backed up as Stuart McCall’s side went down 2-0 at home last week to Kuban Krasnodar... I don’t know who they are either.

Although, after watching their display away at Hibernian live on Sky Sports (all be it not the greatest of matches) they were the better side by a fair distance overall – scoring a late goal to give them 3 points. On the other hand, Malmo came and put 7 past Hibs in the Europa League qualifying, so you’d have thought most teams would be able to breach such a weak defence.

A top 6 finish will be just about achievable for Motherwell as another team is given a chance of European football where each club in the qualifying rounds is liable to spending more on travelling expenses than they receive from UEFA in prize money. Isn’t that logical stuff.

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