The Darren Fletcher Journey

Cassidy and Byrne are very good additions, should get on very nicely this season.

Date	Opponent		Result	Goalscorers
03/07	Albion Rovers	A	0-3	Stewart, Cassidy, Carrington
06/07	FC Utrecht	H	3-1	Fraser (x2), Polworth
10/07	Cumbernauld Colts	A	0-2	Byrne (x2)
24/07	Leyton Orient	A	0-2	Cassidy (x2)

Player	Nat.	From	Fee
Jack Wilshere		free agent	free
Ross Stewart		Ross County	free
Cameron MacPherson		St Mirren	£69,000
Kerr McInroy		Celtic	free
Eddie Carrington		Tottenham	free
Matthew Craig		Tottenham	free
Jack Byrne		Shamrock Rovers	£350,000
Kelland Watts		Newcastle	loan
Ryan Cassidy		Watford	loan
Scott Fraser		MK Dons	free

Player	Nat.	To	Fee
Jordan White		St Mirren	£88,000
Ricki Lamie		Kilmarnock	£47,000

Pre-season's main premise is to get the players fit and ready for the start of the season but it's always nice to get a good run of results together. Fletcher will be pleased.

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2 August 2021

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Motherwell have been drawn against NK Maribor in the UEFA Europa League playoff.

The Slovenian champions overcame Legia Warszawa to reach this round after being eliminated from the Champions League by Ludogorets.

The first leg will be played in Scotland on the 19th of August, with the return leg in Slovenia on the 26th.

Motherwell failed to reach the group stage of the Europa League last year after a disappointing loss to MSK Zilina but a win in this fixture will secure their first ever group stage entry in a continental competition.

The loser of this tie will join the new UEFA Conference League at the group stage.

Not the easiest of challenges for Motherwell. Maribor have a good level of pedigree with experience in European competition.

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Whilst in my first six months I largely had to make do with what I had, this summer I had been able to make a number of additions to the squad to both bolster the quality at the club as well as fit the style of play I want to implement. We're not quite at the financial level of the likes of Hibernian and Aberdeen but I think this squad has the goods to secure best of the rest again.

Player	Nat.	Age	Position	Ability	Potential
Jordan Archer		28	GK
Trevor Carson		33	GK
Aaron Chapman		31	GK

The dependable Trevor Carson will remain our number 1 choice this season after a strong 2020/21 campaign. Jordan Archer remains as our number two, refusing to leave the club despite me accepting offers for him, whilst Aaron Chapman - who missed most of last season with injury - will provide depth.

Player	Nat.	Age	Position	Ability	Potential
Jake Carroll		30	D(L)
David Devine		20	D(C)
Liam Donnelly		25	D(RC), DM
Charles Dunne		28	D(C)
Declan Gallagher (captain		30	D(C)
Nathan McGinley		24	D(L)
Kelland Watts		21	D(C)

We haven't made too many changes to the defensive unit this season, and will rely again on the quality performances of Declan Gallagher and Jake Carroll who really shone last year. Kelland Watts is a promising centre back on loan from Newcastle that will vie with David Devine for the left centre back position. Nathan McGinley and Liam Donnelly are two players who need to prove their usefulness this season or may find themselves on the chopping block.

Player	Nat.	Age	Position	Ability	Potential
Jack Byrne		25	M(R), AM(RC)
Allan Campbell		23	M(C)
Scott Fraser		26	M/AM(C)
Cameron MacPherson		22	M(C)
Kerr McInroy		20	M(C)
Mark O'Hara		25	M(C)
Liam Polworth		26	M(C)
Jack Wilshere		29	M/AM(C)

Midfield was where we made the biggest improvements this off-season, and where I hope we can win our games. Allan Campbell remains the linchpin in central midfield but I'm spoilt for choice as to his partner; Scott Fraser, Jack Wilshere and Liam Polworth are all top players for this level and in order to fit them all in a few of them will play wide as well. Jack Byrne is our only true winger and has pressure to succeed due to his £350k price tag whilst Cameron MacPherson will likely play predominantly at right back.

Player	Nat.	Age	Position	Ability	Potential
Ryan Cassidy		20	ST
Chris Long		26	ST
Ross MacIver		22	AM(RC), ST
Ross Stewart		25	ST
Tony Watt		27	ST

Last season's leading goalscorer Chris Long will likely pair up with Ross Stewart as our striker partnership for this season, with Ryan Cassidy providing depth and some competition for a starting spot. Tony Watt is a player who's been frustrating so far, and will need to improve to keep his spot in this side.

The options in midfield look fantastic!

A really strong squad going into the new season. Slightly off the pace of Celtic or Rangers, but a few plucky performances should see you through that.

Looking forward to the next instalment. Keep the good work

A strong squad is forming here and a good run in Europe will really help to boost the finances and allow you to start competing with the big two.