Here is it's attempt at the Clyde game
Formation
Motherwell should line up in a 4-2-3-1 to balance control and intensity. This gives two defensive midfielders shielding the back four and three attackers ahead. It suits Askou’s preferred style of “dynamic…aggressive” football with layers of playnews.stv.tv. The two holding mids will dictate possession (one likely Elliot Watt – a “highly skilled passer” who “covers ground well”motherwellfc.co.uk – alongside a box-to-box runner like Tom Sparrow). Ahead of them, an attacking trio (Callum Slattery centrally with wide runners) can stretch Clyde’s defense. The back four – O’Donnell at right, McGinn at left, with Gordon and Balmer centrally – provides width on overlaps and defensive solidity. Overall, 4-2-3-1 offers controlled buildup, high pressing, and multiple attacking outlets against the League Two side.
Defense (4): RB Stephen O’Donnell; CBs Liam Gordon and Kofi Balmer; LB Paul McGinn.
Midfield pivot (2): Elliot Watt (DM) and Tom Sparrow (DM).
Attacking midfield (3): Callum Slattery (CAM) supporting as #10, with wingers Sam Nicholson (R) and Lukas Fadinger (L).
Forward (1): Apostolos Stamatelopoulos leading the line.
Starting XI
GK: Aston Oxborough
RB: Stephen O’Donnell (captain)
CB: Liam Gordon
CB: Kofi Balmer
LB: Paul McGinn
CDM: Elliot Wattmotherwellfc.co.uk
CDM: Tom Sparrow
RW: Sam Nicholson
CAM: Callum Slattery
LW: Lukas Fadinger
ST: Apostolos Stamatelopoulos
Watt and Jordan McGhee joined in summeren.wikipedia.orgen.wikipedia.org; Watt’s arrival gives extra quality and width in midfieldmotherwellfc.co.uk. All listed players are under contract and fit; key contributors from last season (Oxborough, O’Donnell, Slattery, Nicholson, etc.) remain available.
Tactical Overview
Style of play: Under Askou, Motherwell will play high-intensity, aggressive football with multiple layersnews.stv.tv. In possession, the team will focus on controlling the game through midfield, using short passes and movement rather than only long balls. The double pivot (Watt/Sparrow) will dictate play and recycle possession, while the #10 (Slattery) provides creativity. Fullbacks O’Donnell and McGinn will push on to supply width and overload wide areas. Askou demands “aggressiveness, discipline [and] structure” from his sidenews.stv.tv, so Motherwell should maintain a compact shape without the ball and press Clyde intensely high up.
Key tactics: The midfield should press collectively to deny Clyde time on the ball, reflecting Askou’s emphasis on intensitynews.stv.tv. Watt’s ability to cover ground and provide disciplined possessionmotherwellfc.co.uk makes him ideal for breaking up counters and transitioning play quickly. Up front, Nicholson and Fadinger will stretch the defense, allowing Stamatelopoulos to latch onto crosses and through balls. Set pieces will be important – Motherwell have tall, aerially strong defenders – so winning corners and free-kicks can produce goals as they did last year. In defense, the two holding mids must screen the back four to prevent Dunachie or Hilton (Clyde’s strikers) from running in behind. The back line will stay organized, and O’Donnell/McGinn will support the press by quickly advancing on Clyde’s wide players.
Matchups & pressing: Key matchups include Watt and Sparrow against Clyde’s central midfielders, preventing the Bully Wee from building play. Out wide, O’Donnell’s one-vs-one battles vs. their left-sided forwards (e.g. Dunachie) will be critical. Motherwell should press up on Clyde’s half when possible – Askou wants the team to “take the initiative”news.stv.tv – but also stay compact enough to prevent quick counters from Hilton or Robbie Leitch. In short, Motherwell will look to dominate possession, probe openings through midfield, and suffocate Clyde with energetic pressing and quality distribution.
Opposition Analysis
Clyde (League Two) finished 7th last seasonmotherwellfc.co.uk under new manager Darren Young. Their attack revolves around former Well youth and lower-league scorers. Martin Rennie (10 goals in 2024-25) has left, so look for Motherwell youth graduate Logan Dunachie (7 goals in 24/25, now used as a strikermotherwellfc.co.uk) and new signing James Hilton (9 goals for Dumbarton last term) to lead the linemotherwellfc.co.uk. Midfielder Robbie Leitch (6 goals last year) also remains a threat from deeper. Clyde will likely line up in a narrow 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1, attempting to attack quickly when they win the ball.
The Bully Wee’s strengths are their forward runners and set-piece work. Motherwell must counter by denying service to Dunachie and Hilton – cutting out passes through the middle (using Watt/Sparrow’s pressure) and marking aggressively on the wings. Given Clyde’s lower-division physical style, Motherwell should use quick passing and width to unbalance them. In defense, compact lines and quick switches of play will counter Clyde’s pace. Neutralize their targets (track Dunachie’s movement in behind, crowd Hilton at crosses) and Motherwell should control the game.
Clyde threats: Dunachie and Hilton (right footed runners) will attack space, so Watts’s coverage is vital. Dunachie’s pace means O’Donnell or Sparrow must close him down early. Leitch can shoot from distance, so midfielders need to close down any turning time. On set plays, Clyde’s physicality means Motherwell must stay alert. Overall, Motherwell should dictate tempo (as Askou demands) and punish Clyde on the break and from corners, which will nullify the lower-league side’s main threatsnews.stv.tv
