Toxteth O'Grady

On the face of it, this seems a bit of a strange one. They've recalled him from loan but have zero intention of playing him? https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/football/no-wigan-athletic-future-for-forward-1-10185097

Today's team https://mobile.twitter.com/MotherwellFC/status/1211281967439736832

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50928528 Motherwell: Fir Park club 'quite close' to signing new striker - Stephen Robinson 1 hour ago From the sectionMotherwell Sharethis page One of Devante Cole's four Motherwell goals came in defeat by Rangers at Ibrox Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson feels he is "quite close" to securing a new striker to replace the departing Devante Cole. Cole, who missed the Boxing Day win over Ross County through illness, is set to return to Wigan Athletic following the end of his loan spell. The Englishman has scored four goals in 21 games for the Fir Park side. "We are down the road already with trying to get somebody in," Robinson said. "We don't have masses of money to spend and buy three or four players. We still have players to come back in the squad - Charles Dunne, David Turnbull, Christian Ilic, Christy Manzinga, who has been on-and-off injured. "But we have to try and bring a striker in and we are quite close to doing that." Robinson is also working on his goalkeeper situation, with both Mark Gillespie and Trevor Carson out of contract in the summer. Livingston and Aberdeen have been linked with pre-contract moves for Carson, who has been unable to regain his place since returning in the summer from a long spell out with deep vein thrombosis. "We have offered both contracts and they have been on the table since the summer," Robinson said. "I am desperate to get at least one guaranteed to be here for next season. Negotiations are ongoing. "It's frustrating for the one who is not playing, I totally understand that. And I am not surprised that either would be linked with other clubs because they are top, top goalkeepers." Motherwell host Lanarkshire rivals Hamilton Academical on Sunday looking to ensure they finish 2019 in third place in the Scottish Premiership. Accies sit three points off the bottom and Robinson's men are aiming to stay ahead of Aberdeen and maintain their healthy lead over the teams below. "We have to weather the storm," he said. "It will be 100 miles an hour as all derbies are. "I have watched Accies quite a few times, they have some very good footballers. Their position doesn't really relay how they have been playing, their performances have been decent. "Ultimately, it will be down to who manages the game best, not to get caught up in the emotion of it and we make sure we play our game and play with a coolness and calmness about us as we have done in recent weeks."

Minute's applause in the 10th min for Phil O'Donnell?

Today's BBC gossip

County down to 10 men.

Yep, it looked practically straight at him, and nowhere near the corner.

They've announced you can buy tickets on the day. Not sure why they couldn't have done that in the first place.

...and the Kilmarnock manager has just been sacked https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50822801

Ticket details: https://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2019/12/17/buy-your-tickets-for-dundee-cup-clash/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50797691 Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson denies wrongdoing after charge By Scott Mullen BBC Sport Scotland 33 minutes ago From the sectionMotherwell Sharethis page Stephen Robinson is expected to be in the dugout for Rangers' visit to Fir Park on Sunday Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson has denied any wrongdoing after being arrested and charged in Edinburgh on Friday night. In a statement given to BBC Scotland, the 45-year-old has described the incident as a "misunderstanding". Police Scotland has been approached for comment. "I deny the charges against me and any wrongdoing," said Robinson, who will be in the dugout for Sunday's Scottish Premiership meeting with Rangers. "I am very upset by what has become a distressing situation for my partner, myself and our families. "We had a lovely day in Edinburgh and were trying to get home in good time before the incident occurred. "It is not possible to give a detailed account when a legal process is under way, which adds to our family anxiety. "I am confident this will be found to be a misunderstanding once the legal process has run its course." Robinson took over as Motherwell manager in March 2017, leading them to two cup finals in his second season. The Northern Irishman's side are currently fourth in the Scottish Premiership.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50754873

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50708271 Motherwell: David Turnbull looks to his future 27 minutes ago From the sectionMotherwell Sharethis page David Turnbull, right, says his time will come at Motherwell Motherwell midfielder David Turnbull says he is setting "no targets" as he battles back from a knee operation. The 20-year-old was poised for a £3.25m switch to Celtic in the summer before the deal collapsed due to an issue raised in his medical, prompting preventative surgery. Voted Young Player of the Year last season, Turnbull's last game for the Fir Park side was 18 May. "It's been a long four or five months," Turnbull told the club. "I was on crutches for six to eight weeks and then after that I was at the gym building strength to get my leg back the way it was. "You don't know how long it will be or what else will happen, it's just good to be off the crutches. It's been all positive. "It's good seeing the boys every day, they keep my spirits up. I've been to most games home and away but sometimes it's tough wishing you were out there, but I know my time will come."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/50713338 Yup, absolutely laughable decision.

He's not in the squad

The club are running buses to the game... https://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2019/12/04/book-a-bus-to-dundee/

Just received my accounts. The club posted a loss for the year of £436,000. The early cup exits and a reduction in the payment received from UEFA for no Scottish teams participating in the Champions League group stage were mentioned as factors, however the sale of Kipre seemingly brought in almost £800k.

Monday 16 December at 7pm

Dundee United are at home too. Hopefully their match with Hibs is moved for TV.

Full details here https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019–20_Scottish_Cup#Fourth_round

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/declan-gallagher-admits-close-tears-20900120

Today's BBC gossip...

St Johnstone?

Same 11, formation and gameplan as at Ibrox last week.

The ones on Airbles Rd are definitely away.