weeyin

Playing a newly promoted team on their own patch, first game of the season is always tough. I wouldn't be too disappointed with a score draw.

Not until I've finished my coffee. But thanks for the offer.

The guy is quoted as saying " I got on in a game against CFR Cluj and almost scored after beating a few men. Because I missed the gaffer made me do some press-ups. But it was a good start and I don't know why I didn't get another chance in the first team last season." So if it's wrong, it's because Slane said it. I doubt they made up the quote.

Is this the least coherent thread ever? Maybe I just need more coffee.

The fact that they "would look sympathetically on it" suggests that they do have a rule that prohibits this. In that case, I wouldn't be surprised if somebody at UEFA quoted the rule to Motherwell and we didn't bother pursuing it. UEFA are pretty poor at communications and very good at taking two opposing positions at once, As others have said, I think the first game it Fir Park is a more appropriate place for this to happen anyway.

When the guy is the club captain, what he does off the park is also important.

Aye, but it will just be another ref that's doing the review.

We (and I include myself in that) need to stop worrying about comparing ourselves to the OF. We have a great travelling support who obviously make a fine impression with opposition fans. We shouldn't be defined by how we stack up against the OF - hardly the standard bearers of excellence, anyway. Our identity as a club doesn't rely on the OF. Let the media carry on with their Rangers/Celtic obsession, and let the 'Well (and other non-OF) fans take care of our own clubs' reputations. The people of Nancy, Llanelli, Vlorë and Bucharest were smart enough to make up their own minds. We don't need spoon-fed by the Glasgow journos to tell us how good we are; we heard it first-hand

That was a long way of saying I was right I thought I had read that JB had assumed the debt (and pursuance of it) from the club and any monies reclaimed would go to him. I guess that wasn't true.

The allocation of costs is up to the judge, but it's often the case that even if you win you are liable for part (or even all) of the costs. I have read of a number of cases where the successful party ends up in debt because of the legal fees incurred in winning.

When there is a stream, we will post it on this site. If you are a BitTorrent user, you may be able to access the highlights each week.

We kick off on the 15th August. Be prepared for plenty of highs and lows along the way.

Aye, but the difference in the Liverpool game is that it was their Championship team that played us. Not the best of whatever reserves are left behind on international weekend. Oh, and they were lucky to escape with a draw

And League Champions at the time. We saw a few flashes of the Dalglish/Rush partnership. Rush had amazing speed over the first 5-10 yards, and Kenny could have picked him out wearing a blindfold.

Aye, that's right. It was the centenary match. All the big names played and even Kenny Dalglish (who had only just hung up his boots as player manager as I recall) took to the field.

Typical Yank. Knows nothing about international sport but can tell you who is opening pitiching in the next 3 games.

I could, but I won't. As I said in my earlier post, a team billed as an "XI" doesn't exactly grab my interest. Friendlies against first team squads are typically uninspiring; against 2nd or 3rd string squads even less so. The last reasonably competitive friendly I can remember was when Liverpool played at Fir Park, but they played pretty much a full team.

Also remember the transfer window is open until August 31st, so players can come in after the league starts.

I think we can work out what the team will be from the 'fishul site: "As the match will be played on a FIFA designated international weekend none of Manchester United’s international players will be available but the club is committed to bringing its strongest reserve squad to Motherwell for the special challenge match..." I don't think Giggs, Scholes etc. would qualify as part of the reserve squad, but maybe I'm just a cynic.

Decent piece in the Evening Times today.

No. I'm not a fan of friendlies in general, and less of a fan playing any team that is billed as "XI".

JG, on the 'fishul site, says "My team, when it's well established, won't concede some of the goals that we are conceding in Europe." If he can sort that out, then we should have a decent season.

Beeb

BBC says 53% Motherwell, 47% Steaua possession - but they're not always very accurate.

Just the start we needed. Keep them under pressure for a while and see how they cope.