Ricky has a look back over the season gone by...
Ricky's Rant
The season's fair flew in; here we are already at the end of another Scottish Cup trip (quite literally) and almost at the SPL split. Another topsy-turvy spell for the Well but then, we'd hate it any differently (would we not….?!?!).
As the saying goes, the Honeymoon period is well and truly over for Black and Butcher. They've had time now to assess things and decide on the next step for our favourites, and to be honest it's been not bad but could be better. We are more or less safe, at this stage (written at the end of January) we sit some 14 points clear of the drop, and with 36 points to play for there's no way that the Tractor Boys can win some five in-a-row whilst we lose the same. When the new Management team came in they said their priority was to be in the SPL come August. Yep, a Cup run would have been great but I'd gladly have swapped that for staying in the top flight. Things have changed, we now have a home record which is the envy of other clubs though on the other hand our away record is one every housewife would be proud their husband had. Having missed just one match this season, thankfully the opener, I find it puzzling to say the least that we can be so prominent at home and dismal on the road. It's not as if we have trouble scoring, especially on our own turf, but the minute we take on our travels we can still score but leak goals akin to the proverbial sieve.
However, over the piece since the El Tel partnership took over I have to say I'm encouraged. I've witnessed some very positive signs that we are on our way back. Guys like Faddy, Stu and Pearo form the nucleus of what will be a team to fear. Folk may laugh but I'm serious, I honestly believe that Motherwell are on their way back. The initial dozen games that Eric took charge of were, I know, far from mind-blowing but the corner has been reached. We dispatched of Tayside Mafiosi, with all their obvious talent, took care of their "poorer" neighbours, saw off Ayrshire's version of the tattie houkers and although there was the blip at Fife's Lego land it's still three wins from four. No one would have knocked that back a month ago, so let's accept that there will be games nothing goes right. The Prats from Dungermline seem to be a bit of a snotter to us at the moment, but then many others have in the past.
The two signings to date, Deloumeaux and Soloy, added to now with the addition of Lehmann, have proved their worth. I said on the signing of Lehmann that he would get us goals. Comes on at Lego Land and instantly, in just 15 minutes, shows more appetite and vision than David Kelly did the whole season. Out to impress, definitely, but there's a factor about Dirk that Kelly never had. Dirk doesn't want to just be loved by the fans, the guy wants to earn it. The Summer will show Eric's contacts to the full, we'll see the sort of clear out and stocking up process that's been needed for years. You won't see any Holm Kraskas, or John Spencers, more the likes of Deloumeaux and Soloy who are terrific players.
I have to say a word on Big Karl Ready. Have to admit I wasn't overly impressed with his initial contributions in claret and amber but recently the Welshman has turned in impressive performances which surely mean he's here with us a good while longer. His finish against the Tayside Mafiosi was one any striker would have been proud of, our Boyo has regularly played many terrific strikers out of a game. Give the guy credit where it is due, he deserves it. I have never been one to rip through a player, I just feel it's so counter-productive that the opposition need nothing more than to hear us abusing our own lads. Eric and Tel know who we do and don't need, the last thing we require is to have the fans booing someone taking a corner kick. Give your opinion sure, but come on, the Townsley-like abuse is unwarranted, no matter who's involved.
Have to say I was delighted to hear the Old Squirm finally admit they have to stay where they are. To quote Eck the "Loyal", it was just a "pipedream". You're right, Eck, same as the one many supporters of decent teams around this land would like to place somewhere on your anatomy. Fortunately for the folk on the other side of Caledonia they have been awakened to the sort-of fan they would see parading all sorts of hatred through their streets. People who claim they support the either half but actively approve of things which really don't concern them. Scottish Football kept the Old Squirm going during their "wilderness years" during the Eighties. Both would have disappeared into oblivion had we allowed them to cross the border then. Suddenly they get all the cash, are successful by far, and think we are suddenly not good enough for them anymore. Whilst I'd love to see the back of their Bigotry, I just think they shouldn't be allowed to leave. They are not bigger than the game itself, no one and nothing in it is. Real schemes to rid our society of their nonsense would be better, actually arresting the thousands for their scummy behaviour instead of pretending it's an option would perhaps achieve something. There's no point in claiming arrests will be made for anyone chanting Sectarian songs when in reality they don't have the bottle to actually carry it out. I had the amazing scene on the way out of Fir Park after the 2-2 draw against Govan's lodge when one of their fans spat on me for no reason other than he felt I was a catholic. Why? Because I did not support his anti-anything other than loyalism beliefs, that's why. The Police say anyone promoting that sort of carry-on will be arrested, yet you see loads of them with provocative scarves and shirts, flags and banners, with not one arrest. All it would take is for an example to be made, not seeming to support it by standing by and doing nothing.
Noticing Bertie Vogts is about to be named Scotland manager cheered me up no-end. As long as he is not influenced by the same nutters who persuaded Craigie "hello, hello bravehearts" Broon into picking players on the premise they either played for the Old Firm, thought about it or at sometime would, perhaps some of Scotland's talent actually will get a look in now. Faddy is a sure-fire Scotland player even if he remains at the Well (Come on Eric get this guy on a long-term deal). There are players at clubs outwith the Squirm who deserve a shout, these lads are not afraid to play a bit and not chose the easy pass back to the goalie all the time (wonder who does that?!?!). We've got Hammy, Pearo is also one for the future good of our game, give these guys a chance Mr Basset my man!! Just hope we can keep these guys long enough, I know cash aint exactly flowing around Fir Park these days but there is surely enough to keep what we need and enhance it somewhat. As for enhancing, like I said come the Summer that will happen on a much bigger scale. This time the appointment of our new Manager looks to me to be a much better shout since the Ferret took control back in 1984. Long time to see if the El Tel partnership will be as successful as Ferret and Jaws were, but the signs are good.
And so we head into the last quarter-or-so of the season with the top six spot still within sight. I agree, simply making that top half-dozen aint so much of a point except you get another visit from one half of the Squirm. Good for the bank, down on the locals. Unless we are chasing Europe it's another bunch of "friendlies", or staving off the drop on the other hand. Whatever, you can guarantee that I will be there screaming on the Well as ever. I don't want to know anything else, simple as that!! Long as I am entertained, and I am sure I will be, I'll be happy. Optimism, it's about to be come common place!!
Cheers, Ricky
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