Normal practice in these pre-season affairs results in a host of substitutions giving lots of players game time. The effect is invariably a fragmented, stuttering game in which few of those who started are on the pitch at the end. Fulham made 11 substitutions when they played East Fife in their first game of their Scottish tour! On this occasion it may profit Stuart McCall to field the team that will probably face Stjarnan next Thursday.
Following a busy week in the Algarve the club set up closed door games against Livingston, Morton and Peterhead in a sprint to get the squad up to speed for the cup tie on July 17. The meeting with the English Championship side should complete preparations.
We may get an insight to the preferred goalkeeper, although 45 minutes each from Nielsen and Twarzick would hardly be enough to form a judgement. Will Ramsden fill the vacant centre midfield spot until a replacement is found? Who will partner Sutton up front?
Clarkson will hope he gets a chance to convince fans and management that he's the man to partner Sutton. He played against Fulham in the 2003 pre-season friendly along with Lasley and Hammell. That game finished 2-2
Fulham should provide a decent test. Shaun Hutchinson is likely to face his former team-mates and he'll receive a farewell cheer from the 'Well fans in thanks for his service. Ross McCormack is another ex-Motherwell player to join up with the Craven Cottage outfit. He joined from Leeds this week, reports suggest an £11 million fee.
The game kicks off at 2pm and the pay at the gate prices are £10/£5.