Football Season Guide

Mark McGhee performed an absolute miracle with Motherwell last season, guiding them from a relegation dogfight and safely into the top-six, ultimately ending up in fifth when the season came to a close. It's testament to McGhee's ability to get the best out of his players, but even he will know the importance of keeping most of his squad together if he is to build on last season. So far, only Josh Law, Connor Ripley, and Ben Hall have left the club to pastures new, but McGhee has reacted swiftly in the transfer window to bring in experienced goalkeeper Dean Brill from Inverness, as well as defenders Richard Tait and Ben Heneghan respectively to cover the departures of Law and Hall. Another top-six place should be the minimum expectation for this Motherwell side as it stands, but they have to ensure that both Marvin Johnson and Louis Moult stay at the club after the transfer deadline. The squad has sufficient strength in depth to cope with the season ahead, but it has to stay that way. However, perhaps the one key element McGhee could do with is another forward to help Moult with the burden of goal-scoring. It's been a mixed-bag from the Steelmen in their pre-season so far, with perhaps the 2-0 defeat to Rangers telling a lot about their need for another goalscorer. They will be hoping that man turns out to be Jacob Blyth, formerly of Leicester City, as help is a necessity in the forward areas if Motherwell are to push for a European slot. As their squad looks just now, there's no reason why Motherwell can't push for a Europa League place and challenge the likes of St Johnstone and Ross County, but that will be down to McGhee and the continuation of his skill of getting the best out of the players at his disposal.