Football Season Guide

It was yet another season to forget for Motherwell as the Mark McGhee tenure reached its end in February. After another summer of rebuilding, the Steelmen looked to have a squad capable of tackling the top six. However, the amount of goals that were shipped throughout the season cost Motherwell a plethora of points and a potential place in the top half. With just one win in six after the winter break, having lost 20 goals, the Motherwell board relieved McGhee of his duties. Steve Robinson took over but could only secure four wins between March and the end of the season to end up in 9th place, and whilst these weren't particularly impressive stats, the ship was steadied in a defensive aspect as the Steelmen conceded fewer goals towards the end of the season. Now the real work begins for Robinson and he has already firmly got to work with a total of 14 first-team players having already left the club in the close-season, with eight coming in. Some of the departures have left massive gaps though. Scott McDonald, Stephen Pearson, and Lionel Ainsworth were amongst the big-name players who left through the exit door. The burden will now be placed on Alex Fisher, formerly of Inverness, to find the goals that McDonald takes with him. However, just as big a miss is captain Keith Lasley, who has moved to the dugout to be Robinson's assistant-manager. New recruits such as Gael Bigirimana and Andy Rose will be ordered with filling that void. Keeping a hold of Louis Moult will be a massive factor for Motherwell before the end of the transfer-window. They'll feel they can make a push for the top six with him in the side, however there is no doubt the Steelmen are significantly weaker without him. It's another season of transition for Motherwell and, at the very least they need to find some stability, something which the board will be hoping Robinson can bring.