Motherwell

Motherwell fans, we asked for your views after Sunday's Premier Sports Cup defeat by Stenhousemuir.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Sinky: Absolute torture. I understand the need to rotate the squad ahead of a massive European game on Thursday but this game highlighted the lack of depth in our squad. Given the increasing injury list I do fear for our next two games. Well done Stenny, thoroughly deserved the win and wish them all the best in the next round.

James: As poor as I have seen since last season's semi-final against St Mirren. No cohesion, poor passing, poor pitch, players did not seem up for it, and Stenny did. Major improvement required for Thursday, and again, squad does not look strong enough.

Matt: This is the big test now. How will the squad respond from a big setback? Yes, it's a bad result. No question. However, mitigating circumstances can be cited in playing Thursday/Saturday three weeks in a row. Time for calm heads and a few new faces. Roll on Freiburg!

William: Obviously our makeshift players weren't up to the task. Fair play to Stenny, they deserved to win.

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Motherwell midfielder Oscar Priestman will miss Thursday night's Conference League play-off first leg against Freiburg through injury.

The 23-year-old was subbed off after an hour in last week's 2-0 (3-1 agg) victory against HJK Helsinki in the second leg of their third round qualifier.

Manager Alfred Johansson confirmed the midfielder will be absent for their midweek match at Fir Park but is uncertain of the extent of Priestman's injury.

"Oscar felt something during the game on Thursday [against HJK Helsinki] and we are assessing him.

"He's not going to be ready for Thursday we believe but we don't know the extent of the injury."

Scottish Championship Stenhousemuir stunned top-flight Motherwell in extra time to claim a place in the quarter-finals of the Premier Sports Cup and maintain manager Marvin Bartley's unbeaten start as manager.

Read the match report here.

Have your say on the game here.

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Motherwell manager Alfred Johansson: "Well, I think we were quite far off our recent level, and that's why when we can't perform, and then the opponent, they are good as well.

"And they were better today and we shake hands and say congratulations, they deserve to go through.

"The players that started this game, the players that came on into this game, they are good enough to win this game.

"We didn't manage to perform, I have to look at selection, but I also have to look at how we approach this game in total.

"It's not possible to say that these players that play today are not at the level to play this game.

"Obviously, it's a massive disappointment, we wanted to go through here today, so massive disappointment.

"Yeah, that's all there is to say, really.

"We have to always focus on the things that we can control and today, our performance was not at the level that we expect from each other and that's as simple as that."

"We've been taking a lot of praise, deservedly so, and then we also need to take the criticism on a night like this and make sure that we learn as much as we can from this."

Regan Charles-Cook insists Motherwell will put their Conference League play-off with Freiburg on the back burner because all their focus will be on progressing past Stenhousemuir in the League Cup on Sunday. (Daily Record), external

Read Saturday's Scottish football gossip

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Motherwell manager Alfred Johansson says underestimating Stenhousemuir in Sunday's League Cup clash "would be the most stupid thing in the world to do".

Johnasson took over at Fir Park this summer following the departure of Jens Berthel Askou for French side Toulouse, and the transition has been almost seamless.

Motherwell are unbeaten so far this term and earlier this week booked a spot in the Conference League play-off where they will face last year's Europa League finalist Freiburg.

Up first though, a League Cup last 16 tie against Championship outfit Stenhousemuir.

The Steelmen made it to the semi-final of the competition last season where they were heavily beaten by eventual winners St Mirren.

Johansson stressed the importance of the tie and a cup run as a whole to fans.

"Both cups are very important to all of our supporters," he said.

"It's very important to the club. It's important in Scotland. It's a big tradition with these cups in Scotland, it's a big thing in these islands. Much bigger than it is back home in Sweden, for instance.

"Last year being in the semi-final, obviously that is not something you can take for granted. But it's absolutely something that you want to experience again. Try to go as far as you can in the cups, like we're doing now in the qualification rounds in Europe. But it's so difficult."

Although they made it far in the competition last term, Johansson recounted Motherwell's struggles against lower league clubs in the group stages of the competition, including then League One club Stenhousemuir.

They frustrated Jens Berthel Askou's side until Stephen O'Donnell scrambled the only goal from a corner.

And even though Johansson wasn't at the club at the time, he knows the task at hand.

"To underestimate that task on Sunday, that would be the most stupid thing in the world to do," he added.

"We respect our opponent. And the way that we do that is to try absolutely everything we can to go there and win the game. Not underestimating one per cent."

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Motherwell manager Alfred Johansson is keen to add to his squad before the end of the transfer window despite his side's excellent start to the season.

The Steelmen have taken four points from their opening two Premiership matches and have negotiated the first two rounds of qualifying to reach the playoffs for the Conference League, where they will face German side Freiburg.

It's been an impressive start under Johansson, who replaced Jens Berthel Askou in the summer, and he says he wants to build on that by beefing up his squad further.

"We are not done in the market," Johansson said.

"We're still in the market as long as it's open, and we aim to do a thing or two more. Are we going to do more things? Yes. Do I feel we have people enough in the building? Yes.

"I don't believe anyone can doubt that. After the start to the season that we've had, how good the players [have been] we have already."

Motherwell lost a host of key players in the summer, including Elijah Just, Elliot Watt and Calum Ward.

Last season's top goalscorer Tawanda Maswanhise remains at the club, and Johansson says he is not going to concern himself around potential interest from other clubs in his players.

"These are moments of uncertainty, when there is a transfer window," he said. "I'm not going to place any bet on how it's going to look at the end of the window.

"I learned pretty early that you need to try to focus on the things that you can actually control. And that's what I aim to do. And then when we wake up the 3rd of September in the morning, we'll know exactly how it panned out."

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Motherwell manager Alfred Johansson has been speaking to the media ahead of Sunday's Premier Sports Cup clash with Stenhousemuir.

Here are the key lines from his media conference.

• Following the Europa Conference League qualifying win over HJK Helsinki, Johansson praised the "superb" atmosphere at Fir Park and says the connection between the team and the fans has been "better than what I thought" coming into the job.

• The attitude of the fans towards their team is different to what he has experienced in his native Sweden and admits "people are very humble, I don't feel the same in Scandinavia. I feel that when we are doing well and people are coming to see us play. It's a sense of gratitude that I haven't maybe felt before."

• At the start of the season Johansson says he asked Ibrahim Said to improve his end product and consistency and - after two stunning goals against Helsinki - he is now demonstrating both.

• He is still aiming to do "a thing or two more" in terms of signings before the end of the transfer window.

• On potential departures, he adds: "I mean, these are moments of uncertainty, right? When there is a transfer window. I'm not going to place any bet on how it's going to look at the end of the window."

• Focus has quickly turned to Stenhousemuir, with Johansson saying he expects a tough test against the Championship outfit and says "to underestimate that task on Sunday, that would be the most stupid thing in the world to do. We respect our opponent and the way that we do that is to try absolutely everything we can to go there and win the game. Not underestimating one percent."

Motherwell fans, we asked for your views after Thursday night's victory over HJK Helsinki secured a place in the Conference League play-off.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Stuart: What can you say, this is a team that just keeps on giving. What a time to be a Motherwell fan. With seven new signings and six academy graduates we had to fear the worst but last night was outstanding against a club with European pedigree. Now a real test to see as a club where we are at against a top German opposition in Frieburg. A tough ask but who knows with this squad

Craig: What a result by the whole team. One of the greatest/loudest atmospheres I have experienced in my 40+ years as a Well fan. No fear going into the next round

Allan: Really not sure what else to say about Motherwell. You keep expecting them to fall flat on their faces but they just don't. I was crying out for us to keep and pass the football but had no idea we could actually do it to this level. Can Alfred [Johansson] be better than Jens [Berthel Askou]? I hope we never see honking fitbaw at Fir Park ever again.

Alistair: Outstanding. Brilliant atmosphere created by the fans, matched by two superb goals. All the players deserve great credit for a marvellous outcome over the two legs. Obviously Ibrahim Said's goals will be the focus of most praise but I thought Jake Girdwood-Reich was outstanding throughout the 90 minutes. The team have really earned the right to have a tilt at a top German side in Freiburg - roll on next Thursday.

Susan: The best night I have experienced at Fir Park. A superb performance from our players and the atmosphere was amazing. We fear no one. Bring on the next round.

James: Thought we were absolutely tremendous. A nervous first half we played superb football in the second half. A deserved victory and Said was phenomenal. Still room for improvement, and again, we need a goalscorer. Money to spend, but we have to do it wisely.

Motherwell will face last season's Europa League finalists Freiburg for a place in the Conference League proper after two sensational Ibrahim Said goals saw off HJK Helsinki at a bouncing Fir Park.

Read the full match report here

Have your say on the game via this link

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Motherwell boss Alfred Johnasson: "A strong performance for a club like Motherwell to now be in the play-offs.

"Massive, massive credit to the players, they put everything out there. We can't be anything other than pleased with that.

"Ibrahim [Said] has been so good for us so far this season in all the games he's been involved in, except against Falkirk when he maybe didn't manage to show his offensive skills but tonight he was brilliant. I would also like to mention Alex Lowry's second half was also very strong but you could mention so many guys.

"We were brave and looked better on the ball than we did on Sunday, that was most pleasing. The effort is always there so it's about maintaining the bravery and playing the way we want on the ball and tonight we did it.

"Tonight I'm going to go home and feed my baby so my wife can sleep. We'll come back in tomorrow and recover, then we look forward to the next task which is Sunday.

"It is [a brilliant tie against Freiburg] but we want to do well in the League Cup and we have a massive game on Sunday. It's a massive, massive game, it's a final for us on Sunday and that's where we're going to put all of our focus on that then we can move on to next week."

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While Motherwell have made an impressive start to life under new boss Alfred Johansson, they must look to bolster their attacking options, says former player Andy Halliday.

The Fir Park side are unbeaten in five outings this season, despite losing a host of key players.

However, Halliday, who was part of the squad that finished fourth in the Scottish Premiership last term, believes they are "really short at the top end of the pitch".

The creative talents of Elijah Just, Elliot Watt and Callum Slattery have moved on, while it may be difficult to retain Tawanda Maswanhise.

Of the eight new arrivals, Willy Vogt is the only forward, with Halliday, telling the BBC Scottish Football Podcast: "I've been more impressed by the other signings, shall I say.

"I watched the game against Falkirk [0-0 on Sunday] and, for all the control they have, they don't have enough at the top end.

"Tawanda Maswanhese is back but will he be a Motherwell player by the end of the window?

"I think they are one or two signings short to be close to their best.

"But, like any team with new players and a new manager, they are a work in progress and they are still picking up results."

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

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Manager Alfred Johansson has been speaking to the media before Motherwell face HJK in the second leg of their Conference League third-round qualifier.

Here are the key lines:

• Johansson is "absolutely buzzing" to bring "very exciting" midfielder Joe Hodge to the club. The manager says he is "mainly a number six in our system" but can also have a "more box-to-box" role.

• The Swedish coach says the Republic of Ireland international possesses the "vision, quality on the ball and mobility" to play at the base of his side's midfield.

• Despite bringing in large transfer fees over the course of the past year, Johansson says Motherwell are "still going to be strategic" with incomings but agrees that Hodge's arrival signals real ambition by the club, given the pedigree he arrives with.

• Hodge will not be eligible for Motherwell's match with HJK on Thursday, while left-sided defender Dylan Williams still faces another "week or two" on the sidelines.

• Strikers Eythor Bjorgolfsson and Apostolos Stamatelopoulos are back in training but are still doing individual work away from the team.

• Johansson adds that his players will need a "strong, strong performance" to progress on Thursday following a 1-1 draw last week.

• The Swede hailed his side's second-half display in Helsinki, saying they were "more fearless, more aggressive and that's us". "We want to excite, we want to play our way," he adds.

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, Getty Images

Manager Alfred Johansson says Motherwell play in a style that will allow "excellent footballer" Joe Hodge to "flourish and develop further" after the Republic of Ireland midfielder signed for an undisclosed fee from Portuguese side FC Tondela.

The 23-year-old has penned a two-year deal, with the Fir Park club holding the option of a further year, and becomes the side's eighth summer signing.

Primarily a deep-lying midfielder, the former Wolves player featured in 26 games in Portugal's top flight last term as Tondela suffered relegation to the second tier.

A product of Manchester City's youth academy, he played 13 times for Wolves, six of which came in the Premier League, and had loans at Queens Park Rangers and Huddersfield before his move to Portugal.

"Joe is an excellent footballer who fits the profile for the type of midfielder we want in our squad," Motherwell boss Johansson said of his new recruit, who made his international debut in June.

"He has played in the Premier League against some of the best players in the world and has gained experience in English and Portuguese football. At 23, he has achieved a lot, but there is more to come from this young man."

Hodge, who provides a much-needed option in the Motherwell midfield following the departures of Callum Slattery and Elliot Watt, added: "Having watched Motherwell games last season and the games this season, I've been itching to get involved.

"There are a lot of new faces this season, but the cohesion amongst the players is clear with the great results so far this season.

"As a footballer, you want to play in football teams that you feel are best suited to your qualities, and I feel this group of coaches and players are a perfect match for me."

Jenna Thomson
Fan writer

Another unbeaten week for the pride of Lanarkshire.

The draw in Helsinki was a much more glamorous result than the stalemate with Falkirk, but both are important.

Fir Park will be rocking on Thursday night since it is all to play for in the battle to progress to a Conference League play-off against last year's Europa League runners-up Freiburg.

The grit, determination and fire we have help make the Steelmen a force to be reckoned with.

However, you can tell we are starting to feel the effects of playing twice a week because towards the end of the Falkirk game we were slowing down and making silly errors.

We do still need extra bodies through the door. I would happily take some loan signings to tide us over until our injury problems clear up.

A packed Fir Park can be an intimidating place to visit for away teams, so as fans it is our duty to make the place feel like a fortress.

We are yet to lose a competitive game - hopefully that's still the case by the end of this week.

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HJK Helsinki beat Oulu 1-0 in their Finnish league game at they prepare for Thursday's trip to Fir Park to face Motherwell in the second leg of their Conference League third round qualifier.

The sides drew 1-1 in Finland last week in the first leg of the tie.

Motherwell were held to a goalless draw at home to Falkirk in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday while HJK Helsinki, currently third in the Finnish top flight, dispatched the fifth place side.

Should Motherwell progress through the Conference League qualifier, they will face Freiburg of Germany who beat French side Strasbourg 2-0 in a friendly on Saturday.

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Raphael Sallinger - Hibernian

Made eight saves as Hibs held on for another win over Rangers at Ibrox.

Kanayo Megwa - Hibernian

Played a big part in a strong, steady victorious showing at Ibrox.

Auston Trusty - Celtic

Superb block on the line as the American kept things tight at the back for Celtic.

Owen Bevan - Dundee

You don't have to be called Bevan to do well for Dundee, but it clearly helps. Strong showing at the back.

Emmanuel Longelo - Motherwell

More often than not makes an impact down the left for the Steelmen.

Joe Bevan - Dundee

Looked impressive at times against Celtic and took it to a new level against Aberdeen with a goal and assist.

Tom Renaud - Hearts

His laser-guided rocket reminded me of Ally McCoist at Euro '96. To be fair, Renaud's was even better.

Killian Phillips - St Mirren

Suddenly the main man for the Buddies. Loved his no-nonsense one-step penalty.

Josh McPake - Hearts

Scored a fine goal, linking up with Claudio Braga. Shining on the Tynecastle stage after his heroics for St Johnstone.

Kasper Hogh - Celtic

An ebullient, winning personality and the Celtic fans have a new hero after the £11m man netted a hat-rick and looked an all round class act.

Claudio Braga - Hearts

Ran out of superlatives for his contribution last season, and was back to his best against Dundee United with a goal and two assists.

Motherwell fans, we asked for your views after Sunday's goalless draw against Falkirk.

Here's what some of you had to say:

John: A wee bit concerning the way we totally fell out of the game in the last 25 minutes. Prior to that we played a lot of nice football and should have been a goal up. Take into account that Falkirk were our real bogey team last season then it's a decent point. Time to conquer Europe now.

Stuart: To be honest we are still unbeaten in competitive games this season. Although we looked tired for most of the game, to come away with a point is a bonus. We still need a couple of new signings - a striker and creative midfielder - but time to reset and hopefully continue with a win over HJK Helsinki.

George: I think our displays to date this season have been overpraised. Talk of a seamless transition from last year have been lazy. Still, I didn't think we would be so poor so quickly. We looked limited in attack and lacking in pressing and forward momentum. Hope this is not a sign of things to come or the season could be less successful than many pundits suppose.

Jim: Don't know why some supporters were full of moans and groans during a hard fought home draw against a team who beat us three times last year. A few weeks ago most of these guys didn't know each other, they were running on empty for the last 20 minutes but still dug in.

Walter: We really need a striker.

Watch all the action as Motherwell and Falkirk play out a goalless draw at Fir Park to maintain Alfred Johansson's unbeaten start to life at Motherwell. Available to UK users only