Motherwell

David Currie
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou is expecting a "desperate" and "dangerous" Aberdeen side to turn up at Fir Park on Saturday evening.

Jimmy Thelin's side sit rock bottom of the Premiership table and are still searching for their first win of the season.

Although Motherwell triumphed 1-0 Pittodrie in last weekend's League Cup quarter-final, Askou feels his side will have to improve this weekend.

"I expect us to actually have to play better than in that game to get a similar outcome," the Dane said.

"We needed a little bit of luck against them at times. Aberdeen are obviously a team that's under a little bit of pressure but a team that's extremely desperate can also be really, really difficult to play."

Askou also thinks the Dons pose an attacking threat despite the fact they've failed to score a league goal this term.

"I expect us to have to perform well in many of the same areas that we did away to Aberdeen, especially defensively, because they still have top players up front," he added.

"They still have a lot of quality. We have to be really, really mindful that we don't give them a sniff of something to go for or give them any easy chances or make it too easy for them to defend."

David Currie
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou has been speaking to the media as his side prepare for Saturday's game at home to Aberdeen.

Here are the main points:

• Motherwell knocked Aberdeen out of the League Cup last weekend, but Askou says his side will have to "play better to get a similar outcome".

• The Motherwell boss thinks his side had a bit of luck to keep a clean sheet at Pittodrie, but they'll look to exploit gaps as Aberdeen chase their first win of the season.

• As Motherwell look to follow up cup victory with a first league win, Askou says positive results "won't come easy".

• But the Dane knows Motherwell are going to "need a lot of wins" to "get where we dream of getting" this season.

• He describes bottom club Aberdeen as a dangerous team who are better than they've shown so far, adding teams who are "desperate to win are difficult to play".

• The Dane doesn't expect a lot of changes to the squad from last week although club captain Paul McGinn could be included as he's getting back to fitness.

• On the League Cup semi-final, the boss says it's at the back of his mind at the moment but he thinks it will be a very tight game against St Mirren and a special occasion.

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• After their 2-0 win in January, Motherwell are looking to claim back-to-back home league victories over Aberdeen for the first time since December 2012 (four in a row).

• Aberdeen have won seven of their past nine league meetings with Motherwell (D1 L1), winning 4-1 most recently in March, although were knocked out of the League Cup by the Steelmen last weekend.

• Motherwell have drawn their past six league games (including all five this season) – the longest run of successive draws by any side in Scotland's top flight on Opta's records (from 1998-99).

• Aberdeen are winless in nine league games (D1 L8), failing to score in all five this season; they previously failed to score in six successive top-flight matches in February 2021.

• Only Dundee United (seven) have dropped more points from winning positions in the Scottish Premiership this season than Motherwell (six), doing so in each of their previous three league games.

Jenna Thomson
Fan writer

Is it too early to start calling us the treble-chasing Steelmen?

The stars have aligned and we have been given the perfect draw - avoiding the Old Firm - in the League Cup semi-finals. The only way it can get sweeter is if they announce we are the Saturday game.

Last year felt like a fluke as it had been so long since we qualified for a semi-final. Having now gone back-to-back, I am overjoyed.

My parents weren't alive when we last won the League Cup in the 1950s and I wasn't even thought about yet when we won the Scottish Cup in '91.

I stupidly missed our two finals in the 17-18 season due to youthful ignorance, so you best believe if we beat St Mirren to reach the final, I will be front row at Hampden.

It is slightly unfortunate we will have to shatter Stephen Robinson in the process, but that is just business.

Aberdeen won a cup against all odds last season, so who is to say Motherwell can't do the same?

We asked for your views on Motherwell's 1-0 win against Aberdeen.

Here's what some of you said:

James: Not our best performance by a long shot, but still the better team. Apostolos Stamatelopoulos works his socks off and should have scored, but I'm sure the goals will come for him. Ibrahim Said's best performance so far, but a few outstanding in the team today. Stephen Welsh and Tawanda Maswanhise were tremendous. Hampden here we come.

George: Delighted that we finally got the victory our great play deserved. After years of unattractive, defensive-minded football under a number of managers, we are playing fearless, flowing football.

The players have bought in to the new style and are obviously happy and while, as in every club you will always get the odd dissenter, most fans are well content by the fare being served up and are even beginning to dream.

Norrie: I said when the draw was made that the last time I was at Pittodrie, Motherwell won 1-0 with a Steve Kirk goal and then went on to win the Scottish Cup. Dare we dream again.

John: We're playing the best football in years, just not putting teams away with the chances we've had. Stamatelopoulos is doing everything right except scoring, but it will come for him. An all-round brilliant display against Aberdeen and a fantastic goal from Cookie [Regan Charles-Cook]. We will fear nobody at Hampden.

Stuart: Tight game, but we created the better chances and should have scored more. Good to see a clean sheet and thought the players deserved the win. Hampden here we come.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Regan Charles-Cook is hoping Motherwell can end their 34-year wait to win a major trophy after the winger fired them into the semi-finals of the Premier Sports Cup.

The Fir Park side join St Mirren and Rangers in the last four, with holders Celtic or Partick Thistle meeting on Sunday afternoon before the draw is made.

Motherwell last celebrated a major honour in 1991 when they defeated Dundee United in a Scottish Cup final thriller.

After scoring the only goal away to Aberdeen on Saturday, Charles-Cook said: "I don't see any reason why we can't win the trophy.

"We have got a great group and a shout out to the fans today because they didn't stop singing from minute one, they were like our twelfth man.

"I say 'why not?' We want to give something back to the fans to celebrate and this is our dream, we all want to play at the national stadium and we all want to lift that trophy."

The positivity around Motherwell since Jens Berthel Askou took charge in the summer is continuing to grow.

As well as progressing in the cup, they are unbeaten in their five league games so far, albeit all of those matches have been draws.

Former Ross County star Charles-Cook, 28, joined the Steelmen last month after a spell in Belgian football.

He added: "From the day I spoke to the manager, from the day I walked through the door, when I met all the boys and you had done your first training session and you can see the way we play, I felt like 'this could be really incredible'.

"It's not just that, it's the consistency and how we carry ourselves every day in training and taking ourselves into the game. That's the main thing because the season is very long and as long as you can be consistent for a long period of time special things can happen."

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Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou tells BBC Scotland: "Very delighted. Happy with the defensive performance and some of the attacking play.

"I don't think we played to our full capacity in terms of quality on the ball. We should have scored one or two more goals, but it was exactly the defensive performance we have been looking for. It was more of less flawless, which is what you need in big games away.

"We were well structured and kept it to a minimum of chances against, which is huge credit.

"I thought no matter what they threw at us, I felt the day was going to go our way. The boys were extremely alert and I was quite calm. It was more about keeping the players switched on when we had the ball.

"We deserved it. You could feel how much it meant after the game and we are looking forward to the semi-final. It will be a big moment for us and we need to take it."

Motherwell booked a Premier Sports Cup semi-final spot for the second season in a row after Regan Charles-Cook's fine strike piled further pressure on Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin.

• Read the full match report here.

• Let us know your thoughts.

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland at Fir Park

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Regan Charles-Cook says manager Jens Berthel Askou's "different kettle of fish" playing style was the main reason behind him choosing to join Motherwell.

The forward left Ross County in 2022 after a stellar campaign that resulted in him being voted into the PFA Scotland team of the year.

The 28-year-old became a free agent in the summer following three seasons with Eupen in Belgium and chose Fir Park as his next destination late last month.

On why he picked Motherwell, Charles-Cook said: "I would say it was the manager, to be honest.

"I watched Motherwell play a couple of games and the way they play football, as you can see, is a whole different kettle of fish since I was last here.

"It's really enjoyable, and I think the way we play could also get the best out of me as well."

Although Motherwell are yet to win a league game this season, drawing all five of their matches, they are unbeaten under Askou across 10 outings in all competitions.

And the Lanarkshire club have the chance to book a League Cup semi-final place with victory at Aberdeen on Saturday.

Askou has received plaudits for quickly implementing an attractive, free-flowing style - but how has that been possible?

"The detail," Charles-Cook added. "The amount of analysis we do. I know people might think, go on the pitch a lot and just do it that way, but we focus a lot on videos and detail and how he wants us to play.

"Literally just a moment ago, I went for individual analysis to just work on different movements. I know some players might not like videoing a lot, but one thing I realised is it's so important in today's game.

"It's been a key point. He's very detailed, which is really good. It's just helped us all."

Andrew Southwick
BBC Sport Scotland

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He may be new to Scottish football, but Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou will come up against a familiar face in Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin on Saturday.

And his opposite number may well have revenge on his mind, after Askou ruined Thelin's Elfsborg farewell.

The two go head to head at Pittodrie for a place in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final, for what will be the second consecutive year Aberdeen or Motherwell have reached the last four.

And it will be the fourth time the two Scandinavians have met each other in management.

Askou made the move from his native Denmark across the border to Sweden to take charge of IFK Goteborg in June 2023. Four games in to his reign, his side made the one-hour trip to Boras, where Thelin's Elfsborg was there to welcome them.

That game ended 1-1, but they would meet again in October in the third-last match of the season. This time Thelin - whose side were battling Malmo for the league title - posted a 2-1 win in Gothenburg.

However, Thelin's side failed to win their final two games of the season, agonisingly losing out on the title on goal difference.

The final time they met was in Thelin's farewell game for Elfsborg before his move to Aberdeen.

Thelin's tenure ended in disappointment after Goteborg eked out a 1-0 win to send the Swede to Scotland on a sour note.

However, Askou was not far behind him in the departure terminal. Just two weeks later he would leave his post to take up an assistant manager role with Sparta Prague.

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland at Fir Park

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The Motherwell support have already taken manager Jens Berthel Askou to their hearts - and that is before he has even given them a league win.

He simply has no idea what would come his way if he was able to guide the club to their first trophy in 34 years.

The Danish coach has emerged as one of the surprise packages in Scottish football this season, rapidly implementing a fearless, free-flowing playing style at Fir Park.

Despite failing to win a league match this term, drawing all five of their games, Askou's side are unbeaten in 10 fixtures across all competitions.

The Motherwell boss is convinced "the best is yet to come" from his players.

The 43-year-old takes his team north to out-of-form Aberdeen on Saturday, with the winner guaranteed one of four Premier Sports Cup semi-final places.

Motherwell have not won a major honour since triumphing in a classic 4-3 win over Dundee United the 1991 Scottish Cup final.

The Lanarkshire club have not won the League Cup since 1951.

Jimmy Thelin is enduring a tough spell at present, but what the Aberdeen manager, whom Askou knows well from the pair's time working in Sweden, achieved in last season's Scottish Cup final should serve as inspiration for all non-Old Firm sides.

A sensational penalty shootout victory against treble-chasing Celtic sparked wild scenes at Hampden and back at home in the Granite City.

If Askou was able to repeat the feat, albeit in a different competition, the jubilation in Motherwell would almost certainly match the emotional celebrations that took place in Aberdeen in May.

When asked if emulating Thelin's cup success is something he allows himself to dream about, the Dane candidly replied: "When we are involved in football, either as fans or working within the clubs, dreams are extremely important.

"I think we all have them, and they start quite early when we are very small and very young. We are here now and obviously we dream to win. It starts by winning a football game.

"That's the way to win a trophy. And now we've put ourselves in a position where we are a few games short of having the opportunity to win a trophy. That means we will do everything we can to make that dream come true.

"Everyone has a dream and that's what we're here for. I expect everyone to dream about doing something above the ordinary with a club of our size."

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland at Fir Park

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Motherwell are set to be without influential Callum Slattery until after the October international break.

The 26-year-old has been one of the standout midfielders in the Scottish Premiership since returning from a long-term knee injury early this year.

He has scored six goals in his past 12 league matches but has not featured since the 3-3 draw at Hearts almost four weeks ago.

Motherwell's first fixture after next month's international period is a home meeting with Falkirk on 18 October.

Captain Paul McGinn is also likely to miss Saturday's Premier Sports Cup quarter-final at Aberdeen, as is forward Callum Hendry.

Fellow striker Apostolos Stamatelopolous is fit, though, after colliding with a post in the draw at Dundee last weekend.

Manager Jens Berthel Askou also confirmed summer signings Jordan McGhee and Eseosa Sule will be out until next year, along with Sam Nicholson.

"Jordan's is a new injury and required surgery," Askou said. "I am gutted for him. Paul McGinn has had a little thing. He is close but probably won't make it for the weekend.

"We have a couple of players who will be with us after the international break. It's tight, but it's probably going to be after with Tom Sparrow and Callum Slattery.

"Callum Hendry we're monitoring, he's been a little overloaded since he came. We will take a decision on when to put him in full training.

"We're doing our best to get everyone back, but it's a chance for other people to play and get minutes."

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

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Manager Jens Berthel Askou has been speaking to the media before his Motherwell side travel to Aberdeen in the last eight of the Premier Sports Cup.

Here are the main lines:

• Key midfielder Callum Slattery and versatile Tom Sparrow are likely to be out until after the October international break.

• Striker Apostolos Stamatelopoulos will be fit for Saturday but captain Paul McGinn and Callum Hendry are set to miss out.

• Jordan McGhee, Eseosa Sule and Sam Nicholson will be out until next year.

• Askou concedes Motherwell "are not the favourites" for the tie despite Aberdeen's poor start to the season, but he hopes to send an "amazing" away support of more 1,000 fans home happy.

• The former IFK Goteborg boss heaped praise on Jimmy Thelin, whom he knows well from the Dons manager's time working in Sweden with Elfsborg.

• Askou says Aberdeen's "underlying data" shows they have been "unlucky" this term and they have "quality players and a very good manager".

• On allowing himself to dream of emulating Thelin's cup success at Aberdeen, Askou says: "When we are involved in football, fans or working within, dreams are extremely important. I expect everyone to dream about winning something out of the ordinary for a club of our size."

• With extra time and spot-kicks a possibility this weekend, Askou says the team have been "banging in penalties for fun".

• Askou's side have impressed with their passing style but are yet to win a league game, drawing five straight matches, however the Well boss believes his team have been "two actions" away from occupying third in the league.

• When asked if the sky is the limit for this team when a win arrives, Askou says: "I don't think the sky's the limit, but we have a good opportunity to do something over time and develop as a football club. The best is yet to come."

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The draw for the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals will take place on Sunday after Partick Thistle v Celtic (15:30 BST) concludes.

The semis will be played on the weekend of 1-2 November with the final scheduled for Sunday, 14 December.

St Mirren's trip to Kilmarnock on Friday night (19:45) gets the quarter-finals under way before Aberdeen host Motherwell (15:00) on Saturday followed by Rangers v Hibs (17:45).

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The potential for toxicity in the Old Firm "fishbowl" was a key reason Lennon Miller opted to move abroad from Motherwell for the next step in his career, says the midfielder's dad Lee.

Celtic fans are currently at loggerheads with the board over the club's transfer business and failure to qualify for the Champions League, while Rangers supporters have called for head coach Russell Martin's sacking amid the Ibrox side's worst league start in 47 years.

Having been linked with both sides of the Old Firm, 19-year-old Miller chose to join Serie A side Udinese in the summer.

Speaking on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, former striker Lee Miller said: "The first time I noticed that, it was on a smaller scale, going up to Aberdeen. I didn't realise how big a club Aberdeen was until I went up there, and it's the same kind of thing, it's a fishbowl.

"If you're doing well, the fans are buzzing, you'll go to a supermarket, 'Oh big man, you're doing brilliant.'

"But when it's going wrong and you're not playing well and you're not having a good time, they don't miss you. They'll say wee snidey comments, you'll get growled at going down the street.

"Talking about Lennon in terms of being my son in a football environment, he's seen that. He's understood that. He's been brought up with Scottish football.

"He sees the different lifestyles and stuff and that's why essentially he wanted to go away and learn his trade and see different cultures and hopefully thrive and kick on.

"It's a real bad time for the Old Firm just now and the way it's going is toxic."

Jenna Thomson
Fan writer

The history-making Steelmen have drawn again. On the positive side, we are still unbeaten even though we remain winless.

It is a strange place to be where no one is unhappy with the manager or the performances yet we are unable to hold on to a lead.

After being 3-0 up away to Hearts, then 2-1 ahead against Kilmarnock, the latest in the concerning trend was letting a 1-0 lead slip against Dundee.

Before anyone gets the pitchforks ready, I do not blame the manager for this. In fact, it's potentially down to the players' stamina. We are playing in such an intense way right now and it takes a toll.

Of our seven goals conceded, five were in the second half, and three of those came after the 70th minute. Fatigue could well be a factor.

In this weekend's League Cup quarter-final with Aberdeen, I want us to be aggressive and in their face from the start but also making the right substitutions at the right times.

Aberdeen may be bottom of the table but form becomes irrelevant in cup games.

Watch the Sportscene team discuss Motherwell's strengths after their 1-1 draw against Dundee in the Scottish Premiership.

Tawanda Maswanhise's dad was a sprinter and it clearly runs in the family. The Zimbabwe international turned on the afterburners to devastating effect as Motherwell opened the scoring away at Dundee.

We asked for your views on Motherwell's 1-1 draw with Dundee.

Here's what some of you said...

Sinky: Totally frustrating, inability to take chances and trying to walk the ball in rather than having a shot. All that possession and again we get undone by slackness at the back.

James: So many good points. First half was excellent, second half not so good. Great play, great possession, no finishing let us down. Not downhearted, just disappointed.

Adam: The strikers need to find their scoring boots. A point a game is no good. Next week we must win the cup game so Aberdeen fear us for the league game that follows.

Alistair: Motherwell playing really attractive football, some of the best I have seen in the 50 years I have been following them. The issues we have are at the back and up front. We always seem capable of losing a goal through sloppy defending and our lack of fire power means we aren't scoring enough to counter act that. We have a Louis Moult sized hole up front. We need to stop trying the same lovely passing in the penalty box when attacking as it is too congested rather than trying another pass have a shot on goal. I am confident that with confidence up front, the wins will come.

George: It seems a ludicrous thing to say but it is becoming increasingly difficult to watch Motherwell. Sure the football is light years ahead of the last few years efforts but not being able to translate dominance into points is in some ways a more wearing experience than last year. Plus a couple of defeats down the road may result in players losing confidence in themselves.