This is one of the quickest appearances as "Boss" ever as we don't normally have time to cover midweek games...so apologies to Calum McGhee for his brief stint in the hot seat! The pressure of securing our place in the top division (again, twenty five times on the trot) is over so will the new Boss decide to blood some youngsters?
FORMATION 4-1-4-1
After an excellent result and performance at the weekend against Inverness securing our position in the league for 25th season in a row, a fantastic achievement, I have chosen my team for Motherwell. Having played so well on Saturday I am going to stick with mostly the same team that played, but making two changes at centre forward and defensive midfield. I'd quite like to take the last two games seriously and push on and cement our place in seventh. Therefore...
GOALKEEPER
Jamie MacDonald - A good keeper and glad to see him back in goals after an undeserving amount of time out of the team. Jamie has been utterly professional throughout the whole Goalkeeper saga. However, Woodman was a fantastic prospect, and will have great career in football.
RIGHT BACK
Luke Hendrie - Mr. Consistent himself, a smashing player and hopefully a guy we could make a move for at the end of the season as his contract is up with Burnley. Seven out of ten most weeks, a good solid player and has been an excellent signing. Not many wingers have gotten the better of him this season.
CENTRE BACK
Gary Dicker - Player of the season certainly . Not only versatile but a real leader . Next years captain for me no questions. Great professional and glad he has triggered an extra year in his deal . A role model for the rest of youngsters in the squad . Im keeping him in defence because he's been immense in there and to hopefully keep Moult for Motherwell quiet.
CENTRE BACK
Kristoffer Ajer - A breath of fresh air since joining us in January. Tall and athletic and completely composed on the ball. The complete package, he has a great understanding with Dicker in defence, both complimenting each other's game well. I reckon he is the best centre half in the Premier League outside of Celtic. He will have a massive future in the game. Pleasure to watch him in the stripes on his storming runs. The Beckenbauer of Kilmarnock!
LEFT BACK
Greg Taylor - Another who has been excellent all season. Came on so much since his debut just under a year ago. A young Garry Hay style of left back and an exciting prospect to have. I think with a little more confidence in himself he will be a top player for us. A real tidy player with lots to offer next season. Straight back into the team at expense of young Wilson unfortunately.
DEFENSIVE MIDFIELD
Steven Smith - Not always his biggest fan but in this position he breaks up play well and can give it to the more creative players in the team the ball. I would like him to get in around Scott McDonald and stop him being on the ball in the final third. He will be used solely to anchor the midfield and fill in for either full back. This then allowing the four in front of him to support further up the pitch without worrying about being exploited on the break.
RIGHT MIDFIELD
Greg Kiltie - Our Lord and saviour. Great to see Greg
back in action and hopefully he will be back to his best soon. Exciting prospect and arguably our best player on his day. I would like
him to play on the right hand side of my four in midfield. Greg can
provide goals and assists from this position, in what I think is an
exciting midfield who can all interchange across the park.
CENTRE MIDFIELD
Sean Longstaff - A player I think will become an excellent midfielder, he ghosts into great positions and, as you witnessed last weekend, he gets shots away and gets goals. Still only a teenager he would be a player I'd welcome back next season. He has great energy and can spot a pass. Sean will be given the freedom with Frizzell to push on and support our lone striker from midfield. He hopefully will add another goal to his tally on Tuesday.
CENTRE MIDFIELD
Adam Frizzell - Adam was excellent at Firhill earlier in the season and hasn't featured much since due to loan signings. I was delighted he played so well and assisted the second goal on Saturday. Hopefully a new start for him in the team from now on. Excellent ability on the ball and always looking to receive it under pressure. My man of the match last week against Inverness. Next season will be a big season for him I think in that advanced midfield position he is dangerous. Makes good decisions and is willing to get stuck in. Frizz and Longstaff work well together, both pressing while Smith anchors the midfield behind them.
LEFT MIDFIELD
Jordan Jones - JJ was extremely frustrating at the start of the season in and out of the team but he has came on so much and an extended run in the team and a few goals has helped his confidence. He is probably our most dangerous player at the moment. His pace and trickery is frightening at times and the way he skinned the boy against Inverness and finished for his goal was excellent. I'd like Jordan to get at the right back on Tuesday and give him hell for the entire game. Come inside and get shots away and get to by line for cut backs.
CENTRE FORWARD
Innes Cameron - The young boy has had rave reviews, and with Boyd potentially missing out I'd give him his chance with something to prove at centre forward, at the expense of Sammon. He has done well recently away with Scotland U17s, scoring in the Euros for them, and is a big lad. It would be a good learning curve for him in this game against a player like McManus at Motherwell. As a lone striker I'd like him to exploit Motherwell along the channels and get centre backs turning and facing own goals. No more launching it up the park. Playing into space down the side of centre backs and supporting from midfield would be my tactics.
I'd like to keep it tight at the back and express ourselves in the forward areas of the pitch. With no big target man I want little triangles in midfield and the ball given wide to players such as Jones and Kiltie to commit defenders and slip balls in to Cameron and supporting players from midfield. Exploiting Motherwell's lack of pace at the back especially on the counter attack as it may be key. I would like to cement seventh place and that's why I have gone with such a strong eleven instead of possibly dropping a few players. I'd love to see Will Graham get some game time on the pitch at some point, as he's unlucky not to be included in my first eleven. Heard good things about him and his attitude and that he is one of our own makes it even better.
Blues! Blues!
🔵⚪️🔵⚪️🔵
