MOTHERWELL

LAST SEASON

PREMIERSHIP 8th SCOTTISH CUP Fourth Round

LEAGUE CUP Quarter-finals TOP SCORER David Turnbull (15)

FANFILE GRAHAM BARNSTAPLE @grahamb2105

This season will be different because manager Stephen Robinson [above] has abandoned ‘hoofball’ in favour of a 4-3-3 dominating midfield. More entertainment and (hopefully) wins. Our most underrated player is keeper Mark Gillespie, who steadied the ship after Trevor Carson contracted deep vein thrombosis back in December. He helped us climb away from danger. Look out for local lad Dean Cornelius. The midfielder, 18, came off the bench in the final game of last season.

The best away fans are St Mirren’s – good numbers, with a sense of reality. The opposition player I secretly admire is Ross County midfielder Michael Gardyne. A great professional. The pantomime villain will be Scott Brown, as always, or his new manager at Celtic, Neil Lennon.

The one change I’d make to the club would be for the Well Society to be more open, and meet more regularly with, members and club investors. Save the date for the derbies with Hamilton. The Accies are established in the Premiership and there’s real tension to be the Pride of Lanarkshire. The best Well social account is @Mfcpodcast86. Never short of an opinion or two, the guys also raise money for local good causes.

The best thing about the matchday experience at Motherwell is mingling in the Cooper Bar before the game in a safe family environment. The Indian Villa does a great post-match curry. Did you know that Motherwell used to tour South Africa, South America and Europe in the 1920s and ’30s, and even beat Barcelona and Real Madrid along the way.

Our key player will be Richard Tait [below], another unsung hero who gets up and down from full-back.

The fans’ opinion of the gaffer is on the turn. There had been calls for his head, but after a Scottish Cup defeat to Ross County he changed the shape and put his faith in younger players. We’re now much more fun to watch. If he left, he should be replaced by assistant (and legend) Keith Lasley. We’ll finish 7th.