League placing: 7th
Scottish Cup: 5th round League Cup: 3rd round Europe: Uefa Cup first round

Ins: Jim Gannon, manager; Michael Fraser, goalkeeper; Steve Jennings, midfielder; Chris Humphrey, forward; Giles Coke, midfielder; John Ruddy, goalkeeper; Tom Hateley, midfielder

Outs: Stephen Hughes, midfielder, Graeme Smith, goalkeeper; Bob Malcolm, midfielder; Brian McLean, defender; David Clarkson, forward; Paul Quinn, defender

Jim Gannon Motherwell manager

We want to play football, we play different shapes and we like players with mobility and purpose.

We don't over-play but we like to be constructive and create openings.

There is a certain amount of optimism that we can finish in the top six.

This squad has been dismantled and the squad that was here last year was only able to maintain seventh place, so we'd like to think we'd at least achieve that.

Then we'd look to strive further over the course of this season and next by bringing young players forward who can make this club more competitive.

Tam Cowan BBC pundit

With six competitive European ties under our belt as opposed to the usual coma-inducing pre-season pap, I confidently predict Motherwell will fly out the traps at McDairmid Park and take the first step towards another foreign field-trip next summer.

Just the thrill of lining-up against Motherwell will be seen as St Johnstone's cup final.

New Well boss Jim Gannon has already won over the fans thanks to his attacking style of football, his candid post-match interviews and the fact he's willing to drop established players if he feels they aren't pulling their weight.

Plus, whether the opposition were from Albania or not, what's not to like about a manager who treats the supporters to an 8-1 home victory in Europe?

Exciting youngsters like Paul Slane, Ross Forbes and Jamie Murphy will relish the lush new playing surface at Fir Park (how will the Scottish media survive without their tiresome Battle of the Somme patter?).

And, if we can keep the traditional derisory offers from Rangers and Celtic at bay, I'm confident these players will push Motherwell towards a comfortable top-six finish.

I'm also expecting a decent cup run this season (for no other reason than the fact we're overdue one) and, if you're looking for a daft bet, what about Well skipper and BBC pundit Stephen Craigan to win the European Golden Shoe thanks purely to own-goals?

I honestly had a tenner on Crags to score the first goal at Steaua Bucharest... and the miserable bookies refused to pay me out.

So there you have it. Motherwell to win the treble, only for our Champions League preparations to be upset by Man City's £500m bid for Paul Slane and Real Madrid's swoop for Jim Gannon.

Bring it on!

Despite losing key players such as Hughes, Clarkson and Smith, I feel that the squad looks to be playing better than the one which we had this time last year.

A lot of our squad is very young, but they still managed to score 12 goals in Europe before the season has even started - and that is 12 more goals than last year.

I believe that with this young, talented squad, which also has experienced players in it, we will be right in the mix for third place next season.
motherwellfan07

MY SPORT: DEBATE How will Motherwell fare this term?

We certainly have a great young squad and its an exciting campaign ahead.
tinyTheblade

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