Motherwell

We asked for your views after 10-man Motherwell lost 3-1 at home to Freiburg in the Conference League play-off first leg.

Here are some of your comments:

Matt: Nights like this are so rare for a club like Motherwell. And the team didn't let us down. Well done to everyone involved. To take the Europa League finalists all the way is an incredible achievement. Pretty soft penalty and ridiculous red card killed the game. But to play with 10 men for half an hour and only concede with the last kick of the ball, there's a reason they're the pride of Lanarkshire.

Alan: This was always going to be a tall order against last year's Europa League finalists. A wonderful start which must have rocked the German team. We could not have asked for more! Maybe the next game will free us up to play our expansive style in Germany and continue the development of this squad with their exciting approach to football.

Jim: Best team won but the referee was shocking, not booking a number of the Germans for holding and diving. Still thought Motherwell did okay with a much depleted squad.

Craig: Cant really grumble after the game to be honest when you look at the vast difference in team stats/value. Super proud of the team. One of Europe's best playing at Fir Park, such a great atmosphere.

James: A great effort from the team but the penalty and red card changes everything. Next game will be really hard to watch but we can't give up.

Iain: Great performance. Red card was tough to take, after a soft penalty. But we didn't roll over. We'll go to Germany with some swagger and see what happens.

Ten-man Motherwell gave last season's Europa League runners-up Freiburg a real fright at Fir Park before the Bundesliga side ultimately won by a two-goal margin in this Conference League play-off tie.

Read the match report here.

Have your say on the game here.

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Motherwell manager Alfred Johansson: "It's a mixture of disappointment and being proud.

"I think we spoke before the game that we wanted to see a team with a certain strong mentality, a certain bravery to play our game, and I think we saw that today.

"I think the start to the first half was brilliant.

"Then we have a period where we are a little bit too protective, which then ends with us actually turning it around again for the end of the first half, which I think was impressive from the players.

"I think the start to the second half is good.

"Then obviously some things happen throughout the game, which makes the result not so good for us.

"That's where the disappointment comes from, obviously.

"I think that's me talking to you now straight after the game, and I'm pretty sure that when I watch the game back, the sense of pride will take over.

"Martin Moorman is touching the striker, and he falls.

"The referee is assessing that as being a penalty, and then the VAR is stepping in, saying that they believe he should have a look at it, that it could be a red card, and that's what happened.

"That's what's possible with these players, because that goal is an incredibly high-level goal. High level, so high level.

"I think we show other moments during this game with such a high level, such a high quality, and the players, I mean, many of them haven't played a team like this in a competitive game like that before.

"And we learned so much because we understand that, okay, we can actually play really, really well against an opponent like this, and I think that was so good to see how some players, how high level they perform, and I'm super proud of that.

"And then we also learned the hard way some things, right? So if you're not spot on in the defensive set pieces like we were not today, then you get punished so hard at this level."

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Freiburg are fitting European opponents - and an inspiration - for Motherwell as the Fir Park club reach 10 years of fan ownership.

Well Society director Derek Watson regards the Conference League play-off with the German side as the "pinnacle" of Motherwell's fan-owned journey so far.

"It's such a special occasion," Watson told BBC Radio Scotland.

"When you talk about fan ownership, the German model and probably Argentina are the two you look at as the best examples of that.

"Freiburg are a 100% fan-owned club, they operate as a democratically registered member association, so they've got about 35,000 members rather than the external investors that is often the model in the UK.

"And beyond that, Germany also has the 50+1 rule that requires club members to hold the majority of voting rights against commercial investors.

"So when we're looking at that, and seeing how successful these clubs are, not just domestically but also in European competition, we have to be striving to be just as good as that.

"At the moment we have over a 70% stake in the club but looking at the way Freiburg do it, there's a lot of lessons we can learn from them."

Watson says more Scottish clubs should be looking to become fan owned.

"Not just at Motherwell, you need to look at the success of fan-owned clubs across Scotland," he said.

"Last season you had Falkirk finishing top six after back-to-back promotions, St Mirren winning the League Cup, Hearts almost winning the league.

"It's a really good time to be a fan-owned club. Other clubs across Scotland should be looking at our model and asking, can we do that?"

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Andy Halliday feels former club Motherwell made too many changes in their League Cup defeat by second-tier Stenhousemuir.

Alfred Johansson's side bid to bounce back from that shock exit when they welcome Freiburg to a sold-out Fir Park for their Conference League play-off first leg.

"It's disappointing to make that many changes," Halliday told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast. "Eight's too many for me.

"Five young academy players started but for four of them, it was their first game of the season.

"It's very, very difficult to try and get a blend together when there's that many players making their first appearance."

Halliday considers last season's beaten Europa League finalists Freiburg "a really top opponent".

"It's just going to be more about the occasion and enjoying it at Fir Park," Halliday said.

"Motherwell will try to test themselves against the very best and try to play a similar style to what they normally do."

Former Motherwell forward Ross McCormack, 40, has joined Giffnock North AAC. (Sun, external)

Thursday's Scottish gossip

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Manager Alfred Johansson has been speaking to the media before Motherwell host Freiburg in the first leg of their Conference League play-off on Thursday.

Here are the key lines:

• Johansson and his squad are excited for another "huge" night at "buzzing" Fir Park which is set for a sellout.

• Motherwell's players will feed off the atmosphere: "That's the energy that transmits down to us in the pitch and in the dugout. It's massive and just a pure joy to be involved in."

• On what his players have learned in this season's European campaign so far, Johansson says: "They've realised how good they are and that, yeah, I can do this. That's a very important feeling in terms of self-confidence, motivation. I think they've also seen it as a huge opportunity to become better."

• His tactical approach to this game isn't "black and white" because Motherwell can't expect to dominate the ball against such a good team, but won't "park the bus".

• The latest additions to a lengthy casualty list, Oscar Priestman and Johnny Koutroumbis - who suffered a freak hand injury by getting his thumb stuck in his shirt - will both be out for at least four weeks.

• Johansson defends his decision to make eight changes for the League Cup exit to Stenhousemuir last weekend, saying it was a bid to ease the "vicious cycle" over overuse injuries amid a hectic schedule of playing every three to four days.

• He adds: "Just some of the numbers we did is 12 games in 44 days, so that paints you the picture a little bit. And if I didn't let Martin Moormann have a rest, if I didn't let Lukas Fadinger have a rest, then maybe we were here speaking about them not being able to play the next two months. We have a lot of tracking, we have a lot of monitoring of load, we have a lot of data. And in the end, we're left with some decisions and priorities."

• The Well boss doesn't "buy at all" suggestions the team he fielded wasn't good enough or experienced enough to beat Stenny.

• Johansson expects new signing Seb Palmer-Houlden to have international clearance in time to be available on Thursday and backs him to be a "really important striker for Motherwell". He adds: "Sometimes you have to wait a little bit to get the right one. I'm super happy that we ended up with Seb on a permanent, because he is a young, exciting striker that has a lot of attributes that you're looking for in a number nine."

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Motherwell have made the "perfect addition" with the signing of striker Seb Palmer-Houlden from Gillingham for an undisclosed fee.

Palmer-Houlden, 22, has committed to Fir Park until summer 2028, with the club holding the option of a further year.

He brings previous Premiership experience, having scored nine goals in 39 appearances on loan at Dundee in the the 2024-25 campaign.

Motherwell hope to have the striker available for Thursday's Conference League play-off first leg at home to Freiburg.

"We've been looking to strengthen in the forward areas and Seb is a perfect addition," manager Alfred Johansson said.

"With experience here in Scotland, Seb has been playing and scoring at his previous clubs and offers pace, strength and versatility in the forward line."

Palmer-Houlden joined Gillingham on a three-year deal from Bristol City last summer and departs after playing 37 games, scoring five times.

"I'm so happy to be back in Scotland and, most importantly, at Motherwell," he said.

"It's no secret how well this club is doing right now. Speaking to the manager, he's made it clear what he wants me to do and that clarity is so important.

"I think every footballer would want to play in a team like this, so I feel really privileged to be given this opportunity."

Dundee are closing in on a loan deal for Swansea City striker Bobby Wales, but Motherwell, Reading, Cambridge and Stevenage are also in for the 21-year-old former Kilmarnock player. (Daily Record, external)

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Jenna Thomson
Fan writer

Crashing out of the cup to a Championship side is not new for Motherwell. Stenhousemuir have now emulated Morton and Raith Rovers from recent years in sending us packing.

But what makes the latest loss unbearable is the fact we deliberately fielded a weakened team.

We have far too many injuries just now and while I'm not against having academy players getting a chance in cup games, making eight changes when we are already playing half of our B team in Europe was a huge risk that didn't pay off.

Now full focus turns to Thursday's massive game with Freiburg. I can't see us getting past the Germans - scraping a draw at Fir Park so it is all to play for in the second leg would be the best-case scenario.

Whatever happens, I have no doubt the fans will do the boys proud and bring the atmosphere needed to inspire hope in the players.

The attendances for the past two European games rival our Hampden allocations and while it does grind my gears that some of these fans only show up for these types of games, beggars can't be choosers when it comes to our revenue increasing.

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Lukas Fadinger can't wait for the biggest game of his career on Thursday and is confident Motherwell can bounce back from domestic disappointment as they eye a major European shock against Freiburg.

After Alfred Johansson suffered his first defeat in charge when much-changed Motherwell crashed out of the Premier Sports Cup to second-tier Stenhousemuir on Sunday, his side must now rouse themselves for the Conference League play-off.

"In football, everything is possible," said Austrian midfielder Fadinger.

"You see it in one game. If you're fighting, if you give everything in the duels, there's always a chance to win those games.

"We know if we have a good day, we can compete against a lot of teams in Europe and that gives us a push. Even though it's a very tough opponent on Thursday, we think we have a chance if we stick to our principles."

Motherwell struggled to create chances at Ochilview but hope to bounce back in style after overcoming seeded teams HB Torshavn and HJK Helsinki to reach the play-offs.

"They fully deserved to win," Fadinger said. "We need to take it. It's a hard blow, but we go on Thursday again.

"Of course it's a big loss but we keep on looking forward and I think we have still had a good start so far and we keep on going.

"I'd never played in Europe before so it will be the biggest game of my career.

"You can't take it for granted. I mean, that's always the dream to play in those competitions but I wouldn't have expected it.

"It was unbelievable last Thursday. The atmosphere was the best one I've had so far since I arrived in Motherwell, and we hope we can have another big night on Thursday."

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

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