Football Season Guide

It proved a tough campaign for Motherwell under Steve Robinson last season, as they failed to make the top six then ultimately failed to pip St Johnstone to seventh. But now it's all change regarding the squad. 10 players in and 11 players out marks the annual summer revamp at Fir Park. The notable departures were the likes of Curtis Main, Jake Hastie, Chris Cadden and Carl McHugh respectively. Outside of the quartet, the rest were deadwood that Robinson will have been pleased to get off the wage bill. Already, however, it looks as though Motherwell have recruited wisely. Their Betfred Cup performances have seen Christian Ilic, Jermaine Hylton and young youth product James Scott all shine. Despite the 10 that have come in, however, Motherwell's team may remain fairly recognisable this season. They've managed to hold onto some of their best young talent in David Turnbull and Allan Campbell respectively, whilst recognisable Premiership faces in Declan Gallagher and Liam Polworth will add depth to the defence and midfield too. Turnbull, of course, will be out for the first several months of the season. Many of the new Steelmen signings are yet to make an impact and, as of yet, only Robinson will know who he plans on starting regularly from them. But Ilic, Hylton and Polworth certainly look like regulars. Motherwell look a lot stronger going forward, and have created a plethora of chances in each of their Betfred Cup games so far. They've yet to show any real signs of weakness, but an out-and-out replacement at right-mid still hasn't been found.