Lesson Learnt By Motherwell

01 July 2010 06:53
The early start to the season did not suit Motherwell last time out but they are confident lightning will not strike twice in the same place. Motherwell have learned the lessons from 12 months ago as they set about getting ready  to take on Breidablik in the Europa League. Motherwell midfielder Keith Lasley remembers all to well the poor start to last season's adventure when the Steelmen suffered a surprise home defeat to Llanelli in their opening game. They did rescue the tie with a 3-0 win in the return leg in Wales. Things did not go much better in the away leg of the next tie as they found themselves trailing again to Albanian side Flamurtari only to made amends by dishing out an 8-1 thrashing at Fir Park. The European dream was finally crushed at the hands of Steaua Bucharest. Lasley is well aware of the importance of getting off to a a good start when they play host to Breidablik in a fortnight's time and insists there is no chance of Well underestimating the opposition who are already in their stride in the Icelandic league. Lasley said: "Our first game didn't turn out the way we wanted it to last year, although we went through in the end. It just shows you what can happen. It's so early in the season and we won't be taking anything for granted at all. I don't think the management team would let us, they will have us well drilled. We've got a few friendlies to play before then and hopefully they will help get us up to match speed and we will be ready to go." Breidablik's domestic season is already well under way with four wins, two draws and two losses recorded so far. Craig Brown's men only returned for pre-season training on Monday.  Lasley admitted: "There is no doubt it will give them a slight advantage in that sense. You can't get to that level in two weeks but we've got to still be confident that we can win the tie and that's how we will be going into it. It's a short preparation time for us and you would hope to have a lot longer before you start a competitive match but that's one of the sides of qualifying for Europe, that you are going to have a game a couple of weeks into your training. It's going to be difficult in that sense, getting up the match sharpness in such a short period of time, but we will be as sharp and fit as we can be." Lasley confessed that the Icelandic side were something of an unknown quantity when the draw for the second qualifying round was made. He said: "We've had a look on the internet and had a look at their results, that's all you can do. I think they are doing quite well in their league and are sitting second just now. They can't be a bad side. They are quite a young side and I'm sure they will be up for it. At this stage of the season it's always going to be a difficult game no matter who you play." Meanwhile, Lasley believes the squad that starts the new season could look very different from the one who finished fifth in the SPL last season. He said: "It's the time of year when all these things happen. I think we will be making more additions and one or two might be going. That's football. Whatever happens, whoever is here, we will just be as well prepared as we can and look forward to the games" Editor Ger Harley (ger@scottishfitba.net)Admin Team (admin@scottishfitba.net)This is Scottish-Fitba.Net

Source: FOOTYMAD