Motherwell boss says pitch can stand up to scrutiny
MOTHERWELL boss Craig Brown is hoping the controversial Fir Park pitch gets pass marks this week from the Scottish Premier League.
The SPL had representatives at Saturday's match with Kilmarnock and will present a report to chief executive Neil Doncaser and secretary Ian Blair who both visited Fir Park last week.
The club could be fined or have the ground closed, but Brown believes it is in no worse condition than many others after the harsh winter and the authorities appreciate how much effort has been put in to make it playable.
He said: "It was re-seeded and re-turfed in areas and the patchwork nature probably makes it look worse.
"But it doesn't play so bad, the ball rolls fine and no players have been hurt as a result of the park. No manager has looked me in the eye and complained, and no referee has said the park is dangerous, so I think we should put it to rest."
'Well travel to face St Johnstone on Saturday then go to St Mirren on Tuesday, a fixture that has been brought forward a week at the request of the Paisley club.
'Well's unbeaten run has pushed them up the league and they are now hot on the heels of Dundee United and Hibs in the race for a Europa League place.
However, Brown won't entertain talk of Europe just yet. He said: "When Archie Knox and I arrived the priority was to avoid relegation. Now that would appear to have been achieved we are looking to get into the top six when the league splits.
"Only then would we start talking about Europe."
Loan striker Lukas Jutkiewicz returned to Everton this week to have his troublesome knee looked at by the Goodison Park medical team and is rated 50-50 to face the Perth Saints.
Full story in March 4 edition of Times & Speaker
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Motherwell, Scotland
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Light sleet showers
Temperature: 1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 4 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South
