9/10
LEAGUE: 2nd, 70pts (2012-13 - 2nd, 63pts)
SCOTTISH CUP: Fourth round
LEAGUE CUP: Quarter finals
MOST USED FIRST XI: Gunnar Nielsen, Simon Ramsden, Stephen McManus, Shaun Hutchinson, Stevie Hammell, Lionel Ainsworth, Stuart Carswell, Keith Lasley, Iain Vigurs, James McFadden, John Sutton
OVERVIEW: This was supposed to be the year that Motherwell took a step backwards. After all, they lost half their team last summer. They didn't look great shakes in the early weeks of the campaign. And yet, while Dundee United got praise for their play, and Aberdeen and St Johnstone achieved cup glory, Stuart McCall's side seemed to spend the season quietly grinding out results, frequently without playing any spectacular football. They were simply a decent, consistent team who knew how to win matches. Remarkably, they scored more points than they did with Michael Higdon and Nicky Law in the team. They are the second best team in Scotland; they just don't really make a song and dance about it.
HIGH POINTS: It doesn't get much better than nicking second place in the last seconds of the last game, right on Aberdeen's doorstep. In terms of performances, the run around Christmas where they won five games in a row, including thumpings of St. Mirren, Partick and St Johnstone, was sensational.
LOW POINTS: From a financial point of view, Motherwell really could have done with a cup run. So being dumped out of the Scottish Cup by League Two Albion Rovers was not exactly ideal. In fact, they have won only one of their last thirteen matches in cup competitions going back to March 2012.
STAR MAN: Without Michael Higdon, there was expected to be a chronic shortage of goals. Step forward John Sutton, whose two dismal seasons at Tynecastle now seem a distant memory. His 22 goals were a significant reason for the team's success
ONE FOR THE FUTURE: Jack Leitch, whose father Scott was a club stalwart, started six league games in midfield and looked the part. Expect the teenager (19 in July) to see far more action next season.
WASTE OF SPACE: It seems a bit harsh to criticize Paul Lawson, who has hardly become a bad player overnight. But the fact remains that the former Ross County midfielder isn't a good fit for the team, particularly with Keith Lasley alongside. Add in the fact that he was injured for the last few months, when the side hit it's best run of form, and it's hard to see a future at Fir Park for Lawson.
THE BOSS: It's hard not to like the affable, chirpy McCall, who rarely has a bad word to say about opponents or officials. Add in three successive top-three league finishes, despite ever-diminishing budgets, and you have a very decent manager indeed. He should be able to hold on to the majority of this season's squad, but one feels the call from a bigger club is inevitable, and that he would probably answer it. It's hard to see how he can achieve anything more with Motherwell.
PROSPECTS FOR NEXT SEASON: Unlike last summer, there shouldn't be a huge player exodus, which means they might hit the ground running in 2014-15. The return of wide man and goal threat Lionel Ainsworth is a priority, while McCall will hope that Dan Twardzik, signed from Dundee, will prove more reliable than Gunnar Nielsen or Lee Hollis between the sticks. The Steelmen will certainly hope to be near the top of the table again. If anything, the bigger concern is the disappointing crowds and dwindling income which could lead to major cuts at the end of next season.
FIRST TEAMERS DEFINITELY LEAVING: Lionel Ainsworth (end of loan), James McFadden
L.
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