Motherwell have signed right-back Brodie Spencer however supervisor Stuart Kettlewell admits he faces a significant problem to alleviate the prolonged absence of strikers Mika Biereth and Jon Obika.
Kettlewell has dominated Obika out till December with a hamstring damage and on-loan Arsenal striker Biereth will possible be lacking till mid-November after struggling a knee damage in opposition to St Mirren.
Kettlewell was already properly down the road in signing Spencer from Huddersfield on mortgage following the departure of Barry Maguire on mortgage to Kidderminster however he’s restricted in what he can do within the switch market given the membership’s spending will increase in earlier seasons.
He mentioned: “I’ve all the time spoken about making an attempt to run with 4 strikers minimal so that may be a large blow with the information on Mika and Jon Obika, it places us down to 2 senior strikers in Theo (Bair) and Conor (Wilkinson).
Mika Biereth is about to overlook three months as a consequence of a knee damage sustained in opposition to St Mirren.
Speedy restoration, Mika.
— Motherwell FC (@MotherwellFC) August 22, 2023
“Jon Obika, we’re most likely December. It’s a troublesome one but it surely doesn’t change the scenario for me. For us to do any extra enterprise, we’re in a scenario the place we’re one in, one out.
“It’s been an actual powerful week and a tricky week with no clean canvas simply to have the ability to choose up the reins and go and convey gamers in. However we are going to proceed to work away and see if we will make the scenario barely higher.”
Kettlewell declared 17-year-old Mark Ferrie was now “striker quantity three” whereas extensive participant Joe Efford may also play up entrance however has solely had about quarter-hour of motion since coming back from a long-term thigh damage.
Instantly after Saturday’s Viaplay Cup defeat, Kettlewell accused Charles Dunne of constructing an “completely horrendous sort out, two-footed and straight-legged” on Biereth.
In response, the previous Motherwell defender claimed he gained the ball however “sadly slipped” and caught the Denmark Beneath-21 worldwide. Dunne has contacted Biereth to apologise.
Makes me unhappy seeing this! Not as soon as have i ever gone out to injure anybody on the pitch! I solely had eyes for the ball & gained the ball however sadly i slipped thats what caught him. Ive reached out and textual content him, apologised & wished him all one of the best in his restoration. https://t.co/0R8KPvP3Vi pic.twitter.com/F7ADIyLnUZ
— Dunney (@C_Dunne3) August 22, 2023
When requested if he had a special opinion on learning the footage, Kettlewell mentioned: “My opinion hasn’t modified.
“One of many issues I heard was that he gained the ball. What everybody wants to grasp – and I have to stress, these aren’t my guidelines, anybody that watched me play soccer will realise I picked up extra crimson playing cards than anyone else and was concerned in additional loopy challenges than anyone else – however the guidelines have modified.
“I’ve misplaced depend of the occasions I’ve been advised by officers that it doesn’t matter in case you win the ball. If you’re off the bottom, coming in at tempo, placing an opponent liable to damage, coming off the bottom, all of these features, I used to be led to imagine that was a crimson card.
“I hear some ridiculous arguments of ‘ah, however he took the ball’… If it’s important to come by the participant and each your legs are wrapped across the standing leg…
“I perceive that Charles Dunne has reached out and apologised for the end result of the problem so I tip my cap to him and say truthful play in that sense. However it doesn’t change the scenario that it leaves us brief on the prime finish of the park.”
Welcome to ML1 @brodiespencer04 pic.twitter.com/FFKhku4hV3
— Motherwell FC (@MotherwellFC) August 24, 2023
Spencer moved from Huddersfield on a season-long deal after signing a brand new contract with the Yorkshire membership. The 19-year-old is a full Northern Eire worldwide and has made six first-team appearances for his membership.
“Brodie is an actual high quality participant with baggage of potential,” Kettlewell mentioned.
“I feel it says so much when the dad or mum membership supply a participant a brand new deal earlier than loaning him out. It exhibits their actual need to see the participant develop and I feel Brodie will just do that.”
