CAL IN THE TROOPE

CALUM ELLIOT will make his Motherwell debut against Falkirk this afternoon after his new club rushed through the paperwork on his loan deal last night.

The Hearts striker, who will be with the Fir Park outfit until January, could be thrown straight into the side as Well aim to avoid the nightmare scenario of losing their first five SPL matches.

The signing of Scotland Under-19 hero Elliot is a real coup for boss Maurice Malpas.

And the manager is hopeful of bringing in at least one more new face before the transfer window closes next Thursday.

Elliot, 19, is an outstanding prospect and it says much about him that many Hearts fans can't believe their club have allowed him to join an SPL rival.

But while Malpas is delighted to get Elliot, he could do with a couple of veterans, too - players who have fought their way out of a bad spot before, who know how to fight and scrap for every point when the pressure is on.

Someone like a slightly younger Malpas, in fact.

TheWell gaffer said: "We have a very young squad and all we are missing is experience, players who know exactly what do in this kind of situation and how to cope when things happen during a game.

"I have no doubt that an experienced player or two would make a difference.

"But it's not easy to get these guys in. Every club is looking for experience and a lot of them can pay more than we can.

"We've lost Phil O'Donnell to injury and that's a blow. We got Keith Lasley in but could do with some older guys in the squad.

"However, nobody here is panicking. I have read that some people are saying we are in trouble and what this game at Falkirk means, that this is a relegation game.

"But three points is what it is, as simple as that.

"The only thing that matters is what Paul Hegarty and I think about the squad and we absolutely believe in their ability."

Malpas doesn't need to be told that supporters are worried about the season ahead.

But the midweek CIS Cup victory against Partick Thistle at least gave the team a win and should lift confidence.

Today's trip to Falkirk would have seemed far more daunting if the First Division men had knocked Motherwell out.

Malpas said: "Beating Thistle got one monkey off our b acks at least.

"I was really pleased with the first-half performance, especially in a game which a lot of folk fancied us to lose.

"I have only really been angry with one of the performances so far and that was the St Mirren game when they played far better than us. The players did well to stick in against Rangers, we were unlucky against Hibs and we should have beaten Aberdeen but handed them two goals.

"We hit a post at 1-1 against Hibs last weekend and I just felt in that game we needed a bounce of the ball and things would have been different."

Malpas has had a tough baptism in management since Terry Butcher decided to take off for Sydney.

His side have suffered four defeats in four league games, they are rock bottom of the table and a section of the fans are already making it clear that things b etter improve quickly.

You had to ask Malpas how he'd enjoyed the job so far.

He said: "I've loved being a manager. I just haven't enjoyed the results.

"How do we get it right? It's all about hard work.

"I'm a great believer in the simple act of getting on with things. There is no point complaining or moaning. That won't get you anywhere."

Taken from the Daily Record