Motherwell

Which player would you sign for your club, if money was no object?
Patrick Vieira — he is the best midfielder in Britain

Worst ground to play at? And why?
Firhill, because we didn't take any points there last season

Any players with a strange pre-match ritual?
David Partridge always gets ready very quickly, and has his shin guards and socks on, ready to go, at five past two

Best performance last season?
Our home wins against the Old Firm and the game when we beat Hearts 6-2

And the worst?
There were a few

Most memorable moment last season?
Leading the team out at Hampden for the Scottish Cup semi-final against Rangers

And the funniest?
David Partridge putting a two-yarder over the bar against Partick Thistle. He said the sun got in his eyes

Best performance against you?
Craig Moore. I think he's one of the best players in the Premierleague

Which is the best set of away fans you have encountered?
The Old Firm have fantastic supporters

What is your favourite movie to watch on the bus?
Martyn Corrigan has the worst movies. It's a long trip to Aberdeen when he's involved

Best/worst half-time cups of tea?
We don't have tea, just juice or water

If you could opt for any musician, who would you choose to write and perform a new club song?
I like soul, but the young boys are into that crazy rave — it gives me a sore head!

Who would you watch: Jim Delahunt or Rob McLean?
Jim Delahunt

One thing you could change about the game?
Referees could be allowed to let more things go, so the game could flow

Hardest part of being a pro?
Pre-season training

One tip for aspiring footballers?
Be confident in your ability

One word to describe your mood on the new season's eve? Bubbly

Describe manager Terry Butcher in three words:
Strong leadership qualities

3 key questions that will decide this season

1 Can Motherwell avoid relegation again this season?
Terry Butcher's young side found inconsistency to be the telling feature of last season. But when all the variables fall into place, they can be a functional unit laced with the exciting talents of the club's main two young stars — James McFadden and Stephen Pearson. Butcher has added the experienced signings of goalkeeper Gordon Marshall and full-back Stephen Craigan to supplement Martyn Corrigan and Scott Leitch. But it remains a squad as thin as tracing paper and Motherwell could find themselves counting on the ineptitude of some of their rivals, as much as their own attributes

2 Will the James McFadden phenomenon continue?
A lusciously skilful individual, McFadden became the focal point of the Motherwell team last season. He has an innate sense of self-belief, the knowing arrogance of an artist. Still only 20, he has much to learn, and he has set himself high standards to continue to live up to, but the irrepressible nature that makes him such a beguiling player will stand him in good stead. The problem for Motherwell is that the better McFadden performs, the more interested his suitors will become. There has already been some talk of the big clubs, such as Rangers and Celtic being ready to take him away from Fir Park

3Can the players ignore the uncertainty of the club's future?
Bryan Jackson, the administrator appointed to run the club's affairs, recently admitted that interested parties are hardly queuing up to bid to buy the club. He has trimmed the wage bill, and Motherwell's finances are starting to improve. But the ailing financial state of Scottish football as a whole, and the inherent difficulties of trying to run a football club like any other business, will continue to put buyers off. It means that Terry Butcher must work within strict financial restraints. These are trying times, but Butcher managed to keep his players focused last season, and must do so again

New arrival

A former Motherwell player, Alex Burns has returned as a striker who has established himself in the Premierleague. His 16 League goals for Partick Thistle last season played a considerable role in keeping them off the bottom, and Terry Butcher will be hoping that Burns can do the same for his team. Small in stature but sharp inside the penalty area, he will find himself one of the senior figures in the squad. The 29-year-old is a confident figure and his exuberance will be welcome in the Fir Park dressing room

Strongest XI

Marshall
Corrigan
Craogam
Partridge
Hammell
Adams
Leitch
Pearson
McFadden
Burns
Clarkson

The squad

1 Gordon Marshall G
2 Martyn Corrigan D
3 Steven Hammell D
4 Keith Lasley M
5 Stephen Craigan D
6 Stephen Pearson M
7 Derek Adams M
8 Scott Leitch M
10 James McFadden F
11 Alex Burns F
14 David Partridge D
16 David Cowan D
17 Steven Craig F
20 Kevin McDonald M
21 Shaun Fagan M
22 William Kinniburgh D
23 Graeme Mathie D
Manager: Terry Butcher

Celebrity fan

Tam Cowan, radio and TV pundit
All this talk of finishing in the top six is pish. I'd swap last season's wins over the Old Firm for taking more points off teams at our end. I hope there's relegation and if we're down there, then we're involved in an exciting battle

Where are they now?

Mikko Kaven: Lasted six months then joined Valerenga of Norway. Now at Tampere United in Finland. Recently linked with Arsenal