Motherwell FC - A Thread For All Seasons

[YassinMoutaouakil]

Anybody on here have a Courier subscription for some weird reason?

https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/dundee-united/5058852/tony-watt-dundee-united-inside-story-motherwell/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social

 

[capt_oats]

3 minutes ago, YassinMoutaouakil said:

Anybody on here have a Courier subscription for some weird reason?

https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/dundee-united/5058852/tony-watt-dundee-united-inside-story-motherwell/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social

I noticed that yesterday. It’s readable in Reader View on a mobile.

[Gallus Numpty]

Don't remember if I do or not, but it's letting me read the article anyway.

Quote

Inside story of Tony Watt’s Dundee United divorce: Fitness questions, Falkirk anger and ideal Motherwell solution

How did Watt go from title-winning vice-captain to farmed out on loan in a matter of weeks?

Watt will see out the season at Motherwell. Image: David Young / Shutterstock.

by Alan Temple

August 14 2024, 12:00pm

Share1Comment

 

 

Barring a minor miracle, Tony Watt has played his final match for Dundee United.

Since his eye-catching switch from Motherwell in 2022, there has been European qualification, relegation, a previous loan with St Mirren and a Championship title win.

He has even found the time to raise chickens.

It was never dull.

However, he will spend the final year of his United contract on loan with the Steelmen, having fallen dramatically out of favour with the Tangerines.

Happier times: Watt salutes the United fans. Image: SNS

In a matter of weeks, Watt went from prolific, trophy-winning vice-captain to the forgotten man, sent to play for the B team in Buckie before being shifted out the door.

Courier Sport examines why.

A fine Championship campaign

While it should not be held against him (Watt did not write his own contract; merely signed it), Watt was United’s highest paid player and, as such, would have been allowed to depart amid the post-relegation cost-cutting of last summer.

However, there were no realistic suitors as Watt battled back from ankle surgery and the decision was made to utilise his talents – and strong personality – to the fullest as the Tangerines sought to bounce back at the first time of asking.

The experienced forward was appointed vice-captain, made to feel valued and went on to play 43 times, scoring 15 goals in the process.

He justified his place in the squad and, smiling from ear to ear as he clutched the Championship trophy in May, Watt’s redemption arc was complete. He was ready to attack the Premiership.

Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin (left) and Tony Watt (right). Image: SNS

That feeling was shared by Jim Goodwin.

Courier Sport understands that the United boss held positive talks with Watt during the summer, during which it was made clear that he could be a pivotal player for the Tangerines – but it would require peerless fitness levels.

It was a demand made of the entire United squad as the Terrors sought to implement an energetic pressing game upon their return to the top-flight.

Watt, for his part, posted a few selfies pounding the pavements on holiday in Italy, looking fit and svelte.

Sealed with a kiss: Dundee United’s prolific strike-pair Tony Watt, left, and Louis Moult. Image: SNS

Cracks appear

However, multiple sources have told Courier Sport that the United coaching staff were disappointed with the player’s base level of fitness upon his return for pre-season.

 

That was made clear to Watt.

He is understood to have felt the characterisation was unfair.

He was given a second-half run-out against Brechin and scored the second goal of 2-0 victory. That will be the last time he ever ripples the net for the Tangerines.

Watt in action against Brechin. Image: SNS

When the competitive action began, Watt was among the substitutes for United’s 2-0 defeat at Falkirk. When he entered the fray to replace Louis Moult, his performance was lumbering and wholly ineffective.

Admittedly, he was not alone in a miserable showing from Goodwin’s out-of-sorts side.

Courier Sport has learned that he made his dissatisfaction known to Goodwin in the week following defeat against the Bairns, marking a further deterioration in the relationship between club and player.

Watt believed – and presumably still does – that he could justify a starting berth at United and remains capable of shining in the Premiership. We will find out if that is the case when he once again pulls on the claret-and-amber of Motherwell.

‘It only takes one individual for the whole thing to fall apart’

Lifeless cameos against Stenhousemuir and Ayr followed, to the extent that Goodwin didn’t even send him on when the Terrors were desperately chasing goals against Buckie Thistle.

Tony Watt rests on the bench for Dundee United in their Premier Sports Cup clash with Buckie. Image: SNS

Addressing his decision to field Owen Stirton and Brandon Forbes instead of turning to Watt, Goodwin noted: “It is a decision that I had to make, as I can only make five substitutions.

“I felt that the young lads would give us energy and work rate.”

Only the Irishman knows how pointed that assessment was.

Similar can be said for his comments in the aftermath of United’s friendly against Luton Town – when it was decided that extra training in St Andrews would serve Watt better than the game itself.

 

Goodwin said, in the context of a question about Jort van der Sande: “It only takes one individual to be lazy and the whole thing falls apart. I thought Jort led the line well and then Moulty (Louis Moult) did it well when he came on.”

Back to Buckie

As United continued to build their squad, step up training and evolve their playing style, Watt was sent to Buckie. Again.

This time he did get on the field, playing for United’s B team against the Highland League champions.

Indeed, it should be noted that Watt has continued to train; has continued to report for match duty when asked.

Watt warms up for United. Image: SNS

He has cut a somewhat doleful figure at United’s St Andrews base – understandably, he would argue – but there have been no tantrums or walkouts. Nevertheless, it became increasingly clear that a parting of the ways was necessary.

Necessary, yes.

But inevitable? No.

It is understood United received a couple of informal enquiries from abroad.

Watt (who in a post on X labelled this article “lies”) had no intention of leaving Scotland. Nor did the notion of dropping to the Championship appeal.

It was conceivable he could have remained at United as a man on the fringes.

As such, the offer from Motherwell was ideal for all parties involved.

While the Steelmen are not taking on Watt’s entire salary, it’s enough for United to pursue another striker. Watt, meanwhile, can seek to revive his fortunes in familiar environs.

And you can bet he’ll be driven to prove plenty of people wrong.

 

[well fan for life]

I hadn't seen that chicken video but it's hilarious. What a great big weirdo.

Welcome in, Tony. 

[capt_oats]

On the whole Watt thing, kind of apropos of nothing, I'd been thinking that for all he's not for everyone fair play to the club for getting this done in a fairly decisive manner. No f**king about.

Then I realised that chances are him signing wasn't actually a reaction to Stamatelopolous going off injured.

Stama picked up the injury on Saturday, had his scan on Monday (?) and we announced Watt (early) on Tuesday (which is all incredibly Craig David). It feels like it's a pretty quick turnaround for that to have been the trigger.

Given Kettlewell had been talking about wanting to add in the "forward area" anyway and to take him on his word, going by this comments on IG, it sounds as if Watt had been explicitly angling for the move back to Motherwell then I guess there's a decent chance this was in the works regardless of the bold Apostolos having to limp off at the weekend.

Possibly it's been off the back of the injuries to Nicholson and Callachan?

I mean, I'm not sure exactly what my point is there but while the proof of the pudding is in the eating it doesn't quite feel like the absolute desperation that it's been framed as in some quarters. In fact, after reading that Courier article it sounds exactly like the sort of move we've tended to make ie: bringing a player of a certain level in who's been frozen out for whatever reason at his previous club.

Edited August 15 by capt_oats

[Vietnam91]

I first heard rumours about Foghorn Leghorn at the Ross County game which means it must have been floated ahead of that. 

[MurrayWell]

There has been strong chat of Watt returning for a wee while, as far back as January. 

Edited August 15 by MurrayWell

[Miodrag Krivokapić]

Article in The Scottish Sun regarding Iona Boyle (John Boyle's daughter) standing in the Well Society election.

Another good candidate amongst many. Not sure why her video wasn't in the original batch sent out.

https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/13347574/my-dad-john-boyle-motherwell-iona-boyle/

Edited August 15 by Miodrag Krivokapić

[capt_oats]

Wholesome content.

[StAndrew7]

24 minutes ago, Miodrag Krivokapić said:

Article in The Scottish Sun regarding Iona Boyle (John Boyle's daughter) standing in the Well Society election.

Another good candidate amongst many. Not sure why her video wasn't in the original batch sent out.

https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/13347574/my-dad-john-boyle-motherwell-iona-boyle/

I think there were a couple standing who missed the original deadline for the hustings. They were sent out later as a result I think.

[Handsome_Devil]

1 hour ago, capt_oats said:

Possibly it's been off the back of the injuries to Nicholson and Callachan?

Possibly or possibly while we were all saying we wanted another 10 to be pushing up from midfield, SK says I agree we need a 10 but I want hard work and positioning from that three and I'd rather take a 10 who is forward. In which case it's logical and Stama is irrelevant, it's just the fact you can never sign Watt without it being a gamble that raises eyebrows... we've no idea how true that Courier story is but going from a title winning hero to persona non grata in two months for whatever reason is literally cliché Tony Watt!

Edited August 15 by Handsome_Devil

[YassinMoutaouakil]

Maybe Ketts is just trying to wind Louis Moult up

[capt_oats]

There he is...

[ropy]

He loves us, it’s up to us to love him back 

[eliphas]

47 minutes ago, Handsome_Devil said:

Possibly or possibly while we were all saying we wanted another 10 to be pushing up from midfield, SK says I agree we need a 10 but I want hard work and positioning from that three and I'd rather take a 10 who is forward. In which case it's logical and Stama is irrelevant, it's just the fact you can never sign Watt without it being a gamble that raises eyebrows... we've no idea how true that Courier story is but going from a title winning hero to persona non grata in two months for whatever reason is literally cliché Tony Watt!

Genuinely not going in to bat for Watt here really. But also hard to see past Jim Goodwin being a total weirdo and always looking for a scapegoat as well 

Reality probably somewhere in the middle, likely wanted him off the wage bill fully or in part, saw an opening and took it. Much like Kettlewell managing Danzaki out the door. 

[Al B]

"Give it time, hopefully they can open me back up wi their arms"

'mon then Tone, in ye come. It's hard to stay annoyed at that kind of daft.

[capt_oats]

8 minutes ago, Al B said:

"Give it time, hopefully they can open me back up wi their arms"

'mon then Tone, in ye come. It's hard to stay annoyed at that kind of daft.

Exactly this.

I honestly don't think I've laughed as much at a piece of content we've put out in ages.

His absolute struggle not to just flat out say "United were offering me a f**king fortune...so I just took the money".

[YassinMoutaouakil]

I'm not sure if this makes me more or less tribal but I'm pretty sure a player could spit on the Motherwell badge and call me a p***k and I'd still happily have them back if I thought they'd improve us. I was raging when Watt left and laughed immensely when he got sent off against us and relegated but I honestly don't think I ever really took it as a perceived slight at Motherwell Football Club rather than a bigger team taking our best player and a footballer moving for a higher wage.

I've booed him everytime he came back to Fir Park and probably called him snake multiple times but I wouldn't say I really believed it, in the same way that if he does well here I'll be saying "Tony Watt ripped the pish out of Dundee United for 2 years for a laugh then came back to Motherwell and started trying again" while knowing that isn't true either.

[CoF]

He's such an odd character  - football is full of unlikeable folk who you just know are c***s in real life, but he just doesn't see like one of them. He's not a thug on the pitch, tries to do a wee bit for charity now and then and use his profile to promote good causes. But for some reason there always seems to be some vague and unspecified beef which follows him from club to club. 

[Vietnam91]

I wonder if he ever sits down and has an introspective moment and wonders what he could have achieved if he grafted, was more humble and wasn't so lippy ... then five seconds later thinks "f**k it, I've done OK" and actually believe it.