Emmanuel Longelo is confident that even with all the change this summer that Motherwell won't let their standards drop. The Steelmen's reward for finishing fourth last term is this season's Conference League assault. They are in the Faroe Islands looking to protect their 2-0 lead over Havnar Boltfelag in the second leg of their qualifier.
New boss and signings
Motherwell go in with new boss Alfred Johansson and new signings including Alex Paulsen, Martin Moormann and Jake Girdwood-Reich. They have replaced head coach Jens Berthel Askou and the recently departed Elijah Just, Elliot Watt and Callum Ward.
Longelo said: “I see that in some ways, for sure. But in other ways there are differences. So, it's a good balance. I think we all have the backing of the manager, our confidence in him and the squad as well. We work hard in training and the sessions have been very good, the standard's been very high. Same as last season. So, yes, there's real confidence within Motherwell.”
Tawanda Maswanhise returns
One of Motherwell's main men is back and fit to return. Top scorer Tawanda Maswanhise returns from a jaw injury. Longelo reckons that is a major boost for 'Well. “It is a major boost,” the former West Ham player insisted. “Everyone knows what he did last season.”
Motherwell holds a good advantage, but boss Johansson has told his players they will need to eat barbed wire to get through - against a team that hasn't lost a home game in five years in European competition.
“What he said to you lads is exactly what he said to us,” the versatile star stated. “The phrase speaks for itself, we've got to prepare like we're going into war. You can never underestimate any team, especially when it's a European competition. We're going away to a different country where the pitch is different, the atmosphere's different. So a lot of these things play a part. You can never underestimate anyone. We worked hard to get this reward of European football. We're never going to take it lightly. We're going to go there knowing that we need to do a job. Hopefully we come back having gone through.”
No complacency
There will be no complacency in the visiting ranks either. It could be another big night for youngster Mikey Booth. Longelo confirmed: “The same as always. The way we go into any game is no different, our mentality's still the same. But we are aware how big a match it is for us and we will do everything we can to get through. The squad's feeling really good although we know we can't get ahead of ourselves. It's only half time. We know they have an outstanding home record. We still go there feeling very confident but we need to keep a steady head.”
Longelo could also come back into the starting XI, after he came off the bench and made an impact against HB. He said: “Last week was my first game back. It was a strain in my quad. I'm feeling fine, feeling good. Day by day I'm getting fitter, so I'll be okay. Obviously, we had a short pre-season, so I had to manage it correctly. Whatever the manager asks I'll be there.”
European experience
Longelo also has previous, albeit limited, European experience from his time at West Ham United. He played in a Europa League game and lost at home to Dinamo Zagreb. The 25-year-old recalled: “I want to be playing in European games, Motherwell want to be playing in European games. It's huge for us. When I was at West Ham we played Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League. We lost 1-0. It was an amazing experience, it was one of my first starts. It was an amazing game.”
He made a massive impact at Fir Park and wants to kick on again. “I thought last season was a very good season for me and the team,” the ex-Birmingham City player stated. “I'd like to replicate what I did last season - and more. There's always room for improvement and I don't think I'm the finished article yet.”
