Stuart Kettlewell refused to hide his disappointment at missing out on bringing Kevin van Veen back to Motherwell – but believes the goalscoring form of Theo Bair can help soften the blow.
Bair netted his fifth goal in his last five Premiership appearances to earn the Steelmen a throughly deserved share of the spoils in a 1-1 draw against Kilmarnock.
Much of the pre-match chat surrounded Van Veen making his return to Fir Park in the blue and white of Killie.
The Dutchman, who netted 29 times last season for Well, began the game as a substitute.
“Everybody knows the relationship Kevin van Veen has with the football club and the ridiculous numbers he posted last season,” said Kettlewell.
“There is disappointment but I think it just shows where things are – that performance today probably tells everybody that I undoubtedly wanted to bring Kevin van Veen to this football club.
“We were blown out the water by the likes of Kilmarnock and I believe St Mirren were involved in that as well – that’s not for me to try make anybody feel sorry, that’s simply a scenario that was dealt in front of us.
“Our guy that led the line for us was pretty decent himself. Big Theo is getting better and better and he is my player, Kevin is not – I’ll continue to focus on him.”
The January transfer window was to be a frustrating one for Motherwell, and in the end, their attempts to bolster their striking options proved to be futile.
Mika Biereth and Conor Wilkinson both headed for the Fir Park exit door, leaving Bair as the club’s only fit senior striker.
Kettlewell will now assess the free transfer options available to him, as he looks to steer his 10th-placed side clear of the relegation zone.
“We’ll analyse that and see if there’s a situation that could help our group and strengthen our group,” he added.
“As it sits just now, there’s nothing to tell – we’re always trying be pro-active contrary to sometimes what people think.
“We’re always looking to see if we can bring in anybody that improves our squad, if the answer to that is no then fine.
“Whether that comes down to money, whether that comes down to willingness to play at this football club – the one thing I’ll say to you is that every single player that is sat there as part of my group moving forward wants to be here and play here.”
Derek McInnes admits it will take time for his new signings to be fully match fit, though he is sure they have the ability to make the difference as Killie push for a European place.
Van Veen and Greg Stewart both came off the bench as Killie were pegged back to draw, having led through Lewis Mayo’s volley.
“These boys aren’t quite up to speed, we have to be realistic and understanding of that,” he said.
“Kevin hasn’t played, he told me November but I think it was actually October.
“He’s been training a lot on his own, being fit and being game fit is different.
“Our biggest strength this season has been the collective – it’s about the team but the individuals can be the difference and the ones to turn tight games.”
Vilahamn wants to use FA Cup final defeat as 'beginning' for Tottenham Women
Tottenham Women manager Robert Vilahamn believes his side will use their FA Cup final defeat to start something special, rather than ending their good work.
Spurs were hammered 4-0 by Manchester United Women in Sunday's Wembley Stadium showpiece as Ella Toone and Rachel Williams were on target before Lucia Garcia's second-half double.
Vilahamn's side failed to manage a shot on target but the Spurs boss suggested his team will catch up to the women's elite clubs.
"The main thing I said was this is not the end, it is the beginning," Vilahamn said.
"We still have a gap between us and the top teams but that's normal. We are closing the gap but we haven't closed the gap yet."
Tottenham finished sixth in the Women's Super League as well as reaching this final, their first FA Cup showpiece appearance in their short history.
Vilahamn wants his Spurs players to use this defeat as motivation going forward.
"If you take away the feelings right now, you need to look at these players doing some incredible things this year," he said.
"We are at Wembley playing in front of our fans and they are actually enjoying it and staying, and supporting us after.
"We got a good experience today and we are learning how to play at Wembley more times. We need to look at it that way because the players are amazing."
Erik ten Hag: Man United fans are understanding of situation
Erik ten Hag is confident he still has the understanding of supporters after Manchester United's poor run of form continued with defeat to Arsenal.
United were beaten 1-0 by Premier League title chasers Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday in a game that saw them create little.
While United did well to restrict Arsenal's chances, they had just two shots on target themselves - long-rangers from Casemiro and Antony.
The Red Devils have had to contend with a number of injury problems this season, not least against Arsenal with a makeshift defence fielded.
And for that reason, Ten Hag - whose job beyond this season has been called into question - believes the fanbase remain supportive.
"They understand where we are and where this club is," he told Sky Sports. "We have so many injuries in key areas.
"The fans don't get what they deserve, but they understand this and that is why they are behind the team.
"I think that is why they are with us we are united. Hopefully we can pay them back in the future."
Ten Hag pointed out that United were without seven possible starters, forcing him to field veteran Jonny Evans alongside Casemiro at centre-back.
Casemiro was at fault for Arsenal's goal as he was slow getting back up the field, meaning Havertz was onside before teeing up Trossard.
Ten Hag, though, was not willing to point the finger of blame at the underperforming midfielder.
"In that situation he is a midfielder playing in that position and making a small mistake, but it has hard consequences," he said.
"Before that, in possession we could have done better in others positions. It's details."
Eighth-placed United have won just one of their past eight league matches in a run that includes a 4-0 thumping at Crystal Palace earlier in the week.
The Red Devils have lost 19 games in all competitions this season, which is their most since 1977-78 when also losing 19.
Asked if he believes he is the man to turn things around, Ten Hag said: "I have no doubt about this.
"Mostly, this team has the right spirit and they execute the rules and principles of the game even if they have to adapt in their positions.
"I can only be happy and it is a big compliment for this team that they executed all that they could and they were fighting."
Manchester United Women 4-0 Tottenham Women: Garcia double secures Red Devils' first FA Cup triumph
Manchester United Women banished last year's FA Cup demons to lift the trophy for the first time in their history after smashing Tottenham Women 4-0 at Wembley Stadium.
United suffered a 1-0 defeat to Chelsea Women in the final of this competition last term but exacted revenge after Lucia Garcia scored twice in a comfortable win on Sunday.
Ella Toone's eye-catching strike in the first half set the tone before a goal for Rachel Williams and Garcia's double added gloss to a convincing scoreline, despite Beth England hitting the crossbar for Spurs.
Marc Skinner's side dominated the opening half as Millie Turner saw a header cleared off the line by Martha Thomas, while Williams headed over.
However, there was no stopping Toone on the stroke of half-time as she exchanged passes with Lisa Naalsund before arrowing a rocketed right-footed finish into the top corner from the edge of the area.
Further punishment followed for an underwhelming Tottenham after the interval when Williams headed down from Katie Zelem's free-kick to double United's lead in the 54th minute.
Goalkeeper Becky Spencer then handed Skinner's team more joy just three minutes later, mindlessly playing straight to Garcia, who slotted into an empty net.
Garcia capped the scoring after 74 minutes, receiving an offload from Turner before curling a delightful finish past the powerless Spencer as United secured their first major trophy in club history.
Data Debrief: United ease pain of last year
United fell short last year against Chelsea but continued their impressive record against Spurs here, extending to 13 games unbeaten against Tottenham since being founded in 2018.
This defeat will remain painful for Spurs in their first FA Cup final appearance, also ending a seven-game undefeated streak since losing to rivals Arsenal at the start of March.
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