joewarkfanclub

I think this hits the nail on the head. Last season we controlled games. So we always had safe possession, which in turn didnt leave us as open at the back as we have been this season. So we faced less shots and therefore conceded less goals. The trade off for that, was that we always looked like we were trying to score the perfect goal, and for all our nice play and control, we didnt create as many chances as you would imagine. But we weren't open on the transition. This season, we get the ball forward quicker, we throw more balls in the box and generally create more chances. But the trade off is there for all to see when we lose the ball. Its a conundrum, and Im not sure which I prefer. But Alfred clearly favours what we are currently doing, so I guess we just need to get used to it.

I dont see this board calling time early on Alfred. As a club we tend not to do that. Now that the Well Society are wielding more influence in the board room, I think its even less likely. The fans wanted an identity. We got one and the board have tried to be consistent with that and backed a "philosophy". They wont want to row back on that without giving him every chance. We want to be known as a club who give managers time to turn things around. When you cant pay the most money, job security can overcome that barrier. Re fans not liking AJ, I dont think thats the case either. Some fans just have less patience for poor performances than others and worry about our Premiership status.

He can certainly play the SPH role and give him some respite when he us running on fumes. Where that leaves Eythor is anyones guess.

Tiresome. Thats like someone suggesting Neil Lennon to get it right up you. Edit: thats actually unfair on Neil Lennon as he actually has a decent track record as a football manager. I should probably have said Scott Brown.

Hoping to see a few tweaks to the starting line up. Alfreds hands have been tied to an extent with injuries and fitness levels. But we must be getting to the stage where Kanga can start and be subbed around 60 minutes if he doesnt have 90 in him. With Fadinger back, Id also like to see Jordan McGhee keep his place either at RCB or RB. He is clearly a good player and his experience will hopefully help settle the backline. Im not as down on Sparrow as some, albeit I do accept his defensive deficiencies, but taking him out of the firing line and using his energy as an impact sub could be useful imho. I dont think its a must win in terms of our season. But for Alfred it kinda is purely due to the pressure building and the proximity of the international break. My lineup would be...... Paulsen McGhee JKL Moorman Longelo Fadinger Hodge Said Maswanhise SPH Kanga Hopefully Oscar, McGinn and Hendry can make the bench for some minutes later on once the game is won!

Ultimately, yes. But one can be fixed and requires more patience and understanding than the other. We are nearly at the natural break of the Nations League fixtures. What happens in the next 2 games will go a long way to deciding Alfreds future.

Are we though? Or are we a team thats failing to take on instruction? The 2 can look the same.

I didnt see the whole game last night, only the highlights. So I wont comment on the overall performance or where that leaves us/Alfred. But, feck me. The defending for both their goals! The majority of goals we have conceded this season are so similar. Lots of Motherwell players in good positions to defend, but nobody taking the responsibility to go and engage an opponent, impact the ball or throw their body on the line to stop the goal. Thats not down to coaching. Thats just naked desire to win a football match. Its a mentality thing. Quite how the manager changes that I dont know. Obviously team selection and substitutions play a part, and Alfred has certainly made mistakes in that regard over the last few weeks. From what Im reading, it appears some are of the opinion he made similar mistakes last night, and thats fair enough But at some point you just have to trust the players when they cross that white line, that they understand whats required to win a football match. Right now our players are failing. Good to hear there were harsh words exchanged between the players last night after the game. Some plain speaking is definitely required.

I would have thought the medical team would be all over that. Different with illness. But with muscular injuries there will be scans and data to inform the situation.

Im only using the word that the previous poster used. I guess it just means a big guy who will take it in, help get you up the park and/or provide lay offs for others to score the goals. But thats a bit wordy.

Thats your opinion. I respectfully disagree.

I think the way the game is played now, there seems to be a dearth of quality goalscorers at all levels. I dont think its too much of a problem if you get your midfield forward and support your facilitator. Last season we had JT, Just, Slattery and even Manny weighing in with goals. I think its something we have struggled to balance this season. I think Kanga on the left doubling up with Manny looks promising. But 30 minutes is a small sample size. Said started well, but has faded again. Lowry has picked up a few, but is now injured. I think there are goals in the team if Alfred can get it functioning properly. But, aye a proper goalscorer would be nice. Where to find one on our budget is another matter.

Normally expect this to be a soulless, turgid shitfest on a tattyfield pitch in cold, horrible weather. But given St Johnstone have improved their pitch and Simo likes his team to play a bit, it might be a free flowing game on a lovely pitch, but ultimately still freezing and soulless. If we perform to the levels of Sunday and cut out the silly mistakes we could win this one. But a point would at least be a start to some sort of recovery.

I thought Sparrow had a very good game defensively and kept McPake very quiet. Levitt was decent in the middle. Manny and Kanga lit up the second half with their partnership. Went for Said though. He just takes the pressure off of our defence and gets us up the pitch with those runs. He also managed to lay the ball offor draw fouls at the right times instead of losing it. He could do without the rolling around the ground nonsense though. Everyone knows he is steong as an Ox. It just looks silly.

Some amount of hyperbole and confirmation bias being applied here. Too many people behaving reactively and judging results rather than performances (I get that results matter and will get managers the sack). But, yesterday was a million miles away from the Aberdeen and Celtic games, where I was genuinely worried that things were unravelling at a rate of knots that might be difficult to stop. Im not saying things are perfect. Im not saying that things cant improve more (they will need to). But I did see enough yesterday to think that there were signs of improvement. I still think we need to be braver on the ball, but yesterday really wasnt the day to be doing that given our previous frailties. If there is unrest in the dressing room, I didnt see many signs of it yesterday. The players all worked hard for each other and put a shift in, even Maswanhise, who has been absolutely toothless going forward worked back to cover Sparrow. Yesterday was absolutely down to individual mistakes. Neither Longelo nor McGhee make any attempt to stop Braga getting a free header for the first, and SOD gives the ball straight to Miller for the second. Neither of those things happen and Hearts dont score. Alfred cant do anything about those incidents. Similarly with Thors chances second half. Considering we were without Fadinger & Lowry yesterday and Koutroumbis and Priestman have disappeared again, I thought yesterdays performance (outwith the errors) was decent enough so I will give the manager some credit there. He now needs to show that level of performance can be applied consistently and the errors eliminated so that the results will follow. If he does that, he will survive this. If he cant, then he will be gone before Xmas.