joewarkfanclub

Given that its nearly 3 weeks to the Celtic game, its pretty hard to predict what version of either side will show up, so predicting how the game is gonna go is pretty pointless. The players are getting a few days off this week to go see their families, so I would have thought that with that and a couple of weeks on the training pitch, then there should be some clearer heads and a greater sense of purpose within the squad. However, it doesnt always turn out that way and we will still have 1 or 2 away on international duty. Certainly JT and Paulsen are away, not sure if Ive missed anyone else? As for Celtic, will MON even be their manager by then? I kinda hope he is because there definitely seems to be a malaise in the East End of Glasgow, and I selfishly wouldnt want them having a new manager bounce against us! I note the game is a 12 noon Sunday ko, which will undoubtedly also have an impact. Lets see what happens between now and then. Just please, no more training ground injuries to key players!

I do think we lack leadership on the pitch. A voice to coach the players through what the manager wants implementing. Last year we had McGinn, SOD & Watt all dictating things and driving standards. I had hoped Fadinger might be that guy this year as the continuity player, but he doesnt appear to be overly vocal, so maybe not his bag. McGinn is supposed to be back training soon, but having SOD in there meantime would help, probably at RCB, rather than RB, albeit you would either have to put Jake or JKL out there.

Said. Ran his arse off. Never lost the ball and mostly found a team mate with his passes. Dribbled out of some hopless looking positions after being given hospital passes by said team mates. Did his fair share tracking back too. I wouldnt have taken him off.

Way to early to be making any judgements on Alfred. However, its not unreasonable to be concerned. We started the season very well and the new players looked up to the task. However, the last 3 games havent gone well. We just dont have the same control over games like we did last year and our rotations have disappeared. I dont expect us to play exactly the same way. But I keep hearing our priciples havent changed. If that IS the case then the players arent wirking hard enough and arent following the gameplan. If they are, then the coaching is rhe problem. Either way Alfred has a problem to fix. He has 3 weeks to fix it (albeit he seems to have given them a week off if Fadinger is to be believed). Celtic up next. No hiding place. We need to look more compact as a team. Less open on the transition and be visibly running harder for each other. No excuses.

He cost the second goal, but he made at least 3 great saves to stop us being even further behind. Do we really think Matty Connolly will do better?

What to say? Its not awful. But its not great either. We play nice enough football, but its all too slow and predictable. Nothing incisive about it at all. My main frustration is that our rotations have disappeared and we no longer appear to have 3 options for a pass like we did last year. Lucky to have 1 at times. Is that lack of coaching? I would hope not given that we retained the same coaching staff as last year. They should know how to communicate the gameplan to the players. Lack of running? Could be. We certainly dont press the same. We dont win the ball back quickly and we get caught on the transition repeatedly. Lack of understanding from the players? We havent had a lot of time on the training pitch. But guys like Said, Maswanhise, Cookie, Fadinger, Longelo, Sparrow, all know how we played last year. They know whats required. Its all very frustrating because some of what we do looks similar, but its not the same. It doesnt have to be of course, but its not effective either. Glad we have 3 weeks until the next game. We are gonna need it to sort this mess out.

Penalty is a shocking decision. No idea how Manny is supposed to get out the way of that. Paulsen terrible for the second. Just leaves it and it hits the post and goes in. Good to get a goal back before half time, but we need to be much better second half. Wind is spoiling the game a bit, but same for both teams. Big second half ahead.

The Motherwell Social media pages are a cesspit of absolute moonhowlers. They make this place after a defeat look like a hippy commune! Kumbaya M'Lord! (Or Tommy Coyne, if you prefer!)

Not sure Bair was written off by many of us? St Johnstone fans thought he was shite, but he scored in his first game against Dundee and the Feed the Bair stuff never really went away. Willy has looked like a wee boy lost at times, but there are flickers of ability in most of his appearances. If he can build on Tuesdays performance and we can get someone on the end of those crosses and get some joy, it will definitely help to build his confidence. Baby steps....

Good to here that Oscar, McGinn & Hendry are all back running and might be ready to rejoin squad training after the break. Obviously might still be a month or so away from playing, but is more light at the end of the injury tunnel. Is that just McGhee and Koutroumbis still out?

Dont disagree. Was thinking more for crosses into the box than anything else, given that seems to be our thing this season. I guess Vogt showed he could do that on Tuesday night. Just not sure we can trust him yet. But I suppose he needs to get the opportunity at some point.

Forgot JT went off injured on Tuesday. I also regularly forget that we have signed Dylan Levitt! Taking those two things into account and trying to inject a little more structure and discipline into our play, I think Id go with the following...... Paulsen SOD JKL Moorman Williams Levitt Fadinger Sparrow Lowry Longelo Palmer Houlden

I know Aberdeen pumped us on Tuesday night, but they still sit below us in the league, and its hard not to feel that they and Hibs are the gift that keeps on giving. Both of them should be miles ahead of us on the pitch but they both seem to keep finding new ways to self harm. Long may it continue, and lets hope Tuesday was indeed a "Speedbump" and we can get back to winning ways asap.

Be interesting to see how he gets on there. I presume he was a free agent if they were able to get him in. Surprised to see he is still only 24 years old.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Happy Clappers, Doom Merchants & Forum Comedians. Whether your comments are balanced or not are sureley for others to judge?