All Activity

I agree every signing is a gamble. So all any Club can do is minimise the chances of failure. But I think in this case it was as close as you are going to get to guaranteeing success. I think there is no similarity in any way to the Hendry signing or the risk attached. With Biereth we signed a player who not only scored goals but was physically suited to the Scottish game.....as demonstrated in his first appearance (I think) when as a sub he bullied us into a home win over Hibs. I think that lack of physicality and determination is what Hendry was lacking, We did not discover those negatives until the deal was done. .So score one for lessening the risk factor re Biereth. He was suited to our game and had the correct mentality.. Arsenal were adamant Biereth was not for sale as he was viewed as one for their future. Just not right now. Spurs wanted shot of Hendry. Another plus point on the risk assessment. For once the hype of 'Even short term, we are fortunate to get a player of this calibre' was pretty accurate. Clearly when he did well for us and in Austria, the offer of a few million up front was something Arsenal saw as too good to miss given he still had no route into their first team. A big mistake by them as it turned out. No injury record of note or a rehabilitation/career rebuild in mind. Not a player looking to top up his pension. Like so many we have taken a much greater risk with. Now referred to as 'The Kettlewell Signing Policy'. Biereth was a Loan deal (sadly). Risk minimised. We had an out if it was a disaster. Unlike Henry who we signed on a permanent deal.......for £200k? So, in respect of signing a youngster whether permanently or on Loan, I think the Biereth deal was as guaranteed as any Club could hope for. We were fortunate to get him but it was not luck that it worked out as well as it did. Just all too brief a stay sadly.

Nope. Every signing is a gamble. Hendry was one that very much didn't work out.. I'm struggling to remember the last striker we signed where even before they kicked a ball, you felt certain they'd get goals and it actually came to pass. John Sutton? Tommy Coyne? People with a track record at our level, we don't often sign...

So you contradicting your earlier point that every Motherwell signing is a gamble then? If Henry was so good

I agree with McGarry

Aye, but the world is full of guys who are outstanding at youth level and never make the grade at senior level (going back, was John Hendry's goal record not great for Spurs reserves). Don't get me wrong, as soon as he started playing for us it was prety clear he was too good to be loan turned to permanent. But I don't think any of us saw the kind of rise he's had coming. I even saw him mentioned as a potential Man United target...

Not sure but whyte and Campbell Forrest the standouts first half being 3-0 up albeit a little flattering. Essentially a u18 team first half and u17s second half after changing all bar the goalie at half time iirc also bellshill were more than a good test and worthy of at least a draw

Who scored our goals apart from Olly White?

Looking at the academy league in England is pretty intriguing. https://www.fotmob.com/en-GB/leagues/9084/table/premier-league-2 Ordinarily I'd be more excited about an Aston Villa youth than a WBA youth in that area, but certainly doesn't seem to be the case.

Talking of history, did you look at his goals per match record in the U18 Premier League? 23 in 33 games......and 15 assists... in case you missed it. He was loaned out because he was far too good for that age level and his route into the first team was blocked by players who cost millions. If that is taking a risk then can we please find more risks of that kind.

It's not black. It's not fluorescent. It's not jester-ish. That puts it ahead of the game for me. I'd be quite happy if our change kit every season was white with claret and amber trim, but those days have long gone. On the plus side, if we launch a kit you don't like, it will be gone in a season.

Aye, but before we actually clapped eyes on him, there was no way to tell. We've had good and bad loans (and signings) from big clubs. For every Biereth, Jutkiewicz or Ruddy, there's a Cosgrove, Bellic (?) or Plange...

There's more to it than first team goals, though. You only needed to watch him play for 45 minutes to see how good he was. Unlike, say, Theo Bair, who was very much a "project".

It's the third top I think so don't think we'll see them play in it - actually - Im talking nonsense. Still like it though

He has been loaned out to RKC Waalwijk and played 12 games in Dutch league. Also had played at youth level for Denmark so had slightly more pedigree.

A wishy washy nothing of a top. If we're lucky, the players might blend in to the freezing January rain allowing some ninja football tactics while our opponents try to determine where they all are.

Let's not rewrite history, Biereth had scored two first team goals before signing for us. He was in no way a sure bet...

Teams you mentioned take gambles too. Many have not paid off.

Yes agree we have to gamble but they are calculated risk that they have potential to inform. Biereth was more of a sure bet he would adapt to our league.

Didn't make the game in the end , ticket purchased for the Clyde game though. But seen it finished 3-3 3-0 up earlier I heard

Was interesting to read. Very quickly brought back the memories of Mugabi pi55ing about under GA. Be great to see us having the ability to make the 10-15 yard passes and build out properly . Equally it will be hard to watch as we go through a learning curve . hopefully it will attract guys who have the technical skills to pull it off.

Happens to every keeper that is asked to play this way. I remember watching Liverpool lose a goal or two when Allison was disposessed.

Motherwell don't sign sure things. If they're a "sure thing" for SPL level, they go to Aberdeen, Hearts, Hibs or Dundee United. Gambles are where we live. Scott McDonald was rejected elsewhere. Moult had dropped down divisions. These ones paid off. Others don't. Just need to get more right than wrong. Fact we've not been relegated in nearly forty years suggests we tend to...

Keeper is only at back up leval . He needs to improve pronto.

These are the loans we have to take a chance on when they come around . Talented youngster with something to prove.