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Well, the GBH assault by Hately on the Aberdeen GK in the first few minutes certainly showed the way the wind was blowing that day. It was hard to imagine Rangers being defeated at Ibrox in the circumstances: terrific pressure on the referee to do the right thing. BTW, I thought it was customary that the team leading the league when the post-split fixtures were finalised played their last game at home? Hearts have now to go to Celtic Park on the last day.

I liked and defended Kettlewell more than most but as far as I can tell all this shows is that he accrued less points than JBA in more games, 5 of which were post-split bottom 6 fixtures?

We tried that in 1991 I seem to recall. If we beat Rangers by 3 clear goals in our second last league game, it meant Aberdeen only needed a draw in their last game at Ibrox to win the league. We did our part, then Aberdeen bottled it.

I have 100% confident that our current board is on top of things when it comes to trying to secure our young prospects. I'm in 100% agreement about the many examples that have left too soon. I have close to 0% confidence that a youngster getting bad advice from agents and family will be smart enough to ignore it.

Yes but he could look at the long term and remember how many prospects have left us too soon instead of learning their trade with regular first team football. Too numerous to mention those who have left early and disappeared into the footballing back waters. I wouldn't know if he is any good as like most of us never seen him play.

It’s so tight I think probably it is only Celtic we could end if for. The other two have a couple of games still to go. on the basis it’s not us winning league, I’d love it if we effectively handed Hearts the league by beating Celtic having secured 4th place for ourselves.

SK done a reasonably good job initially...took a pile of shite left to him by club 'legend' Stevie Hammell and turned it into a relatively robust and organised unit. The trouble with SK was that after the initial upturn, he signed his own pile of shite, became wedded to a horrid formation, gave little fucks about the fans perception of being entertained AND to compound all of that behaved like an absolute cretin when he resigned and for a period thereafter.

to be honest Grizzly I didn't think you were far off the mark. Best football I've ever seen us play, better than McGhee v1 and just the overall attitude Jens brings - he's been a touch of class and made me feel proud to be a Well fan. Everyone is entitled to their view of what earns the right to 'titles' but simply put I can't remember since McLean a better manager to lead us forward and hope more than expect that Jens remains next season.

Putting my claret and amber goggles to the side for a moment I think we'll be quite attractive to players trying to make their way in the game and who enjoy our brand of football. JT and AP will almost certainly leave and perhaps Just, Watt if the right kind of offer comes in but I can't help but think we're a much more attractive club than in years gone by. From homegrown talent Miller to the several players aforementioned whose stock is higher now than at start of the season Im optimistic we can bring in quality (assuming Jens stays) The prospect of free flowing football + potential Europe and everything else that brings will attract suiters. Starting with Welsh - again optimistic that he'd sign up . Also suspect Slattery will extend his time with us.

Under Kettlewell our future looked extremely limited and it was all about survival. It felt like only a matter of time until top flight status was lost. Our players looked almost as fed up as the fans. Games were not enjoyable, even when we won. That was the reality of the situation. Speaking personally I found it more and more of a chore to attend matches. No exaggeration to say that in over 60 years of attending games I had never felt as scunnered. Under Askou I look forward to games and love what I am watching each week, even if the outcome is frustrating at times. That's football for you. All season we have been looking up and not down, with top six achieved at a canter. We have players who are a joy to watch and should attract decent offers should we choose to cash in. Several who were ignored or looked done under Kettlewell are now performing to a high standard. We are looking forward to further progress next season and indications from within the Club are that planning to that end is well advanced. And all that achieved in next to no time. The results comparison surprised me. I admit that. But that alone does not tell the story. The increase in attendances, home and away, would suggest that many folk feel the same way as me. No matter what happens post split, this season has been a positive that none of us could have imagined under Kettlewell. For me that is the comparison that matters. Fans now have belief and are turning up in large numbers. The players look to be enjoying what is being asked of them. He may not be a legend yet but I hope he stays long enough and is supported sufficiently to have a shot at achieving that status.

I think most folk compare what they're watching now to what they previously watched when it comes down to it. Crowd numbers alone would suggest they much prefer what JBA's team has served up to what the past few managers delivered. On a personal level, that's certainly the case. Doesn't make Askou a genius, doesn't mean Kettlewell's a donkey (though we could take the views of Ross County and Kilmarnock fans into account on that one).

Thats what concerns me here.

Pretty much the fixtures I had been expecting

As always, we can't force anyone to sign if they don't want to.

Irrespective of where we finish now, it will have have been a good season. Improved league placing; increased attendances; and more exciting football. The final judgement on JBA's reign will depend on where he takes us from here and, of course, the jury is still out on that. So far, he's done very well in a short space of time. This summer's recruitment will be a big test for him. The bottom line is that we have to build on this year's success and not stagnate.

4 games ago folk were believing we could win title. Now Askou being compared to Kettlewell!! This forum beggars belief at times. Look at the crowds this season, that tells you everything as we are being entertained and have only lost TWO home games all season. Both against Falkirk. We were always going to have injuries, players off form, Slattery being stupid getting himself a ban. It's just happened at wrong time of season. Give me JBA ahead of Kettlewell any day. Ps. Ross Co 0 Airdrie 4 at weekend, SK doing wonderful job COYW

I'd like to start by signing up Olly Whyte for an extended term. News has been very scant on that front so far. Could we blood him before the end of the season as Stenhousemuir's season ends before ours?

If we can get Europe then amazing but I don’t think we have the finances to look to bring in players to be our European team. Need to get replacement for Welsh as mcginn and sod while great at centre back are no spring chickens. I can see us maybe loaning the other Celtic centre back murray who seemed decent Afraid we will likely lose JT. I think we have made him a promise from the jan window that if an offer comes in then he can go. likely in my opinion to also lose one of just and watt. So maybe a transfer kitty of AT LEAST 6 million between the sale of jt and either watt or just. Please not Fad as I really think he is instrumental in what we do. That being said I would like to see more development of our youth teams and bring them through. Lennon was the blueprint. Exciting times ahead.

Jeez I wish could turn back time and used a different word for JBA!

Well Kettlewell wasn't playing against a Livingston team that literally can't win and 3 of Askou's victories have been against them. There is never going to be a completely direct comparison outside of the actual results.

Can’t argue with facts but 😂 JBA will be playing top 6 so not apples to apples by end of season. the numbers also don’t account for how much more enjoyable it has been to watch our team play. while the bottom line is W L D record some other numbers are impressive at this stage of the season. Better goal difference than Celtic, best defensive record in the league. correct that JBA is not a legend but difinitely a breath of fresh air amd possibly a legend in the making.

That's what we were due so we can't have any complaints. We might not have any title winning games at Fir Park but we could still end it for all three. Well, two but you know what I mean!

Hearts game 8.00 ko sat night. Jeez!! Really tough order and I hope we have 4th sealed before last game

Now let me just state I think JBA has done a good job. But here are some dispassionate facts. Here are JBA and Stuart Kettlewell's league records after 32 matches. SK-32-12-10-10 JA-32-14-12-6 The difference is 2 wins and 2 draws over 32 matches. Also given the fact that we have tough matches coming up and and aren't in particularly good form and Kettlewell got 9 points from his next 7 matches means it might be even closer on the first day of next season, although, of course, I don't know what our next 6 results are going to be. Given the closeness of the two records I just find it interesting that the average fan probably has widely diverging views on both managers. JBA has done well but he's no where near a legend. Finishing 4th or 5th is hardly unprecedented for Motherwell managers. Terry Butcher got us Top 6 numerous times when the club was on it's uppers and not spending, as it is now, six figure sums on multiple players. People tend to go to extremes, best ever, worst ever, when it's the vast majority of the time it's not.

Pretty much as expected although the order is a bit odd. The usual factors determined the list. Home to Hearts and v Celtic (midweek) and Hibs away last game. Happy enough with that except that the Celtic game is midweek. No 3pm Saturday home fixtures. As expected, Falkirk get an extra home game; well done them. I can't see any title winning games at Fir Park.