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I thought I'd take a look at the notional capacity of the various stands, which turned out to be more difficult than I thought. Various component figures seems to have changed i.e. the Hunter Stand dues to incremental works. Anyway, here's what I found: McLean Stand 4,500 POD Stand 3,500 Hunter Stand 3,305 Cooper Stand 2,373 Total 13,678 Now I just wonder, because the wings of the POD have been cordoned off and seats not "upgraded", if the capacity allowed by the safety certificate has been cut from 3,500 due to other reasons (fire/safety/exits etc). It could, of course, just be down to cost of replacing seats. I've seen folk sit in the wings in normal league games but then again, the total capacity of the stand wasn't exceeded.

I guess Lowry is a decent option to start addressing the gaping hole left by Slattery and Just. With Whyte and Booth hopefully stepping up this season, that’s encouraging too.

They are absolutely awful, when someone tried to squeeze past me I had to turn side on and lean as far back as I could, as soon as you lean back onto the seat the thing bends….if these seats are kept they are going to snap and cause an injury. I can’t believe someone signed off on these. I saw a few folk with cushions which is a good idea but should not be necessary. I’m generally quite fit and in decent enough shape but that’s 2 games I’ve been to and my back,arse and legs have been killing me for a couple of days after the game. God knows how the OAPs are going to get on.

Thats Lowry announced officially on the club whstsapp channel https://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2026/07/25/alex-lowry-arrives-on-loan-from-wycombe-wanderers/

If we're talking about signings from clubs above junior level, I'd say either Ben Ellis (Bangor) or Johnny McMenemy (Celtic).

The old seats and the bucket seats were not UEFA compliant, as advised by Brian Caldwell when he called me in response to my email. The old seat only had a 4cm back rail UEFA rules call for seating with at least a 32cm back. So thats why both sets of seats were replaced. The comfy padded seats in the members / directors area are ok and will not be replaced. And as has previously been discussed the various limitations of the POD as it stands meant that the seating we got was the only available option. So short of major remodelling of the POD the new seats are here to stay until such times as we either move to a new stadium or rebuild the POD.

I wonder if Lowry could be the next Stephen Hughes. Hughes was older when he arrived at Motherwell I think but there are similarities in other ways between the players. ie Rangers player that had lost his way a little for a variety of reasons but plenty of ability. Hughes was my favourite player in Mark McGhee's first free flowing spell at Motherwell. The Quarter back analogy applied really well to him. Everything passed through him and he just kept things ticking along in that team. With the exception of last season that was the best footballing side I remember in my time watching Motherwell and SH played a big part in that.

I dont disagree with that, but we're still not spending £500k on a 30year old from falkirk

If we’re in the market for a striker, would it be worth taking a punt on Bruce Anderson? He’s scored goals in the Scottish Premiership for Aberdeen, Livingston and Kilmarnock. He’s only 27 and is a free agent so no transfer fee.

Sometimes you just need the right people around you in the right environment to make you flourish.

I don't think he'd be too high risk. The club is very big on evaluating character and fit for the team, so if they say he's OK now, I trust their judgement,

This is what I don't understand. Whilst the central seating wasn't in great condition I also understood that it was the 2 wings that required replacement as they did not meet UEFA requirements (an issue in itself). So, why was it that the central sections were replaced but the 2 wings left untouched? If they had been, there might well have been no requirement to open the McLean Stand at extra cost? Could it be that the POD's safety certificate, issued by North Lanarkshire Council, does not allow for its full capacity to be realised and the club therefore cannot fill the 2 wings? I've also emailed the club to complain.

Tried that after Genk. Ignored. And they did not need to replace the central seats. It was only the bucket seats on the wings that needed sorted. I wonder if any of the powers that be even tried the seats? Biggest issue is Health and Safety. An injury waiting to happen. How they passed inspection is beyond me. Someone needs to put their hands up and accept they got it badly wrong. But currently wagons being circled. Although those wagons are probably more comfortable than the new seats.

I don't know much about him to be honest but we are short of attacking central midfielders following the loss of Nicholson, Slattery and Just. Not quite sure where Booth and Whyte will fit into our plans yet. Luca Ross has another year to run on his contract but I can see him being loaned out for part or the whole of that period. From reading comments on here and on P & B I'd assess Lowry as being in the high risk category. Either way we're short of bodies in central midfield.

It's a massive investment and while this summer is an eye-popping perfect storm, three years ago selling K** for £550k was seen as a coup, it would be a brave supporter of this football club to suggest we can mimic it again in the near future. But maybe a Watt style £2m here or there is a new datum thanks to our style and approach. I get within our psyche there is a need for a rainy day mindset, the WS was created to offer it after all. It's a thing in this part of the world because we're no stranger to economic upheaval and a feeling of few sunny days to make our hay. The overall cost is at first glance potentially frightening, we have the jeopardy of relegation always hanging over us, our new found wealth is in theory an insulator and in worst case scenarios, a January slush fund to buy our way to safety. Un upgraded POD is upheaval for 15 months ideally so a whole season lost of its hospitality offering and temporary costs to relocate changing rooms and other functions held within the stand. After completion, there would be an uptake on hospitality going forward, maybe we can make the building sweat its assets seven days a week if it's restaurant is open the same as Tynecastle. We won't alter the capacity of Fir Park or the general aesthetic. Then we move on to the other stands assessing their triage order. A new stadium offers it to be built and commissioned similar to Everton with Goodison and the Hill Dickinson, where you move without upheaval or penalty. I've tried to illustrate how every extra 1,000 seats made available to OF or Hearts supporters realises approximately £2m over the 20 year life of any finance arrangement. I think what's important, we sell someone for say £2m in future, we can dump that into our mortgage, financing the stadium isn't solely down to increased attendances, hospitality and additional uses, player trading will always be part of the club and if co-located with our academy/training facility can be very much justiifed. However, the main thing which I haven't highlighted yet is when the stadium is paid off, early or on time, from that day forward the increased revenues generated flow directly and solely into the football department and academy in perpetuity.

Talk on here too a page back 🤣

Plenty potential but heard bit of Billy big baws attitude. Hopefully screwed the nut as could be good signing

Talk over on P&B of Alex Lowry signing

Good win, could have been more. Only 2 of the starting 11 were what you would say our first choice 11 from last season. Thats some turnaround! Their number 7 caught the eye. Pace to burn & looked very direct. Are we big enough to say to HB Torshvan, thanks for the game, now give us your player.....

One of JBA's first jobs was to wave goodbye to Emersonn when he was transferred to Ipswich. Highly rated 22 year old Brazilian striker. 28 million Euros.

I think we all need to email the club. Something had to be done d to fix it.

Toulouse signing policy is no one over 25, be interesting watching JBA, I'm interested in how he fares too.

Don't threaten him with a good time!

What did you think of the match, good fun?

Thought it was a decent performance considering 1st game back & a few missing Think we need a 10 & a 9 said was the only real creativity we had faddinger & priestmen were quality as per don’t get the booth love, young player but thought the game totally passed him by, early days for the boy though & sure he can prove me wrong 2 new boys at the back & Williams done well, look decent signings keeper gives me the fear, seemed stuck to his line Vogt for me looks nowhere near the level but again early days & new country, not convinced plenty positives but we need a couple in