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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.

Yup, 1 Yr left

Stamatelopoulos not still under contract as well ?

Keep in mind, as noted by a previous post, that there are added requirements for our squad if we get into Europe.

We, and I include myself here, have forgotten that Ewan Wilson is also under contract for another year.

Or Maswanhise?

No Just?

A few assumptions there. I'm not sure we'll lose both Just and Manwhanise. Also, Whyte 's contract expires shorlty and there's no guarantee he'll re-sign. At 24, would our squad size be slightly light?

The base of our squad for next season is: GK - Ward, Connolly Def - SOD, Sparrow, JK, McGinn, McGhee, Longelo CM - Watt, Preistman, Fadinger, Whyte RW - Said, Ross LW - RCC St - Bjorgolfsson, Hendry If we can get RCC anywhere near the player he was at County he'd be one of the best wide players in the division. That leaves us needing :- - 2 CBS, LB, 2 AMF, LW, St (Play across front 3 type)

Not convinced pal. Apart from a great strike in league cup has not been very good, just my opinion

I'd give Charles Cook a little bit more time. I was very excited about this signing but he has been underwhelming. He has impressive previous history and perhaps is just lacking confidence.

As far as I can see there are two paths this summer: first Askou goes and we cash in on the players we have before a new manager can come in I.e Just, maswanhise, Watt move on. Secondly if Askou stays we looks to keep 2/3 of those players (likely Just and Watt as both have a club option of an extra year). plently of players to be moved on in any case, of those expiring in the summer I’d keep Slattery if possible and everyone else can go. Henry, Charles-Cook and Robinson will likely be on a good wage and can ideally move on.

Welsh will probably be looking for a new club and the certain pay cut that that brings as i dont think he has a future at Celtic, so a deal to keep him at Fir park might be within our budget. Assuming of course he has no offers from England or anywhere else offering more money than we can afford, time will tell.

I would sell Cooke, Hendry and JT if we get offered at least £3 million. Ox, Gordon, Halliday, Robinson, Slattery i think will be off also and Welsh will return to Sellik but would love it if we could get some kind of deal for him

There will 100% be interest in Just , Watt and Twanda , albeit the money offered for Twanda might have dropped quite a bit

Hendry has offered nothing so far. Is that due to injury, who knows? But like Cook seems to be injury prone. Squad players at best. We need to improve on our 1st eleven and those in it currently can be our squad backup. Only way to move forward. If Gordon cant get a game over aging right backs then its probably time for him to move on to get regular playing time. Nicholson. Depends on his wages but he will never be more than backup. Halliday is probably a good guy to have around but given he has not featured even in emergencies he aint going to play. Coaching role? Depends if he wants to drop down a division and keep playing. Slattery will chase the money and Welsh will go back as you said. Robinson has not kicked a ball in a season and half?? He might get back fit but to what level? The jury was out on him prior to injury and i cant see how that improves going forward. Ox will move for first team football and good luck to him! So almost every position bar right back needs additions. Could be a busy summer. Hopefully Jens commits to us next season and allows us to chase our targets and bring them in early. For talk about physicality and height. We need to remember we still have the best defence in league and dont lose many games. All that with apparent weaknesses! Getting technically gifted giants will be challenging. Players who can actually cross a ball or hit a dead ball would be nice. Probably players who can run with the ball at pace is also a must. Going to be interesting how we continue our project.

Whats our current thinking on ins and outs in the summer? My personal view is: Oxborough: transfer out or loan Wilson: will leave either permanently or on loan Gordon: will leave at the end of his contract Welsh: will return to Celtic Slattery: will move on Halliday: will move on Robinson: will move on Nicholson: will move on. That clears the decks quite a bit and leaves a few gaps to fill in the squad, especially in defence and midfield. It would pare down our squad to about 19. Our striking department also needs strengthening. Our first 11 isn't too bad but we do lack quality in depth. Overall, we need more height and physicality in the squad as we've found out to our cost recently. That could be difficult to source as big physical players who can play a bit don't come cheap. In addition to that I'd also try to move on Charles Cook and Hendry although that might not be easy. Others like Just, JT, and Watt may also attract interest and move - who knows? Finally, lets get Olly Whyte's contract extended.