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Agreed. There's a worrying lack of experience in the team and we're short of a right back. SOD's best days RB days may be over but surely he's a better option than Sparrow there? Our defence in the league this season has been poor and we need to shake things up in that department. Paul McGinn. At best months, but will he make the first team again?

O'Donnell has surely got to start at the weekend. We need a stable 'old head' at the back to keep things organised. Also, I'm not sure what condition he'll be in but when's Mcginn back?

Ok then , I'm still waiting fir one . Let me know when you start. 🤔

Is that not what we do, pass judgement in the MOTM thread?

Whit?

Ditto. I wasn't impressed last night, but in fairness, he had no chance with any of the goals as Aberdeen's finishing was something we could only dream of. He failed to command his area and on one occasion got mixed up with one of the central defenders when he should have taken control. He was also almost caught out twice with the ball at his feet. As for midfield, we really do miss Priestman for his energy and movement.

Agree with pretty much all of that except maybe your secomd item, Watt done that all season long although Welsh woukd also bring the ball out. I think JKL gives us a more Welsh like option. i also wonder how much we are missing Preistman. For me, he was our Watt replacement. Stepped in seamlessly for games last season and started off very well this season. regarding you last point, I think the effort level has dropped a wee bit which results in us not playing as a unit amd leads to some of the big gaps we are seeing. Need to attack as a team and get back to that high press but willing to put the work in to get back and defend should the other team beat the press.

Theres a few of things I noticed last night that on reflection Id like to see fixed. The first thing was our press. With no focal point of the attack, there didnt seem to be anyone to start the press to signal to the rest of the team to go. Not sure if that was by design or default, but Id like to see Seb start as our preferred option in the middle. He has pace and a bit of physicality, so can get to and at defenders/keeper. He needs supported with pace though for any press to work, so for me Maswanwhise and Said have to be either side. Cookie is too slow. Secondly, why were Fadinger and Hodge having to come so deep to pick up the ball? Having Moorman and Jake either side of them whilst doing so seemed mental, didnt work and caused us all sorts of difficulties. If we want to play out our centre halves have to be comfortable on the ball and able to pass out. If Fadinger or Hodge are dropping to play quarterback then the centre halves need to move into pockets to receive the ball instead of just standing and letting the midfield deal with it. Our style requires multiple options to receive a pass at all times. We cant afford passengers or players hiding. Everyone needs to be willing to show for the ball, that hasnt been the case this season and our midfield were very static last night. Finally, we are not winning the ball back high up the pitch the way we were last season. Not sure whether we just arent running as hard this season to get it back (Just was fantastic at it) or whether its something more structural, but its really apparent. Definitely plenty to work on out on the training pitch.

None of the goals last night were keepers fault

Also worth considering what we'd term "succeeding". For me, it's at least being in the race for top six and playing the kind of football that makes Motherwell worth watching.

Would you not have put Just in the lightweight category last season?

This is why we keep it a secret ballot. So you can all vote without fear of embarrassment. MOTM is a judgement free zone.

I think its also fair to point out that Alfred is only 35 and Rosenberg was his first job as a head coach. He is still learning and not the finished article.

Never seen last night which was a bonus but do think this w/ends a big game to see if we get a reaction I’ve got big doubts on the keeper ( I know people have been raving about him ) thought we needed a right back which was shot down…. & kanga looks far too lightweight for this league ( as does probably Vogt ) signings on a whole have been decent but there is some doubts if we’re considering the physicality of the league

Thank you kind sir........cant guarantee 2nd part though 🤣🤣

See who Hibs fans are calling for? Clarke, Lennon, Kevin Thompson, Alex Neil, Bartley, etc. All aboard the failure merry-go-round again. I'll happily give Johansson a full season and beyond. If he doesn't succeed, then we'll pick up another young and ambitious coach from the continent.

This is a very good and well worded post. Keep doing this and forget the comedy.

Sums it up for me. Judging the manager so soon after a summer of turmoil, both personal and professional, is misguided. The new players need time to gel to produce something like the kind of football we saw last year. Aberdeen had nothing but the long ball for the first half hour, kicked and niggled all the time and got a goal with their first shot on target. The second, a deflected one from a simple mistake was the killer. They could pick us off then when we went for broke and it worked. The much-criticised Vogt produced two excellent crosses which should have been more productive and Thor a couple of flick-ons and hold-up play which was an improvement on the performance of the front three which started, who offered little/nothing as a unit. The Dundee game is a test for the new manager and players to show a big reaction.

I am sure he will have learned a lot last night and hopefully can see the players that need dropped

Feels apt to say as an attacking force we wouldn’t worry sheep

I am sure he will have learned a lot last night and hopefully can see the players that need dropped

Just watched AJ’s pat match interview. Pretty much summarized it correctly. Didnt turn our first half domination into goals and stopped playing our normal game after second goal.

When are Preistman and Johnny K due back?

Well said pal. Alfred needs time and before last night everything had been moving along nicely. Players have off days and that happened last night. Looking at our squad i have every faith we will have a good season but fans need to realise that Jens was really unique so its unfair to put that pressure on AJ, especially in middle of September. He needs a full season minimum