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Robinson is doing fine, edging towards pretty good, but I sometimes think he gets a wee bit more praise than he is due. Absolutely correct to point out he’s brought in players that have done well and made us a good amount of cash (Moult, Kipre, etc) but I still reckon he’s made more bad signings than good. He tends to identify where we need to bolster and then signs four guys for the position in the hope that one of them turns out good. Guys like Illic, Manzinga, Sloth, etc seem to fly under the radar but there is a plethora of players he’s brought in, have been pish and have been hunted again so I wouldn’t give him too high a score in the “signings” category despite a couple of high-profile successes. Tactically, it’s spot on to suggest he now tries to play a nice brand of football, using width and pace which, when it works, is what we all want to see. However, I do think if we are trying to give a balanced appraisal of Robinson’s time with us as a whole, it would be remiss to disregard that plan A was to lump the ball up to a couple of monsters in the hope that something worked (sometimes it did, hence 2 cup finals, but very often it didn’t and was turgid to watch). I would argue plan B was Ross McCormack (no further comment required on how that went) and Hastie, Turnbull, etc, and the subsequent change in shape was a last resort, which undoubtedly worked incredibly well. In terms of in-game management, he is certainly bold, and again this has had mixed results. The St Mirren cup tie this season is a good example of this- in Paisley were winning and comfortable, he made a baffling substitution and moved O’Hara out of position with 20 minutes to go- they almost immediately equalised and we were lucky to get a replay out of it in the end. In the replay itself, he basically removed the defence and it somehow worked, albeit with a disappointing outcome I like him a lot- he speaks very well and I think he’s a fine ambassador for our club, but I do think Motherwell fans tend to see things in all black and white and due to a 3rd place finish Robbo is the messiah- I just think a bit of perspective is required at times.

The timing is probably right if true. Hartley was perfect for the way we “used” to play, he’s pretty much a round peg in a square hole these days. Even so sad to see him go, he will do a very solid job at another club.

It's when I read opinions like this that makes me appreciate that we've got a sensible and even-headed board. Sticking with a manager when things aren't going well is a very brave thing to do, particularly when the fans are starting to turn. Personally - I don't think there have ever been grounds for considering a sacking. It's a nonsense suggestion to me, however I suppose it depends on what you think is considered an achievement at our club. The signings are hit and miss by even our most successful managers -Robinson is no different there, yet he's working on a fraction of a budget to his predecessors. With that in mind, we'll always hit bad runs - I recalled picking up 1 point out of 21 after the league cup final and we all had the fear in the first half of last season. I actually agree with a lot of what you're saying (just 3 months ago we had Bevis up-front at Almondvale - baffling) but we'll always hit these patches - there is a skill in turning these things around and thankfully we've had the right man in charge to do so. The bigger picture is that he consistently hits and exceeds targets set by the board. Our financial security has come in large part due to Robinsons skills as a manager - from keeping us in the league, making cup finals, selling players on and now finishing 3rd. Aside from tactical decisions, a manager sets the tone, he builds players, he generates team character, he cuts people loose when they don't fit in, he decides on what type of person he wants in the dressing room. We've also played some enjoyable football in this time. There's a skill in all of that and his achievements far outweigh any flaws.

Thats the crux of it for me. This isnt done to "fool" Clubs or Agents so what does it actually achieve? Ive been a Well supporter all my life, I was at Hampden as a 10 year old Kid in 1991, at every cup final, had season tickets and even followed the team away in Europe and Im getting scunnered with the continual pleads of poverty. If Im feeling like that I can only imagine how that can/will affect more casual fans. What incentive is there for a Casual fan or a novice looking for a Club to support tocome see us? Instead of thinking "hey thats a great achievement from the Well, I think Il pop down to Fir Park next season and give them some support" its now more like " thats some achievement from the Well, pity they are skint and will lose their best players next year, oh well" Sometimes its like the guys in charge actively look to make our club look miserable as fuck. This season (clearing our Debt, Finishing 3rd in the League, Developing & selling another 2 Highly Rated kids Down South) is something the Club, and town should be proud of, especially at these times! Why do we immediately need to bring money into it and drag it down?

Lowering supporter expectations while reminding other clubs we can’t afford to pay transfer fees.