MFCL84

Ciftci call was a definite penalty.

I thought we played pretty well today. Certainly the best football I've seen from Motherwell this side of the winter break. Despite losing I actually enjoyed the game. Excluding the first few minutes of the game our back line were completely untroubled. I was pleasantly surprised by the midfield today. Andy Rose had a really good game, as did McHugh. They put themselves about and at no time were they overrun by the Killie midfield. Ciftci was quiet in the game. He has a good touch and is capable of making things happen, but I don't think that we have the players that can link up with him. Generally there is very little movement in the team, which makes it very difficult for ball players to find a pass before being crowded out. I think this is also part of the reason that Tanner holds the ball so long too. Though I would agree that there were a few occasions today where he had early and better options to release the ball. The only real failure today was Frear. Sorry, but he just doesn't seem to have the heart for a physical challenge. He hid through much of the game today. He also had an chance to close down the shot for the Killie goal but stood off.

I went for Tanner. Much of what happened up top went through him. I see a lot of praise for Dunne, which is deserved. Defensively he is looking really good. However, his distribution is quite possibly the worst I've seen. No vote from me until he improves that aspect of his game.

Not dirty and not even overly physical. In the St Johnstone match I'd say that they were as physical as Motherwell and had a dirty player on the pitch putting it about. I don't think that Motherwell have a dirty player on their books.

2nd half performance much improved resulting in a deserved victory. Special mention for the back 3 who are excellent as a unit. Hard working midfield broke up everything from St Johnstone. Main's graft and Ciftci's craft worked well. Now for the bad - That 1st half was torture. It has been said by many before, winning the battle and creativity do not need to be mutually exclusive. SR needs to find a way to get both aspects of our play on to the pitch at the same time.

Campbell gets it but I have to praise McHugh in the middle who was immense in the aerial battle and snapped away on the ground. The back 3 are also acquitting themselves very well at the moment.

Joe Wark

Kipre outstanding today, but special mention for McHugh who I felt did a lot of breaking up play and was very good in the air. He just has to improve his speed of thought on the ball.

I too think that a goal for Fish will completely turn around his season.

I thought that Tanner was our best, but good performance from Tait, Carson and Hartley. Also thought that Bigi worked very hard for the team.

And here we go again...

Nobody has even mentioned Griffiths Swan dive a few minutes after the pen which the ref completely ignored. Definite yellow for simulation.

Exactly that, as would most part-time supporters.

I just don't see in game VAR being viable unless there are multiple cameras at all games. If it was feasible then OK, but there would still need to be a punishment set at a level aimed at quashing that behaviour.

I'll be there, but I think we'll be back to our core support. As a guide to the reaction to the cup final, I took 4 extra fans to the final who left with the view that Motherwell didn't turn up.

Yes, refereeing standards are a consideration, but that is different from players creating incidents for the ref to judge. If there is nothing to judge they won't get it wrong.

Yesterday we witnessed a not atypical act of diving which both player and manager have since attempted to justify. This type of thing will no doubt happen many times across the country throughout the remainder of the season. In a league game this would have been bad enough, but in a cup final it takes on a completely different magnitude. Undoubtedly, the incident had a major bearing on the match as a spectacle, destroyed any prospect of an entertaining final 30 mins and deprived the Motherwell players of any chance of a cup winners medal and the paying fans the chance of watching the teams battle it out on equal terms, and I haven't mentioned what it might mean financially in terms of win bonus to some players. Put aside the refereeing decision, if players don't dive, the ref doesn't have a decision to make. If a player has an opportunity he should do what he can to stay on his feet and make the most of it. It seems that players take the opposite view to go down, get the penalty and get the opponent sent off. Obviously, because the frequency of diving isn't getting any less, the penalties for such behaviour are not sufficient. It needs to be stamped out of the game, and the only way to do it is to dish out more severe penalties. What penalties would work, I don't know, but some ideas; - multiple game ban - severe fine - strip player of medal if it happens in a cup final - fine the club - deduct points if it happens in a league match You may think some of these are too severe, but as a Motherwell fan who has only seen his team compete in 4 major finals in over half a century, I feel that I was deprived of seeing my team have a fair crack yesterday. I've no idea how, as fans, we can make anything happen, but it is time to say something. As a fan owned club can we lead by example? Can the Well Society do something alongside the authorities running the game? I know that I may be naïve thinking that anything will change, but as owners of the club, surely we can at least be heard. It is time for the authorities to take this problem seriously.

Not me.

Really don't think we had a standout today. Good defensive display all round. So anyone from the back line.

Yeah, wrong thread.

Sorry, I don't agree with that (Ya Beezer). Looked like the game plan to me to hold out and frustrate for the first 45 or so. I was expecting to change formation and up the tempo in the final 30 mins, but the goal upset that and pushed the plan up a bit. Tanner coming on at 1-0 changed the game. Wenhad started to get through them and in behind. Gordon makes a great save, Moult taken out on another threatening attack and then some cheating and incompetent refereeing kills the game. For all Celtic had the ball in the first 45, they did nothing with it.

Edit...

Carson today. His handling was excellent.

A really solid performance all round today. A very dominant display with the result never in doubt. It has been a long time since a Motherwell team has been so comfortable with a lead. The midfield gives such protection to the back line, and the back line is so strong that Carson must be one of the least worked keepers in the league.

The best all round team performance I can remember. It is great to be a Well fan right now.