MelvinBragg

I see a lot of criticism of Bair. He isn't good enough I agree but at least he seems to be doing something. He is trying to link up play and chasing lost causes. Does it make up for his other deficiencies? No.... But can someone please explain what Shaw actually does? Or what it appears he is trying to do? I can see what Bair is trying to do. He's not good enough to do it but still... If Shaw is playing to the manager's instructions, then I have no idea what those instructions are...

Fifth, you are correct. But also three points clear of eleventh. Nature of the league maybe but I think to dismiss the R word after four defeats in a row while three points clear of the bottom two is naive...

There are some seriously shite teams in this league. Those are the only words of encouragement I can offer you...

McKinstry apparently joining Queens Park...

There was more than pantomime booing. One guy close to us was giving it "Get tae fuck, Turnbull, ya absolute rat." As others have pointed out, he didn't agitate publicly for a move, got us a decent transfer fee and has never dismissed his time with us. I don't like the fact he's playing for one of the Old Firm either but a "rat"? Nonsense...

As long as it's not Oli Shaw...

At the game, I thought it was between Paton and Spencer. Going to go with Spencer. Must have had a good first half as Celtic subbed his direct opponent at half time...

I agree but Shaw is, on today's evidence, not the answer if we're playing the system with four supporting midfielders and one striker. Obviously fitness is a factor when you've been chasing the ball all.game but it did seem like the ball stopped sticking up front when Bair went off. The pressure felt that bit more relentless and Shaw was losing possession a bit more easily than Bair...

For those on Moultwatch, he got injured just after 30 minutes into today's match...

That's what my money is on, sadly...

I wouldn't be rushing to sign anyone but we have two fit senior strikers at the moment, not three. Do we know how when Wilkinson will be back? As I've said before, chances are anyone we sign now won't have had a preseason anyway so will take ages to be match fit rendering it a pointless signing. Unless it's someone a club has just released ahead of deadline day...

I suspect Wilkinson will be back shortly and even if not, Shaw and Bair will be the front two. If one of them gets injured (given this season, when one of them gets injured), plan B will be the 4 midfielders taking it in turn to support a lone striker. I suspect Ferrie may be ahead of Efford in Kettlewell's pecking order, rightly or wrongly. Getting the impression, Kettlewell would maybe rather re-register Clarkson than play Efford. What I'm trying to say is, there was no way he was getting another chance so there was no point in keeping him ' just in case'...

I'm working on the assumption that it means Wilkinson might be back sooner rather than later. Not that that's a particularly exciting prospect either... Given the skeletal nature of the squad, not sure who's left that you'd have moved on ahead of Efford. McGinley and who else..?

I suspect they were willing to pay him what he wanted. I'm glad we weren't if it's anything like what he was on at Dundee United...

I suspect even if Blaney is fit, it may be an option that Kettlewell may favour. Might be wrong, but I get the impression that he is unconvinced by Blaney. As am I, as it goes...

It wouldn't astound me to see Kettlewell shift O'Donnell in one to right centre half and play Gent and Spencer as wing backs. Not saying that's what will happen but wouldn't be totally surprised if it did...

One goal in four league games so far. Will he maintain that average and score about 8 or 9 goals this season. Possibly not but if his dirty work allows Spittal, Slattery and Paton to chip in 5 to 6 each, that will help He should have had an assist on Sunday if Spittal had taken that chance early in the second half. Am I convinced by our attacking options? Nope but I don't think Bair has been too bad for a guy that missed preseason, came carrying a knock and must be lacking confidence...

Is this where I point out that four games in three of our strikers have scored already? Six goals we've scored in the league, three from strikers and three from elsewhere.. As impressive as Van Veen's run was last season, you could could argue there was an over reliance on him for goals.. Do I have concerns about our options at striker? Yes but Kettlewell did mention in the summer the obvious fact that Motherwell don't sign 25 goal strikers and how we have to find other ways of getting enough goals for results. So far, so good...

It was myself that posted it earlier. It just strikes me as a photo to sum up what's required to win at Tynecastle with ten men...

Great picture...

To be fair, with Cusack's record against Hearts, we'd need to plan for being down to ten men...

Shaw is 25, has had a preseason, has had some game time already this season, knows the league and has worked with the manager before. That adds up to a sensible signing. No guarantee it'll work out at Fir Park, but on paper makes sense..

Am I fan of the fact that we signed players with a patchy injury record or those just recovering from a significant injury? No. Do I realise these players may break down again? Aye. Do I feel the club should now gamble even more money on a guy who can be nowhere near match fitness? No thanks...

I'm not disappointed that we've not signed a 36 year old who has missed preseason. By the time he's fit, Biereth and Obika will be back...

You miss the point. Fletcher didn't want to come here. Therefore it's pretty irrelevant at this point whether you think he's a better option than Bair..