steeldrew

On the communications side, I think it was a very good strategy. It's a relatively cheap thing that you can do to build your club's profile, build the profile of the players and therefore build the profile of the club, making it more attractive to sponsors and potential signings. You can debate the merits of that however much you like, but there's a reason businesses measure mentions and sentiment. And even if the club aren't going down that route right now, there would be a lot of value in just having an experienced head in there moving forwards so they can be proactive rather than reactive as this video clearly was. But at least this was slightly reassuring progress.

I think a massive problem with our support, certainly based on those around me, that there's a bunch of people who go because they love to shout abuse at the players. They're just waiting for a mistake so they can tell them they're shite. They'll get abuse if we do something as radical as keeping possession. Of course, I accept our current form is much worse that it's been in a very long time, but we can be third in the league and the atmosphere can still be pretty toxic. So by all means, do what you like, we're all paying customers, but I find a lot of it a bit weird.

Football management is strange. Kettlewell came in with a clear idea of how to play, a new formation and used the players we had in the right positions to get results to give us a comfortable end to the season. Then we started well this year, a tricky run of matches followed which you can forgive poor results, followed by form and tactics disappearing. What changed? We've lost at least two very important players and brought in many more of lower quality but there's more to it than that. I don't really want to see another manager go, and it's not that I love Kettlewell, it's just not sustainable to keep chopping and changing like this and hoping that's the solution. I'd really like us to have a manager that wants to be here and stays for years, but even two full seasons in charge seems unrealistic. The club is broken, Scottish football is broken and until so many other things change, it's just going to be more dross and musical chairs for short-term gains.

If this is true, I cannot believe that the match went ahead. The club has a responsibility to make sure the ground is a safe place. The potential for something really serious to happen with overcrowding cannot be overstated.

I'm sure it's just an illusion from the Cooper but it genuinely looked like there were more fans than seats in the McLean Stand. The aisles all full the whole match.

We lose to St Mirren every season. This is not in any way a shock. They're having a great spell with a good manager and they are a decent team for the level we're at. We're in one of our annual periods of transition. I don't think it's a losers' mentality. It was one day with one team, as it always is and we weren't hammered. Some Premiership teams didn't even make it out the group stages. It hurts but that's cup football. I think we're in a better position in terms of the team than we were a year ago and that's how we measure progress.

Ah, so that's why he's been signed.

The next two games are the difference between being in the mix for relegation at the end of the season, and having some meaningless games come the split. I'd much rather have the latter. We have to look aim at overhauling St Johnstone for 8th at the very least.

I really don't think Wright is the worst thing that could happen. It didn't work out at Killie but his record at St Johnstone was pretty incredible. I understand why people would be against him but if you're looking for an older, experienced manager with knowledge of the league and dealing with small budgets, then of course he would be on the list. He's certainly been relegated less than John Hughes.

I think anyone suggesting Jack Ross or Jim Goodwin is off their head. Two managers who this season have lost their respective dressing rooms. We need someone who will command respect and make an instant impact. Easier said than done, I know.

I don't remember seeing a team looking so devoid of ideas, structure, identity but most of all, fight.

It's good to see on here that Hammell is going wrong both by not changing the team and then tonight for changing the team.

I think the lack of movement is a huge factor in the fear of fans. Results are bad but if we knew there would be more options, players who might change games, I think it might at least give us something else to talk about.

They certainly used the squad anyway. That starting lineup gives me the fear though. Appreciate that it was a friendly and I'm not sure what I was expecting but we've had weeks to work on things and it just looks the same as before.

And he mentioned it in his Sportsound interview.

Losing by a single goal to Rangers isn't exactly one of the worst results in our history. I find it bizarre anyone thinking this is a bad Rangers side. Why? Because they're getting pumped in the Champions League. They've lost once in the league, and that was to Celtic. Well, we were hammered by Sligo Rovers not so long ago. The gulf in player quality between them and us has probably never been bigger and we are missing a few starters. How long ago was it that we beat Ross County by five and everyone was raving about it. I think we're solid enough in a league full of at least eight very poor teams. Also, on Moult. Anyone saying he was pointless signing seems a little hysterical. I'm sure we all wanted him to start by now but there's a long season ahead with a six-week break in the middle. There's plenty of time to make differences to player fitness and style of play.

Obviously it's one game and you don't want to read too much into it. However, I think we only scored more than two goals once under Alexander last season. It was a pragmatic approach when this league probably doesn't warrant it. I'd be willing to bet there wasn't a single game under him where we had that many attempts on goal. Every manager has their own philosophy but if Hammell's is to play football and try to score plenty of goals then I'd rather watch us lose playing that way than win trying to stagnate poor opposition. Feels like a long time since we've had someone in charge who actually understood the importance of entertainment. I was getting apathetic about coming to games. Was definitely more habit than desire. Now I'm intrigued to see how we build on this.

Hearing the abuse shouted at Alexander when he was giving his post-match interview was really embarrassing. I thought he sounded a bit shaken. I don't care what the industry is, no one should have to go to their job and get shouted and sworn at, no matter what you think of them. He's human and deserves a basic level of respect and anyone who thinks it's okay to address someone else in that manner in any circumstances should take a long hard look at themselves.

Really sad news. Thoughts with his friends and family. I didn't know him but I always looked out for his comments after every match. His writing was brilliantly engaging both on the forum and elsewhere. I'm saddened to think there won't be any more of it.

I, like many I'm sure, am fully prepared to buy my season ticket again despite the offer of free games next season. I know it won't be possible for all and there are tough times ahead but I'm happy with what I got out of it this season under the circumstances.

Hartley's joined Jamshedpur FC to work under their manager Owen Coyle after a chat with Carl McHugh. https://www.goal.com/en/news/isl-peter-hartley-owen-coyle-convinced-to-join-jamshedpur-fc/16ig58m5r57kt16rbhe9myo19a

Thought this was worth a share as I've not seen much chat about it. BBC World Service documentary posted at the start of may - Motherwell FC: We Own The Future. Worth a watch.

Why does the BBC have a boner for Gorrin? He might be good but I'm pretty sure he's contributed almost nothing so far this season.

I try to remain level headed and avoid the hyperbole often associated with a fan's post match assessment, but that really felt like once of the worst team performances I have ever seen. Honestly, I still don't really know what the formation was supposed to be and it didn't seem like the players did either. They looked like absolute strangers out there with no communication and absolutely not link between defence and midfield. Playing three up front but without any width seems absolutely bizarre. Lasley appeared to be sitting in front of the defence but his natural instinct was to try and make himself an option for a pass, which no other player seemed to do. Was Erwin in a free role? Or was he just confused and ran around a whole lot. I really am dumbfounded by today's performance and tactics. The manager spoke about getting back to basics? In my mind that means setting up Craig Brown style with two banks of four, with strikers coming back to defend when required. It does not mean playing formations with which the players are unfamiliar and seemingly playing half of them out of position. We're exactly where we deserve to be if this is how we play. The new manager has my support for the next two home games, but his decisions are massively questionable. Can we get any worse? Well that's what we've done all season, so I think we probably can. You expect to see some progress, a small glimmer of hope, something that excites you but today there was nothing.

The money made in England doesn't just come from Sky and BT. In the states they have a deal with NBC worth $250 million over three years. There will be a massive amount of money paid by Al Jazeera to broadcast across North Africa. Then there will be deals across Asia and the rest of Europe. That's what makes it sustainable. It's a globally marketable brand and a desirable product. That's something that the SPFL will never be internationally.