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Thought this deserved a thread of its own..... Was really pleased for Keith last night that we managed to get the win that kept all the fans behind and in great spirits to give him the send of he deserved. You could see and hear it was a very emotional experience for him and his whole family. There can be a lot of cheap talk thrown around when it comes to football players about who is a club legend and who is not, but for me I dont think there can be any doubt that Keith falls into that category. For a player to spend almost his entire playing career at one club in the modern era is almost unheard of these days and for me, over the last 20 or so years Keith has been Mr Motherwell. Coming in as he did in the administration season with the likes of Hammel, Faddy, Pearo et al, he quickly grasped the ethos of our club and became very much part of the fabric of it. For someone who wasnt brought up Motherwell fan, the fact that he and his whole family now are, says a lot. During his time at the club we have enjoyed 4 Cup finals, 2 League Runners Up spots and 8 European qualifications, including playing in the Champions League. To be club captain for such a large part of that success, says lot about him. The fact that he is also a damn fine human being, means he will be sorely missed by many at the club, including the fans. Ultimately, all good things must end and he is off to further his career in a new role. I for one, wish him all the best and thank him for some wonderful memories. ALL THE BEST "KEEF"

This last page alone really shows how out of touch with reality some fans are about Motherwell true'place in the football food chain. It is a minor miracle that Motherwell finish 4th/5th in our league, end of story. It is a minor miracle that Motherwell have retained their top division status since the mid 80's. Baraclough took over a team that was heading for relegation when he took over in December and saved it from relegation, thumping one of the two biggest teams in the country 6-1. A superb achievement!! Ask Hibs fans, ask Aberdeen fans, ask Dundee Utd fans, ask Hearts fans what it really feels like to underachieve. Alexander has saved us from relegation in his first season, attained a top six finish (with European football) in his second. He has earned our backing. The notion that Motherwell have historically been a free flowing attractive football team untill this season is complete make believe. What is not make believe is that for a small club, we have massively over achieved spanning the last 4 decades including this season. Cause for celebration and congratulations to every single board member, manager, player that has contributed to what should be a very proud history. Look at our European qualification record since the turn of the century. Something that many Scottish football fans can only dream of. We really need to enjoy these times. We will not always be so successful.

A lengthy post, but i have time to kill this morning... So, with the season end almost upon us, I believe below is the situation regarding players out of contract: PJ Morrison Ricki Lamie (pre-contract signed with Dundee) Victor Nirennold Liam Grimshaw Mark O'Hara (pre-contract signed with St Mirren) Liam Donnelly Liam Shaw (end of loan) Jordan Roberts Justin Amaluzor Darragh O’Connor At this stage, I'd absolutely look to retain Lamie if he's willing to stay, possibly Morrison as a backup keeper, and O'Connor purely to see if he has anything to offer. The rest could go as far as I'm concerned. Contract-wise, the rest of the squad looks something like this: Liam Kelly - May 2024 Scott Fox - May 2023 Stephen O'Donnell - May 2023 Jake Carroll - May 2023 Max Johnston - May 2023 Bevis Mugabe - May 2024 Juhani Ojala - May 2023 Nathan McGinley - May 2024 Sondre Solholm Johansen - May 2024 Barry Maguire - May 2024 Callum Slattery - May 2024 Dean Cornelius - May 2023 Ross Tierney - May 2025 Sean Goss - May 2023 Kaiyne Woolery - May 2024 Kevin van Veen - May 2023 Joe Efford - May 2023 Connor Shields - May 2024 Robbie Mahon - June 2023 I think we can all agree that the squad is pretty bloated at the moment, although that was intentional due to potential Covid suspensions and us needing cover for that. The same applied to other clubs in the league. With that said, I'd look at things this way: Goalkeeper It's pretty obvious that Kelly is going to be our number one, so that's not in doubt. I did notice that the past few games we've had young Matthew Connelly warming the bench for us, which is a good sign, but I think if we're going to renew PJ Morrison's contract there has to be some sort of progress made there. He's been at Alloa this season, and has bounced around on loan at various clubs. But he's 24 now, so he's not a kid. If we're not going to offer him a concrete position as the club number 2 behind Kelly, then let him go. For me we either go with Kelly, Morrison as a solid number 2 and Connelly being brought into the fold with a possible loan in January while Fox is there to see out his contract and assist with coaching, or we go with Kelly as number one, Morrison moving on and a combination of Connelly and Fox backing us up on the bench. Verdict - I don't think we need a new body in for this position. If Morrison moves on we can cover with Connelly and Fox for this season. Right Back A position of much contention this season. With Liam Grimshaw's contract ending we lose an option for that position, but with Max Johnston returning we gain an option as well, if the management team see him as being good enough. If we don't bring someone else in during the window we will start with O'Donnell, Johnston, and also Mugabi as options for this position. Personally, I'd go with O'Donnell if he's fit, and try to phase Johnston in occasionally and at least see what he can do in the last year of his current deal. If he isn't up to the job then we can let him move on next May. In an ideal world we'd be phasing Max in as a replacement for O'Donnell over the next few years. If O'Donnell performs this season I could see him getting another year or two extension, which would hopefully be enough to allow Johnston to come in as his eventual replacement. If he's good enough, of course. Verdict - O'Donnell, Mugabi and a returning Max Johnston should be enough to cover this position. Left Back Although not everyone's cup of tea, I think we're going with Nathan McGinley as our first choice left back next season. He signed a new deal until 2024, he's 25 years old, I think the manager likes him. Jake Carroll has another year left on his current deal, and I think he'll be the one challenging for that starting place with McGinley. I don't see much changing in this position. Verdict - I don't see any changes in this position Central Defence We go into next season with Bevis Mugabe, Juhani Ojala, and Sondre Solholm Johansen on the books at the moment. We could potentially retain the services of Darragh O’Connor and Ricki Lamie as well depending on how things go over the summer. My preferred defensive pairing would be Lamie and Mugabi. I'd keep O'Connor at the club for another year if he was open to it, as I quite liked what I saw of him. Ojala isn't working out in my opinion, and if he was agreeable I'd look to move him on. Johansen is a weird one, as he's looked okay at times but dodgy at others. He's only 26 and has another year to run, so I guess we'll see how he does this season coming. I'd go with Lamie, Mugabi, and O'Connor as my three centre-backs of choice, with Johansen in fourth and looking to prove himself, while Ojala would be a distant fifth choice if we couldn't shift him. If we can't retain Lamie then we need someone else in I think. The idea of Mugabi and any combination of Ojala and Johansen gives me the fear. We've seen that combination enough this season. If Lamie knocks us back I'd get O'Connor tied up for another year and see how he does early season alongside Mugabi, with a new signing coming in also. Verdict - If we can keep Lamie and possibly O'Connor I think we'll stick with what we have here. If Lamie goes then I think we'll need a new signing. I doubt we can shift either Ojala or Johansen before their contracts expire, but if we can that would obviously free up wages for a new player. Midfield As of now we head into the summer with Barry Maguire, Sean Goss, Callum Slattery, and Dean Cornelius on the books. I'm not as anti-Donnelly as many are here, but I wouldn't mind seeing him move on. I have a sneaky suspicion that unless St Mirren come calling he'll get offered another year with us though. O'Hara is offski, much to the delight of some. Again, I'm not all that fussed at losing him. If we go into this thinking that Donnelly is for the off, then we effectively have four midfielders in the squad. If we lose O'Hara and Donnelly we could maybe use some of the funds freed up there to bring in someone else. If Alexander is serious about utilising a smaller squad then this is a good place to implement that. Barry Maguire, Sean Goss, Callum Slattery, Dean Cornelius and a new signing would work for me. Verdict - A new midfielder coming in would be needed I think. Up Front As of now we go into the summer with Kaiyne Woolery, Kevin van Veen, Joe Efford, and Connor Shields as recognised forwards of varying positions. We also have young Robbie Mahon, who seemingly plays up top and on the right, and also Ross Tierney who's played up front for us of late, but can also drop back into an attacking midfield role as well unless i'm mistaken. Van Veen and Shields seem like the two out & out strikers on the books, while Woolery can play down the right and left, while Efford plays down the left and also through the centre. I'd let Jordan Roberts and Justin Amaluzor move on at the end of their current deals. That would free up the wages needed to sign one relatively proven striker if available. I think if we can head into the new season with Van Veen, a new striker, and Shields as options through the middle, supported by a combination of Woolery, Efford, Tierney and Mahon we'd be in decent shape. Verdict - A new striker should hopefully be on the cards to add to what we have. Overall In my opinion we'd be looking to shift at least seven, and maybe even eight players from our current first team squad (PJ Morrison, Victor Nirennold, Liam Grimshaw, Mark O'Hara, Liam Donnelly, Liam Shaw, Jordan Roberts, Justin Amaluzor), with one returning from loan (Johnston) and two potentially being re-signed (O'Connor & Lamie). I'd look to sign a new midfielder and a new striker if O'Connor and Lamie sign again, with either of them needing replaced if they leave. So that would see maybe as many as eight out, two in from loan, and two new signings (three if Lamie isn't coming back), meaning a three-man deficit from this season, which seems about right. Of course, what we'll actually do is release the seven mentioned, lose Lamie and end up signing eight new players no doubt

Would take Ricky Lamie, he's good

Yes the standard outwith the top 3 is very poor but over the season as shite as we were the team picked up enough points at crucial times, Ibrox, St Mirren, Livingston etc to keep us in the hunt for the top 6 and Europe while others failed and as the results from the last 2 games show we came good when it mattered. 1 game to go and we could still finish 4th which for me would be a great achievement considering how we have performed, so let's give GA and the players some credit and hope we can build on this over the summer on the hopefully extended European tour .

This is why I love this forum....well kind of. "Not convinced GA can turn things around". Turning around a season where we finished at worst 5th and qualified for Europe. Genuinely laugh out loud moment ! Just as well Big Stall is not a fan of Hibs or Aberdeen ! Face facts - we cannot afford a team that can play like Man City and win games playing well all the time. We could afford a team that could try to play more silky football and lose more. Genuine Q - would that keep the fans onside. I can see it now. "We are in the play offs...but fair play to Alexander we are trying to play football". NOT in a month of Sundays. Not EVER !

We are utter shite though. And yep thats the reason I picked that example. That team were so bad we ended up in the playoffs and then smashed Rangers. All I'm saying is that we have regressed to such an extent that they would also destroy us. A team with Pearson, McManus and McDonald through the spine, and Ainsworth and Johnson on the wings would totally destroy our current team if they showed up primed for the event. Carrol v on-form Lionel? Come on. Skippy v Ojala? Pearson and Las v Goss and Slattery? Now line our current team up with McGhee's first season or McCalls superstars. Its frightening to imagine the outcome. Now of course we don't need to worry about it, we are finishing 4th or 5th but it just shows how poor not only Motherwell have got in a relatively short number of years, but the rest of the league as well.

We don't hear that much about Chris Lucketti's involvement in things, but fair play to him too... while GA was still trying to play it cool at the final whistle, it was kind of refreshing to see Chris going absolutely mental.

It was emotional as a fan, this gentleman has given everything to this club through thick and thin. A genuine love for the club, along with the passion that has been missing since he (and Hamell) hung up their boots. I'm used to hearing the older generation talking about "their" set of Motherwell legends, this guy is undoubtedly one that our generation will talk about for years to come. Best of luck to him, and I hope it's not the last we see of him.

Sad to see Grimmy go. He understood our club and our community because he came from a very similar town / background. He came across as a thoroughly decent human being. He shared in some really good moments with the club, in particular the 2 cup finals in one season. Best wishes to him for whatever the future holds.

Maybe to support our boys? Must be shite as a player if you were running out and none of your own fans were there as can't be bothered going. Last couple of games there's no doubt the fans had a huge impact all driven by young team and added to by the rest. I respect your opinion as at both of them it can be hard going and it is expensive etc etc but if everyone had same opinion as you then it's basically raising the white flag to them. There's always a chance and anyone who's been there or other place when wev had a result will testify how good it feels. I still remember my 1st time there with my pals 1989 and we won and coming out walking to train station all well fans singing feeling 10 ft tall. That's how I want to go

That’s ridicule. Expect the wrath.

Sensible post Haggis - facts overlooked by some.

Seriously why would any well fan want to go to that shitehole to be treated like shite by the stewards, and mingle with the great unwashed as they have their title party, let them get on with it and save your cash.

A real stalwart. Mr Dependable who always gave his all on the pitch. His start at the club wasn’t an easy one but he went on to be a certainty on the team sheet. For me he’s right up there with the late great Joe Wark. I’m sad to see him leave us but wish him all the very best in his new role at St.Mirren. He’ll always be more than welcome back at Fir Park.

County were lucky to beat us back in January - so maybe that evened things out. I agree about Wednesaday's game being one of 2 very different halves. Yes, Hearts were understrength but so were we, with others suffering from the Lurgy. I agree there have been flaws in the past 4 months and these do need to be addressed, not swept under the carpet. GA has certainly earned more time and I see this as being a transitional season. As others have said the next few months will be critical. A chance for GA to assess his squad; have a mini clearout; and address evident weaknesses in the transfer market.

How long do you think any manager at Motherwell would last if we were flirting with relegation but getting beat 5-4 every week playing attacking football ?. Like everything in life there is a happy medium. Alexander has probably surpassed the targets set by the board for the season so deserves another go. Even though at times the football on offer was rotten all we were crying out for was a couple of players in attacking positions with a little more quality. Tony Watt was sorely missed for that little bit of magic we needed We desperately need to bring in quality rather than quantity in summer To be fair ast year was exceptional due to covid meaning a bigger squad than usual.

If you pay attention you would know Im certainly not one of the usual boo boys that can't see any kind of silver lining with the club. Infact I am generally in the happy clapper club but regardless of league position which is to be applauded, not only has the football been brutal, but the points accumulation in the last 4 months has been relegation form. By turning it around, this is what I mean. We have regressed, either the other teams have worked us out or the players have half given up. In my opinion, if GA sticks with the same formula next season it is going to get worse. Look at it this way, despite the benefits of finishing 4th or 5th with European football on the horizon, does anyone really see anything from the players and the manager to get excited about and think things are on an upward spiral for next season?

Pretty fair assessment. I think in normal times a club our size should be trying to run with a squad of around 22 first team players and supplement from the youths when required. It allows for the best use of funds to attract as high a quality of player as possible. I think 3 new quality targetted signings would improve us more than the previous strategy of throwing shit at the wall and seeing what sticks. I think defensively if Lamie stays and with O'Connor and Johnston coming back, we have enough cover there so Id be looking to improve the midfield and up front. We could do with another player of Slatterys quality to supplement him in midfield and also cover for his inevitible suspensions. Whether thats possible remains to he seen. We definitely need another out and out striker. Probably more for cover for KVV as we dont really have anyone else with the physical presence he has to win headers and hold the ball up. The 3rd signing for me will depend on what happens with Lamie and how well we do with signings 1 & 2. Hopefully we can get our business done early and get the players in for our European adventure. Going to be an interesting close season.

Good, thought provoking post, David. Some additional thoughts. Goalkeeping: As Scott Fox has re-signed for a year its decison time for PJ Morrison. Defence: Does need sorted out. Right back seems ok. Maybe some isues of which we're unaware. Ojala's injury? Sondre Solholm Johansen - long overdue a rest before we can properly assess him? Given Lamie's comments this morning in the media, I suspect he's got other irons in the fire, apart from Dundee - assuming for the moment he'll move on. O'Connor is still an unknown quantity. Left back position needs sorted irrespective of who is under contract. Midfield: O'Hara is supposedly moving on - fine. Donnelly - maybe best if he seeks pastures new. Still not convinced of Maguire. Tierney looks promising. Another all rounder or holding player required. Looking for Deano to kick on. Strikers: Shields, Van Veen and Woolery are fine, with Mahon still to come in. We need another out and out main striker and possibly a winger to improve that department. Jury is still out on Efford.

The key difference, of course, is that while the team that done Rangers in the playoffs found themselves in the actual playoffs, this current team would be sitting 6th and not caring one jot about the playoffs at all.

Going against the grain maybe but I thought we were atrocious in the first half the other night. The players didn't even look as though they wanted it. To me, the first half was a continuation of them same crap we have watched for the last 4 months. Second half, credit where its due. We certainly improved, fought for the ball and were an attacking threat. I hope I'm wrong, but I'm not convinced that GA can turn this around. Clearly his vision of football differs from what some/most of the fans want to see. He's obviously merited another crack at the whip next season but I can't say I am overly enthused about it. Put it this way, as bad as Barracloughs team were, man for man (in my mind) they would absolutely roast this current mob. We done Rangers 6-1 in the playoffs that year, that team would tear strips off of our current set up.

Deano

I would find it hard to believe any true Well fan whether you like Alexander or not would want us to lose last night and miss out on Europe.

Think we will end up 5th but if we do then it's still a European tour. Ps. I will finish with my end of season joke (or not)...did you know Bon Jovi were originally called 'Oh By Jovi' but had to change their name when Ken Dodd sued for breach of copyright. Ba dum tsssssh