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The issue I have is that the manager is the one candidate who takes the brunt of failings elsewhere in the club. I was unsure about Kettlewell when he came in, but having had the second half of last season and all of this season to see what he's all about, I think I'd have to say that he's one of the best football coaches in the division. He came in last season and helped Van Veen become a goal machine. Van Veen had 13 goals in 29 games before Kettlewell came in. He got 16 goals in 15 games post-Kettlewell. This is a guy who managed 24 goals in 139 games in League One in England. That works out roughly at a goal every ten games or so. I give the player himself a lot of credit for that, but when you see an uptick in form like that when a new coach comes in with new ideas and a new coaching style, it's usually connected as well. Theo Bair, I don't need to get into. I'm still absolutely astounded at the turnaround in that guy. Before he came here, everything about him suggested he was not a professional-level footballer. His stats, and not just his goalscoring numbers, at other clubs, were laughable in many cases. His xG and so on was abysmal. Throw in the fact that his failure was taking place at levels like the bottom of MLS at a Canadian side who were terrible during that time and the Norwegian second division. At St Johnstone, he looked like a tall, rangy basketball player who was trying to become a footballer. What he's doing now is down to three things - Athletic ability, work ethic, and a very high level of coaching. Blair Spittal has quietly become something of a revelation this season. Again, it's not just down to the coaching, but that's a huge part of it. Paul McGinn has looked better this season than last, and even the likes of Stephen O'Donnell and Harry Paton look like improved players, to some degree, this season. The only blot in the copybook is Liam Kelly, and I'm not sure what can really be done when a keeper hits a bad run of form and makes individual mistakes. That's not all coincidence. It's the kind of team spirit that the manager has created at the club and some really good coaching. Which is why I think we'd be mental to let him go. Yes, there's issues at the club. But for me, the manager and level of coaching are the only thing that's saved us from tail spinning entirely. Sort out the recruitment team and get things in order at the very top, and I think we'd be in good shape.

Is every cunt ok?

Playing devils advocate because we’ve not seen the guy play… If he's not fit, can’t be thrown into a relegation battle and SK still thought we needed another right back after signing him, then I’d also be inclined to question his signing at this stage. (He may well come good)

Not the result I hoped for but that was a very entertaining match and a great advert for Scottish football in general. Good football, thrills and spills and some great goals. Reminds me of the 6-5 game between the sides back in the day. Bring on the Jambos. COYW

Sorry it was meant as a joke. Your right he had some good saves early in career. 1 on 1 s. Reflex saves pretty good and we gained points but well below par at crosses and poor distribution. Teams aware of his failings now.

When you look at our finances, our wage bill, and the size of our crowds, we're pretty much sitting where we should be in the league as it stands. Every season, there's a club or two that punch above their weight for any number of reasons. It could be a good run of squad fitness, a few good signings, or a manager and squad that gel well together. In seasons past, we've been among those clubs, finishing in the top six. We've also watched Livingston do it as well. This season, it's Kilmarnock, St Mirren and Dundee to an extent. In general, the top six clubs in the top flight of Scottish football in any given season should be (in no particular order) Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen, Hearts, Hibs, and Dundee United. While we've been performing above what we should be, we've seen Dundee United, Aberdeen, and Hibs regularly underperform. Anywhere from 7th to 12th is really where we could expect to finish in any given season, but we always hope to do better. more importantly, we plan financially to finish 10th and have no cup runs, so anything above and beyond that is a bonus. No, there is something to suggest we'll perform just as well or better than those around us. Form over the past 25 or so games. You can't just dismiss that. As things stand, 25 games into the season, we've won more games than Livingston and Ross County and the same number of games as St Johnstone. Only Rangers, Celtic, Hearts, and Kilmarnock have lost fewer games than we have. We've also scored the most goals out of all the bottom six sides, with only the Old Firm, Hearts and Dundee scoring more. Only St Johnstone has conceded fewer goals than us in the bottom six. So, as things stand, we've won more games than two of our immediate relegation rivals and the same number of games as another, but we have two games in hand on one rival and one in hand on another. We've lost the fewest games in the bottom six, scored the most goals in the bottom six, and only one team in the bottom six has conceded fewer. So yeah, there's a fair bit to suggest that Kettlewell and our squad will perform better or just as well as those around us.

Why should we not have a women's team? We're a community club and it's good for all of the young ladies in the area to have both male and female footballers to look up to. Women's football is growing rapidly in other countries with teams moving to 'men's' stadia and playing before huge crowds. Our club absolutely should be supporting this initiative and hopefully they'll be able to play regularly at Fir Park in the future.

Is it normal to play Wednesday then Saturday? should that Hearts game not be on Sunday? Anyway we are above the Dons and they spent a fucking fortune, it’s not all bad! Also is that us not unbeaten in the league for 7 games?

I think you've failed to understand my sarcastic comment or read my previous posts on Elliot, as I know he isn't fit because he hasn't played since summer and is, therefore, likely a project. Who's the ignorant dumbfuck now? Not me. My view is that a January window is for signing starters (like defenders) to help a struggling team immediately. It's not a time for signing projects, or unfit and injured players just because we can. Also, take your personal abuse elsewhere and bile yer heid while you're at it.

You've got to be one of the most football ignorant people ever to post on a forum. Callan Elliot is a young player with no experience of Scottish football who we can look at and possibly develop as a long term prospect (You know, like that shite striker we signed from St Johnstone who Kettlewell should have got sacked for signing). Throwing him in during a part of the leage season where we're aiming to stay in the league would be suicide. Like SOD or not (and you clearly don't), he's the best and most experienced right back at the club. Admitedly not the most dynamic or fastest going forward, but the best we've currently got. I've never put someone on ignore on a forum before but you are such a dumbfuck, you might just be the first.

They’ve scored 6 less goals than us and conceded the same amount of goals as us. That suggests they are a poor side.

I see what you did there.

Long time since I've heard such bias on a club TV channel. "A very poor Motherwell team" - have they looked at the league table?

Surely the biggest foul in that is the two handfulls of obika's jersey the defender had ??????

As someone who has supported SK more than most, I agree with much of this. He was asked to do a job at the start of the season. Cull the squad, get the playing budget down, keep us in the league. He is still on course to do this. It has without doubt been a bumpy ride and we are not there yet. But there needs to he some realism shown to the cards dealt to him and some slack given. That said, my main issue with SK is his in game decision making which has at times been left wanting and on occasion quite baffling. He needs to get better than that and show he can effect games positively on a more consistent basis. What is not in doubt are his man management skills and his ability to keep the players with him. Queue Liam Kelly having a blinder tonight (please).......

Statistics can be quoted to suit any argument though, depending upon how selective you care to be. What you say result wise is accurate but it is also true to say we have only lost two league games in eleven with one of those losses being to Rangers. And unbeaten in five with two commanding home victories and lots of goals scored. So since end November only one league loss (Ross County away) that was extremely disappointing. So would you acknowledge that recent league results actually indicate an overall improvement? The only stat that really matters for now is our League position and that has improved considerably over those eleven games. So actually two examples...results and league position... that suggest Kettlewell and his team are performing much better now than they were using the stats you selected. Am I happy with our League position and enjoying this season? Definitely not! Am I angry at losing to Morton and frustrated by some of the team selections that Kettlewell puts on the pitch? Definitely yes! But I think overall and taking into account those recent improvements that it would be foolhardy to replace Kettlewell at this time. The time to assess his position is at season end.

Agreed. Some of the roasters on here would just pitch him straight in cause its fashionable to say SOD is shit

Completely agree. And I think it's testament to Kettlewell how well both are doing right now.

I'll rephrase my original post. Are they being coached properly? Now a poor defensive display is nothing new; it's been evident for months. In the words of none other than Alex McLeish "if the players are being coached properly and they continue to make the same mistakes, then they need moved on".

Totally grizzlyg. Can anyone tell me what obika can do now? He is seriously hopeless can't jump run pass shoot control I could go on. We were needing g someone on at that time to run in behind when they were pushing on

I refer the honourable gentleman to what I posted before the game started...........I saw nothing in Devine's cameo on Friday to suggest he could defend. To me he was caught between attacking and defending all the time. Was exactly the same tonight. They had the run of that flank till he went off.

I know there's the option to extend obikas contract,I said it after the morton game grizzly that I hope the sub appearances he gets between now and the end of the season don't automatically trigger a new contract based on a certain number of games played,wasting another wage on him next season will be grim.

well you keep sticking up for him , and if youv had enough of me you know where your ignore button is , but remember i only said aberdeen werent a good side ( not in as many words ) YOU mentioned kettlewell SEE YI

My bro? Two words. Shove off. I've had enough of you. You only respond to me on here to be snide .. and I don't do that to you. Jog on

Correct. Echoes my previous post.

Really not sure what to make of that tonight. Credit for storming into a lead, albeit against a bonkers Warnock lineup, and credit for regaining a foothold in the last half hour. The nature of our collapse on the half hour mark though sets off alarm bells, particularly after a panic stricken performance at Cappielow. Our in-game management, both from the players and the sidelines, to respond to adversity, has been dreadful.

Aye Kelly is over the place at the minute and we umpteen defenders to pick from but it's the same outcome no matter who plays,defensively were a shambles.

SK’s loyalty to Liam Kelly is killing us. There was imo a lot of positives in some of our play tonight, some decent performances but defensively we are nervous wrecks and unfortunately it stems from the defenders lack of confidence in our keeper. I’ve never called for him to be dropped as I’d hope he’d turn the corner but it’s not happening and it’s time to get someone in there who has a bit of presence about him.

We were robbed. We are better than them even though they got more money. Disappointed after being 3 nil up. My 2 year old can't believe we didn't win. Still chance of top 6.

Because Casey is no better than them?

3-0 up and not winning is unacceptable. Getting pegged back as early and with all the momentum with the opposition and getting a point is a bonus. VAR is an absolute scourge on the game. That’s my summary of tonight.

Given how we capitulated after being 3-0 up, I'm happy to take the draw, but that's two massive points dropped.

Hey Chanzeypopz will you be my Valentine?

We need to win this. To shut these two clowns up if anything. Tosh is an absolute helmet.

I was quiet for the majority of the first half because I was enjoying the really good attacking game we were playing against a bomb scare formation. It's now halftime and the situation isn't worth praising. Grow up.

He does look to be a very good footballer, I'm surprised he only has a couple of career goals.

Our defence has been very poor all season especially at set pieces and crosses. Nothing has changed in months.

You were quiet for the first half hour though, so that was good. Bet you canny wait for them to score again.

Cracking first half an hour. Vale looks like a cracking find. Our back 3 and Goalkeeper continue to shoot us in the foot at every opportunity. Never seen a team so poor at set pieces.

Aye, ok, Herb Alpert.

The tide has completely turned due to an experienced manager having the tactical wherewithal to change things and ours again having the inability to react to affect any sort of meaningful change when the tide turns. So predictable.

Seriously ? You know people who look at that with fondness ? Really ?

It's either going to be the best or the worst £13.99 I've spent.

Good to see 2 up front!

I've seen a few people say they thought Devine was good on Friday but I certainly didn't see it. Might be willing to go forward faster than SOD but don't fancy him defensively. We'll see. Be more than happy if I'm wrong 🙂 Maybe Devine will be the 'answer to everything'. (There's a wee gag for those of a certain age 🙂 )

He played very well when we drew 1-1 with Celtic in November. I agree he's got his faults and his weak points but I don't think he's as bad as some people are suggesting. I think it's been obvious when he's lost confidence. Not just him either. I might regret typing this given that we have a game tonight.

I do get the 2 victories in 20 league games but to politely challenge it's 5 wins in 25 league games this season. 5 wins, 9 draws , 10 losses. Not many Well managers get sacked for this type of tally or league position. The narrative has been bottom 3 budget. As such the expectation should be perform v's the budget The acid test comes at the end of the season. If we remain 8th or better with a budget of 10-12th SK will deserve a bit of credit.

I can't disagree with much of what you've said on the bigger picture. However, l can't see how a manager who has overseen 2 victories in 20 league games this season, been knocked out of both cups in the 2nd round by a local rival and in the 5th round by lower league opposition, can be described as performing pretty well. A few more league victories against those around us and a better cup run, then maybe I could agree with you on the manager. I don't think we're asking for something magical, but we should at least expect better.

I wouldn't take these posts personally. There are all shades of opinion on SK in our support and its hard to gauge the balance of opinion. I get the rough feeling though that most are dubious of keeping him on past the end of the season, but are willing to wait to see where we end up (for the record, I'm in this camp). A few want him kept on and a few want him out now which I think is unrealistic. Sk had a poor summer's recruitment but we don't know under what financial constraints he's been working to be fair. We also don't know what objectives he's been set. What I would say though is that had SK been in charge at almost any other Premiership club, he would be gone by now for that horrendous winless run. As to who might replace him, I think a few are jumping the gun by assuming that it would be another internal appointment like David Clarkson, but I may be putting 2 and 2 together here and getting 6. For my part I haven't got a clue. By the end of the season, we'll have another Chairman and CEO and they'll have their own ideas. Thats my take on the matter and it might be right or it might be wrong. Ther's nothing wrong in generating respectful debate though - that's what these boards should be all about