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In context, I don't think JBA was in any way having a go at Hanley. He was just trying to explain his approach during a live interview, while grasping for a few exact words using his second language. If you listen to any of his interviews, including his pre-match against Hibs, he never has anything but praise and respect for all our opponents. What I took from this interview, was that our tactic was to target the defenders with pace and a high press, and close down their usual outlets. Meaning Hanley (and the other defenders) were having to bring it out rather than being able to pass it to their regular ball carriers like Cadden. The fabricated fuss is a bit ironic given the experts in the media make a living telling everyone how terrible certain players and mangers are on a weekly basis. And they have English as their native language (allegedly).

Mc call is an ex football manager and will continue to be an ex football manager , dinosaur is the best description for that fud.

I’m more than happy not to get media attention or praise. The longer we stay under the radar or are unappreciated for the way we are playing, the better. We know what we are watching every week now amd the league table will be the test of how good we are.

I'm sure it's Welsh's ability to play from the back that annoys old school defenders like Craigan into criticizing our style of play.

He can’t stand Motherwell, I think he was knocked back for our managers post years ago and has never gotten over it. its always the same group of people and ex players and ex managers that have a pop at us. You know them a mile off, hoof ball ex managers (and current ones such as Robinson who made derisory comments) ex players who had little technical ability, Dodds, Craigan etc etc and the press who are best mates with the haddy Scottish managers, who have failed us for years. I think we are getting good general press by current players and players who have maybe recently retired who are aware that football needs to change in this country. We can’t run about headless elbowing folk and sliding into tackles anymore at the top level, that’s what junior football is for.

It’s all about progression so the weakest side at home to give us the best possible chance is what we need.

I thought that JBA's comments about Hanley was possibly the first mistake he has made since arriving at the club. I don't think there is any doubt that some of the Scottish football establishment (out own Stephen Craigan being one of them) will be slightly irked by Motherwell's success. JBA has shown that there is a better way to do things and at this moment in time, he is showing clubs with much bigger resources, the way. DM'S comment that Motherwell are a good team, but the table doesn't lie suggests that the positivity towards Motherwell's style of play is getting to him a bit. I think that JBA has balanced a confidence in his methods with a humility and respect for the other teams. I don't think there was anything wrong with the comment he made about Hanley but for the first time, knowing the game in Scotland, I did think it would be used as a stick to beat him with from those who's noses are out of joint by Motherwell's success. In general, I think the comments from the media have been hugely positive. Radio Scotland were enthusing about the Hibs performance. Michael Stewart has been a fan from the very beginning. Ian McCall and his crones have years of Scottish Football failure to justify under their watch so I can see why JBA is a threat. They will be desperate for him to fail because they want to continue to ply their trade in the Scottish game. I don't think negative press can necessarily derail the project but it would be a distraction that the manager does not need. I hope JBA doesn't give them any ammunition.

Also puts bellend second bottom.

Falkirk aren’t playing very well which is good with our game coming up and rangers are huffing and puffing. As you say a draw would be ideal

Although the pundits may be slow to praise our style of play, I’d say almost every game we have played has seen comments from opposition fans acknowledging the type of football we play. So while the there maybe voices saying this is not Scottish fitba, it’s obviously the kind of football that a lot of fans are dying to see.

Long may every club who plays against us have an off day !! Completely with you Mio. It simply wouldn't suit the broader narrative that a small club with a foreign manager could ever be the reason to stop the boys of Scottish Football. We have had lots of plaudits re style but it's always tainted with a 'but'. We play attractive football but 'cant defend' , we 'can't finish' . ' 0-0 was a damp squib' Facts are we're 3rd, we're 3rd top scorers and have the 5th best goals conceded. Add to that we've all got eyes and can how good we are

It’s just as well that every team we’ve played against this season have saved their most dismal performance for us!!! Every fkn week I’m listening to the same nonsense online and via the media. Sitting listening to this sky sports stuff and it’s how hibs were rotten against us, hearts were rotten against us, earlier in the season Rangers were rotten, Celtic were rotten….. thank god they didn’t perform against us…. Or are we actually ok?

I think Falkirk are big enough now that they don't need to concern themselves with away fans. Quite simply we're an unwanted distraction.

Yep completely agree. It's been a huge bugbear of mine over the last 10/15 years was our almost stagnant home support hovering around 4000/4500. I used to despair seeing other clubs getting real improvements yet ours went nowhere. So the turnaround this season is really pleasing. The average home attendance right now sits at 8032. It's been a, long long time since we experienced these kind of figures especially when there's only one home OF game included in them. I realise there's an element of bigger away supports in those figues (Falkirk 1700) but we are maintaining around 5500 / 6000 a game and when football ain't cheap it shows if you entertain people they respond. Maybe we are starting to exorcise the memory of the utter dross under Alexander, Hammel and Kettlewell from the memories of the occasional attendees. Our average will take a hit for next two home games and it being a lead up to Christmas. However long may this improvement continue it just makes the match day experience so much better.

Is that the Scottish version of a cold, rainy Wednesday night in Stoke? 😁

Dont know if it was mentioned further back. But absolutely fabulous attendence today. Well done to the 4600 Hearts fans in attendance. But to have over 6300 Motherwell fans there today is pleasing to see. More power to Jens elbow!

A really impressive 0–0 performance where we were unlucky not to take all three points. I honestly can’t remember being that nervous and entertained by a scoreless draw.

For a 0-0 draw I enjoyed that game, can't believe Stephen Thomson and Steven Naismith thought it was a dull game. Hearts were on the front foot for 25 mins in the second half and other than Henry's overhead kick clearance we were never in bother. Welsh was absolutely immense and McGinn not far behind. I felt Slatterys was falling into his old bad habit of playing for fouls. He's better when he's concentrates his efforts into the creative part of his game.However I do temper that with how physical Hearts were. Just was outstanding all over the park with the exception of his final ball. Similarly Said has some great skills but his final ball is also poor. That said those are small criticisms I thought we were a good watch again and would have merited the 3 points. Also a terrific turn out by the Motherwell fans and by the reaction at the end I think most enjoyed it. Fir Park has a really good vibe with these bigger crowds lately.

South Stand capacity cut to 4,600. So about 6,339 Well fans. That's impressive.

Is it not about time we played St Mirren in Paisley again? No trip to Perth this time as the tractormen have been asked to leave the competition following their defeat to Cove Rangers.

🤡

Hearts were a more aggressive and more physical side than Hibs were and because of that sometimes our passing wasn't as slick as it was on Tuesday but I thought over all it was another good performance and we probably deserved the 3 points. Two disallowed goals and their keeper has made 3 or 4 smart saves. Hearts didn't create much and when we were under pressure I thought we defended really well. Overall you'll take 4 points out of 6 against the teams sitting 1st and 3rd in the league but the performances have been excellent and we've been the better team both times.

we are doing fine. We just need to concentrate on one game at a time and see where it gets us. Killie on that awful pitch is going to be hard.