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I have seen lots of posts like this tonight. The game was massively effected by the red cards, we spent most of the first half trying to adjust to their 11 men and then the last 10 trying to force our way back into the game, there was no rhythm to it due to this. Then JBAs game plan is effected straight after kick off in the 2nd. If it was 11-11 all night and he played poor then fair enough, but throwing players under the bus based on what happened tonight is really unfair in my opinion.

I think it’s a bit hard to blame the team selection when the game plan goes out the window after two minutes. We don’t know if it was going to work. Connelly other than that one mistake with the pass was excellent tonight. Once it goes to 10-10 we looked like we were getting back into the game and then the second red which to me was just mental. He wasn’t the last man and has two covering defenders ahead of the striker. It’s a really odd decision, similar to the Celtic one earlier in the season that was also not a red. Game is done once we go down to 9, but we still created a few chances. I agree you maybe go with your best side, but we could still have gone down to 9 with that team too. Hard to criticise team selection based on the way the game went.

Far too many needless changes made yet AGAIN in a Cup tie. Previous Motherwell managers have made that mistake and been punished for it and JBA deserves criticism for it too. You play your strongest team in the Cup. To do otherwise is just plain stupidity or even arrogance. The Cups are the only competitions we can win, we are not winning the league, so why we continually fail to go hell for leather in cup games under numerous managers is beyond me.

Reimburse the fans for what?If you are implying that the team gave up and didnt try then you must be watching a different game from what i watched nine men where fighting for everything.

Every player that started for Motherwell tonight is a Premier League full time professional. Every player that started has made a contribution to a very successful season to date. The gameplan was thrown out the window after 3 minutes. It is very easy with the benefit of hindsight to say that the starting 11 would not have won that game tonight. We will never know because of the way the game started.

Correct...it is Aberdeen away so why make so many changes. JBA is an absolute legend and what he has brought this season is immense but that doesn't mean he cant be criticised when he gets it wrong which he certainly did tonight.

Can't really put into words how fucking fuming I am at this. The Cup was something to look forward to as end-game for all of this. Now pissed up the wall.

Those in power at the club, and that includes the Well Society, need to be absolutely hammering it home to the manager, whoever that is at the time, that Cup ties are a top priority and the strongest team needs to start every single time and no excuses.

Too many mistakes from guys that shouldn't have been on the field in the first place.

Now get Watt on and get control

I know he was in goal for the Ross County game, but this is a different kettle of fish. Sorry, you need to play your strongest 11. Hope this doesn`t come back to bite us.

Nothing's ever guaranteed, but we've got the team we all wanted for years - playing attractive football, winning games and willing to go toe to toe with everyone they face, including the uglies. If they're going up there believing they'll win, so am I.

I'd also add that never once during our 91 Cup success did I feel this was our "best chance ever". The narrow wins, replays and penalty shootouts backed up how fine the margins are.

That's it Grizzly. I think we sometimes focus too much on history and not the present. Just because we've bottled it in the past doesn't mean it'll keep on happening. You can't compare the mindset of the club today with the mindset of previous years. Different players different board different coaching staff and a more positive outlook from the fans (with the obvious exception of course although even he's mellowing).

I agree with you on the penalty, but I wouldn't want a penny back. From the word go not much else could've gone wrong, but they fought to the end, and I think the vast majority of fans appreciated that.

I think people are forgetting we had a player sent off within 2 minutes and we were down to 9 men by 46 minutes. As such we will never know if tonight’s team selection might have worked over the 90 mins. Such a big decision happening so early does have a massive effect on the team. Perhaps it is a continental thing and appreciate it might be controversial but I am never really bothered about winning a cup. The only benefit winning the Scottish cup is getting into European competition. Looking forward this team needs to put all its focus over the next 6 months into achieving group stage football - this is the thing that could potentially have a massive financial benefit to the club and it is still very achievable for the team.

I was waiting for that 😅

And I stand by that opinion.

Potentially the biggest error though was starting Bjorg and putting JT out wide. Completely neutralised us up top. It's no coincidence our red hot form has occurred since JT was moved to striker.

They will if they all adopt that attitude, the season is not over, we have secured another year as a top flight team, are still able to win the league, and qualify for Europe so lots to play for. Tonight was another big opportunity missed ruined by two red cards that were a feckin disgrace, but as ive always said lucky teams win cups, and the only luck we had tonight was bad. A rare bad day at the office in a season of great days so onwards and upwards and see how far up the league we can finish

I think it’s fair to criticise Jens’ decision making tonight despite how well we’re playing in the league. Changing your keeper for no reason is daft and it was proven to be within 5 minutes. Any time we’ve played without Welsh, O’Donnell has played at CB but he chose to play a rusty Liam Gordon which also went on to cost us. The first 2 reds are probably correct but Gordon’s red is a joke. Why choose to massively alter the team in a knockout game when we have a great chance to get deep into this competition?

Ever since the game was rescheduled, I wasn’t overly optimistic or excited about tonight. I think the signs have been there that given our schedule, we would rotate tonight and whilst not publicly admit it, prioritise the league. I’m so invested in our league form that I’m completely on board with that approach. Time will tell if’s the right call. Slight concern though is that relative to our very high standards we looked jaded against Aberdeen on Sunday and elements of our game were less polished than usual. Tonight’s performance is hard to gauge with the early and debatable red card so we may head to Paisley with a little apprehension. Just on tonight, credit to the players who gave it there all right to the very end. O’Donnell and McGinn were excellent once again.

He's not a legend tonight........he's a very naughty boy! 🤣🤣

I think problem tonight also is our expectations go through the roof due to the amazing season we have had so far. Also a lot of us genuinely thought this could be our year and if we had lost 2-0 with strongest xi then it would be easier to accept. But poor team selection has cost us. Not first time JBA has done this in cup ( benching Welsh for st mirren semi was another big error) It's a learning curve and beat st mirren and we are all smiling again

It was a loose pass from Connolly that started the chain of events. It puts us under immediate pressure with no margin for error. The park was a cow field and wasn't suitable to be passing on never mind in our own box.

What? For a start, this is Aberdeen away not Albion Rovers. The day any Motherwell fan thinks we can simply turn up to these games and walk away with a victory is the day we have turned to OF levels of entitlement. Secondly, ever player that started tonight should have been capable of putting in a decent performance. Gordon was the natural replacement for Welsh. The club have just invested in Connelly as a long term goalkeeping option. But for an unfortunate 3rd minute incident we could and probably would have been more than competitive this evening. It is very interesting how quickly it all turns sour. If JBA were to read these boards this evening he would have every right to think WTF!!!

This is a major black mark against the manager tonight. For all the plaudits he has had for the football we have played this season and the results he has fallen badly short in two massive Cup games against very winnable opponents both times. And his team selection tonight absolutely humped us from the get-go. This is Stuart McCall levels of Cup tie fuck ups.

St Mirren all over again

Just chuck the towel in now and save the legs for the weekend.

Agree Jens has fecked this like mirren game. Play your strongest team. Officials is this country determined to send players off and chop off goals.

Gordon is a donkey and should never play for us again, but how the fuck is that a red card?

Gordon is a fuckin donkey

Graeme Shinnie is an absolute wank Poundland Scott Brown

I try to be funny but I am nowhere near as hilarious as John Rankin who thought dons red was terrible and the games gone if that is a red.......aye right John

Plenty of football to be played yet. Changes to be made at the half?

There is still a full half to play. Have faith.

Agreed. It is amazing just how quickly the angst comes back and the blaming starts.

We get a goal and they'll crumble. Up to us to score though

Get cooke aff at half time.....and shinnie is an annoying horrible character

Premier Sports saying denying a goal scoring opportunity, even with a slip, is a red. Beaton loves that rule.

We need another in midfield

Never over with this team come on have a bit faith.

Why the fuk was he starting in goals for an important game like this what a shite decision from the manager. Connelly is no up to it .

Ah well, always next year....JBA a legend but has plundered big time with that keeper change

I would settle for a 2-0 win with Stama bagging a brace..........ohhh....mibbees naw 😅😅

Match Preview

None of the best Motherwell teams I have watched in the past have won anything. I'll be delighted if this one is the exception, but I never pin my hopes on cup success. Even more so now when games are played to conclusion rather than sorting things out in a replay. Really looking forward to tonight's game though. Hope none of my customers need me if we go into extra time - already have my calendar blocked out for that possibility.

Looking at our form & team, considering one of the arse cheeks is going out in the next round& Hearts are already away, this game is massive. Whether MJC likes it or not, we are one of the best teams in the country. If we get through tonight we will rightly be installed as one of the favourites. There literally is no team in Scotland we should fear this season if we are on our game. The cup this year is such a huge opportunity! Dont blow it tonight motherwell!

Terrible, don't worry.......I'll bail you out 🤣🤣

The mark of heart attacks for fans.