MFCL84

Quite true, but the context of my comment was in response to a post stating that we have no end product. That just isn't correct. The end product may not be as good as it should be, but it isn't terrible. It is the loss of 7 (a number of which have been very avoidable) that you point out that is causing the issue.

There is an end product. We have scored in 4 of the 5 league games. The end product could and should be much better, but 7 goals in 5 games is an OK return.

If I am to believe the manager and Watts pre-match interview, there isn't a system to work out as there is fluidity and variation in the way that the ball moves out from the back. It is 11 v 11, if we can pass and move with speed and accuracy it will be very difficult to prevent Motherwell from playing out.

I agree, but I do have some concern that should we lose that 1st win will become a bigger issue than it is right now. We really need to win before we lose to keep the positivity going.

Do you not expect Motherwell to get stronger as the season progresses too?

100% this. We should have Fir Park jumping with positivity about the JBA team and approach. Our fanbase supporting in an uplifting atmosphere that SK could never achieve. That alone will deflate him.

I think that what allows us to dream this time is not that the team are playing attractive and entertaining football, but that way of playing is being implemented by, what I think we would all agree is, a better quality of player from what we have had as the norm in recent years. The first 11, and a few on the bench are, in my opinion anyway, the equal of, or better than most teams in the league. Therefore, I don't expect a collapse. We won't win the league, we may not even get Europe, but a top-6 finish is certainly possible. Who knows where my dreams for this season will end?

I didn't make it along today, but I'm going to look beyond how the game went and look at the final result. A point at Tynecastle is a good point. Scoring 3 goals at any away ground is a good haul. This could be a very memorable season. We seem to be on to something. I have high hopes for this season.

Just had a really effective game, but I just can't go for him as MOTM because his decision making and final ball are generally brutal. Hopefully, that will improve. He has fantastic dribbling ability. I gave my vote to SOD, who was really solid today and played some superb, sliderule passes and crissfield balls. He is our best ball playing defender, by far.

Agreed, the ref seemed to give St.Johnstone a free kick every time one of them fell over, but Motherwell players were being manhandled all over the pitch and got very little from him.

Absolutely, Calmer made a bad decision. There was no need to barge the guy in the back. Very lucky not to concede a pen.

I'll mention Ian St.John as one if the best. I believe it was his masterstroke of pairing Bobby Graham and Wullie Pettigrew. The best striking partnership that I've seen in my time supporting The 'Well. Other greats have been Tommy McLean (obviously) and Wullie McLean for some great days in the mid-70's when the Premier League was formed. Some great cup days. Good include McCall, Robinson, McGhee (Mk 1), Butcher for reasons already mentioned in the thread. On Roger Hynd, I seem to recall that his tenure started with an 8-game unbeaten run. In the 9th game, 2-0 up against Rangers, their fans invaded the pitch and got the game stopped. On restarting, Motherwell appeared shell-shocked and lost 5-3. After that the wheels came off for Hynd. I wonder what would have happened if the game had proceeded without the pitch invasion and Motherwell went on to humiliate Rangers that day. Worst of all time? Either Malpas or McLeish. Malpas gave us a horrendous season and then on the final game of the season Fir Park refused to let the team come out to the fans. McLeish destroyed a wonderful team and spent loads of money doing it. He then did exactly the same at Hibs and to the extent that anyone can fail, he managed it at Rangers too.

Where can I find this post match analysis. I watched a sky post match thing earlier, 20 minutes of Boyd bemoaning Rangers.

This will be a tough one. We'll not be allowed to play. A strong ref will be required. But if this is to be a good season then we should get something from this one. Probably another score draw.

It is too early to say really. I think that we'll find it tough against the lesser teams that will sit in at Fir Park. That said, I don't expect this team to lose many to such sides. At a guess, I reckon we will make the top 6. We could take 2/3rds of the points available from the weaker 5 sides which is 30 points, plus a share of the spoils against the 4 others (we'll play one of them 3 times and the rest 4), which is 16 points pre-split and 4 points post-split. Finally, we'll beat both the old firm once and draw once giving another 8 points over the season. So, a total of 58 points. That is a hell of a good haul. It would have had us finish 3rd in each of the last 5 seasons, except 23/24 when it would have been enough for 4th. Based on all of that, my claret and Amber tinted glasses think that 4th is not out of the question. Of course, I reserve the right to modify this after we go on a miserable 10 game run without a win or the euphoria of the game today has subsided.