MFCL84

That suggests that 33% of the panel don't have a clue.

Agreed, the referee today was abysmal. Extremely weak. He allowed Livi players to come through the back on multiple occasions without any caution. At one stage 3 players had a go at Maswanhise and no cards dished out. Your point about the simulated injuries is spot on. This behaviour is so frustrating as a fan at the game, this sort of behaviour really needs to carry some form of punishment.

Yes, we certainly will, but I expect that we will on a good grass surface. That pitch today was very slow. Every time the ball bounced it died. Terrible surface.

Yeah, very disappointed with Sportscene coverage not showing the VAR lines for either offside "goal".

Yes, we will win.

I have given my vote to Slattery. He may not have been on the pitch very long, but the influence that he had during that time is why I have gone for him. Elijah Just also did well. The ball just sticks to his feet at times.

Absolutely! The introduction of Slattery changed the dynamics of the game. He drove forward and made forward passes that just weren't happening before he came on. So, very glad that he is back.

A dreadful 45 minutes from Motherwell. No energy, no creativity and wide open at the back. Must improve in the 2nd 45 or it is no points today.

I feel that we have a chance to take 3 points from this one. I would have been much more confident if we didn't have the ridiculous injury list, but I am still hopeful for at least 1 point and wouldn't be surprised if we take all 3.

A well deserved win in the end. First half was pretty even, but Aberdeen looked the more likely to score. Second half, Motherwell totally in control without making that dominance count until the dying minutes of added on time. Decent peperformances all over the pitch with special mention to SOD who was once again absolutely solid and didn't a foot wrong. What a transformation in his contribution since the arrival of JBA. Elliot was excellent in midfield, Fadinger too gave his usual classy performance. At the back, both Welsh and Gordon repelled everything that came at them. Longelo did his usual maurauding up the left and was a constant threat. He also showed some blistering pace to get back to thwart an Aberdeen chance in the 2nd half. We still have problems at the top end though. Said, Maswanhise and Stamatelopolous put in a lot of effort, but we're not quite on it today. Final ball and finishing need work. If we can get this part of the game right, this will be a season to remember. Well done to everyone. Three points in the bag. Not before time. Edit to mention that Ward did everything he was asked to do. Another clean sheet.

O'Donnell for me because he deserves it for his consistency this season and all round quality of performance.

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.