MFCL84

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.

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.

Wow, just wow! What a great advert for Scottish football. Motherwell were outstanding today. Yeah, there were a few nervy moments at the back. Who cares? If we are going to be served a feast of football like that at Fir Park this season, I'll sufer a few cock-ups at the back. The energy in that team today was exceptional. Some of the football was superb. The number of times that we caught Rangers in the press was quite astonishing. A little bit of added quality up top and some extra depth ro the squad and this could be some season. I wanted the team to make a statement with this performance and they exceeded my hopes. Well done JBA, the staff and all the players. That was a terrific watch.

Wow just wow! More considered thought later.

This I the first time I've been a bit disappointed by a JBA interview. I thought that he seemed to be managing expectations and setting us up to expect to lose.

Oh, I remember that as if it was yesterday. Stuart Rennie and the 4 step rule. I never saw it applied until that night. Another day when the ref had it in for us.

A draw that should see us progress. I have faith in the JBA way.

I am looking forward to this. Hopefully both sides take it seriously enough for it to be a good test and not just a training exercise.

I don't subscribe to this. I certainly go to the football to be entertained. Unfortunately, many of the most recent years have delivered very little entertainment. I did not enjoy watching the Kettlewell era, even when we were winning. I am very happy to see a different approach which, in my view will be very much more entertaining than what has been served up in recent years.