MFCL84

In previous years I would probably have agreed with you, but not this time. Provided we retain the core of the team and add suitable replacements for those moving on, we should be capable of taking on the non-seeded teams. We'll also be able to compete against some of those that are seeded. A lot will depend on finding a good replacement for JBA as early as possible to allow familiarisation and coaching in what will undoubtedly be a bit of a different approach to the game from JBA. I'm hoping that we are seeded and get a favourable draw that allows the tour to be more than one trip to Wales or Ireland.

A big loss, not just to Motherwell, but to Scottish football which has just lost a young, progressive, modern manager that would no doubt have taken Motherwell on an upward trajectory that would have had a beneficial knock on for the Scottish game in general. Let's hope we get another one that is just as switched on. Come on ye Well! Thanks and best wishes to Jens.

I'd like him to hang around for another year, but accept that he'll go eventually, and most likely while his stock is so high. If he does go, he'll go with my best wishes. What may keep him here is the apparent rapport that he has with the club, players and fanbase. Couple that with the control and freedom that he seems to have at Fir Park, and the club's ambition; it may be enough, but I doubt it, money talks, and it'll be a big pay day for him. He may well think that maintaining forward momentum through the second season is likely to be more difficult. - We'll lose some core players, recruitment will need to be very good to replace and improve on what we enjoyed this season. - Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen and Hibs will probably improve next season. Can he make next season better than this? I hope that, if he does go then wherever he ends up, it isn't in Scotland and he is given the time and resources to implement his philosophy. We and he were very lucky that it all seemed to click so quickly at Fir Park. As for Max, I have no idea if he can step up. The board will decide if such becomes necessary and I have faith in them.

What can be said about this season, this team and the manager? If we hadn't got 4th, it would have been a travesty. I expect us to do pretty well in Europe and put Motherwell on the football map. This team play the best football that I have seen in my time watching Motherwell, and that started a very long time ago. It has been an exceptional season for footballing entertainment at Fir Park. The connection created between the team and the support is phenomenal. I hope that it continues next season and we see attendances continue to grow. The manager comes across as a real gentleman who knows his stuff, and takes no nonsense. The transformation from a season and a half ago has been nothing short of remarkable. JBA, the backroom staff and the players deserve all the plaudits. As a fan, it has been a wonderful season and I'd like to thank the manager, team and backroom staff for the enjoyment that they have given me.

I'm not disappointed that nothing was released, it would only have come across as a reaction to the decision that night. What I'd rather they do is garner support from throughout the league and then have a group of clubs approach the governing body about the generally abysmal state of refereeing and get them to commit to change. A single statement will do nothing, there needs to be a coordinated campaign by the vast majority of clubs to apply sufficient pressure to force change for the better.

Lovely strip. Great to see the sponsors logo is hidden in plain sight. It helps the strip maintain a level of class.

Maybe needs a separate thread, but posted here because of the topical relevance. I feel that it is time for the Well Society and the club to call out the woeful state of officiating in the game. I don't expect that they could instigate any change by doing it alone, but should actively work with the other clubs within the league to put forward a case for change. Steelmen online no doubt has enough Well Society members to petition the society to ask that we try to get some form of cooperative movement from the clubs within the league to approach the football governing body about setting a plan for improvement. Any thoughts?

Some terrific displays; Sparrow, O'Donnell, Fadinger but my vote goes to Watt.

We could really do with Fadinger and McGinn for this one. Celtic must win, but that just makes it all the more interesting a game, because we all know that Motherwell won't be lying down to anyone. I'd love the 3 points to go our way, but I reckon that it'll be a score draw. Another action packed and enthralling night in store at Fir Park.

Not many that hit their previous heights, but SODs put in a shift worthy of my vote.

I'll add that, the attractive football on display has increased the home attendance by over 50%. This is something that I didn't think would ever happen. This alone, must be of great benefit to the club.

I'm hoping that this season is the start of a new era for Motherwell. Given the plaudits and relative success this season, and the increased attendance, we may be in a position to attract additional quality to the playing and coaching staff at the club. If so, the model where we develop talent and sell at a profit may work I'm hoping for a period of slow, sustained improvement in the quality of the squad over a number of years such that Motherwell become a regular in Europe with occasional domestic silverware. Pie in the sky pipedream right?

I really hope that we take something from this game to make sure that the season doesn't become derailed after the result yesterday. It has been such a great season so far, I'd hate for it to end in anti-climax. Let's push on and secure a European place as quickly as possible.

I expect this to be a really difficult one. Obviously, I am hoping for 3 points, but Dundee will be difficult. However, win that game and the Celtic game becomes huge.

I didn't think that we were at our best today, but still got the points and, once again, didn't concede. This team just keeps delivering. Great home attendance, though a very flat atmosphere. It felt like the crowd just expected Motherwell to win. I'm sure the atmosphere will build as the top teams come to call. I'm very much looking forward to the remainder of the season.

Stephen O'Donnell was excellent today, but I've gone for Slattery; not once did he go down and he was getting a bit of treatment from Utd.

Top 6 guaranteed in February. That is a tremendous achievement.

I really thought this was going to be a difficult game tonight. What a team this is. Scintillating.

That game was made much more difficult than it needed to be. After a tough, initial 20mins, Motherwell took control and should have been out of sight by half time. Just scored a lovely goal followed by the team having a series of missed chances. We really do have to improve our finishing. So many really decent opportunities were passed up. Even when not playing very well in the 2nd half, we still made chances and passed them up until Sam Nicholson did brilliantly in the final minute of the match to setup the 2nd goal (an OG). We were a bit fortunate in the 2nd half with some resilient defending and a bit of luck preventing Aberdeen from drawing level in the 2nd half. Still, winning by any means is still 3 points. 47 points at this stage means that the top 6 is pretty much assured, Europe is a real possibility, and a very high league position is still very much there for the taking. COYW!!!!

A difficult one today; Just, Longelo and McGinn were the pick of the bunch for me I'll give it to Just, even though he was withdrawn in the 2nd half.

That's the first time that I've heard any of the team mention a target of European football. In my opinion, his performances this season should have him in the Scotland squad.

Given it to Welsh for his all round performance. Plenty of others were in the mix, but Welsh for me.

JBA is very quickly becoming the stuff of legends.

I should also mention Callum Ward, he has proven me wrong. An assured performance tonight, and it isn't the only one recently. Well done to him for turning things around.

Wow, what a performance. Dominant from start to finish. It could have been more than 2, but the points are the main thing. Watt is a great player, he completely controlled the midfield. So calm on the ball, drop the shoulder, turn, play a slide rule pass. Sumptuous stuff. The whole midfield machine was purring tonight, on and off the ball. Slattery had his best game for a while; Just never stops, he ran himself into the ground; Fadinger too, a great find (thank you Mr Wimmer); wee Oscar did a great job too, sitting in front of the back line. At the back, Sparrow provides so much energy, as does Johnny K; SOD and McGinn absolutely solid. Up top, Said is scintillating at times. Such a tricky player and a well taken header. Dare we dream?