Goggles & Flippers

I echo Melvin's post. Unfortunately if he'd performed, we'd find the money somehow, simple as that. I think the hard for him to countenance was it was only a few years ago he was on crazy money (relative to the SPFL) and I no doubt suspect he probably thought he'd still be on a decent salary in 2014 at 31. I suspect McCall offered him something but it wasn't anywhere near acceptable. However with him moving on we can use that wage to secure 2+ others or a bunch of U20's. I think this is the first example of McCall giving ultimatums as promised. Difference is last season, McFadden held out and eventually re-signed as it was the best option. Unfortunately the wording of this press release is pretty final, it would have been nice if the door was left open. I will always look out for and have time for the guy, this club winning means as much to him as it does to all of us, that's evident from his demeanour on and off the park.

Good job we didn't need and believe they hype that the team of wonderkids to ensure we got Euro football, 10 points post split kinda does that.

Jeez one penalty save and Gunnar "shows promise". Very much a confidence player and also crucially got a year to run. He'll stay mostly for financial/contractual reasons, however I suspect McCall looking at him as a backup opposed to a starter, not what I'm sure he hoped would be the situation last summer. If he can a) attract Gordon or MacDonald, b) afford them and c) ensure injuries are limited, then he could be onto a winner. I expect his predisposition for caution with 'c' in the back of his mind, knowing it could result in Gunnar in goal for an extended period again and (if Gordon) a chunk of our limited funds paying for a guy who could be sporting crutches before the end of August. Hollis for me never did anything overly to justify his detractors, his physical presence and command of the 18 yard box isn't a patch on Ruddy or Randolph but few can deny we were spoiled with them. He came into regular starts after years of warming benches, I find it strange how most on here will give Erwin, Leitch etc. the benefit of the doubt but Hollis is expected to be razor sharp immediately. When budgets are tight and I imagine his salary isn't too hefty, I think it may be sacrificed to be put towards that of someone whom McCall has a bit more confidence in. As for the defence, I and others on here have said they can't see many weak links if Ramsden is fully fit, I may have to reach for my tin hat but Hammell was guilty of quite a few errors that cost us a number of goals this season. But again there are other factors such as confidence in the guy behind you and not being exposed by the midfield. If we could find a left sided player who can step into the middle if required then I'd be happy as ZFA doesn't inspire me. I can only hope Vigurs decides to stay on late during pre-season and do a few more runs up the steps at the Strathy and Lawson clicks that he's supposed to pass to the guys in C&A. Have we had anyone in the past few years who we can genuinely say has improved in ability and stature to expectation or just plateaued. I'm not looking for the next McCarthy, its just I've read others think that happened with Hutch and there a danger it could with Carswell. Jack Leitch is getting plenty of plaudits at present but is that more hope than anything else?

So, elephant in the room, I'll ask the question then. What have you done with MJC and how did you get his password?

When you have 4 sports channels you have to fill them with something, we are seen as a cheap filler, I suspect not much more by the bosses in Isleworth. Issue is we're being bombarded with football, there's hardly a league in the world that you can't find a game or highlights show for on a full sub package these days. There used to be a bit of excitement if we were on the Scotsport extended highlights once every 4 weeks or so and then an odd european game in the latter stages with a big massive blocky R in the top right and commentary over the telephone. As a result familiarity breeds contempt and we're now immune to it. The knock on effect is less people are inclined to visit the games because they can pretty much watch their team live 15-20 times a season on a computer and sub based telly. Add to the mix just a general apathy and we find why we have dwindling attendances and not that much enthusiasm in our product.

Regardless of who you suggested the premise was naive and bore no relation to how the club can/does conduct it's business. The get out of jail card of "I was just at the wind up" after you've been exposed is well used and transparent. As for trolling, and getting abuse for it .... mate, so you should. Nothing up with a tongue in cheek comment once and a while but a lot of the stuff you convey opens you to ridicule as I suspect you really do believe it even though you claim its just to get a reaction. However, I will agree that a lot on hear are predisposed to give you a harder time than most, however you have to appreciate that you've contributed to that. Finally with respect to most Motherwell fans being arseholes, yes definitely, and I count myself among them as you should, just some of us are bigger ones than others.

Unfortunately McCall can go onto google and type in "South American wonderkids for buttons" like you no doubt do Mak. However I do believe there is a smidge of merit to your hypothesis, of course any manager wants to see who they opted for reflect well on them as it buys them kudos with the board and fans. Even more so in our league in these days of limited budgets. We've all witnessed players going through a rough patch and managers persevering on what they achieved elsewhere along their pricetag (Fernando Torres being a prime example) or with a sprinkling of nepotism (John Davies). However I suspect most managers know they will lose a dressing room if they continually play someone ahead of others who deserve it more plus players will soon revolt if they feel they are having to take up the slack for a non-performing team mate. However any credibility I gave you evaporated when you suggested we just sell Hutch in January and play Cummins. Firstly you naively presume that there was a willing and orderly queue of suitors, recall his form wasn't the best for a period just before the window and finally his presence in the team over Cummins I think contributed to the extra 250k we secured and outweighed what anyone was ever going to pay for him. You just proved that Motherwell is a village and you're the prime candidate for its least sought after public office.

I never understand that argument when referring to guys in their early 20's, been full time for x years and asked to run an average of 7 miles over 90 minutes (that's what a pro tends to cover) once, sometimes twice a week, in-between 2 hour daily training sessions that tend to end with a nice wee bounce game at the end. Las or Hammell, yes, but not a young pup full of beans.

Erm ..... well going on his previous posts ...... he's never played for Ross County? I can't understand how Steelboy can think a defence that shipped so many goals is fit for purpose, strengthening it with more than a keeper would be one of my aim's if I was sat in FP just now.

Defence and attack are baffling for me, I can understand the defence being a bit up and down, its evident there isn't the same degree of trust in the keeper's ability that existed before and that no doubt influences those split second decisions. Losing Ramsden no doubt contributed a few goals against. I can see Hollis released, Gunnar as backup (purely on his 2 year contract still having 1 year to run) and AN Other coming in. Wither that is a current Jambo or a former crocked Jambo I dunno. The latter will depend on finance/injury safeguards. I like the idea of Reid playing in the Lawson role in front of the defence and I wouldn't be overly concerned if he ended up as a wing back if Ramsden moves in beside McManus with Kerr as backup at RB. ZFA on paper offers backup for Hammell however I don't rate him defensively and he does blow hot and cold. If Lawson gives things a clean slate it would be like an effective new signing if he can step up and show what McCall saw in him last summer. As for the midfield, despite individually being well regarded all season long, we've been exposed from pre-season to all but a few games. It's hard to think why, as there's nobody I perceive as an obvious weak link. However England had Lampard and Gerrard for the past 15 years and never got them to function adequately together. If I am critical, Las' engine has lost a few horsepower, Vigurs doesn't have an engine as such and Ainsworth isn't interested in dropping back. Carswell rightly avoids criticism due to his age and our joint hope of potential and Leitch has showed in his limited exposure what he can hopefully offer going forward. I'd like to see a McGheesque pre-season where they are beasted and superfit, a lot to be said for having "I can run for longer than you mate" mentally. Our combined fitness was questionable as the season progressed (as always highlighted after games such as St. Mirren/Dundee Utd. and glossed over after the last three games purely due to the final result). However the camaraderie and spirit can't and that's purely down to the senior players and primarily, the management. As for the attack, Sutton scored 23 with poor cup runs and nowhere near the service that Higgy got from Ojamma and Law - that position can be put to bed. Arnier was a bit up and down for me. Faddy, I don't know if the lure of more cash from our departing Chief Exec will tempt a move to the East. In essence if injuries don't factor (this season was the first year McCall has had any major issues to deal with) then the team that finished against Aberdeen can hold its own, a few extensions odd bit of new blood will easily maintain a top six position in what I regard as a league with a very poor bottom 6. However I'd like to ensure a degree of financial stability and reward for our 4 out of 5 years of Euro qualification with group stage in the Europa. For that, we'd have to secure a couple of players (and I don't suggest its possible, just giving examples) of the quality/proven ability as Boyd, Shinnie, Armstrong and Robertson to supplement what we already have and give us a chance. Hopefully McCall can dig a few gems up for buttons from lower leagues or England or entice a few seasoned players due to the atmosphere he's created. It'll be tough, every other manager in the UK will be trying to do the same.

And here was me thinking you had a quarter of one, every post holds new surprises. Ideally somewhere that is serviced out by Ryanair or Easyjet would be my preferred option, Decorator only wants obscure as he wants to ensure his 3am bragging rights.

As been pointed out already that extra 250k will mitigate some of the cost cutting due to the cup exits and falling attendances and no doubt allow us to keep a few of the players we thought would struggle to hold on to. Happy with McManus extension and the length, just would like him to exert a bit more of that higher level experience next year. Unfortunately Craig Gordon is a injury risk, knee cartilage issues. I doubt we could justify anything other than a pay as you play fee but I think his status and pride wouldn't allow that. We need to start giving serious thought to who replaces Las and Hammell. I know Leitch and Carswell have been blooded and ZFA too, but competition for left back would be good as I reckon Zane doesn't have defensive nonse. Thought Hollis did OK since he came back, still don't like a keeper who punches opposed to catching it. Hope Lawson starts 2014/15 a changed player from this year, that could be a nice bonus. Keeper Centre Half 2 Midfielders Playmaker Winger Are key, if its from our current out of contract mob or on the open market. With Martinez and our existing links to Everton with the Duke and Ruddy surely we could get a starlet to give exposure to Euro football, no?

Courtesy of the BBC: "Motherwell were far from their best, but they finish in second spot for the second season in a row, landing themselves an extra £240,000. However, the Dons will be in next season's Europa League qualifiers, albeit a round earlier than the Steelmen."

Just back in from travelling 20 miles on Southern Californian public transport to find a bar showing it, I must be close to the time and cost you lot who travelled up had to fork out too. Game was a bit flat at times. I watched it on the rerun here in the afternoon, almost kyboshed it before I left when I instinctively kicked on here and had to cover my eyes to avoid the shoutbox. Yanks couldn't understand why I kept on shouting at the screen when Kerr kept on giving the ball away or when we kicked and rushed poorly, however that last minute foul on the keeper, bundled into the net is more than payback for their foul on the keeper, bundled into the net back in the depths of winter. Chuffed to bits. There are also a number of Californian's who have added "bawbag" and the correct use of "fanny" and "shite" into their vocabulary. Exceeded expectations and the prize money makes quite a difference in a financially dodgy season.

In a odd way, happier to be a point behind meaning we need a win, only because a point lead would no doubt result in McCall in shutting up shop as he does tend to favour caution opposed to attack, just we don't have the defence capable for 90 minutes of it.

If the away strip went with claret amber claret or vice versa on the shoulders it would look slightly better, at present it looks a bit skewed. Maybe it was felt the amount of claret would clash with Hearts .... oh wait ..... I hope thats a sample and the retail strip will have the badge looking better, the scroll round the outside is way out of proportion. I know the club shop has to make decisions and I don't know how much Macron say "that can/can't happen" but you would think there would be enough people around the club to cast an eye over it to notice any issues before it's signed off. Can't help but feel the 125th strip having the surrounding text the wrong orientation, it appears the lack of "The" with Steelmen is another example of missing dotted i's and crossed t's.

Someone remind me who makes them again, the logo is so small ...........

Shame neither of the two with pedigree and experience in abundance at a higher level feature. Sutton for me, had to prove many wrong on his return, to get to his total without the support offered to Higdon from Ojamma and Law plus only having one penalty awarded makes his total pretty remarkable in context. As many have pointed out, edged it over Keith who does a thankless and often overlooked task in the middle.

Well McCall makes light of McManusVigursgate on the BBC website: "They're both in there kissing and cuddling in the shower."

Nah you're right, £1.6m wage budget (or there about's last time I heard), considering most of the youth team will be on buttons, we must have the highest paid chef in the league. I see Maths like strip design wasn't a strongpoint at school, but at least you can pick out a gem of a signing because they get an average of 7.8 in Football Manager 2014.

If he was the all round player he wouldn't be with us. Ainsworth is capable going forward and chips in with goals, he's disinterested in tracking back. Humphrey was rapid as, tracked back more but has no final ball and didn't contribute enough goals. Omar, well .... erm ..... was McCall's mate? We're Motherwell, we can pay a winger around £3k a week, what do we really expect?

I'm sure Leeann will share with TB what our players are on p/w, its be up to them both to identify if anyone is a target. Nice place to be to know what cards your opposite number is holding. I could see McManus head East, Faddy, not so sure.

I suspect our budgeting will require that we lose the equivalent of 2 first team players wages for 2014/15. So Kerr in for Hutch may be the only viable prospect along with replacing players with those we already have. Unfortunately if you want to get more money, you need to beat Albion Rovers.

Hammell has been at fault in a quite a few goals this season, as pointed out, a lot of us expected McManus would bring a little more to the back 4 with his experience which hasn't appeared to happen, Hutch looks like he's off so is Ramsden the natural successor or do we go out and find someone new? Reid has impressed from what I've seen and we have Kerr is potential backup? McManus has indicated he's interested in a renewal so based on the money being right its a shoe in if we can afford/want him. Lawson may start next season showing why McCall opted to bring him to the club last summer and his role offers the back 4 protection. I don't think we have to consider any striking changes next season, Sutton, Arnier, (can't see a bid coming in for Faddy) and Erwin waiting in the wings. Vigurs and Ainsworth need an intense pre-season to prepare them mentally and physically to track back. As for Carswell and Lasley, both have their moments but at times this season there's been no bossing in that critical area of the park. I do think the lack of confidence in the goalkeeper has influenced the composure and decision making at critical points during matches.

This game wasn't a "must win", it was a "woulda been easier" if we had. A lot has been made of Aberdeen spluttering over the line while ignoring our own failings and form. On paper we have a competent defence, experience from Hammell, leadership and history of playing at a higher level in McManus, Hutchinson being the fearless young guy with energy and potential and until his injury Ramsden looked he'd grown comfortable following on from a shaky start in some people's eyes. Of course he's been out for a while but Kerr and Reid have at times been OK. So why have we shipped goals at times like a bunch of amateurs? Simply the defence is not capable in offering a degree of shielding and dominating that area of the park, repeated over this season that area has been found deficient. Two decent midfielders are key. To be honest I think Lawson was brought in to address that to a degree but it hasn't worked out as yet.