Goggles & Flippers

Jesus, I think we aren't giving enough credence to how crap a number of other teams are in our league.

I really can't believe what I'm reading in the past few pages. The amount of people who think that "bench-gate" is the main talking point and reason for yesterday and anyone who would have filled those two vacant slots would have made any significant difference to the stagnancy we witnessed on that pitch. With hindsight the decision can be questioned however that starting 11 should have been capable of putting the tie to bed.

This is right on the money. For all those advocating getting rid of him, the cost associated with 18 months left of his contract would be prohibitive and no doubt cost us another 1 or 2 first team players. Anyone remember the list of those who we spoke to after Craig and Archie left and decided to steer clear? A manager with a cup final, and no less than top 4 finishes since he started getting punted and sitting third (granted after a humiliating defeat) getting given the heave-ho wouldn't really instil someone else with much hope for a job with longevity with a fickle employer. A back to basics, ignore our current league position, approach is needed. Our current points tally and Hearts sanction means we are safe come May 2014. So lets start again, look at fostering new tactics, blooding players with genuine hunger and encouraging those who have a pedigree to show us some of it. Tactical nonse, spirit and fight under McCall's stewardship is the way forward. It will come good but when it does is down to endeavour and desire.

Well 4 Europe in the content of his post and sheer size of it shows how much today's "performance" mattered (note I use inverted comma's). I pretty much echo it, the only upsides is a mate who thought he was a live jinx now realises he's not, the sporting conduct of a majority by clapping them and I didn't pay to get in. I am drawn to a post by OnTheFringes after the Celtic game where our lack of ambition, drive and desire was rightly lambasted. For me the rot snowballed there and evidently complacency after last weeks result returned to the team. Some things I can't understand, that little warm up game they play, limited space, one/two touches, zippy, is that for show? Because I can remember 2 occasions where I witnessed smart, snappy interplay. I can remember a few others where players either didn't challenge, the thought of a friction burn or "well they're 40 odd places below us" crept in an influenced their behaviour. ZFA sticks in my mind but that's maybe unfair just on him as it happened repeatedly in front of where I was sitting in the 1st half. A a shit load of metronomic sideways passing creeping 2 yards forward every time. The passing by our team should have been their undoing but it lacked any ambition and was both safe and lazy. I would say if stats of action areas were available there wouldn't be much difference between us and them in the last 20 yards. Don't get me wrong, Albion Rovers either watched a rerun of Aberdeen and placed two banks of players behind the ball ...... However to be fair, at least that night we managed to put a few more 40 yard diagonal punts towards the D to be easily cleared by their centre halves. Either that or they took the approach that against a team with a perceived advantage, you set your stall up to soak up what they can do and counter. Is it right to have the same perceived formation and tactics when McHugh is the primary striker as when Sutton is? Does playing Rovers merit Lawson to be sat in that holding position in front of the defence? Either way, what is self evident, we have no answer to those tactics and the lack of a plan B or C for a team of professionals with the facilities and resources we have available is disgraceful. I had no issue with resting Sutton and starting some of the fringe players, this is a team we should have dealt with (and I mean no disrespect to them and what the achieved), despite lack of experience our U20's should have got a result against them as full timers mainly due to their fitness levels and fact they've been scouted to be selected for professional contracts. No doubt Monday involves Leeann getting that spreadsheet out that's contained behind a glass with "in case of emergency" written on it. This season so far is certainly turning into an "annus horibilus" in terms of performance and fan apathy, however it can be rescued. It pails compared to administration and we have enjoyed a few really good years to put things in context, plus most Well fans have lifted the bar as to our expectations since McGhee. Cup exits at this stage are catastrophic for us financially. I think its clear that the squad will have to be depleted and then we're back in Catch 22 that we've avoided for the past few years, need the players to ensure the placings, can't get the placings to earn the money to pay for those players. What does the rest of this season hold? Well to hold on to our flattering league position and get European football would be a bit of a travesty looking at things on December 1st 2013 even after my red mist has descended. However a trip to some ar$ehole former Russian republic that could cost way more than we could ever hope to make back, maybe its a blessing. I'd have everyone in the football department on double training to break out of this plodding, thoughtless, malaise and foster some type of spirit. I'd start a pre-season-esque bootcamp now and get them improving stamina, fitness, speed doing the football basics (like not being static when there's a shy). If anyone moans, remind the fucker of today's result and send him on another ten laps. While I'm not a fan of McGhee (mainly due to his subsequent ambition to move and how he managed that) he did deliver a team of fit, hungry, spirited players on matchday 1. To continue as we have been is unsustainable and not looking to the future. If you are drawn to remind me of our league position, if to suggest its anything other than flattering, then have a wee chat with yourself.

Ha, good point well put Frazzie! I sense an all expenses paid trip by 10 coucillors to Japan, Qatar, Brazil and Monaco to investigate best practices. In the meantime I'd like to think those currently involved with decision making at FP know that souless places like NDP and St. Mirren's effort are and wouldn't condone us getting something similar.

I don't think it was expansion, it was mixing things up to see if it had a positive result. While there is an argument for if it ain't broken, if our ancestors felt the same we'd still be living in mud huts, chasing our dinner with spears.

Like the white one. I'm not a fan of splitting the claret band up in the home strip above, however I did like the Pony strip with the thinner stripes to the top and bottom.

North Lanarkshire is crying out for a few things: Large shopping development - At present the sizeable population of NL tends to travel to Glasgow (Centre, Fort, Silverburn, Braehead), Hamilton or EK. Cumbernauld is the only place in the county with a diverse number of branded shops, every other town centre is made up of pound shops, tanning salons and takeaways. The amount of revenue that the council misses out due to this and goes into the coffers of City of Glasgow or South Lanarkshire should be considered at stategic level by the council. Restaurants - At present, I can name 5 places in North Lanarkshire I'd happily go for a bite to eat and return to. A couple are chains which doesn't really support small businesses. Venue Space - For meetings and events, exhibitions, large weddings etc. Again, our county isn't really overflowing with them but need a significant investment in facilities such as kitchens that aren't used daily. Based on the fact a football stadium in cross section is a right angled triangle there is a lot of dead space on the ground floor that could no doubt accommodate a number of these things above and make the building itself viable outside matchdays. Not to mention a quality gym and pool that allows people to swim - unlike the Aquatec. (not running down the one in the new regional sports centre in Ravenscraig, just NL could do with an Esporta type, high end gym). I know the council got its fingers burned with Clyde, but I think many would agree there's been a host of mistakes made by both the club and the council with respect to Broadwood. Personally I'd like to see a stadium built with a large public square similar to Nancy in front of a signature main stand building. This would be used as a focus to the area and establish a centre to the new town with other buildings off the square benefiting from it. If any of you have been to Manchester, what they do there in advance of games is excellent. Viable businesses and government too could use the dormant space (thinking of the electoral register using NDP in Hamilton). Get some restaurants involved have it in their lease to provide matchday food, using their kitchens to do so and no doubt making a bit of cash to cover things, no doubt we'd have the best catering at any Scottish ground. All in I reckon the club could look at a 1,000 minimum increase on gates in the first season and a large marketing tool would have to be 6k-12k people being delivered to your doorstep 20 odd times a year.

Just out of interest, behind football and rugby what would be our 3rd and 4th most popular spectator sports in Scotland, shinty and ice hockey?

neg (verb) p. the act of giving someone negative reputation on an internet forum. 1. I see Steelboy has posted again, neg at the ready. 2. Dewell's neg's must be going up quicker than a Blue Peter appeal totaliser.

Well since you threw down the gauntlet .... At present we have a 10-12 week gap from the last competitive match of one season to the next. Why not have the culmination of one season on Boxing Day or Jan 1st (as they help get punters through the gates) and the new season starts in mid/end of March? In the summers where there are championships the league would finish up at roughly the same time as all other European leagues to let players join their international squads. Lower divisions can continue to play attracting SPFL fans to maybe filter some cash down and increasing their attendances. By the time the quarters come round in the big tournaments, the gap to the semi's and final is approx. 10-12 days to allow the teams to rest in between, our senior program could potentially start up again then as I also doubt Scotland could expect to progress from the group stages if we do qualify as our track record says that won't happen any time soon. However in World Cup and Euro years we start the league a month earlier and schedule a few more midweek evening games. (EDIT: I don't know if UEFA or FIFA place bans on domestic football during finals) TV revenues and interest from our neighbour would no doubt help put a little funds into our beleaguered game. Brazilian and co would see 3pm kickoffs more often with odd times to fit round the English teams only at the start and end of a season. Going to the match in a t-shirt on a Wednesday night and walking home in the light has to appeal and would maybe let some cautious parents consent to their kids going. Not to mention keeping the pitch ticking over in the summer with the quicker regeneration and no doubt more conducive surface to good football than a claggy or sandridden mess in early February. I accept that in summer there can be freak weather phenomenon but lets be honest the chances are much more limited than in winter. Overhead costs for club would go down, limiting the use of the undersoil heating, floodlighting, etc. however I accept we'd need to get a few chest freezers to stock raspberry mivvies and Hagen Daz (for the Main Stand). Not to mention the chances of abandoned games for whatever reason goes way down. Bear in mind a lot of places the national team and our European qualifying club teams would go to play in warmer climates our players advantage of playing in a howling Scottish winter and taming it is negated. Surely playing in summer here will better acclimatise us for competition and also, it would be nice to have our first Europa qualifier July in the equivalent of our current Jan/Feb. When the team has gelled, coming off a string of competitive matches and not Morton or East Fife in a friendly. If you were to use Gaelic football in Ireland and switch it to Summer and see how the crowds did then that would be a much better comparison as football here is the most popular sport.

Bit unfair to neg makaveli for raising a debate topic regardless of your views of his track record on here and in the general public sphere. It was valid to ask the question. For me, a country lying approx 54-57 deg of latitude it seems mental with predicted colder winters on the way not to move to summer football. Its a product readily sellable to Sky to fill up airtime down south as they have 4 channels that broadcast some amount of crap in the summer, why not our crap? That would negate the need for and use of artifical turf. However if we stick with the status quo, lot to be said for hosting all our senior and U20 games at Fir Park, being able to train in the stadium and the potential of a slight advantage over visiting teams. Some of the latest pitches sanctioned by UEFA are fantastic and improvements are increasing all the time. I'd also advocate Motherwell moving to Ravenscraig into a purpose built stadium using Tynecastle and Aalesund's ground as a datum, however, so couldn't really be put in the traditionalist camp.

I remember visiting Glasgow and seeing a pipe band in Buchanan Street, the sign beside their open case to catch the busking money exclaimed "Argyll Street Pipe Band - On Tour", raised a smile and ensured cash was deposited. If the lads were to approach the club, get their help and then at the Dundee United game speak to anyone in the first section of the East Stand, advise them of their plans and see if any fans currently sitting there could accommodate it, then move for the Celtic game and essentially be right in the middle of the Motherwell support to kick-start a more boisterous reception than that mob have been used to. I bet in that corner too they could use the first rows of the stand that is cordoned off where they currently are. Just a suggestion of course.

I was pretty happy and looking forward to the season when I saw Vigurs and Lawson come on board, Faddy re-sign and Nielsen. On paper we should have a team that can perform and compete at the top end of a poor league. Looking at the league table that is the case, however I think our league placing is quite flattering for a team that for me hasn't played anywhere near their abilities in any game I have witnessed. Writing was on the wall at Celtic, where we cowered while our contemporaries go there and give it some. Hearts needed a fairytale moment for a guy on his first start and it got it. St. Johnstone away was uninspiring and turgid and tonights game was ruined a little by the sending off however we went 1 up early doors against Aberdeen back in August and they went on to score 3 and rip us a new one. I can't see anything different tonight if our goal counted. Serious soul searching and tactical revamping is required as our best chance was early in the second half when a ball was squared low from the by line and was blocked by the keeper at close range. If that was the case then why persevere with square ball to defender 30-35 yards out, looping ball to 6 yard box, easy clearance. With a team sitting in and soaking up pressure then involvement of Faddy (who wouldn't have been required to put in the same defensive shift as in a standard game) would for me have been key. While he hasn't set the heath alight this season, he is all we have in the creative mould. Many don't rate Vigurs, I do, I think his passing can be pinpoint and our corners now have a potency that didn't exist when Tom Hateley was involved. i think he could have made a difference tonight if played ahead of Lawson. A cup semi would have secured a nice payday to the tune of one senior player that could be added next year. Blown by lack of spirit and ideas.

It just concerns me that there is a need to rest players. If Arnier, Ainsworth and co. were felt that a break was needed at this stage in their career then it's not encouraging. A few worthy comments have been made about McCall so far and while its easy to jump on the bandwagon after a lacklustre display I wonder how many games we've sneaked something due to his tactical nonse and changes. Don't get me wrong, it appear to this layman that those changes come after perseverance for too long. Something is being made of St. Johnstone's defence being makeshift. They had 2 centre halves asked to play 15 yards further right and left of where they normally sit, not a major shock to them Stevie Kirk pulling on a keepers jersey is a major shift in position. It would be novel if we did go out with a game plan and while keeping the what the other team are capable of fresh, set out our stall and let the other team worry about countering us too much rather than vice versa. Finally all the Hollis haters, maybe he isn't that bad after all. While Nielsen wasn't fully culpable for either he was instrumental, I thought the overhead kick could have benefited a punch rather than a parry and Ramsden's back pass again an example of getting the basic's wrong and immediately getting pressure.

If those career first division players had pace then we wouldn't be able to afford them. Same if Humphrey could cross a ball and last 90 minutes as well as he ran, he'd be playing at a level way above us. The first half was an absolute write off for me yet again, if we had sterner opposition then we'd be in trouble. I just wish McCall used elements of his half time team talk at 2:45. Unfortunately as has been pointed out ZFA had a poor day at the office. I can't think of any of his decisions that paid off. He came short for balls played into space and went bounding down the wing to see Hammell sidefoot a pass short. Vigurs despite a few issues generally gave us our creative spark. I can't remember the last time that corner after corner from us seemed to be delivered to a dangerous area opposed to rolling of the eyes every time Tom Hateley turned and headed back to the halfway line. Bit of a tendency to take an extra touch throughout the team. Sometimes a snapshot or first time ball is the only option. Bob McHugh must be gutted tonight. it looks like he's could be going even further down the pecking order.

Dunno, safe to say doesn't have his father in law posting on here though.

Am I the only one who is getting tired of hearing: "Ahh we didn't get off to the best start, gave them too much respect ........" Come on Stuart, universally the whole support wants you to take the Cpl Jones approach with these unwashed victims, namely "They don't like it up 'em". Next time, give them some smelling salts just before they leave the dressing room and tell them to get intae them. While you're at it, we are so much a second half team, its been the case for most of this season and the majority of games last year isn't there anything you can do to get them firing in the first 45? That first quote is on the official site preview video incidentally.

Pikeybhoi's update from Magaluf confirmed my suspicions of their inbred support

vip box now has a 2nd stream thats working. The two sycophants think Las has to be watched for dodgy challenges .......

Already have it in place, when I click the link it brings up a thing to download their player, buggered if I'm installing that on my computer

I'm using p2p4u and can't get rid of a bloody advert, any other suggestions?

Well Ainsworth is starting as he was used in the pre-match press conference.

You're the worst poster along with trafficlight

I put down a team to compete in midfield and win the ball and ultimately upset them, it was compiled partly with how I imagine McCall with think with a hint of my opinion. I thought I explained my reasons, however I go into more detail. Faddy as he's on the cusp of getting his form back and can handle the occasion and Lawson to help cover the defence as despite their perceived lethargy from Barca, Celtic still pose a major threat going forward. The thinking behind it was to soak up and deal with the early pressure and allow those goal threats you identified to have impact when they are introduced from the bench, fresh and champing at the bit. I accept there is no pace to speak of but the first half for me isn't about breaks and counter attacking. I'd love to sneak a goal but I can't help but feel scoring after 15 minutes is like baiting a wounded animal. Last 10 minutes though warms my cockles. I also considered that McCall is conservative and opts for damage limitation than inflicting damage.