Motherwell Seagull

I have mixed feelings on this - if we have agreed to only provide him with a month's security on a rolling basis then I feel that he is entitled to do the best for himself and his family (I would in his shoes). That said, if the rolling contract is at the instigation of Gannon, then I think the club may well have been a little naive if they did not secure some assurances on a minimum term of commitment from the manager. As you say though - its all ifs!

For what its worth this is pretty much what I have heard from the Brighton end. Have tried to stick to what has been reported, rather than speculate, but it seems that the obstacle to him joining Brighton last time has been removed, and that the financial backing of the new Chairman must be attractive to an ambitious manager. Brighton is certainly not the club McGhee left behind... the building of the new stadium, and the potential of a huge catchment area for supporters etc means that Brighton should not (fingers crossed) be the next Gretna!

I found this unsettling: Clicky

Yes, that's pretty much how I heard things went down. Knight is no longer in a position of power however...

It is an interesting one - Gannon (reportedly) only turned Brighton down the last time because he wanted to stay loyal to Stockport. He clearly impressed the powers that be at Brighton - and now there is a new chairman who has personally underwritten a new stadium (90+ million), a number of new players in the close season (sadly, no experienced defenders), and appears willing to back his new man. A number of sources close to the club have all suggested that the Chairman appears confident that he can get Gannon (whether that simply means financially, or that there is a clause in Gannon's contract etc I can't say). The majority of the Brighton support can't see Gannon leaving Motherwell for Brighton - unless its purely down to money.

You have absolutely no idea just how lucky...he is even slower than I remembered which is saying something! Its fair to say that Buzz hasn't had a good start - but any keeper playing behind the Brighton defence will ship goals!! To be honest, I don't think he could be blamed for many of the goals he has conceded.

Whilst we are talking about speculation re Gannon - possibly worth noting that Crewe are not alone in coveting Gannon. Brighton also appear to have him on a shortlist of sorts, but I have to admit that most of the fans appear to be more 'realistic' about their chances of getting him: Local Paper article here (its about 2/3rds of the way down) Messageboard discussion here

In years gone by teams like that would be a nailed on certainty to turn us over in both games... Wouldn't mind a wee cup run if I really must choose, but hoping for 2 wins!

It doesn't exactly leave us a large pool of players who you would have in your team though!! As Faddy showed, ego is not necessarily a bad thing - often folk confuse it with a winners mentality. And lets be honest - we have all received poor advice in our time. I know where you are coming from, but if I was Slane and was reading this thread, I would be packing my bags now regardless of whether I really wanted to stay or not. Not every player is lucky enough to be a Dosser at heart, and should not be judged by our high standards. Just a thought, but instead of demanding loyalty, perhaps showing a little by getting behind the boy and showing him that he is wanted may not be the worst thing in the world.

I don't think anyone has seen enough of Paul in a 1st team jersey to really know the answer to that one. Don't believe anyone doubts that he has ability - and is likely to improve with experience and decent coaching. I hope for the lad's sake he has a full and speedy recovery and is back playing sooner rather than later. As for a new contract with Motherwell - we all know the arguments for and against him staying at Fir Park - its up to him to do what he thinks is best for himself. Time will tell whether he makes an ill advised move like Pearson, or goes on to be the 1st ex Motherwell player (including Faddy) in years to take the Premiership by storm.

Before going off on one, I want to make it clear that I was a member of the MST, but let my membership lapse when I felt that key objectives were either unrealistic, or simply at odds to what I felt best. Having tried to voice concerns on more than one occasion I was simply ignored and not even given the courtesy of a reply. I believe a Trust should be a good thing for Motherwell (and this is important), and remain broadly supportive of the idea, though critical of the application. As I see it, the problem is that a fair proportion of the support either could not care less about the Trust, or worse. It would take the most enormous re-branding exercise of Branson-esque proportions (new personnel, new objectives etc) to engender interest in a revised Trust. I understand how the Trust can keep going (in essence by amending rules etc), but given its relative insignificance in the eyes of the fans (and please, am not referring to past glories, what has it actually done this season, or will it actually achieve in the next 12 months?) it is honestly beyond me why it should continue. Lets not forget that new blood has already come and gone from the Board of the Trust - and sometimes at alarming speed. I have a couple of larger questions however: 1. Does anyone actually believe there is a need for the MST in its current incarnation (lets not get personal - yes, or no)? 2. Would a new organisation to replace the MST (new objectives, membership etc) be supported (or has the old MST disillusioned everyone as to the effectiveness of such bodies)? 3. If a replacement body was formed with largely the same objectives - would you actually get involved (no ifs, buts or mibbies - yes or no)? If the Trust is merely to become a fundraising organisation I believe that other supporters groups (such as these boards) have already displayed generosity and willingness to support the club. If the Trust genuinely has aspirations of being a mouthpiece for the fans however, it needs to be able to demonstrate that it has the membership, or at the very least the goodwill of non members in order to do this. Currently, neither is the case, nor does that look like being rectified anytime soon. I am aware that many involved with MST have worked hard, given their time etc, but sometimes enough is enough, and its time to recognise that hard work can sometimes not be enough. It worries me to an extent that by continuing the trust, those involved may actually be harming the prospects of any new or revised organisation that could follow. I'll shut up now!

Have a mate down here who reads these boards regularly (with a bit of luck this may goad him into posting himself) and he has been asking about our Trust for some time now. His reasonably neutral observation the other night was stark - if the Trust continues as is, it can only be through self interest. Am not saying that I necessarily agree with his point, but certainly can see where he is coming from. If they really are struggling to get more than a dozen folk interested as Frazzle suggests, then it really should be game over. The Trust should have been fantastic for a club like ours - the biggest endictment may well be that few will miss it if/when it goes.

My thoughts are with the family. RIP

Is Hammell and the rest of the defence trying to prevent crosses into the box as well?? Sorry, small bug bear of mine that goes back as long as I can remember

Double edged sword this one - a higher profile may help to encourage players in the door - but will also bring admiring glances from Championship/League One clubs with more money than us. Bigger question is whether we have a team full of Stephen Pearsons who will have their heads turned easily, or perhaps David Clarksons (McFadden's etc) who put their shift in and moved on when the time was right for all concerned.

Anyone know if Radio Scotland will cover this - or if its the open all mikes ####?

Not quite on topic, but was very impressed by his willingness to chase back on Saturday. At least once Utd tried to hit us on the counter after Yass had committed himself upfield, and he didn't half shift to get back and block/cover. Its one thing to have ability - its another to have application...

Fraz - you see the guy play regularly, and I dont so I don't question your opinion of the big chap. Playing devils advocate, we have now had 3 managers who have rated Reynolds highly, and from what I hear from fans of other SPL clubs, they also appear to rate him. Am not suggesting you are anti Reynolds at all, but are you focussing on his weaknesses rather than his attributes? There is a big chap at ManUre who is famous for his gaffs for club and country afterall! I dont doubt the money from Rangers was in the ball park for him, but unless the money is spectacular, I have no wish to see players jump ship to another club in our league - especially when his contract has a few years left on it. The same goes for all the speculation re Hammel, and others.

Reality is that not many clubs have the money to buy an up and coming player with 2 years left on a contract. The closer that he comes to being a free agent, the more the interest will be in him. I would have thought that there will be a great deal of interest in him in a year's time - particularly from the championship and top half of league one (7k/week to play at Norwich anyone??).

Nah - fae EK but married an Arab and is a fervent Utd fan

Not sure Boyle ever claimed that he had lost all his money when we went into admin, although not sure he would say the same about his divorce...!

Think I have to sit on the fence on this one given that I have only seen the stuff thats made it onto the tv, or a website or two. As I watched Clarky, Quinn and the rest depart Fir Park I could never have imagined a situation whereby we would have started the season with anything like the same quality in the squad that we have enjoyed for the last few seasons. Whether we do in fact have that quality will only be decided with time, but certainly we appear to have the potential within the squad to make top 6, and therefore do better than last year. Its a young, raw squad which makes me think that performances are likely to be erratic, and whether its top 6 this season, or next may well depend on how the younger players develop, and how many games we ask them to play - especially on the traditional scottish pitches come the new year. Gannon should be included when we are discussing the squad - for the 1st time since wee McLean I feel we have a manager whose tactics, and substitutions etc will go a long way to deciding our season. When was the last time we had a manager willing to make a tactical substitution after 30 mins? Perhaps he is the 1st Well manager in a while to have payers on the bench who can offer something different, and maybe even turn a game? He is likely to get a few decisions wrong (everyone is human afterall), but so far he seems to be doing no too bad. Had we the same setup as last season I am not so sure I would be as upbeat given the results we have managed. That said, the passion and enthusiasm that just about everyone in C&A appears to have at the moment is infectious!

...and your point is?

Strikes me that every time Gannon speaks of a new player, he appears to know a lot about the player, as if he really has been tracking the lad for some time. Realise he has a reputation for this, but you can see how a player must be impressed with the knowledge, and passion that JG appears to exude. Perhaps I am just overly happy clappy with JG??? Wonder if he has ever thought of selling timeshares...

You, and your family are in our thoughts big fella!