dennyc

Just play our own game, support our team loudly and win the game playing the football we have seen all season. That will be enough of a statement to Kettlewell. No need to fire their team and supporters up by having a go at him.

Beat me to it😀. Agree fully.

I don’t think you are warped at all and I get where you are coming from. In many ways I agree. Any time those clubs you mention…especially Celtic and Rangers… get beaten domestically it brightens up my day. My take on Europe is different though. For various reasons I prefer the Scottish clubs to progress… but if any are to fall out early I would preferred it to be either OF. It is Scotland after all. My logic… flawed or otherwise. 1. The better they do the more Motherwell FC are rewarded financially by Uefa. And we are talking a lot of money here. It helps keep us alive and assists growth and investment. 2. I appreciate progress will provide Millions to those clubs. But the huge financial gap will exist regardless of whether they advance in Europe or not. As an example Celtic and Hearts could miss out on Europe entirely for a decade and they would still blow us out the water financially. 3. If the co efficient improves we have a better chance of qualifying and having a pop at the millions available, even for relative failure. Gone are the days of making a loss because you visit Russia and lose out first up. Guarantees are now in place to avoid wee Clubs like us being out of pocket. It also helps the National side…. Clarke aside. And I enjoy my European trips! 4. Qualifying for Europe means something. Not as good as a cup win of course, but it is a win. A success. Just like achieving top six. It is a feel good experience when it happens. Something for fans to celebrate and boast about. And it is refreshing seeing ‘different’ clubs visiting FP. Even a pre season v Hertha was a welcome change. 5. The financial adjustment that needs sorted is the League/TV payout. But Aberdeen scuppered any possibility of fairness. Greed talks and the OF will never support change. Regardless of the fact that such change might just provide Celtic with the domestic challenge they say they need to compete in Europe. The flip side is how enjoyable it is seeing Rangers and Celtic outclassed by average teams from countries that most folk could not find on a map. The upheaval we have seen in their fan base this week is a delight. And I say that having good friends who are ST holders of each of them. My view. It helps Motherwell if Scottish clubs do well. Although I accept that financially it may strengthen our rivals.

We can only hope. The ban would be worth it. I'll even pay for the statue.

He is leaving a Club that has crashed out of the Champions League and has had a slowish start to the League. And their usual rivals have strengthened. Austria is hardly a top European league either. Maybe SG were looking to cash in on Max and we also don't know if any of those Clubs reportedly watching him put in a meaningful offer. Did he have as many options as we think? I tend to think if he had had the option of Italy etc then that is where he would have gone. Was he missing family and friends? If he does well at Derby it could be a stepping stone to the Premier League which may be how he sees it. Whatever, he and his advisors have made good decisions career wise so far. Joining us at about age 12, moving on from us after a good half season despite then having to sit on the bench for a long spell. Bank balance boosted. Now with around 50 games for SG he is cashing in again. Still young so plenty of years to move up if he performs. There is a pattern there. In truth I am not so convinced by Max Johnstone as I am by the likes of Lennon Miller, or even Bowie at Hibs. Played very few games for us.....although he did well and earned lots of praise... after having done ok and no more whilst out on Loan. I wish him well but I think he still has a bit to prove. Cannot blame him for looking after the financial side at this stage in his career.

Do well and the PL beckons pretty soon. And still so young. Might turn out to be a clever move as he should be a starter at Derby which may well not have been the case if he had opted for the likes of Italy. Champions League wise I guess he will not miss being humped every game. Whatever happens he should be sorted financially for life. Good luck to him. The other thing is we don't really know who wanted him enough to meet SG price. So maybe not the options we all think.

Even if Motherwell did not agree a deal with Sturm Graz we are due something if he switches countries. Because we coached him from 12 to 19. Applies to every cross border move he makes from now on regardless of age. It does not add up to much though. Although it would do me! 5% of transfer fee is deducted and split between those parent clubs that coached a player age 12 to age 21. So for £2m.... (£1.4m and £1.6m turned down previously but guess now SG out of Champions League they are needing to sell).....seven ninths (years coached) of £100k (5%) = just under £78k. However if that 15% is accurate as having been agreed then if fee is £2m we are due £300k. Everything I read at the time said MJ left us as out of contract with no deal agreed. But Motherwell are good at keeping things confidential so fingers crossed.

The Sun is almost as disgusting. No approach to Celtic for a comment about the conduct of their fans and the damage and injury caused. How about, as now found guilty will they be banned from buying tickets for future Celtic games home and away? Hopefully the Courts do that at sentencing but Celtic should lead the way. But the rag still manages to fit in a report of their heroes victory along with a photo of O'Riley celebrating his winner.

Their other signings are either starting or on the bench. Hopefully he gets sorted soon. Possibly like us their Govt has to issue a waiver given the Brexit shambles?

When Willie Irvine scored to deny Hearts promotion as we celebrated ours almost as much as their failure I could not have cared less whether I was standing or sitting. I do think there was a better atmosphere at games though before all seating became the norm for us big clubs. But I don’t miss going home soaking wet and freezing after a drab December night in Paisley. Or scaling the heights as was at Tannadice and Easter Road. No doubt the grounds are safer and more fan friendly nowadays. Oh, and toilets with no roof ring a bell. An age thing of course but I am absolutely knackered after a Scotland match as you generally have to stand for the whole match if you want to see the game. At least in the areas I have been. That wee plastic seat thing is only for use at half time. That seems to be the rule anyway.

McAllister did well on his short run out today. Delighted for him. So hopeful. But to come in right away and impact games is asking a lot. Luca Ross. I'm not so sure. Given the time he has been around the first team squad and the experience gained whilst on loan I would have hoped he would be further ahead than he seems to be. In truth I was surprised we extended his contract. I actually thought he might move on after his loan spell was over. I know he is still only 18 but I think he is a wee bit lightweight. Connolly was another I thought might move on given he is a lot older and has not really featured as a first team player. Maybe there are less opportunities for goalies to impress. And we were discussing youngsters able to take the step up right now and impact games being sidelined by Loanees. I don't see any that are ready. Next season possibly after building up more game time and experience over the course of this season. But not now. But hey, I'm not a coach and I'm probably being a bit harsh. I wish them all well but I don't think any of the youngsters I have seen this season or last are first team ready. It's a tough, physical League. I felt differently when I first saw Miller and Turnbull although I accept that is a high bar. But , for me, even below that level the likes of Scott, Campbell and Hastie had more about them. I had high hopes for Sam Campbell but sadly his knee injury did for him. I really wish Scotland had something like an under 21 League which I believe was critical in the development of so many players over the years. And the matches were a good watch. I feel for kids who reach the age of 17/18 and often have nowhere to go if they cannot step up to the first team squad. Only very few can be loaned out. Late developers have little chance and many youngsters just disappear from the game. It's a harsh world. Cancelling the Reserve League also badly affected youngsters looking to make their way in the game. At least we have the Challenge Cup I guess but games are limited. Ross, McAllister etc playing in a reserve league with a mix of seasoned pros and other youngsters would better prepare them for the step up. But finances dictate as always. Only my view of course. Many will disagree and hopefully I am proved totally wrong. I'd be delighted if that proves to be the case and Luca Ross and Zander McAllister turn out to be the next Turnbull and Miller. You can say ' I told you so' if that happens.

Does it matter if it benefits us? Or does the fact it is one of the OF override everything? Because that is the way it reads on here.

I think we would all prefer that. Except that currently we do not have one young player that is good enough to step up. And no-one of the quality that Rice showed before his move to Ibrox. Scottish internationalist alongside Miller. And Captain I think. Despite his lack of first team games he has performed well at Rangers. In hindsight maybe he should have stayed with us though. And like Miller waited a few years before cashing in, As soon as we saw Miller and Turnbull given a first team outing it was obvious they were a class above. Can you say that about any of the young players we have seen since? Youth development will continue in the background irrespective of whether we bring in loan players or not. The Miller fee will help in that respect but it will take time. Maybe the extra funding will enable us to poach quality from other Academies which should speed up the process and provide faster results. I hope so. The only down side with Rice would be him having to sit out any game against Rangers. He is out of contract in 2026 and if we got the opportunity to sign him outright…now or then… I think we would crazy to pass up on the opportunity. Of course some fans will never get over the fact he opted to move to Rangers and would be on his back from day one. Such is life in Scotland where even revealing their backing for either of the OF brings out the worst in fans of their parent club. We are no exception. Bottom line. Any signing that improves the side is a good signing. Loan or not.

What strikes me is that Forest did their research as well and saw us as a Club that has a track record for developing players supported by Management team that would be good for their player. Suggests he was not just going to be loaned out anywhere to reduce numbers. That maybe says something about our profile down south.

All goalkeepers make mistakes that prove costly. I think Woods suffered in that his errors seemed to come when the pressure was on in high profile games which we then went on to lose. So they stick in our mind. Not our best ever keeper by a long way but far from our worst. Some others that have been mentioned had no right calling themselves goalkeepers. It’s a thankless task though. Was at Easter Road last night and the Hibs goalie let in two he should have saved…one an absolute howler… so looked to have sold the tie. Nowhere to hide and fans screaming for him to be subbed. Second half and in extra time he kept Hibs in it with three or four tremendous saves when they were being overrun. Left the pitch a hero. Had they lost he would have been slaughtered and possibly dropped.

Certainly failed to score from a limited number of games on loan from Forest. ...only 400 minutes in total from what I can find. At first glance uninspiring. Prior to that he averaged almost a goal a game at youth level.... 75 appearances 35 goals plus 9 assists. Not as impressive stats as Biereth admittedly and his career does seems to have slowed down since he signed his first pro contract. That happens to many 17 year olds though and only an exceptional talent would walk straight in to any first team.. He must have something if Forest gave him a longer term contract at age 17. Maybe worth a look but probably not an immediate solution up front for us. Said the same about Biereth though, and he proved me wrong. Probably not costing that much in wages so that's a plus. If it happens that is.

Not a team of the best players, but a team representing those players I loved watching. Randolph Nijholt Martin Forbes Wark McAllister O'Neil Cooper Pettigrew Higdon Coyne Honourable mention to Billy Campbell, Brian Heron, Dougie Arnott, Phil O'Donnell, Keith MacRae, Bobby Russell, Vic Davidson, Jackie McInally, Martin Corrigan and so many more. I guess I could easily pick three teams of players I have had the privilege of watching over the years. I'm now off to work on a team that includes 11 players I wish I had not had to suffer during those same years. Might even include a Manager. A recent one.

What might help him settle is that Udinese are close to signing another Scot. Ross McCrorie. But I'm pretty sure Lennon will settle soon enough. Udinese have also signed other players for larger fees in the past few weeks so that might also ease any fan expectations.

Udinese media saying Miller was in Rome for his medical at 8.50 this morning.....with a nice wee photo. Also states he signed last night and all paperwork completed, They also say they thought they had lost out to Bologna who had a bid accepted, But Udinese went back to Motherwell and upped their offer to Euros5.5m which was accepted. Udinese, Miller arrived at Villa Stuart to undergo medical examinations The Scottish midfielder has arrived in Rome for medical examinations: the official announcement of the Friulian club will follow © photo by Credits: Gianluca Di Marzio [ Previous ] Weather UDINE Classifica After signing yesterday, Lennon Miller arrived at Villa Stuart to undergo medical examinations that will lead him to become a new Udinese player. Once finished, we will only have to wait for the official announcement of the Friulian club, which reinforces its midfield department with a graft for the present and the future.

I agree the bulk of the funds should be directed towards infrastructure and youth development. That’s our future. But I hope there can be a balance. A portion must be spent on an attempt to improve the quality on the pitch. That’s the bit the fans see each week and which has raised our spirits (most of us anyway 😂) of late. We have seen positive signs since JBA came in and with his signings we have evidence he can source players who will improve us and who will cope with his preferred way of playing. I honestly believe he will already have identified players to improve those areas we all know need addressing. And I suspect we will see evidence of that very soon. in recent seasons we have been mostly limited to free transfers, often taking a punt on players recovering from serious injury, and loan players. Ap Stam being the obvious exception of course and in truth the jury is still out as far as he is concerned. But that was a big spend on one player. A greater risk. I believe bringing in around four starters totalling £500k/600k in total could really provide the uplift in quality the squad needs to progress. That leaves over £3.5m for projects and the like. The Miller fee is a massive sum to a Club such as ours but it is a pittance to Udinese so hopefully the bulk, if not all, will be received up front. If we are honest we must also accept that none of our youngsters are currently ready to play a meaningful role in the first team. And taking into account the number of players that have departed from last season’s squad the monthly wage bill should not put pressure on our finances even if we strengthen. If we really trust and support our Manager then he should be given the support and encouragement to continue our progress. How often to we get this opportunity and have a Manager who we would trust to spend wisely? .

I live in hope that a portion of the Miller money will enable us to raise the quality of player we are able to recruit The departure of those players you listed may cover a large portion of the higher wages. Those wages you mention are a monthly/annual saving, not an up front bonus enabling us to make meaningful bids for players currently under contract elsewhere. For years we have replaced like for like (at best),mostly by way of loans or free transfers. For that reason the quality on view has reduced season on season. We should soon be in the position to improve the quality on show and I suspect JBA has a few decent players in mind who will suit the style he has introduced. Add five quality starters and I think we will be amazed at how good a team we can put out. The small fees he has been allowed to pay out so far suggest he can unearth some quality players. I'm not suggesting huge amounts but we should be able to compete in a higher market than of late. For the benefit of the team and us fans. So I think we are waiting on the Miller sale being concluded before making serious moves..

Have you ever been on away European trip?

It was the same for us last season with Aberdeen. Digital for home fans and paper to be collected at FP for away fans. For the second visit MFC were persuaded to hand out pre purchased tickets at the game for those that could not get to FP. Common sense came through. No reason they could not do the same on Saturday if the willing is there. Also Tynecastle last season our postal tickets did not arrive in time so relying on the mail is risky. In fairness Hearts issued duplicates on the day after Motherwell contacted them.

Celtic will be Celtic and finish top. I think Hearts and Hibs will both be much better than last season. Possibly strong enough to finish ahead of a currently poor Rangers side. Aberdeen for me are the one that is hard to gauge. Terrible first half yesterday but by the end of the day matched Hearts in all but the most important stat. Barring a collapse by any of them, those five should finish ahead of us. When injuries and suspensions kick in squad depth and finance play a huge part. So 6th for us if we improve the areas discussed and finish ahead of St Mirren. I don’t see much between them and us. United seem to be in transition so possibly bottom six. Not so sure about writing of Falkirk under McGlynn, if they can get their defence tightened up. For me Dundee for certain and hopefully Killie are trailing. I’ll reserve judgement on the new Livi for now. Martindale knows what he is doing so I suspect they might be better than last time up. That’s the sensible forecast. But that wee voice tells me fourth or even third is achievable. It’s the hope that kills you.

Thanks for clarifying the no age limit for Solidarity. That's the bit I was not so sure about. That quote you posted confirms the situation. Transfers have to be Cross Border transfer though. So Derby to Chelsea or Napoli to Juventus down the line would not benefit us. Unless the Home Association involved has adopted the Solidarity Scheme developed by UEFA etc. Generally the two aspects of the compensation scheme help. Often more so for the initial training fee up front. But the 5% Solidarity payment thereafter can really amount to very little unless the transfer fee runs into tens of million. Especially if the player was not with his parent Club from age 12 to age 21. MJ was only with us from 12 to 19 so we won't even get the full 5%. I think that % should be upped to reflect the higher add on % that is common when transfer terms are agreed by the clubs involved. But UEFA etc refuse to consider increasing it....or the training fee calculation.....as they feel to do so might hinder the transfer of young players.