dennyc

Watt might not be the player we once had but he has guile and is a nuisance which might just unsettle Dundee. Anything that better suits Stama and Maswanhise than a back three launching the ball over their heads is worth a try. So yes, give Watt a run from the start, play the ball to his feet and let’s see if that helps those around him. Give Dundee something different to cope with. That said, I fear SK will stick to his guns and set up exactly as usual and as Dundee will anticipate. A 3-5-2 formation which suited them just fine in their last game at Fir Park.

My view is that now is the time to change our set up. Teams have sussed us out. We are too predictable and opponents know how to cope with our only genuine attacking open play option under the wing back system. Opponents now push wide players further up the pitch, forcing Kaleta/ Wilson or who ever takes up our wing back role deep into their own half with little opportunity to push forward. Given our lack of numbers/ mobility/creativity in midfield the result is that our three centre backs end up hoofing the ball as far downfield as they can in the hope that one of our two strikers gets the break of the ball. In reality, as seen on Saturday, they both end up chasing lost causes 90% of the time. A thankless task. Kaleta and Wilson nullified. Game over with a poor Hibs side strolling to a win. Our only other tactic seemed to be launching throw ins deep into the Hib's box where their under fire centre backs had a field day. I agree with 'wellfan' that it's worth testing whether going four at the back might just improve all areas of the team. Surely it's worth a try. Make us more solid and joined up. If that means one of the giants sits on the bench then so be it. Even allowing for injuries, if we cannot come up with a midfield four or an attacking three from a squad of 30 then questions should be asked. And let's not come up with a solution that involves square pegs in round holes. Like Wilson as a creative midfielder. That experiment failed. At the very least, let's make it harder for our opponents to stick to their initial gameplan.

Whilst I agree with you regards financial limitations impacting the quality of the players we can recruit (that also applies to most teams in the League), it's not just about poor entertainment. When results are not good that poor entertainment becomes unbearable and other factors become a frustration. Match day is again suggesting a Manager reluctant to try anything different, be it formation or personnel. A Manager that seems incapable of a fresh approach. A new approach that admittedly may not work, but at least would provide hope and indicate a willingness to adapt. And it is not just about the past two losses. There have been matches all season that have raised the same issues, Underperforming players making the same errors week on week are starting no matter what, substitutions are like for like until such time as the game is lost and we are chasing a miracle. Then it's full panic mode and irrational. That's what did for Alexander and unless SK is willing to adapt then I see exactly the same outcome for him. And that would be sad. I certainly don't see him again getting away with a terrible run like he took us through last season. And on the past two performances allied to the semi final a similar period is a possibility. The next three games could be pivotal. And if those three games go against us, I very much doubt we will be able to point to a top six placing as the end justifying the means. Looking at the squad list in yesterday's programme, we have 27 players in our first team squad and that excludes a few additional players that have featured this season or have sat on the bench. So let's call it a squad of 30. And yet yesterday we could not get a functioning eleven on the park. They are his players now, many were recruited by him, several had a history of serious injury prior to signing. It was no secret that Spittal and Bair would be moving on. If the quality of those available players and injuries mean we have no option but to stick with the current set up, then SK carries much of the responsibility for that limitation. No excuses. No mitigation. He has been allowed to recruit. I defended SK last season because I felt he deserved leeway and was going through a learning process, with a squad that was partially inherited. He needed time to build his squad and implement his ideas. The past few games have made me question that reasoning and dig deeper. As for driving fans away. It is not the lack of entertainment causing me to give Dundee a miss on Wednesday. If it was about lack of entertainment I have had plenty of opportunities to walk away since I first started attending games. I even survived the Malpas years. I am avoiding Dundee because I truly believe that I would be watching the same players as Saturday, squeezed into the exact same formation that restricts the quality players in the team, trying to kill the game for 70 minutes in the hope of sneaking a goal late on. And I'm fed up, scunnered with it all. Watching your team should not be a chore, whether they entertain or not.

Same situation last season (Storm Gerrit 27 December?), the Authorities insisted a game at Aberdeen go ahead regardless of road conditions........until travelling 'Well fans shamed them by posting photos online showing flooding on the exact roads fans were advised to travel. The game was then postponed . That was after both Clubs earlier agreed that for safety reasons the game should be cancelled, only to be ignored. Pretty sure that was the day Ross County announced they would not travel in similar conditions to play Rangers in Glasgow. Bottom line, Authorities don't care as fans do not matter.

I agree with that and would love it if we refused entry to their fans. But that's not going to happen. Other Club Boards are not going to demand change either and we know the football authorities will continue to turn a blind eye. Strict liability will never happen in Scotland. Two Clubs will ensure any effort to introduce it in fails. The only thing that seems possible is that their numbers at away games could be reduced. Hearts and Hibs have gone down that route I think, and got pelters from the Glasgow media. But Hearts and Hibs can fill the empty seats with their own fans. We cannot. And remember we were the bad guys when Burrows restricted the number of Rangers' fans at the play off game. Not that I care about that as anybody aware of the background knows Motherwell were justified in digging their heels in. So given that reality, what would you do on a match day? Refuse to kick off? Abandon the game? Forfeit the game? Risk a riot and injuries by wading in? As far as I can see all Motherwell (and the Police) can do is ensure fans head to the area they have a ticket for and ensure only those fans with valid tickets make it through the turnstile. Beyond that what would you do? It's a genuine question as I am struggling to find a solution. I also agree it is a numbers thing but I think the same approach would be taken if it were 4000 Aberdeen, Hibs or Hearts fans in the away stand. And dare I say it, if we had 4000 fans away at Paisley. Maybe that's why some Clubs have restricted OF fans to 500? tickets. To make control manageable?

I would like to ask the journalists where they got 'Motherwell value LM at around £4m' from. Did anyone from the Club actually say that? Who? Or are they quoting that figure to ease the way for the Clubs they really care about. Smells like the push there was in the media to get John McGinn to Celtic at a bargain price. Hibs held out and eventually got a better price with better add ons from Aston Villa.

My thoughts are that if everybody is standing up, whether it be top or bottom of the stand, it is impossible to say for certain how many seats are vacant. You can see folk standing in the stairs right enough, creating a health and safety issue. But if turnstile records show that there were 200 empty spaces then that is more likely to be an accurate figure than some random guesswork. My interpretation of what Caldwell actually did or did not say. He did not say that the number of Celtic fans meant they could do as they pleased. He did say that the Police and Security team, faced with a situation, decided that clearing the congestion and returning folk to their correct seats was not a practical option given the numbers involved and taking into account safety issues. If the Police were prepared to accept that non action, are we really saying the Club should have overruled them? I assume the Police Match Commander has the final say? If the Club had gone against that instruction, I wonder who would have been liable for any resulting injuries. Caldwell did accept that there was an issue with fans electing to go bottom tier despite having upper tier tickets. That is an issue that must be addressed by him and the Club and should have been thought about ahead of this game. Had it been, we would not be having this conversation. But it clearly wasn't. He also said that First Aiders were able to access the stairs so that aspect was covered. At the end of the day, I believe the Police made the call and it was the correct one given the situation they and the stewards were faced with. Unlike last time there was no evidence of exit doors being forced open or stewards/police assaulted to allow non ticket holders access. But lessons need to be learned and the Club Security team, aided by the Police, must have a system in place to ensure visiting fans can only access the area for which they hold a valid ticket. Tynecastle has a similar issue regards upper and lower tier ticketing but from what I witnessed when we visited last season, their stewards/police intervened before overcrowding became an issue. Nobody was allowed to stand on the stairs either. Although that meant Motherwell fans with upper tier tickets had to move elsewhere, under protest. Easier to do though with a few hundred compared to several thousand. I think we should be relieved no injuries resulted but at the same time look to the Club to ensure the ticketing situation is not repeated. However it is impossible to stop 4000 or so fans from standing up if they want to. I also think the Police and League Authorities will have the same outlook.

Finished 1-1. Given the celebrations looks like Zimbabwe qualified for finals.

Excellent goal.. Received ball just inside the box, made room and snap shot across goalie. Celebration was pretty good as well.

Nah, he needs to Take it to the Limit

He stopped a certain goal after others fell asleep. And a headed clearance earlier saved another goal. Far from our worst defender today but let's just focus on any fault we can home in on.

Don't know about Park's part in things but if true it is pretty unprofessional. What I would like to have confirmed is who actually pays for the repairs? Rumour in the past was that Celtic agreed to pay if we did not go public, over charge, or make a fuss. But that all fell apart when Burrows highlighted the extent of the damage a few seasons ago. Perhaps something our new Board will address? Even after all their Uefa fines, I'm pretty sure they can afford to pay.

The SPFL authorities need to bite the bullet and tell all Clubs that if damage caused to away grounds by their fans is not compensated within a reasonable timescale, then those repair costs plus 10% (increasing add on if repeated} will be deducted from sponsorship/performance monies and passed directly to the Club(s) affected. Once it starts to hurt financially maybe the issue will not be swept under the carpet. I wonder if there actually is something already in place, but not enforced. But I also long for the day that we are financially able and willing to withhold tickets in such circumstances. All hell would break loose if we did and I suspect the Authorities would penalise us if we stuck to our guns. It is an issue that requires discussion at an SPFL Board Meeting. If it happens again this weekend then it's time for Motherwell and others to stand up.

For me there is little to choose between Casey and Balmer. Both take no prisoners when it comes to defending but both can be careless when clearing the ball under pressure. Both contribute when it comes to attack. Might come down to who fits better with Gordon, who appears to be a fixture and a leader. And suspensions will be a factor given how 'robust' both are. Certainly not a bad dilemma for Kettlewell to have. Add OX and the upgrade on last season is massive. I also think Wilson has improved defensively which is credit to him and the coaching staff.

Scored a few goals in HJK's run to group stages as well. One of his mates was telling me he has made a good living out of the game. Invested his money wisely if what I was told is accurate. Good luck to the guy.

Three of us buy our tickets together. That involved linking all our season ticket accounts so one person could buy the lot. So if all nine are ST holders linking the other 8 to your account might work. Not sure if there is a limit on joint purchase numbers though. Linking accounts does not stop folk buying their own individual tickets at other times. Easiest solution might be to phone the Office and explain the issue. Surely they would be happy to sort you out.

Exactly my understanding as well. His Statement certainly brings out his arrogance and feeling of entitlement. As Steelboy highlighted, no mention of his part in and support of the Barmack proposal which would have diluted the holding of those he would have us believe he champions. A proposal which was clealy going to be rejected by a large majority. Regards that 29%, if you were to deduct his sizeable shareholding and that of those shareholders who are also Society members, I wonder would that 'unrepresented' 29% would reduce to. Also is it not the role of the elected Board as a whole to represent ALL shareholders? As happens elsewhere, whether football related or not.

The only difference between the two incidents was the distance from the goal, and that difference was minimal. Both players threw their body at the ball to defend the goal. Casey deliberately blocked the ball on the line with his arm. Souttar deliberately.......even McCann commented that he moved his arm to the ball......blocked the ball three yards out with his arm. Both were deliberate and intended to deny a goal. On that basis, why not both red cards? Consistency does not exist in Scottish football.

Exactly Motherwell boss Stephen Robinson acquitted of assaulting partner | Football News | Sky Sports Reading this paints a whole different picture to what some would like us to believe.

And of course had the game been at Tannadice the home commentator would have remained totally calm and not gotten excited at all at his team scoring from a penalty deep into injury time to book a semi final place. As others have said, any complaints should be directed to Premier Sports. In fairness I think the complaints from Utd are regards the Broadcaster rather than Motherwell. It is quite funny though.

I think it was announced on the night as 8337. But not 100% certain given I was struggling to make out the tannoy announcement.

Got me intrigued so i had to check out my seat. It is greyed out so fine, but what I did find when I started a fresh purchase was that not all seats shown in blue offer a seat number when hovered over. Some do but most don't. So I guess that despite the 'blue' coding on most, they possibly have been purchased but did not turn grey when sold. Certainly is confusing though.

I take it goals from corners, penalties, free kicks, own goals and substitutes don't count then? Are we even allowed to celebrate them? Can we then also ignore any goals we concede from corners, own goals, free kicks, substitutes and penalties? Or perhaps it does not apply both ways? You do have a point regarding our style of play at times and I share your frustration with Kettlewell's team selection at times. But the fact is we are doing ok at present and he seems to have improved our defensive set up. I do concede that I would also like to see more goals resulting from magical sweeping moves, but playing to a strength is hardly a poor option. And until we sign a Bellingham or De Bruyne I don't see things changing that much. Especially as you have already written off Tavares, Maswanhise and all bar one of our new recruits. I'll celebrate any goal we score no matter the source. England nearly won a World Cup playing to the same strength. Some of the goals we scored last season were as good as you will see anywhere. Whether from open play or free kicks. And was it McGhee that used to insist that every player be in our box defending at a corner because the majority of goals teams concede come from that source? Maybe some of those corners, penalties and free kicks we score from result from decent moves that our opponents have difficulty dealing with. Or maybe credit goes to Miller and/or Halliday for their ability to deliver the ball. And we have scored in 80% of the competitive games we have played so far this season. Fairly consistent. But I guess that positive assessment does not fit your agenda. But credit where credit is due. Ignoring the fact we were third top scorers last season and then dismissing goals not scored from open play to validate your argument is certainly creative. As is pointing out that we score some goals after making substitutions. Some might say that was also a positive and a direct result of some astute management decisions. I guess it all comes down to the argument you choose to promote.

69 games 20 Losses, or so Wikipedia says. I can't be bothered checking. Stats can be used in lots of ways. I agree SK can stubbornly stick to his guns and it drives me crazy. But harping back to that poor run last year proves nothing other than you have nothing more recent to cast up. He is doing just fine for now. Guess that's why his contract was extended.

Given the ovation the team, including every one of those players you mention, received at the end of yesterday's game you appear to be in the minority. You must have been spitting feathers if your stream picked that up, or the Bois chanting SOD's name at one point. Ask anyone who was there yesterday whether Vale showed quality. I guess he must have done though, given the calls for Kettlewell to start him against United. And his introduction helped Miller. But none so blind as those that refuse to see.