WellHighlander

Looking at post-split fixtures, this has to be a game where three points are huge as I just don't see us winning at Hearts, Dundee or Ross County, while Killie at home is tough. Like many, however, I would question if enough players have the heart for the battle this game will be. St Johnstone are now in a position where simply put they pretty much have to win every game to even have a hope of getting a play-off. Essentially, they have nothing to lose as for many they are already down. My fear is that we could very well sleep walk into that play-off place if we are not extremely careful. Given the tight nature of the bottom six, every point is a prisoner, while three is massive. We certainly don't want to be going to County needing a result on the final day. A big concern is how many players genuinely care? Many will know that regardless of what transpires they'll be heading for the door when the season ends. I remember speaking to a player of a relegated side a few months after they suffered the drop. He said what killed them was not just the amount of loan players they had, but also the fact some were out of contract and knew they were going. They didn't have the stomach for the fight because they weren't going to be at the club. That, for him, was the biggest failing in them being relegated - a squad of individuals the majority of whom cared only about their situation. I really hope I am wrong and we get ourselves safe as soon as possible, but all the evidence points to it being a very nervy end to a season to forget.

On the pitch, I've huge concerns that we can muster the points needed to avoid a play-off, but regardless of what happens, huge changes are needed off it. There is little doubt it's virtually a complete clear out that's required. Undoubtedly one of the worst Motherwell squads assembled in my 30-plus years of supporting the club. Personally disappointed to see the club sign SOD. At one-time a few seasons ago solid performer for club and country, but never a player who works in a back three and has been culpable for the loss of several goals this season. Cannot see how his performances merited an extension, but maybe time to work with the new manager will bring about a new lease of life. Sparrow extending makes sense. A versatile player who can be of value to a squad, but not sure he'd be in my first-team. One of only a few, however, that seems to genuinely put a shift in. Delighted to see Slattery stay. If Wimmer can get him into the right areas of the pitch then no doubt he can contribute goals and assists. Still feeling his way back after a bad injury, but with a good pre-season behind him he could become a key player. Out of the rest, I'd keep Ox, maybe Seddon at a real push, Gordon, McGinn (used as a squad player) and Stama but for me that's it. Miller will be sold to fund this rebuild and if it's on our terms then I'd think about Casey, but I'd certainly not be breaking the bank. We need to be ruthless and this is the ideal time to do that. The squad, even without the loans, is bloated and severely lacks quality and consistency. If this season has shown anything, we cannot afford to carry people. It needs to be a much tighter ship. We have also drifted away from offering our young players an opportunity. Wimmer needs to address this as a priority because at the moment, there doesn't seem to be much coming through, but perhaps the opportunities have been limited due to the obscene amount of loan players that have been brought in, the majority having no sort of impact at all. I appreciate injuries have played their part, but this is a squad that has had opportunities and time and again they've let the support down. Making such wholesale changes is not with risk and patience will be required, but the board need to show they back Wimmer and are bold enough to want to bring about a change in the dressing room culture that at the moment seems entrenched in mediocrity - and the acceptance of it.

Does anyone know if tickets are sold out? Been on club website and it's not listed in the section where you buy tickets. Emailed ticket office, but no luck and it's shut now.

Watched the highlights against Hibs and it wasn't good - not by a long shot. Seems to be case this season that the team hasn't quite hit the heights hoped for, but it has to be remembered it remains early days. Would have been foolish for Robinson to blast them publicly, especially against a very good Hibs side who, if they keep McGinn, will have designs on finishing second. I'm sure, however, within the confines of the dressing room it was a different story. Robinson also deserves some praise in not looking to use injuries/suspensions excuse many others would have reached for in a heartbeat. Dunne is such an important player now (worth remembering his shaky start to life at Fir Park), while Campbell's bite and tenacity in midfield is so crucial to how Robinson likes his team to play. Losing Kipre just a few days before would undoubtedly have disrupted preparations as well, but the size of the offer dictated his departure. Some others don't quite look match fit yet, while Hibs have had the bonus of playing some very competitive European matches, so no surprise to see them looking a little bit sharper. However, if Robinson isn't contemplating at least 3-4 changes for Hamilton then I'd be worried. Johnson must be in with a shout of replacing either Main/Sammon, especially as he seems to complement a more robust and physical strike partner. Campbell will come back in, but surely Frear is worthy of a place given his ability to get balls into the box? Creativity from midfield seems to be the main bugbear. Gorrin looks the most likely to provide it, but he is going to need time to adapt. A local derby may just be beyond him at the moment given Hamilton will be hurting from their own mauling by Hearts. They will come to Fir Park looking to make it a battle and we will need players of that ilk to stand up to this in the initial stages. I respect the opinion of every Well fan, even if we see it differently, but growing uneasy at the number who feel Robinson now isn't up to the job. This is a manager who took us to our best record of clean sheets in several seasons (helped greatly by a settled back three of Aldred, Kipre and Dunne), not to mention two cup finals and within spitting distance of the top six. After recent campaigns, that is some turnaround. Robinson made us hard to beat again, so much so that very few teams must have enjoyed playing against us last season. I'm not saying it was a campaign full of free-flowing football, but he got the team playing to its strengths and results were (mostly) achieved when it mattered. Now, he has the challenge of trying to kick on, especially with expectations being raised. Like others have said, games against the likes of Hibs won't define our season, but the likes of Hamilton will. Robinson and his squad have more than earned the right to be given a shot at redemption, not early judgements on their abilities, especially the manager. Hopefully the board will give Robinson some cash and bringing Aldred back would seem the most sensible option given he shouldn't require a settling in period. That should help to bolster a backline that has looked less than stable.

Fowler interesting as like the way he conducts himself. Been impressed by Aitken, but both he and Fowler are untested at top level and I'm not sure that's what Motherwell need right now. Would be a fairly big gamble. A steady, experienced hand seems the way to go. Not overly keen on McGhee (don't think he'd be interested anyway) or even McCall returning, although not adverse to it. However, definitely not Pressley. Loves the sound of his own voice too much. Listen to him and you wold think he invented the game! PS Just a thought but what would fans think if a new back room team was needed and Malpas returned as an assistant/coach? Very highly thought of by players/board at Caley Thistle during successful time in Highlands. Could sort out our leaky defence!