WellHighlander

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!