wellsince75

Well said @El Grew. You simply can't make thoroughbreds out of sheltland ponies. Players want to win, confidence is a major factor in all walks of life, football more than most. The habit of winning or losing. What I did like about Maclean's teams back in the day is we would perhaps have 1 or 2 bad games but never 3 back to back. He would fire a rocket up their backsides and I'd dearly love for someone of this capability. What is exciting is some of the names that are being mentioned in the media. Appreciate speculation but likes of Healy, McCann, Ross, Goodwin all have decent pedigree and could be good for the long term future. Hammell's vision about bringing in youth was the right long term plan, we need this vision and a manager with an eye for a player and the ability to flex how we play to find ways of winning.

If there's one thing to pay decent money for it's a manager. Luring quality managers to FP isn't easy but like a few have mentioned there's a few very capable managers out there who'd like to put themselves in the shop window. I'm hopeful that we can lure someone like Lambert, Ross, Goodwin. I don't think we can mess around here, time is of the essence.

I'd like to see a move away from 4-3-3. It's not all about formations , I don't believe we have the players to make it work. Perhaps a 3-5-2. Key is sifting through this bunch and finding the best 11. For me include Kelly, Johnstone, McKinstry, KVV start but who else we pick to get to 11 isn't easy or obvious.

I hope we’re able to solve this quickly , suspect we’ll hear names like Ross , Goodwin , Simo , Lambert and S Mcall all get linked . the sooner the better to give a fighting chance of turning this shit storm around

100% who id go for st mirren have taken enough from our side - must be our turn to get some of their ex team

Good post, the initial injection of hope, entertaining football wore off months ago. Sad reality is we're getting steadily worse. Regressing from a team who were entertaining , having +20 shots per game . Narrow wins/losses to one of meh. No pressing. No defending. Hopeless on the park and also have a CEO on his way out. Hard to envision anything else than relegation.

I don't see any of them having a future. Goss - very similar to how Polworth was. Decent skill but not enough to offset his lack of defensive skill or effort. Slattery - I'm really not sure what he offers. Don't think he's suited to a flat 3 man midfield. Spittal - I'd prefer Cornelius or Tierney . Not sure why we signed him Overall the balance needs some work. We have lots of attack minded players, for next few games Id prefer to see more in midfield and win the battles. A few mentioned 3-5-2 that flips into 5-3-2. Can see that helping - albeit we need a lot more aggression and effort from the 11 men we send out.

this post could be on either ours or Abderdeens forum Yorky . Completely agree, we need to stop being the gift that keeps giving.

they have a pretty low bar to compete with - if nothing else I'm happy to see some new faces and at least try to turn things around.

Like you I've been backing SH, albeit it's becoming harder every week to justify it. What I did like is he looked as annoyed as the rest of us after the game and was happy to call it out. He's been far too loyal to the likes of Lamie, Slattery, Goss , KVV. Appreciate not always had many choices but there's time to simply drop them, even if they're better skilled than others. Time is to stop losing, forget the lofty ambition of free flowing football. Get 11 men who'll get stuck in and work their backsides off - forget the 4-3-3 with 2 powderpuff midfielders.

I was enthused about SH's appointment . Other than Simo it wasn't obvious which experienced manager wanted the role and I thought Simo's lack of Scottish football would be a challenge with such a limited transfer window. He started reasonably well and I backed him through a pretty tough run of fixtures pre xmas. Sadly the decline has continued and we're woeful. I can now see why GA benched some of the players who I thought were decent. SH is a good guy, doing his best. His lack of experience and willingness to change formations, bring in the types of players we needed (more defensively minded than attacking) is costing us and likely end up relegated. Hard to see how he'll turn the ship around. Which is gutting to be honest.

there will be plenty of managers willing to take the job. Whether they can salvage anything is a different story. Sadly this is now as bad/if not worse than Malpas' time.

How Goss and Slattery start every game puzzles me as well. McKinstry/Cornelius would be preferred . Goss is reminding me more and more of Polworth. Capable when interested.

@siebsbarmyarmy like you I've been trying to remain optimistic. From the current team I see us having a very decent keeper and decent (not brilliant) attacking options. That leaves a full defence and core midfield that I have little confidence in. In the past when our backs have been against the wall there's always been a quorum that I believed in would see us through. From guys like Leitch, Craggs, Hammel, Lasley, McManus, Faddy, Turnbull, Campbell etc. We don't have anyone like that now (who remain as players) Appreciate this is captain hindsight but the last 4-5 years have been a decline , so much so a large majority of our fans expect relegation.

We are already in the deep you know what - previously we had people masquerading we need centre halves 1 maybe 2 left back holding /battling midfield x2 striker Appreciate still time but I’ve not heard any noise from the club at any point that gives me confidence that these glaring gaps will be solved says it all when we look at stmirren with envy - poor show

It's pretty clear that Goodwin will be gone by then. SH also on a very shoogly peg We need to make some bold decisions and drop several of the players who simply aren't good enough and don't work hard enough. Starting with the midfield.

I hear you Yorky . my point was he can see the issue - that’s different from being able to solve the issue

Look at the bench there wasn't that many other obvious options. Personally I'd have Cornelius rather Shields but that would change the shape of the team. Good to see the defensive changes from last week still in place. That's a step in the right direction. 3 points please Motherwell.

I've got loads of confidence in Hammys ability to see the issue and know the positions he needs to solve. Previous managers post match comments often led me wondering if I'd been watching the same game. Although it's been dire with mistakes I've always felt Hammy's summary of games was akin to many of us , general punters. The key is can he solve the issues, here's hoping he can. 3 points today would get some off his back.

Completely with you , these positions have been an issue for +12 months likes of shields , SOD would be of interest to other clubs .

We've got a pretty reasonable run of fixtures coming up. To get out of the mire winning 3 from our next 7 games would make a huge difference. Suspect one of the teams in and around us will hit a purple streak , equally StMirren/St.J could get sucked into the mix. I rather hope it's us who can create our turn of good fortune.

agree about the 3 positions you mention. Re Penney, he may end up being a 'Well player longer term. Although back at his parent club it's clear we're keen on him, they will want some form of fee. Suspect on the last day on the window he'll come back. Re SOD. A player of his capability should be an easy pick each week - particularly given how poor our defence & midfield have been BUT it's not worked for him over the last 2 years. Should be an easy player to offload to many clubs in the SPL.

a win and a clean sheet. to the next round we go. More of the same over the coming weeks please.

good call @Richie