Desp

Another step closer to recreating the 2003 side. Anyone got Dougie Ramsay's number?

Twardzik, Reid, Robinson, Clarkson, Leitch, Moore. If we get those six off the books, we won't be any worse off. It would also give us a bit of cash to bring in a couple of good additions. Probably a centre half and midfielder.

1-0 Celtic. Pierre van Hooijdonk with a 96th minute winner...

Based on what? Not knocking the boy, as he obviously has talent. However, it appears that, along with Luke Watt, he gets better in the eyes of the fans with every game he doesn't play.

Even if there are friendlies before the League Cup ties, you don't have to go. I certainly don't. However, as Melvin says, I would assume any friendlies will be played behind closed doors.

We should copy the league structure in Belgium. Just for a laugh.

I think the winter break is simply to give players a rest in January, rather than to second guess when the worst weather will be. Games in Scotland can be called off pretty much at any point in the season, given some of the downpours we can get in the "summer" months.

Pretty sure that's already known as the Europa League Qualifying Rounds.

If that does happen, and a Premiership side finished 3rd in a group full of lower league teams, the fans wouldn't be slow in making their displeasure known. I think that team/those teams would change their tune the following season. At the end of the day, there is a trophy at the end of the tournament. I'd very much like Motherwell to win it, so would expect us to treat the games seriously, as we would in any early round game of a cup tournament. While it'll never please everyone, I think people are just moaning for the sake of it.

Dumbarton Away in the final group game. Pre-match pints on a nice summer evening. Thrilling 2-2 draw. Goes to penalties and Motherwell sneak through 5-4 to get the bonus point we need to qualify from the group. Through to the heady heights of the Last 16 of the League Cup. Scenes!

It's the correct tournament to try these things out. I like the group stage idea. Whether it works or not, we'll see. The timing of it is good thing, IMO. I think you'll find more fans will come through the gates when given the choice of paying £10-£12 for a competitive game against Falkirk/QOS/Morton, or £15 for a friendly against Preston North End or Newcastle Reserves. Let's give it a go.

Perhaps, but at least they are trying something. What goes on currently doesn't work, IMO, so may as well give it a go. It's got people talking about the League Cup again, which is a good thing. I'm sure for the first couple of games (as long as it's priced right) people might be enticed along on a nice summer's night to see a competitive game which may have a bonus penalty shoot out at the end of it. The bonus point idea is a bit naff, and a bit gimmicky for me. However, I won't knock the SPFL for trying something a bit different. What's the worst that can happen? It doesn't work, and we go back to how it was before.

I'd assume Partick would have to agree to that? As good as our kits are, it's a bit daft having a mainly Claret & Amber away kit considering the teams we generally change for are Hearts, Aberdeen, Partick and Dundee Utd. I wonder if the black training kit that was used pre-season could be an option?

Unless it's a fiver a pop, we'll be lucky to get 1500 through the gate.

What strip will we wear, considering both of our kits will clash with Partick's home kit?

Makes a difference when there's 3 or 4 genuine contenders. I thought today was Grimshaw's best game in a Motherwell jersey, by a country mile. Moult once again, ran himself into the ground. Pearson and McDonald played well too, I thought. Grimshaw for me.

While the "have good enough players already in the squad" could be up for debate, I'd agree that the departure of the three loan players wouldn't cause us too many issues. Ripley - Certainly the best of the three, in my opinion. I think he'll go on to have a decent career in the future, but I don't think we can afford to be the club where he makes all of his mistakes. Without being a big fan of his, I can't see Samson doing any worse, plus he'll bring needed experience at the back. Grimshaw - Hasn't done a great deal wrong, but feel there's more he could offer. I would look to keep him if we couldn't get a permanent midfield signing sorted in January, as it's an area where we are light. Taylor - Hide and Seek Champion, 2015. I'll drive him back to Reading myself.

Either that or he's bottom of the Podcast Prediction League...

Can you get him to do the "raffle tickets are £1 each, but today we're doing a special offer of five for a fiver...!" gag? Love that one.

Louis Moult. By a country mile. He's not certainly not the most talented player in the world, but he certainly puts in a shift each week. A few more contributing performances like his, and we'll be absolutely fine this season.

I'm not going to have another dig at Fraser Kerr as I've been there and done that. However, I'm a firm believer that players will eventually find their level. For me, this will be about Fraser Kerr's level. Look at players that have left in recent times, such as Forbes, Cummins, Angol & McHugh. It's not bad luck that they find themselves where they are. Each of them in their own way done Motherwell a turn at some stage, but they were never ever good enough to make it in a serious way at Fir Park.

I'm sure we've all got an opinion on what the Bois, and various other 'Ultra' groups, do, but that article is laughably bad. Fits in rather well at the Daily Record, therefore.

The trial at West Brom didn't go well then?

Still doesn't make it a fact.

Josh Law being the best right-back at the club isn't a fact. That's your opinion.