LadywellToi
-
Posts
1,410 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
2
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Posts posted by LadywellToi
-
-
A real standing comparison I'd make would be England, some League 1 and League 2 teams will have average attendances similar to us, and terracing will be perfectly ok, but because our team is in the top division we need to sit down?
I'd say its because in the division we play in of 12, 7 of the clubs have played in European competition in the past few years. UEFA makes the rules and we have to jump to their tune otherwise you don't play or you have to hire another ground. The difference with English 3rd or 4th tier teams is that unless they win the FA or League Cup they aren't ever going to be involved in European competition so adhering to UEFA dictates is something they never have to think about.
-
Germany is a horrible comparison for Scottish Football - as is Norway.
I didn't take from the comments before they were comparing us to those two countries, more listing aspects of the fans experience in those countries we would do well to emulate.
A move from FP is among some of the most emotive subjects we'll ever cover. I would hope that the experiences learned from what other clubs have done and where they have made mistakes would be taken into consideration if we did get to the planning stage. Like everything though, seeing something and then actually implementing it don't always go hand in hand.
Also, the nonsense about Ravenscraig being a new town, outside the Motherwell boundary, come on, really? Carfin to the NW, Jerviston to the W, North of the Calder, Orbiston and Flemington. The stadium would likely be the other side of the Dalzell plate mill, not really that much more distance than FP is from the cross.
Of course they will be overheads and maintenance bills at a new stadium, but if designed correctly and combined with the recency of construction, you would think there would be a significant saving there.
Well Jaggy's post puts a lot of things into perspective.
-
I'd add that I'd get Barcelona over as consultants to put into place an exact replica of their youth academy seen here:
I'd give anybody involved in youth football in the region free UEFA's coaching courses. I couldn't find a Scottish figure but I would imagine it would be proportional to England's:
Only 2,769 English coaches hold Uefa's B, A and Pro badges, Spain has 23,995, Italy 29,420 and Germany 34,790.
They would get them for free on the proviso that Motherwell gets first refusal on anyone they bring through and develop.
I'd get the U-19's out at 1 local team each for training during the week, 2 hours of their time to bring through the next generation and put up a prize for the team with most improvement (gives them some competition).
To hell with the Casagolda statue, I'd get one made of Hammerfist, he's the one who deserves it.
I'd buy the Record and Sun and let the old firm fans search 6 pages in to find a story.
-
I think Motherwell will do very well to finish in the top 6 with that squad. I really hope we can get a couple of experienced players on board by hook or by crook. I'm not holding my breath though.
I'll reiterate, that squad is the almost the same one that qualified for a semi, a cup final and finished top 6 only a few weeks ago in a 50+ game season. They are growing together as a team and there is a lot to be said for that bonding process and knowing instinctively where your teammates are.
Add into the mix that almost every SPL budget outside the OF and Hearts (I still don't understand this anomaly) and us is being severely chopped. 2 teams have pretty much had to do what we did 2 years ago and rebuild a squad from scratch, 1 team is still essentially Cowdenbeath (minus Higdon) and Dunfermline have been promoted with £80k? prize money for winning the SFL Div 1.
Dundee Utd are losing 400k in their wage budget (they must be praying for their prize asset to get punted), Hibs are still in transition in my opinion, Aberdeen are goosed as all our players are signed up until 2012 at least so they will have to use their imagination rather than tapping the phones in the Chapman. Don't know bugger all about ICT.
Add in a 10 goal loanee as we had in Lukas and Blackman the past two years and another decent starlet, things ain't too bad.
Reality Check.
-
1
-
-
Not trying to justify things, but normally you would imagine the club would switch into season ticket mode in early May, you kinda think that may have been shelved/put on the back burner as the ticketing staff had to shift 18,000 cup final tickets up to the 21st of May ..... just saying.
-
See what you are saying Melvin, but OK we have a number of midfielders, but how many can actually do that specific and vital job?
As for Hateley and Carswell, are they up to the job of getting in amongst it in a SPL tussle in mid October? Maybe a bit unfair on Carswell as I've seen so little of him so far, however I see Hateley playing in midfield as more of a holding defensive player in front of the centre half's (or is it halves? - answers on a postcard) adding an extra body and the ability to put a decent ball to the front men on the counter. I don't see him having the guile and inclination to get in amongst Scott Brown and Whitaker.
That's why I was advocating a ball winner as a target, granted he'd be third in the list of priorities if we are looking at another 3 coming in.
-
And quite a few skid marks too .... and not on the roads around Hampden.I wonder how they did it, did they tell everyone to show up wearing white Calvin's, plan it ahead based on your seat number or move people when they got into the arena?
-
Randolph/Hollis
Hateley/Saunders - Hutchinson/Saunders - Craigan/Page - Hammell/Page
Humphrey/Hateley - Jennings/Forbes - Lasley/Carswell - Law/Pollock
Higdon/McHugh/Smith - Murphy/Lawless/McHugh
Based on the game the other night and what we have available and combining it with Derek Weir's statement, I've outlined roughly our starting line up at present and cover/alternative. I no doubt have a few of the U-19's out of position and could double up in another position but only Youngie, Postie Jim or someone else who visits the Creamery often could add a bit more.
I've went for a 4-4-2, so not every position is looking for a direct replacement similar to the starter (ie Humphrey/Hateley)
If we do bring in a defender (seems that everyone supports this), a 3rd recognised striker (again general thumbs up) where could we do with backup or even a definite starter?
Looking at the above and if we get the defender and striker the only place looking a bit weak is in a dedicated ball winning midfielder if Jennings or Lasley aren't up for selection.
-
Some Italian mob (bit too close to Airdrie in design if not colour), however they made an arse of it.
EDIT: It would appear to be a basketball team opposed to calcio
-
Ideally we get somebody like Blackman Sept-Dec not Jan-May (that still warms my cockles though).
Ideally a permanent centre half and a loan striker, as for the other loanee I'm open to suggestions.
-
You tell Youngie next time you see him he can't go on holiday with his kid(s) or he has to pull them out of school early.
-
It would appear Michael Fraser knew where the corridor of uncertainty was, then he lost his A-to-Z and he got his marching orders.
Quite a few other players could have that leveled at them.
-
But then it'll all go pear-shaped and i will be forced to release 22 players and put the club into administration then noone will buy the club so i will stable the club, then progressively make the wage bill lower and lower every season!
Amazing how damning things look when you look at them in isolation. Not much you can do when anticipated funds dry up ....
1st July 2008
The Scottish Premier League revealed a major cash boost yesterday with the news that Setanta Sports had renewed the deal to screen live matches from Scotland - at more than double the price they paid for the same package four years ago.
At that time the contract, which ends in 2010, was worth £54.5 million. The extended agreement will yield £125 million over a further four years.
"£125 million marks the biggest ever TV deal in Scottish football history," the SPL's executive chairman, Lex Gold, said. "This will allow clubs to re-invest to make the Scottish game even stronger."
ITV Digital money dried up at the turn of the century too.
However this season our playing budget is maintained not reduced while everyone elses is decimated. Don't let the facts get in the way though.
-
If we got him signed to us then I could justify the salary being paid out (if we get him again I'm guessing we'd contribute more of his weekly wage), if its another loan I'd rather Page stepped up his game or we go out to bring someone in on a free.
-
It would mean a bit of a mad clammer to get a replacement, some on here feel we are already a bit light up front but I wouldn't grudge him his move.
He signed a 2 year extension on the 19th of May last year meaning he's on our books for another 2 years. I'd like to think we'd hold on to him till January at least however money talks. Like Lobey I think Randolph is the most likely to leave.
I'm still after a massive centre-half. Some of the fringe players performances last night were encouraging however mostly in midfield and attack.
Also, forgot to add, do we really need to pursue Gunning when you've got someone like Page who looks more than up to the same job?
-
Not sure what you mean with this question
I meant would you look to be a silent investor, a place on the board, take over the day to day running, etc.
-
Yeah, its about somewhere, that thread listed best practices we could adopt from what we've seen already on our travels to Scandinavia, other little gems we've never played at and some aspirational ones. I'm on record saying I'd love "The Wall" or something that captures the same wow factor. However without rain protection (not really an issue in the Middle East) we'd need some innovative ideas, I'd use that on my Colin and Justin inspired "mood board" to show the architects what to use as a datum.
I remember watching Italian games during the 90's when C4 had them live, always thought it looked crap when they visited the Stadi Delle Alpi and you saw swathes of bucket seats. In all likelihood do we need another 40k+ stadium with Ibrox, Hampden and Parkhead all within 15 miles? Seems overkill in a country of 5.5m and for me would be a white elephant.
If we abolish segregated schools and wait a generation or two we may be able to significantly dig into the old firms stranglehold however in the meantime I'd opt for a capacity of 15-18k (you have to hope for a bit of expansion and growth in our support).
-
Following on from the shoutbox conversation, would be interested to see what people would GENUINELY contribute. Would you want to see a return (controlling stake/shares) for an investment in the club or just bequeath a figure as a gift?
The initial issue is the amount you would win in the lottery. If you pocketed £166 million then £10m is small change, still plenty to keep you in the Sunday Times Top 100 and change Motherwell for ever.
1./ So first question is if you did win, what is the minimum amount would result in you getting realistically involved? (usual steelmenonline suspects - getting 3 numbers and winning £10 then using some of it to buy a pie is not an option).
2./ 2nd follows on, based on your answer to question one, what percentage or amount would you put into the mix?
3./ Third is what would you want for your cash injection if anything at all?
4./ Fourth, if you won the whole £166m by yourself, what would you commit to MFC and what would you like to see done with it?
Lets try and keep it realistic, however I do imagine there are a couple who would advocate bringing in Messi and Xabi for a season or two.
Personally I'd look for sustained growth off the back of it, what happened 10-15 years ago was fun at the time but hindsight is a great asset to have.
-
Not that far fetched or crazy, look into how much the roof on the new sports complex cost opposed to making it 2 shoe boxes. There does appear to be a willingness from the planners/developers/council/Ravenscraig quango to go that extra mile.
I'd like to think if its up at Ravenscraig beside a state of the art indoor pitch and associated facilities that sort of thing would maybe help sway quite a few guys to us so we don't compete with the Killie's and Dundee Utd's of this world, its the Hibs and Hearts.
I forgot to add, on the top of the main stand, I'd put in 6 hotel rooms, so we can make money from Weddings, put players up until they get sorted, can be doubled up as corporate hospitality suites for matchday's and get fans in for the novelty factor. However in reality some first team player will end up in a tabloid kiss and tell with a gold-digger he met 1 hour before in Hype or under 19 will end up facebooking his sexual exploits in them when he was supposed to be getting physio.
At present there are no real revenue making retail/entertainment places in North Lanarkshire (except Showcase and Cumbernauld Mall - remove all the town centres as they are all mostly useless with rotten shops). Most of the population of our county goes to Hamilton, East Kilbride or Glasgow (Fort, Braehead, Silverburn or Centre) and contributes to their business taxes. If the council exhibit initiative and have insight (granted not always best bed-fellows) then hopefully Ravenscraig can be developed in the right way so it becomes something more than a suburb/adjoined town to Motherwell but a destination in itself.
-
I voted for a move, mainly down to the fact its progress and natural evolution of our club. I'm sure all through MFC's history there have been grumblings, when Glencairn and Alpha merged, when we switched from blue to C&A, its safe to say fans throughout the years have had their initial objections. However if you asked any of the current fans to go back, there would be a revolt and abject disgust (well on here anyway) at the thought of it.
I'd like to think that the decision makers have recognised the folly that a ACME Barr stadium brings to the feel and atmosphere generated and hopefully we can also address the safe standing issue for those fans who would want it. Talk to the guys just back from Aaelsund if you ever want convincing.
I'd like a landmark building (something in the same vein as the Falkirk wheel or Angel of the North) by which I mean the building itself generates interest and a residual income from visitors outwith matchdays. Ideally a catalyst to improve the general feel and improve the perception of the shire and a place where local businesses feel they have to be (borrowing a lot on what I've been told about Odense here).
On matchday itself I'd like to think the uniqueness would help increase our attendance year on year and see a opposition fans relish the prospect of a visit to FP (the same we do with a visit to Tynecastle).
I'd insist on a public area/piazza outside the stadium for fans to mill about and be entertained in the run up to the game.
I'd also look for the stadium to be used 24/7 by incorporating various complimentary businesses and facilities. Ideally a club shop with the ticket office to the rear, a couple of restaurants (one quality and one sports bar with generous helping US style) looking out onto the pitch so the club can piggyback off their popularity. Something that is a entertainment complex like what Xscape has achieved (however I don't know if it makes money - I suspect it does).
-
-
Best thing about that for me was the M74. It reminded me why non competitive matches are woeful. Dumbarton is now pied on Saturday.
Can't believe they cashed in and charged £10, I only had a fiver in my pocket so had to go and find an ATM. Bunch of 2nd division arses.
Jamie took his goal well, but you can't tell anything about anyone from that, Law looks nippy, just didn't present enough for me. Lasley was looking extra dreamy now he has topped up the tan.
NB I hope Randolph isn't being rested because a new club have stipulated it.
-
I was hoping this thread would die a death Steve.
However with respect to our resident sycophant ....
If you read my post I justified why I started with Humphrey on the bench, I actually took a lot of time to form an argument as I knew it was only a matter of time before your red mist descended. It wasn't intended as bait or a catalyst to get you involved, it was my opinion formed from watching them 30 times last season.
I'm not going to reiterate it, you can scroll back and see why I justified my decision. Personally I'd rather start more defensive than offensive and introduce Humphrey later when his pace will be up against tired legs. Stats say when any team goes behind they rarely go on to win. To have him in from the start would mean dropping a recognised midfielder for a pacey winger who's bread and butter crosses (while they improved over the season) were still a bit hit and miss.
I'm not prepared to do that in my hypothetical team.
-
With respect to the Reynolds debate, we sold him for £100k, if we get a definite first team starter back for a fraction of that its got to be seen as good business. Sadly, his stock has dropped which won't do his confidence any good, however there are a number of mitigating circumstances to explain why his move hasn't been as successful as he'd hoped.
Don't ignore the fact he's been played out of position in a new environment where up until then everything he's known about football has been at FP, round the corner from where he grew up.
I suspect he'd like to put the last 6 months behind him and (like Forbes) draw a line in the sand and see if he can engineer a Rory McIlroy style story starting in 6 weeks time. I can't see him doing anything before Christmas or the manager who brought him to the Owls washing his hands so early.
That rumour page that's been mentioned a few times on here is linking Humphrey with Southampton.http://www.football-rumours.co.uk/Motherwell.php
I thought according to that site he was off to Liverpool for £6m ....
Pre Season Match/Tour Thread
in Club Chat
Posted
Jesus wept, talk about overkill. This country is becoming obsessed with perceived risk and people trying to engineer situations to make themselves feel important and justify their posts.