Yir Elder

At this stage of the Europa League there is only a week between ties, hence anyone who wants to go has a few days to get time off and book flights etc. Obviously at short notice this increases cost and is not doable for everyone. I'd love to be able to go but its a non-starter, particularly financially. I don't consider myself any less of a Well fan for not going, any more than those who do would consider themselves to be the best. Over 2,000 Well fans made it to Llanelli last year and 3,000 the year before to Nancy, but that was due to the relative ease in getting there plus a more realistic time frame to organise the trip. For Motherwell fans EVERY European match is a biggie. There was a gap of thirteen years between our UEFA Cup clashes with MyPa-47 in 1995 and AS Nancy in 2008, so we know that after this season it could be years before we qualify again. We will never take it for granted, but I do understand why you do with Man U. Let's stop this silly bickering and name-calling and just accept that some supporters have different outlooks as regards supporting their team.

It would do no-one any good for Paul Slane to have a loan spell with us. His presence could cause consternation in the dressing room, and most fans would be against it and give him pelters every time he was on the pitch, which could have an adverse affect on the team as a whole. No, he's made his bed and he's going to have to lie in it.

Great news that Radio Scotland will broadcast the game live, hope their phone line holds!

Doubt we'll even get the luxury of radio coverage, so it looks like we'll be following the club's twitter page is the best option we'll have. Team wise I'd probably go along similar lines, although Saunders will be pushing for a start. Tactically I wouldn't be gung-ho but would be looking to kill the tie off as early as possible. 2-0 Motherwell on the night.

Not doubting you Dodge, but that sounds like a load of pish to me. I'm certain that many European stadia have bucket seats, and as Lobey Dosser stated we used all those seats against Nancy. What will happen if we get through to the final qualifying round and draw a real big side? Will UEFA compensate us for 1500 unsold seats at £15 a pop? It seems an unnecessary and pointless rule, if it is indeed a rule.

Spot on.

It only becomes really interesting IF we qualify for the next round, which isn't guaranteed yet!

I thought Lasley, Jennings and Hammell were good, but my vote went to Mark Reynolds who strolled through the game.

It was a win without conceding, which is the most important thing in a European home game. Yes we were a bit rusty, and we noticeably tired towards the end, and it was then that the lack of a strong bench was obvious. However, we did play with patience and were defensively solid by and large, except for early in the second half. We missed another striker hugely when we put two delicious crosses in front of goal in the first half without a finishing touch being applied. That said we did miss a creative spark too, someone who could run at them and do something different. That for me is a more important signing than a striker right now. Delighted for Forbes getting the goal, he wasn't great tonight but he seems a confidence player who flourishes when things go well. His goal takes him level with Jamie Murphy on four European goals, only one behind Kirkie. Time will tell if one goal will be enough tonight. Breidablik were a well organised, neat and tidy outfit who linked and passed well. There wasn't too much of a goal threat, but they pose a danger for sure. Mind you, it will be interesting to see how they cope with having to take the game to us next week.

I noticed that Michael Fraser is still on the club's books. Surely if we can offload him that'll free up enough wages to able another permanent signing?

Here you!!! A big shiny programme suggests a big game, that's what I was alluding to! Plus the fact that's its the first competitive match of the season, that is in itself exciting. Shame a crabbit fella like you canny see that....

Beginning to look forward to the game now, especially with the bumper programme advertised on the official site, looks fantastic. Crowd wise I'd expect anything between 4500-5000 which would be pretty good. Assuming we make no signings before tomorrow this is the team I'd go for: Randolph Saunders Craigan Reynolds Hammell Humphrey Lasley Jennings Forbes Murphy Sutton I'm not sure Hateley is fit enough to start, but both he and McHugh will be very useful subs to have later in the game. In terms of a prediction its very tough, but I'd be happy with 2-0 or better, with Sutton and Murphy the likely threat for the Icelanders.

I just wonder at the financial impact for the club here. With two 12 noon kicks offs on a Sunday, who is going to roll up to the Cooper for a pre-match pint or five? Will they be able to open at that time anyway, given the licensing laws? What about the corporate hospitality aspect? And as a contributer to One Step Beyond, the moving of the Hibs game could affect our sales that day!! Seriously though, 12 noon is too early for a game, especially when considering the travelling for both home and away fans.

Its good from a confidence point of view, because although these games don't really matter its good to get wins on the board. We won't be over-confident though as all the wins were narrow, and most of the squad got some good game-time too. Bring on Thursday!

On what I've seen of Shukes in the two friendlies so far, he'd be worth a contract. A diminutive midfield schemer who runs at defenders, but can also get stuck in. Plays out wide and also in an advanced midfield role. Took his goal well and prompted well, the question is do we have the money to sign him?

Not long back from Forfar. It proved to be much tougher than Tuesday night, but then again it was far from our first choice team. We ended the game with a midfield of Lasley, Meechan, Reynolds and Halsman, so to win this one was pretty good. Forfar were up for the game, and put us under pressure, particularly in the air. We conceded a bad goal from a long throw, but did defend well under a barrage of high balls. Shukes goal was tremendous, and for me he'd be a good signing. Sadly, Gazapo didn't impress so I can't imagine he'll stay for long. Our third trialist Rhys Weston seemed tidy enough and did okay at right back. Decent Well support, certainly a few more than the 100 or so at Brechin. Also good for some youngsters like Hutchinson, Page, Meechan and Halsman to get a run out against some big hardy lads, will do them no harm at all. Nice wee ground too, with a vocal home support. Onwards now to Ayr!!

According to reports this morning wee Jamie is a serious doubt for the Europa League ties after picking up the injury at Brechin last night. Craigie is quoted in the piece so it must be true. This is a real blow, and Brown himself said we are short of strikers. Perhaps this means we'll have to make a signing before the deadline on Friday. Bad news for Jamie though, hope its not too bad. (edit) amended title as its his ankle he injured!

Nice trip up north for the game, and a very decent wee ground too. Had an old ramshackle main stand, a new modern-ish stand behind our goal, a covered terrace at the far end and a shallow wee terrace with hedge behind along the other touchline! Fitba wise it was typical friendly stuff early on, and we should've gone behind as they missed a sitter. Second half was much better though, with three good goals and a much sharper performance. Thought Shuker looked the better of the two trialists, but it wouldn't be fair to judge Gazapo too harshly on one run out. Reckon we'll see the likes of Fitzy, McHugh, Hutchinson and other trialists Rhys Weston on Thursday at Forfar. Still possibly looking for a lift to that one, if anyone would be kind enough! Well done to Grimmy et al for early laughs too, mental!!

Aye, this coming Friday. I expect that we'll see a strong side but with a couple of youngsters and maybe a trialist on show too. We'll probably mix things up over the Brechin and Forfar games to allow the whole squad game time. Results aint important, but wins are good to build confidence. Any win with a clean sheet will do me.

Looks like a potentially good signing. He seems a big imposing keeper in the same mould as Ruddy, which is exactly what we need. Welcome aboard 'Randy'! Also, best of luck to big Giles, sure he'll be a huge success for the Owls.

If anyone is taking their car to Brechin and/or Forfar and is willing to put up with me as a passenger, can you PM me please? Haven't been to those grounds so keen to tick them off my list! Thanks in advance.

I understand that we have money in the budget for a keeper and a striker, but I'd have thought we could also sign one more player outwith Reynolds potential sale, given that we made an offer to Giles Coke. What has happened to that wage?

Don't agree mate. There will be a number of teams worse than us next season. Not saying we'll make the top six, but I can't see us being involved in a relegation scrap.

Think there's only no sponsors info on the season tickets because no deal has been signed yet. Certain we will have a major sponsor for next year, but obviously the club didn't want to hold back on distributing the season tickets much longer. Nothing to worry about I'm sure.

Given that Southend have released Alan McCormack, I expect one or two on here to push for his signature. Might be the wrong time though, given that we have Lasley, Jennings, Hateley, Fitzpatrick and Forbes on board already, with Coke still a possibility too. For me our priorities are a good 'keeper, a winger and a striker.