weeyin

Of course we can build. JBA has been revolutionary for us, but the style he plays is very common across most European leagues with teams big and small. The fact that it's unusual in Scotland speaks volumes about our approach to the game, but there is no reason we can't find a replacement who adopts a similar style. As I have said before, you only need to watch the "wee" teams who regularly beat Scottish sides in the European qualifying rounds to see how common our style is. In fact, I predict 2 or 3 other Scottish sides will be recruiting to copy us next season.

Especially considering we had a complete overhaul of our style and tactics at the start of the season. Earlier in the week JBA and SOD talked about "the journey" from where we were in our draw against Clyde and narrow win at Stenhousemuir. To come from that to (semi) serious title chat has been far more rapid progress than most of us could have hoped for. The next test is how do we sustain and build.

AI is great until you ask it a question on a topic where you have some knowledge. Then you quickly realise it's just a fancy google with a chatty interface. When I bought a new phone last year, I couldn't find a setting I was looking for. I asked ChatGPT and the response was "that model has not been released yet". I replied that it was released 3 months ago, and the next response was "You are correct", and then gave me the answer I needed about the setting. I certainly wouldn't trust it for anything critical.

Absolutely. It's one of those rare seasons I don't want to end. While I'd love to win a cup, I enjoy watching us perform at this level week-in week-out, and would be delighted to see us play the same way for another 38 games.

I was always against VAR because, as I said at the time, it was madness to think the same people making bad decisions on the pitch would somehow start making good decisions when they looked at video. It has turned out worse than I thought, because now they are intervening far more than the original claim of overruling "clear and obvious errors" and are practively refereeing games. When you add the ability to make decisions that change games in favour of big teams then the game, as they say, is gone.

Also agree about the mentality thing. We' re not perfect, but I see no evidence of a mentality issue. We always knew this approach would sometimes create mistakes that cost goals. It's an intense approach that, more than other approaches, needs all the players to be 100% switched on at all times and all players to be in sync at all times. I also think the amount of success and quality play we have watched tends to make errors stand out even more. A bit like when someones makes an aimless punt and there's a collective groan.

It does have a tendency to make things up. I asked the question again, then asked a follow up if it was Willie, not Bobby and it replied "It was Willie McCallum, not Bobby." Next time I asked, it bottled it and just listed "McCallum" instead of a full name, so maybe it is learning.

Bump

ChatGPT says (and sounds correct) Keith MacRae – goalkeeper Davie Whiteford Joe Wark Tam Forsyth Jackie McInally Bobby McCallum Dixie Deans Jim Muir Brian Heron – ⚽ scored Tom Donnelly – ⚽ scored Bobby Watson (captain) – ⚽ scored

All the holding in the box these days drives me nuts. I'm not aware of any changes in the rules, so it really needs to be cut out because it leads to so many inconsistencies in decisions. I'm not talking about jostling for position. I mean the arms around players, grabbing, shirt pulling and the like. Players are coached to do it, and they are coached because they can get away with it. Throw in the fact that teams like Celtic will get those decisions in their favour than teams like us, and it just adds to the frustration.

MOTM is now available.

It has been a blast and can't wait to see how we close it out.

Maybe. But I wouldn't be surprised to see Sparrow, SOD, McGinn and Longelo starting.

No, I haven't gone mad. Well I might have gone mad, but that's a separate issue. MOTM will be late today, so save your thoughts about the best player in our glorious 2 - 1 victory/unlucky draw/cheating defeat until I get a chance to update. --- Now it's had a chance to fester, take your pick.

All part of his management style, although he may well feel McGhee does fit into his plans.

Both options would be good value for money.

The only first team player I could have beaten in a race.

I hope their Director of Football at least borrowed Burrow's phone and made the call. Otherwise he does even less than I thought.

Poor St Mirren might never earn that right to play football now.

Do you at least know it's not a real ox we're talking about?

I'm in general agreement about the masked thuggery, but I'm OK with this guy: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c0rj2kq978qo “A masked fan unplugged a video assistant referee (VAR) monitor in a German second division match on Sunday as the referee went to the pitchside screen to check a penalty award“

Just when you thought the sectarian bigotry was bad enough, the thugs managed to set the game back another 50 years yesterday. 10 point fine for both, would be a good start, but the authorities will bottle it and make excuses. Away win for this game

Going down to 9 men blew it. When it was 10 v 10 we were well in the game. Also, we had what everyone agreed is our strongest 11 start yesterday, so no guarantees. I keep saying you need a slice of luck to win a cup. St Mirren's pen award is a great example.

So is Ox going to be the only Motherwell player to make it to a cup final this year? Assuming New Zealand don't pull of a shock, obviously.

Bugger. Take your pick...