weeyin

This thread has reminded me that I did see him play in a testimonial. Racking my brains, I think it must have been the "Motherwell Old Boys vs Radio Clyde DJs" warm-up at Joe Wark's game, where he lined up with Wilson Humphries among many others. (If it wasn't that one, it was certainly around that time).

And if you include cup games, he racked up 105 goals in 144 games. Impressive stats in an equally impressive team. Sadly never got to seem him play, but I do remember the season he was manager at Fir Park.

This Fir Park Corner article reckons over 25,000. (Given how we counted attendance in those days, I imagine this is as accurate as you'll get).

As well as being a great player, he was the manager that brought his ex-Liverpool team mate Bobby Graham to Fir Park. And for a long time he had the record for fastest hat trick in Scottish football.

Clubs never reveal their hands when it comes to signings and contract negotiations. Agents are the biggest shysters on the face of the planet. Fans make up wild conspiracy theories based on their own prejudices. No facts were harmed in the making of this story.

They've beaten us once (1 - 0) in the last two seasons. They can't have that many players better than ours.

I agree. It's such fine margins and most teams around us are so close in terms of form and talent, it's often circumstance that can make or break a season. In our case, some early key injuries plus the lack of goals at the outset set us on a bad path. I always said we had sufficient talent to comfortably avoid relegation and I think the Hibs game showed that. A typical "what might have been" season.

Even with crowds, we were the only Premiership team last season to average more points away from home than at home. Due in no small part, I'm sure, to the fact we are much better at counterattacking than we are breaking down teams that sit in.

I'm sure the lack of crowds don't help. I'm imagine managers are used to screaming at the ref most weeks - it's just that the ref doesn't hear them.

In with a shout, and much less stressful to be looking up the table. I'd also suggest that as part of the ground renovations we build a nice comfy chair for Alexander in the O'Donnell stand. I think he'll be there more often than the Centenary Club members.

After the decent start under Alexander it makes you wonder what the hell happened in the Accies and St Johnstone games. Great reaction though, and unlucky not to get the full 6 points from the last two matches.

Supersub Kirky still our lucky charm.

Cadden and Murphy back to haunt us. (Just putting this here for reference the next time the patter is rolled out).

I'm a big fan of Kelly's time-wasting tiny steps when he tries to pretend he's actually running fast to take a free kick.

Btw - that pitch.

It's almost like giving a player a consistent run in his best position improves his form.

Tuned in late to the start of the 2nd half. Did I miss anything?

Pleasing.

I think people confuse Long's demeanour with his ability, He reminds me a bit of Alan Rough when he played. Continuously scunnered.

We either develop the youngsters in the first team knowing they will make mistakes (but gain experience) or we don't. I know which approach I prefer.

I don't think I've ever been to game in Paisley where I didn't get soaked. Decent 2nd half performance and stopped the temporary slide. Onwards and upwards.

Unless the teams around us also lose their next two games as badly as us etc. etc.

That would be ridiculous. If it was in Nandos, that would be a different story.

I suggested earlier in the thread that the club and Gallagher should be able to negotiate a contractual solution agreeable to both parties. Maybe I'm the source.

Any time a team is struggling the knee-jerk reaction is complaining about "lack of passion", "lack of commitment", "no leadership", etc. 99 times out of 100, however, it's just a lack of confidence; often after some bad luck and/or a small run of bad results. You don't need to look any further than Livi to see how the same core of players can turn things around in a short space of time. One of the best players I have ever seen at Fir Park is Joe Wark. He was the captain the first time I saw us relegated, and he was the captain for the years we struggled to get out of the First Division. If you ever wanted an role model for commitment, passion and leadership, he was the man. We were still mince that relegation season.