weeyin

He didn't cost us anything, so it was zero risk on our part. Again, however, that is nothing to do with the fact that this highly rated EPL starlet wasn't good enough for an U20 starting spot.

Even if you believe League One isn't any better than our league (which was kind of my point), I'll bet any one of the clubs mentioned pays at least double the fee we received based purely on the fact he's playing in England now. A fee they could have paid us directly for him when he was playing just as well and at a similar level of competition. (Based on the English Championship games I watch most weeks, however, I'd say the the bottom half of that league is about SPFL level). As for Belic, West Ham (I'm told) thought Belic would be a first team contender based on the fact that they thought SPFL football was a doddle. As it turned out, he wasn't even good enough to get a game for our U20s.

Would be great if we get a few extra quid for the club if he moves on. Will still be annoying, however, that English clubs waited until they had seen him at Oxford for half a season given that his performances there haven't been any better than they were at Fir Park - and he's not playing at a higher level. Just another example of how little most clubs down south think of our game (aye, West Ham and Belic, I'm looking at you).

Steve might be hoping we have a new gaffer in by then.

Jules and Frear are like twins, so I can understand the media's confusion.

Just finished watching the game on Alba and 3 things sprang to mind: Our fans, and the Well Bois in particular, were much more vocal than the Kille fans - so kudos there. I really like the coverage Alba is giving to the non-OF and Championship teams. I still hate plastic pitches with a passion. Throw-ins that bounce back up to head height and players continually trying to kick balls that have bounced to waist height have no place in the game. It's fine for short passes along the deck, but outside of that it can be painful to watch.

We need some of those U20s with 5 A Highers in the team.

Seems like he's doing a job now he has some game time under his belt. McGhee always wanted a big striker as an option so it might be just what we need in the coming games. It's not going to be pretty.

Great penalty takers work on very fine margins. Guys like Davie Cooper could take it wide into the inside side netting or high into the roof of the net. Both impossible to save, but both very missable if a few inches out when you strike the ball.

Don't think he'll be short of offers down south - if that's where he wants to stay. Be happy to see him at Fir Park, though.

Not that is makes Scottish refs better, but I have never seen a Scottish as bad as the one in the Man Utd v Bournemouth game today. Not realising he'd booked a player twice was the smallest of all the mistakes he's made.

Good to see Robinson switch things up in plenty of time to affect the outcome.

I think it's fair to say Jules is a bit raw and inexperienced. Hopefully he's learning from his mistakes and delighted he got on the scoresheet. If Boyd had scored the pen I wouldn't have been too disappointed with a draw, but a wee bit of luck and a massive 3 points is even better.

When I was at school, the brightest of the bright didn't even get 5 A Highers. They must be a lot easier these days.

TBF, I don't think the plan was ever to throw Jules straight into a starting slot. I always thought Laing was OK though - but it was obvious McGhee didn't want him for whatever reason.

GPS data shows "trying" about as much as a polygraph shows "lying"

If it's true, and that is the only reason he got the job, then yes. If it has the same value as most of the rumours on here, then probably not. Blackburn have been in chaos since the Venky acquisition and with something like 8 managers in 7 years, I imagine anyone will struggle there.

The media loves to throw names about for any vacancy. Ex-OF player with Motherwell connections? He must be a favourite etc. etc.

And on that note, a recent piece I saw about "Footballers and the meaningless old chestnut of ‘not trying’" https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2017/mar/01/footballers-not-trying-premier-league-leicester-city

You realise he almost certainly didn't say that. How it normally goes is: Journo: "On a personal note, would you like to finish above Motherwell?" Laing: "Yes"

Aye, that was fun too. I was only interested in seeing us score 1 goal, as that meant we beat the record number scored in the First Division. Once we got that I wasn't too bothered. Wasn't it also the case that if Hearts drew, Killie needed to win by 5 or 6 to pip them to 2nd place on goal difference? And Killie were 5 or 6 up by half time.

I don't want to see us relegated, but I really enjoyed those 3 seasons in the lower league. Got to most of the home and away games, stood on the terraces at some old grounds no longer with us, and had the Accies rivalry at school. Staying up is vital for us this year, though.

People are a lot more forgiving of a striker missing a good chance than they are about a defender giving away a goal, despite the fact they have equal influence on the game.

If we ever need a complete clear out I hope we engage Jim Gannon on a short term contract to recruit some new players.

Last time we were hovering around the same situation the club said they had the resources to keep the same budget for one season in the Championship. An equally significant concern is the extra cash available next year, so we really don't want to miss out on that.