Tartan Copper

Well done to all the team, great away win, some good spells of pressure, another great performance from Humphrey, Reynolds held firm at the back. Humphrey MOTM, for me.

I dont think Gow will start to be honest, agree with Blackman, but Casagolda will be on the bench, Humphrey sure to start. Agree with the Sutton thing, think we might see Hateley still on the park. Would like to see Lasley dropped to the bench and Forbes put in. I reckon the break would of done the guys a world of good, can see an away win. Murphy and Blackman on the score sheet.

Humphrey has a Scottish Grandmother

Perfect answer, my thoughts exactly, if i am honest out of Lasley and Hateley we know that Hateley can offer the option of Right back... what other option does Lasley offer ? not a great deal, yes he is a workhorse, but clumsy around our box and almost non existent in the opposition box. So the short of it would be Lasley on the bench to join Sutton. Whos to say that Gow is good enough @ present to walk straight into the team, only time will tell. If he was on form as we speak he would not be at Motherwell, like already metioned in previous threads, in his position they are treated like commodities if Swindon gave up on him he cant be worth chasing. That aside, that can only be a good thing for Motherwell, even if this is only a whistle stop tour, if it brings success crack on lad.

Now tell me why would you want our most attacking player thus far, being dropped to the bench, Gow will have to work for his position. I disagree with putting Humphrey on the bench he is on form at the mo, less the Celtic game.

Yes true mate, but he seems to be commanding, thought he was solid against us. Someone like him instead of Reynolds or Craigan, would be a good mix, we lack pace, which has undone us on a few occasions recently. Dont get me wrong Reynolds is the best we have got, but keeping him will affect his sell on. Gannon did ok with the youngsters, wasnt a thrashing every game. I liked his set up. And to be fair as a manager i liked him too. Because of him Craigan and Lasley work alot harder now as they know there not bullet proof anymore.

My thoughts, i was impressed with Page when he has came off the bench. We need a centre half like that Hibs guy, big fella, cant remember his name is it Bamba, solid as a rock.

It looks more and more likely that Reynolds is staying put, but could we cope without him ? My opinion is that we could easliy cope without him, we missed an opportunity getting rid last year when he was talk of the town. As the season goes on his price is going down, his form has dipped and his passing is poor. Who could play an equal part in the team and not cost us a penny ? Would our campaign be affected without him ? Please discuss

Gannon got it right a majority of the time. Learn to pass the ball from the back (its simples) We panic when in possession at the back which make Reynolds and Craigan hoof it into the east stand or fifty feet over the wingers head. Not sure we need another striker, the strikers we have need to learn there trade, it takes time but it can be done. Regardless where the crosses go, if its in the 18 yard box its a chance.. Back to basics from defence through midlfield, then to your outlets, be it wingers or strikers moving off the ball.

Think it was on Sky Sports today sometime, on the info bar... 200k would make sense at a push, ill try and confirm.

I think we have shot ourselves in the foot with Reynolds, apparantly Swansea offered 700k plus, to tell you the true he isnt worth that, and the longer the season goes on for this lad the lower his price will be. We could of done with that money. Sorry but he is not performing, we have lost out on 700k.

I think the foundation is there, but we need the link player in the middle to create the telling ball, unfortunately they cost alot of dosh, Look down south for a young midfielder sitting in the reserves of a championship team should do the trick(loan). But who, thats the question, give Gannon a call he will have a list of them. I still reckon that its a top 5 finnish, Hibbs have lost STOKES to Celtic so that will hamper there chances. Stay positive, its cup year.

Tricky one to call really, Lasley probably put the most effort in, but did not create anything. I would have to go with Randolph, great few saves, was the best of an average bunch today. Craigan poor again, distribution to the east stand is becoming more frequent. Thought young Page done ok. Chins up i feel its Cup year for us.

To be fair, Humphrey came up against a very tallented left back, amongst others he was off his game, he wont come up against better left backs than him this season. On the whole 1 - 0 was a fair result, yes disappointed but i wouldnt start throwing the towel in just yet, there are weaker teams in this league and i still think we can finish top six if the main players stay fit. Hibs who were arguably the contenders for a top six spot have now lost there main threat up front Stokes to Celtic, so this can only aid our campaign. Keep the chins up, have a good two week recuperating and lets start again, fresh and enthusiastic, never know it could be CUP year.

Well i reckon that Sundays game could not have came at a better time, ok Celtic lost at the same stage as us, but under totally different circumstances, they were HUMPED, big time Motherwell were the better team over the two legs, the difference between the teams was Utaka basically and are poor defending. Celtic Sunday will prove a great test but not an impossible test, i believe we can beat them, we have the pace and the ability to pull it off. Team would be the same team as thursday. Although i would like to see Craigan dropped to the bench. (But thats another story) That wont happen as he seems to be bullet proof. Ok realistically speaking, Bring Jennoe back in sit Hately on the bench. Stick with Blackman up front, Murphy wide left, Humphrey wide right, Sutton supporting Blackman. As stated on other posts, most of the crosses from Humphrey seem to be going long or in and around the back post, Murphy could cut inside from the left to support the move going forward from the right, and that is were the attack of the back post will come into play, Murphy is arguabally our best header of a ball. When attacking from the left Sutton drop off to the back post looking to put the back into the danger area, ie 6 yard box were Blackman would be my best bet to be able to create an opportunity. It seems pretty basic but it works more ofter than not. A high tempo will suit Motherwell, and the back 4 of Celtic are not the quickest in the SPL. Defending will have to be top notch, and no silly fouls around the 18 yard box (Lasley) Celtic will come and try and play football, to try and prove they are not as bad as their result suggested, they will expect Motherwell to sit back, that cant be the case attack from the first whistle and get them on the back foot, then the nerves from Thurs drubbing will hunt them and then mistakes will happen, Players will start to go AWOL, as they will fear the halftime Tea throwing.... Come on Motherwell have a real go at them and send them home with a black eye from the big Brown Meister.

First of all i must say that this has been a fantastic effort by the club to get this far, yes gutted like most we did not manage to get through, and what would of been an easy looking group, well compared to the others that is. Anyway about last night overall, it was just one of those nights, on another night it could of been four or five for or against us. I do think its time to change the team a bit, we cant really do much about the midfeild or Strikers as we have no other options that we have not tried already, it was clear last night we dont have the ability to pass the ball from the back forward, without the long punt up field, one thing i read in an earlier message was the theory that Gannon used, this might be treading on thin ice with a few fans but i believe we should start using Craigan less and intergrate the youngsters back into the starting line up, Gannon done this and it worked fine, this would inject more pace, an ability to actually make a pass instead of the predictable lump up feild. Saunders and Hutchinson can be a formidable partnership, young enthusiastic, with a little bit more pace required at this level in the SPL. Yes i know Crags is an international player but he is not our future, also throw Page in there at right back. Game time for these lads will prove the future of the club, use Crags as more of a mentor, he does not seem as commanding lately, and more and more he is being caught short. I am expecting this thread to get smashed so ill look forward to any comments. Take cover

Agree with you mate, i actually went for Craig BROWN man of the match for the knock out punch in the tunnel, but player wise Humphrey for me, he is doing all the right things just needs that fine tuneing.

Ditto . Lips deflated, humour reinstalled.

With regard to your response above, i wondered how long it would be untill your CAPS LOCK one liner would return. That aside your bottom comment actually meant something to me, and just so you dont feel as though your dig was wasted on me, its highly unlikely that he will punt my b/f onto the subs bench, as you so childishly suggested. Roger out.

Forgive me not knowing this, but what position does he play, i heard something on the radio yesterday... linking him to a few clubs and that his wage demands are outrageous for any other team less the top two......Is he a striker

To be honest a like this line up mate, ok Sutton is not in great form, but he will put a good shift in, Lasley will need to play the lead role in midfield and quite possibily the game of his life, he will need to control his tackles in and around the area, as the main threat to us will be set pieces in and around the penalty box. I like the lad Blackman with his strength and touch he could prove the difference between the two teams.

We have a few dicisions to make ahead of the game on Thurs, regarding the midfield and up front. Who replaces Jennoe ? Please discuss Do we go with Blackman or Sutton ? Please discuss

Well done the lads, great result, It sounded like the HUMPHREY cross was out of this world. Just what we need to see more often, great set up for Thurs, clash of the Titans. 3 Points away from home, perfect.

Here Here......B-A-H-B (Be A HUMPHREY BELIEVER) Get in BLACKMAN,BATEMAN,BATMAN.....