EastStandWellFan

The thing you also need to think about is that the first leg in each tie was the first time JG had been the opposition other than on DVD. With the number of SPL matches played on a Sunday and Monday night, he will have an opportunity to go to matches and watch them play before we face them. Stuart.

I sort of see your point - that was my initial reaction. However, if their reserve side includes Giggs, Neville, Vidic, Hargreaves, Owen and Scholes then I don't think there will be too many complaints. Stuart.

One of the most pleasing aspects of this Europa League campaign has been the interaction between our fans and those of Llanelli, Flamurtari and Steaua Bucharest. Many of their fans have posted on here over the past month or so and we've seen a number of them travel here for the games, culminating in a great turnout of Steaua fans who contributed to such a fantastic atmosphere last night. Circumstances meant that I was unable to get to any of the away legs but I know from experience of Nancy last year that those hardy souls who travelled to Albania and Romania, not to mention the thousands who journeyed to South Wales, had a great time and were warmly received by the locals. I hope the visiting fans all had a great time here - it was great to see them outside the ground, exchanging scarves, posing for photographs etc. When you read about the trouble caused by our fellow countrymen from Glasgow it is heartening to know that our fans can travel and mix well. Thanks are due to all the fans of Llanelli, Flamurtari and Steaua Bucharest for the efforts they went to make Motherwell fans welcome. Good Luck for your upcoming seasons. It's now down to JG and the players to get us into a third consecutive European adventure. Stuart.

Heads held well and truly high. The score last night is harsh on us - does not reflect the balance of play, and for an hour or so we were by far the better side and deserved to be further ahead. The very least we deserved was a draw on the night. The aggregate score is a bit of a sore face but I'm not disheartened - the aggregate Nancy score was 3-0 and I was really let down by both games and perfomances (not the trip to Nancy though!). Looking back to the UEFA Cup we just didn't compete anything like we should have whereas last night we controlled the game for at least 60% of the time and saw some great individual performances. Considering where we were at the start of July and the despair after the Llanelli defeat I think we have grown immensely in five short weeks - Jim Gannon is showing us all the attributes the Stockport fans told us about and I have no doubt at all that the future is very bright. I think we will look back on this Europa League campaign fondly - it was a typical Motherwell roller coaster ride. An inexplicable defeat to Llanelli in the first game , 8 goal demolition of Flamurtari, one of the best Motherwell performances in Europe (up there with Dortmund away) against Steaua Bucharest, the emergence of young talent like Slane, Forbes and Hutchison, rebirth of John Sutton and the discovery of Jim Gannon as a shrewd, intelligent and likeable manager . Stuart.

Murphy to Hamilton ? Only if his career advisor is Fraser Wishart. Stuart.

Very mean spirited response. Totally uncalled for. Nice to see the first law of correcting the grammar and/or spelling of someone else - you make a mistake yourself. Muppet. Stuart.

Whilst it is unlikely that we will turn this around.........football has a habit of surprising you. An early goal for us is crucial - just think back to the pandemonium when we went a goal up against Flamurtari. If we do score early, then it's game (almost!) on. Steaua are a quality side, and as mentioned earlier they really should be in the Champions League, by far the best football side we have played against in many a long year, and a defeat to them is no embarrassment - despite what the meeja are trying to tell us. You can be sure a defeat for either of the OF would have seen them described as "gallant" or "brave". If we fail to go through, I will view this as a genuine European campaign, where we won two ties after losing the first leg, where our new manager was put straight in at the coal face, young players emerged, and the squad in general got valuable competitive match experience before the start of the SPL season........and the fans got to ride the Motherwell roller coaster through the summer months. BELIEVE - the dream is not over yet !! Stuart.

Iss yourr keyboardd stuckk Stuart.

Maybe when you have had a few more matches under your belt. It was his first game . Stuart.

Agree with Ernie. We've seen guys in the past who have storming debuts but turn out to be rubbish and vice versa. Stuart.

No disgrace in that result at all - some sloppy defending hurt us but in all honesty Steaua are way ahead of us in all departments. Ruddy was immense and looks to be a great signing. Will have been a great learning experience for JG and the team - hope the fans had a great trip. Sporting gesture from the Steaua players at the end, nice to see that. Can't wait for next week - an early goal and who knows......so long as we score it !! Stuart.

Who's knife will we use....... Stuart.

What he said - on all counts. Stuart.

We were ripped apart there - superb goal. Crucial we get an away goal. Stuart.

ONE JOHN RUDDY !! MON THE WELL. Stuart.

http://www.justin.tv/ana0ana/popout This is working for me. Stuart.

I can't get sopcast to download Site is just stalling. Stuart.

I've been thinking about which of his goals I remember most - and it wasn't for us ! It was Paul's goal which he scored for Falkirk in the 1997 Scottish Cup semi final replay against Celtic which took the Bairns to the final. I remember celebrating that goal and result as though it was a Motherwell game - was delighted for him. Circumstances were similar to ours in 1991 - drew the first game with Celtic, and according to "experts" you don't get a second chance against the Old Firm ........oh really ! Stuart.

Actually, those are not Gannon's words. The journalistic legend that is Neil Cameron added his own take on the progress since Gannon arrived between quotes. For what it's worth I think Hammell is part of Jim's plans. Stuart.

If the latest news is confirmed that just makes this whole situation even more tragic. I didn't realise Paul had two young children, our thoughts are obviously for them at this time. Desperately sad news. God willing, we will get a result tonight which would be a fitting tribute for him. Hope you are now at peace Paul. Stuart.

Absolutely stunned by this news. Totally shocked. Too many former players going too soon. 37 is far too young to be taken. RIP. Stuart.

BBC Scotland still have the Monday night "highlights" package on terrestrial. Between them Sky and ESPN will show the same number of matches as Setanta did - 60. Only downside is that you now need two subscriptions to see them all. Upside is if you are already a Sky Sports subscriber - you only need to pay for ESPN, which at £9 is cheaper than Setanta's standalone subscription and from what I have read, the ESPN package is going to be very attractive - they have signed contracts with some of the top European leagues, US Major League Soccer together with the other US sports which ESPN have the rights. Stuart.

1.What position in the SPL will we finish ? 4th 2.How far will we get in the Scottish Cup? Quarters 3.How far will we get in the Co-op Cup? Semi Final 4.How far will we get in the Europa League (if we beat Steaua Bucharest)? Hopefully we will beat Steaua, but if we do the Group Stages may be beyond us. Despite that, to have played in three rounds is a fantastic achievement. Stuart.

Signed for the giants that are Norwich City ! Stuart.