StAndrew7
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Posts posted by StAndrew7
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14 hours ago, texanwellfan said:
Same starting line up as Saturday?
Only question mark for me is Davor to start in favour of Halliday.
They both bring different things but I prefer Davor's energy in the middle; granted, the same starting XI has seen us score 9 goals in the last 2 games, so would be fine with that.
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4 minutes ago, weeyin said:
If he hits 20, we should add another million to that price.
Ideal scenario, of course, is he signs and extension with a release clause so we get another 6 months or year out of him before he moves on.
5 or 6 goals for Canada this summer wouldn't hurt either.
I think the latter is the ideal scenario. If he can add some international goals and he gets some recognition on that stage we should absolutely cash in on him.
In an ideal world, we'd extend him before the summer and he does the above as well.
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1 hour ago, joewarkfanclub said:
With the re-structuring off the field and the potential for additional investment off it, or at least a re-invigorated Well Society and CEO, Im actually quite excited to see how it all plays out next season.
Absolutely this.
Someone over on P&B called this "the most interim season ever"; I think that sums things up really well. The fact we've been safe since effectively just before the split, have unearthed a gem in Bair and are looking at a real prospect in Miller, means it's definitely erring more on being a success, despite the turgid mid-season period.
There's been a lot of resetting done both on and off the pitch and Kettlewell should take at least some credit for getting rid of players who just weren't good enough; a significant number of them youngsters who our previous manager when he was Head of Youth Development... didn't develop.
Granted, he signed Wilkinson and punted him within 6 months, but him not fancying it up here isn't SK's fault. Obika should never have been given another deal based on his injury history, either.
We now have a new (and experienced/accomplished) CEO, prospective new investment from someone who at least appears to "get" the club and the fan ownership model and a reinvigorated Well Society.
One thing I will say on the WS front; in the next month(s) I'm hoping to see more from there outside social media posts of brainstorming sessions (although as I've said before; I'm not a member so don't receive any e-mails from them, so there may have been other communications sent I'm not aware of). I realise there's been a lot going on with the investment discussions etc. that will no doubt have taken up a bit of time, but there will come a point when I need to start to see something more substantial to believe the reinvigorated messages we've seen thus far to make me commit to taking up membership.
Edit: apologies, that strayed quite a bit off topic! 😬
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43 minutes ago, yosemite sam said:
Totally agree about this pleading poverty shit. I'm sick of hearing SK bleating on about we've not got a lot of money to spend etc etc etc.
Just get on with managing whatever budget we have, and don't keep emphasising the negative.
Find me a manager we've had who hasn't said the same in their time with us in the last 10 years. Every single one has discussed that working on a budget here means restrictions on the playing staff and needing players to be adept at two or three positions to plug the inevitable gaps/injuries over a season. It's not new, nor do I think Kettlewell goes on about it any more than those who preceded him. It could be far, far worse... he could be David "we've got nae cash" Martindale.
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49 minutes ago, wellfan said:
The Motherwell manager’s annual performance review:
Bottom six CHECK
Zero cup runs CHECK
Dismal winless run CHECK
Good guy CHECK
Tenth place or better CHECK
Congratulations, you've helped the club achieve its annual target of racing to the bottom. Well done, highly effective, now do the same again next season and you have a job for life.
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And for those who cannot detect the sarcasm in the above, yes, a manager who keeps us at 10th place at best every season has done well to a degree and shouldn't be automatically binned. You can't blame a manager for a club setting shit standards.
However, any club with such a race-to-the-bottom mentality as its minimum target for its manager will continue to tread water and achieve nothing other than an annual shit fight for 10th.
It's grim that the club budgets for (and seemingly tolerates) pathetic early exits from domestic cups on an annual basis, for example. Such a mentality puts zero pressure on anyone to achieve anything optimistic and is tantamount to rewarding failure. It's a results-driven business, not a job for the boys and good guys club.
Financial/budgetary and playing targets are fundamentally not the same thing though.
A football club is a business first and foremost and has to be run properly and prudently by its board, otherwise we'd be in the shitter debt wise. We're not, because the club has been run well over the last 10 years. It's been said on the investment options thread we're attractive for investors as a direct result of the profits and sustainability that we've delivered consistently. The seasons we've made those good profits, we've then invested in the squad by signing the likes of Kelly, Slattery etc.
There are bonuses tied to player's own and squad performances. The accounts for the last few seasons show higher payouts because of the collective bonuses for the squad finishing top-6, in Europe etc. Good cup runs and better results on the pitch result in higher money for the players. So we do provide incentives for players to do well in the cups and the league.
To suggest that a race-to-the-bottom mentality equates to good financial planning and business acumen, when there's performance based incentives in place for the entire squad just doesn't wash.
Edit: also, just did a quick check and this is the first season where we've not reached the quarter finals of one of the cups since 2019/2020.
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7 hours ago, David said:
The club has made it perfectly clear that it budgets for 10th and a bit of a cup run, but in no way aims for 10th place as a target.
Sorry to be that guy, but from what was said at the AGM we budget for exiting the cups at the earliest stage we can each season. It was essentially explained that anything above that is a bonus to be added to the pot for the following season, or January window that season etc.
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58 minutes ago, steelboy said:
Wilkinson moved on because he admitted himself he wasn't suited to the pace of the game in our league. Credit to the guy for being honest but he was a poor signing, it was clear watching him and Obika against Queen's Park that they wouldn't have anything to offer in the league.
I think Wilkinson had a bit more about him than Obika but agreed, his game just wasn't suited to up here. He got into decent positions but was never going to do it often enough as he was half a yard off it a fair bit.
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35 minutes ago, Kmcalpin said:
A tabloid rumour of courre and that comes with its own health warning. He'd be ok as a back playing the very rare game and on a low wage. Stick two decent wing backs out wide, some huge central defenders, and a midfield screen in front of him and he'll be fine.
Aye, agreed. Apparently Celtic are struggling to meet their home grown/Scottish quota next season, so I guess he'd make sense to have in their squad.
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1 hour ago, robsterwood said:
Just bought my 13 year old son the new home kit in January. £90 Weeks later they are selling two for price of one. Now we're getting new strip. Could it be possible to reduce price of strip with aim of achieving higher sales? Look at different manufacturers. I know this is limited to support but I know a few fans that don't buy the home kit due to price.
You'll struggle to find any shirt manufacturer/club that isn't looking to sell a replica kit for that kind of money nowadays, unfortunately. Football strips have always been expensive, but I would argue (particularly in Macron's case), the quality is worth it. I wear my collection regularly for 5s/7s as well as to matches and not one has any sign of wear and tear from that.
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2 minutes ago, David said:
Well, "wee Dougie" has spoken, everyone. Guess we should all just log out and come back when next season kicks off.
Back to the "computer football" it is.
I've legitimately got Football Manager booting up as I'm finished work for the day... I guess it'd be rude not to.
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2 minutes ago, weeyin said:
So it's either Peppa Pig with a hoop or Bairy McBair Face?
I'd take (Petrol) Bluey with a hoop.
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8 hours ago, SteelmaninOZ said:
Macron still the kit supplier?
Aye, did they not run some sort of fan design competition/suggestion thing earlier in the season?
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21 minutes ago, steelboy said:
In every game he's played opponents have run round him like he's not there. Why have him at all? It's just pissing money away and if the manager can't see that he's done then it's worrying.
The biggest issue with Davor is that he's a man down in possession. You can't have three centrebacks plus a midfielde who is only able to pass it backwards or five yards sideways. It makes the game easy for the other team.
I can't really argue with your logic re: Halliday but I'm willing to give him a chance for now but the initial signs aren't promising other than him being "fine" at points.
Davor's job is win the ball back and give it to someone who can play those passes. Not having that in our team isn't a reason to criticise his role; he's not got a left foot like Goss. Granted, when I did some research on him after he signed, I felt like he could be that role but he's not quite there yet. Hopefully he'll get there.
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19 minutes ago, Kmcalpin said:
I agree with most of that. I think Paton is underrated. He's no worldbeater but he brings an energy and mobility to the midfield no-one else does. I'm not convinced at all about Davor. Yes, he is the type of player we need, but he's just too lightweight.
Despite his pugnacious language, Steelboy has a point about our midfield. All season it has failed to protect our central defence. Now thats a down to a combination of factors: players being played out of position (some moreso than others), the wrong combination being fielded and just not having a solid out and out defensive midfielder. I've been really impressed with Lennon Miller, but feel that his best position is slightly further forward than where he's been deployed. I take your point about Halliday's fitness, but am wary about us placing too much reliance on him next season.
In short, our defensive frailties this term have not all been down to a shaky goalie and erratic central defence. That midfield weakness needs rectified. As we seem to be in a "Raith Rovers" mode right now, the kind of player we need is Scott Brown. However, I believe he's under contract form another year. A tenacious, hard tackling leader; thats what we need..
Yeah, I agree with all of that just about. Davor is great in terms of his tenacity and his enthusiasm; like, he really does love playing football and seems to be really enjoying himself at the club (I think him and Bair being best pals and how much he celebrates with Bair when he scores is evidence of that). He's a bit too small/weak at times, I agree, but some strength and conditioning work in preseason should hopefully help with that.
One of my biggest frustrations with Paton is his decision making; on numerous occasions he's waltzed through a few defenders into the 18 yard box, sometimes to the penalty spot and decided to play a backward or sideways pass. Just shoot the thing. With quick feet like that he's the kind of midfielder who could get 5+ goals a season from those situations if he just had the confidence to have a go.
I think you're correct re: the midfield; we definitely need a sitting 6 type DM; or a stronger 8 to play alongside Davor. I can't see anyone of our current midfield filling that role competently all season.
6 minutes ago, steelboy said:The idea that a preseason is going to turn Halliday around is magical thinking. His legs are gone and the opposition are already targeting him.
Obika was a total write off from the League Cup group stages this season. Halliday will be the same.
I don't think anyone is expecting Halliday to be a world beater or anything, just that he'll be slightly less off the pace than he has been at times this year when he's played. He could potentially fill that sitting 6 role if we need it, although it would reek of desperation to me; I'd rather he was used as back-up for the starting midfield, in whatever form it takes.
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1 minute ago, bobbybingo said:
Funnily enough, he did play in the top division.
Aye, was there at least a couple of seasons, I think? Spent at least one of them recovering from a bad injury.
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30 minutes ago, Toxteth O'Grady said:
Today's BBC gossip:
Aston Villa and Bournemouth are both interested in 17-year-old Lennon Miller, but Motherwell are working to convince the midfielder to stay at the club at least until the end of his contract in 2025. (TeamTalk)
His deal's up in 2026. 🙄 🤔
I'm assuming TeamTalk mean the end of next season so we can give him another year in the league and build his value.
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Will never forget it... Was laid up on the sofa with norovirus and didn't make it so watched on Sky.
To say I shat myself with joy when the 6th went in probably wouldn't be far from the truth. 🤣
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31 minutes ago, weeyin said:
Me too. But plenty don't rate him. I thought our strongest lineup included Miller, Spittal and Slattery.
Technique wise I'd agree, but I think Davor coming into the team has really allowed Miller and Spittal to play a bit more because he screens the defence far better than the three of them do together. He doesn't do anything that dazzles but he does a really good job of the stuff that's underappreciated.
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4 minutes ago, wellfan said:
We have Moses Ebiye here next season, and I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do after a full pre-season.
Aye, point well made. I think he'll be fine. Would be pleased with 10 or so goal contributions from.
Quite a few folk have written him off already.
He's averaged 12.5 mins on the park over 4 appearances, scored one and should have had an assist if it weren't for Oli Shaw being OLI FUCKING SHAW.
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4 minutes ago, wellfan said:
I guess this means the following, but I'm happy to be corrected by those in the know.
- Kelly must be away.
- St Johnstone fans seem keen on bringing Rooney back. Where would this leave SOD? McGinn will hopefully sign a new deal, and I assume the mysterious Elliot will be away.
- Obileye didn't have a good game for Livi on Saturday, but he is likely an able replacement for Butcher and Mugabi.
- Would Easton fill the Spittal-shaped gap? What about Nicholson? The latter played well in the spaces on Saturday.
- The new LB won't be Gent, sadly.
I doubt we'll declare any signings until the season's conclusion, and we'll likely announce the clearout first with one of those end-of-season player contract updates.
Aye, agreed.
Gent is very much in the mould of someone who Blackburn had never even thought about and is now very much in their plans, or at the very least to be sold off the back of his performances up here (like Furlong, but maybe we'll see him again 👀).
I'd like to keep Nicholson as he definitely has a spark of something we've been lacking at times when Spittal has been off it and if we do and Easton is coming in I guess that signals intention around attacking options. i.e. sticking with a lone striker well supported by two others. Would leave Ferrie and one other (probably to be brought in) as back up to Bair.
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I wasn't at the game on Saturday but had a few mates report on some of the rumoured signings, most of which are on P&B now too:
- "experienced" keeper
- Shaun Rooney
- Ayo Obileye
- Dylan Easton
- A left back
Now we've got safety sorted, will be interesting to see if we make any announcements on incoming players. Personally I'd only want them to be announced if they're finished their seasons. I don't think it's right to declare a signing who's still playing for a club/has games remaining.
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1 minute ago, Kmcalpin said:
Ah so its still King Louis.
For now. Equaling his highest ever league tally is quite the feat for someone who was written off by a significant number of our support. And what, 10/12 of them have been since the turn of the year?
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30 minutes ago, Kmcalpin said:
Absolutely. There's criticism and there's abuse. It's a fine line to tread. Downright abuse isn't acceptable. Footballers though aren't totally blameless. Quite a few behave in such a way that if they did so in the same way off the the pitch they'd be arrested and charged. Its about rough and tumble banter but with respect.
Some footballers, yes.
Bair and SODs have probably had the worst of it from our support this season in my experience; they're model citizens on and off the park. Georgie Gent another one. The kid's what, 19/20? How does he warrant the abuse and vitriol he's had at points.
People had made up their mind about Bair before he'd kicked a ball and based on what, exactly? In depth analysis of his time at St Johnstone, watching every minute he'd played? Nah. They saw an easy target and went for him.
New Investment Options
in Club Chat
Posted
I wouldn't say that's entirely fair on the WS. The new board was elected in October and have been working on their vision since then; before any sort of investment video was released etc. The potential for investment will no doubt have given them that kick to get things moving more quickly, I agree, but that doesn't mean they weren't already working on revamping the WS from where it was.
As @Kmcalpin says, the WS board needs to come up with the goods (sooner rather than later, in my view) given where we are. I'm not a member, so can't comment on if any significant/members only communications that have gone out, but it's been awful quiet considering it's been over 6 months since the elections took place. That doesn't mean there's not a flood of announcements/information to come in the close season, though. There's probably been a fair bit of involvement on the WS end in the negotiations/discussions with EB which could have impacted on progress, given the board are all volunteers with a finite amount of time available.
It's been six weeks since the statement from the club on exclusivity being agreed with Barmack and Co. and other than the BBC's interview and Gavin McCafferty's article in the days following, things have (correctly) been kept under wraps. There was the odd social media post of him being at the games and meeting with the WS board representatives, but that's it.
I wouldn't be surprised if we start to hear more after Sunday's game; it would make sense to get the season over and start to announce things from there.
Also, just a final point; there's no reason that the two visions; EB's and the WS' can't work together, if WS/fans retain majority ownership of the club. EB's ideas for promotion of the club etc. could be a fantastic asset to growing the WS membership, beyond our traditional support/markets.