joewarkfanclub

Looking forward to seeing how we fare against an 11 man Dundee United and finding out if Goodwin really has become a convert to The Church of Jens. If he has, we might be able to get some joy up top. But will we be able to keep the door shut at the back? Could be an interesting game. Would shake hands on a draw right now. But back to back wins would be a pretty nice feeling going into the break.

Maybe Alfred needs to do a Jens and go without a recognised striker? Problem with that is he would have to give up going long, unless it is the ball over the top for Maswanhise to chase.

Vigurs was a talented footballer. His problem was the desire to be one. No hunger, no fight. When the going got tough, he went missing. But then, I guess thats why someone with his ability was with us in the first place and not playing at a higher level.

I thought Kanga had a decent second half. He struggled first half with the pace & physicality of the game, slipping a fair few times on a slick pitch. But he grew into the game and was one of the few constantly showing for a pass into midfield. He is young and inexperienced, but I think the raw materials are there.

Another good performance and a point next week at Tannadice, and we can go into the international break feeling good about ourselves. 3 points would be great, but no longer essential.

Pretty much the point I was trying to make. Playing Hodge alongside Priestman and Fadinger should, in theory, allow us to keep better control of the ball and hence the game. But Lowry is our most creative midfielder so you have to play him if fit. That leaves you an issue with formation as it doesnt fit a traditional 4-3-3. Bottom line is you need to get your best players playing in their best positions, so formation needs to be flexible right now. The caveat is that Im not sure Alfred is 100% sure on who his best players are yet.

I think Oscar, Fadinger and Lowry are probably our strongest midfield 3. I think the problem you then have is who plays alongside them and what formation you are going to play. Its going to be interesting to see what Alfred does going forward and who he trusts.

Thought Hodge had a pretty good game until he was subbed. His yellow card was a joke. Said and Manny very good. I voted for Oscar. I know he only got 30 minutes, but he showed in that short period what we have missed. His work rate, dynamism and calmness in possession are different class. Cant wait until he is ready to start again.

Hopefully today buys Alfred some time. The performances over the last couple of weeks have been getting steadily better. The players are clearly working hard for each other, so any talk of the dressing room being gone was clearly off the mark. With Oscar, McGinn and Hendry all back, the squad is starting to look stronger again. If we could get Lowry, Williams and Johnny K back I think we will be in much better shape. No sackings this side of the international break at least!

By miles the better team today. Played some really nice stuff and should have been 3 or 4 up by half time. The longer it went, I was worried it wouldnt go our way, so nice to get the break with the penalty. No idea what the St Mirren boy was thinking. If I have any criticism, the defence are still way too slow/negative with their passing. Hoping that will change as confidence improves, but too many times they dilly dally on the ball when an incisive pass would have opened St Mirren up. Longelo, Palmer -Houlden and Maswanhise were repeatedly ignored when fairly straight forward passes would have had them in. They also have to trust the midfield more with the bounce pass, as the little triangles we relied on last season were there today, but we didnt play them enough. That said, we did defend much better today. St Mirren only had 10 touches in our box and an xG of 0.2, so they did get that bit right. Great to see Oscar, Hendry & McGinn all get minutes. Overall, a good days work and should take a bitnof pressure of the squad and the manager.

The problem with dropping JT is who do you play in his place that will a) work harder than him b) provide more of a goal threat The way we set up with SPH thru the middle, we need goal threat from the wider areas and midfield. Ibbie gives us that from midfield and Kanga is starting to look like he might be the answer on the left. However, our options on the right are JT, Sparrow or Willy Vogt! I know he hasnt been producing the goods goal wise for a long time, and I have been critical of him. But he does his defensive duties in respect of covering the fullback, albeit his tackling is pretty poor. I wouldnt be against playing Sparrow in front of McGhee or Johnnie K, but he isnt going to provide much of a goal threat.

Hendry is a grafter. He will run about and do things, but his composure in front of goal is no better than SPH or Eythor are at the moment. Not quite the same player as Seb, a bit more physical maybe. But deserves a chance to see if he can resurrect himself / find something within. Dont think he solves any of our longer term problems though.

I think this hits the nail on the head. Last season we controlled games. So we always had safe possession, which in turn didnt leave us as open at the back as we have been this season. So we faced less shots and therefore conceded less goals. The trade off for that, was that we always looked like we were trying to score the perfect goal, and for all our nice play and control, we didnt create as many chances as you would imagine. But we weren't open on the transition. This season, we get the ball forward quicker, we throw more balls in the box and generally create more chances. But the trade off is there for all to see when we lose the ball. Its a conundrum, and Im not sure which I prefer. But Alfred clearly favours what we are currently doing, so I guess we just need to get used to it.

I dont see this board calling time early on Alfred. As a club we tend not to do that. Now that the Well Society are wielding more influence in the board room, I think its even less likely. The fans wanted an identity. We got one and the board have tried to be consistent with that and backed a "philosophy". They wont want to row back on that without giving him every chance. We want to be known as a club who give managers time to turn things around. When you cant pay the most money, job security can overcome that barrier. Re fans not liking AJ, I dont think thats the case either. Some fans just have less patience for poor performances than others and worry about our Premiership status.

He can certainly play the SPH role and give him some respite when he us running on fumes. Where that leaves Eythor is anyones guess.

Tiresome. Thats like someone suggesting Neil Lennon to get it right up you. Edit: thats actually unfair on Neil Lennon as he actually has a decent track record as a football manager. I should probably have said Scott Brown.

Hoping to see a few tweaks to the starting line up. Alfreds hands have been tied to an extent with injuries and fitness levels. But we must be getting to the stage where Kanga can start and be subbed around 60 minutes if he doesnt have 90 in him. With Fadinger back, Id also like to see Jordan McGhee keep his place either at RCB or RB. He is clearly a good player and his experience will hopefully help settle the backline. Im not as down on Sparrow as some, albeit I do accept his defensive deficiencies, but taking him out of the firing line and using his energy as an impact sub could be useful imho. I dont think its a must win in terms of our season. But for Alfred it kinda is purely due to the pressure building and the proximity of the international break. My lineup would be...... Paulsen McGhee JKL Moorman Longelo Fadinger Hodge Said Maswanhise SPH Kanga Hopefully Oscar, McGinn and Hendry can make the bench for some minutes later on once the game is won!

Ultimately, yes. But one can be fixed and requires more patience and understanding than the other. We are nearly at the natural break of the Nations League fixtures. What happens in the next 2 games will go a long way to deciding Alfreds future.

Are we though? Or are we a team thats failing to take on instruction? The 2 can look the same.

I didnt see the whole game last night, only the highlights. So I wont comment on the overall performance or where that leaves us/Alfred. But, feck me. The defending for both their goals! The majority of goals we have conceded this season are so similar. Lots of Motherwell players in good positions to defend, but nobody taking the responsibility to go and engage an opponent, impact the ball or throw their body on the line to stop the goal. Thats not down to coaching. Thats just naked desire to win a football match. Its a mentality thing. Quite how the manager changes that I dont know. Obviously team selection and substitutions play a part, and Alfred has certainly made mistakes in that regard over the last few weeks. From what Im reading, it appears some are of the opinion he made similar mistakes last night, and thats fair enough But at some point you just have to trust the players when they cross that white line, that they understand whats required to win a football match. Right now our players are failing. Good to hear there were harsh words exchanged between the players last night after the game. Some plain speaking is definitely required.

I would have thought the medical team would be all over that. Different with illness. But with muscular injuries there will be scans and data to inform the situation.

Im only using the word that the previous poster used. I guess it just means a big guy who will take it in, help get you up the park and/or provide lay offs for others to score the goals. But thats a bit wordy.

Thats your opinion. I respectfully disagree.

I think the way the game is played now, there seems to be a dearth of quality goalscorers at all levels. I dont think its too much of a problem if you get your midfield forward and support your facilitator. Last season we had JT, Just, Slattery and even Manny weighing in with goals. I think its something we have struggled to balance this season. I think Kanga on the left doubling up with Manny looks promising. But 30 minutes is a small sample size. Said started well, but has faded again. Lowry has picked up a few, but is now injured. I think there are goals in the team if Alfred can get it functioning properly. But, aye a proper goalscorer would be nice. Where to find one on our budget is another matter.

Normally expect this to be a soulless, turgid shitfest on a tattyfield pitch in cold, horrible weather. But given St Johnstone have improved their pitch and Simo likes his team to play a bit, it might be a free flowing game on a lovely pitch, but ultimately still freezing and soulless. If we perform to the levels of Sunday and cut out the silly mistakes we could win this one. But a point would at least be a start to some sort of recovery.