joewarkfanclub

Definitely the team I would go with. But I havent got our starting line up right all season! Thankfully this is the last game of the tough run and we are back to 1 game a week now until the end of the season. If we can get thru this one without any injuries, load management shouldnt be an issue for the remainder and we will see this line up more often (or more likely with Fadinger in it!)

The early chances thing is definitely a concern. Me and my mate discussed the very same thing on Sunday. It happened v Kilmarnock, Rangers and Aberdeen. The cup game was slightly different as that was self inflicted. Not sure if its anything to do with our set up / mentality, or if its us trying to get our heads around the different ways teams set up to counter act what we are doing? But its definitely a thing. The good thing is, that afrer the first 10-15 minutes we do seem to settle down and take control of the game. It would be nice not to have to worry about that tonight though!

If correct, the current rule of sending a player off for something they had no control over is bonkers and needs to be changed. Its quite ironic that of the two red cards, the one we are mostly agreed on not being a red is the one where the defender deliberately brought the attacker down. Thats where we have come to. Absolutely mental. Priestmans is technically correct but should never be a red card, Gordons shouldnt have been, because there is nothing "obvious" about Olusanya's opportunity to score. But Im fully in favour of the deliberate "professional" foul being made a red card offence, much like it was in the old days. (See John Souttar on Elijah Just at Fir Park).

After a very disappointing cup exit, important to hit the ground running with a victory going in to our last 12 league games. Dont want any negative momentum gathering..... Ward SOD McGinn Welsh Longelo Priestman Watt Slattery Just Said Maswanhise

Very interested to see what he has got in the locker once he is up to speed. I really have no recollection of him at Dundee or Hearts so Ive no idea if he will fit into this team or not. As a Kettlewell signing, you would presume that if he cant he wont be afforded the same amount of time as others. Hopefully he does though and offers another option, particularly if he can play multiple positions.

Its not really in the spirit of the game though is it? An early bath for something you had absolutely no control over whatsoever? Its harsh......... Edit: to add, I dont think Liam Gordon's challenge is a red card under the current laws of the game. But, much like Souttar's challenge in the Rangers game, it should be. A very deliberate act.......

The Cup v League position debate is and always has been boring. Its a hypothetical that doesnt exist in the real world. Had we won last night we would have been in with a good shout in the cup, but we would still have been in 4th place this morning chasing Europe on 2 fronts. We didnt. And the cup is gone for another year. So we need to re-focus and try and achieve whats left for us. Thats finishing as high up the league as possible. FWIW, I actually think this team is the best prepared for European football of any team we have had since the team that played Dortmund. So going out to some minnow in the qualifying rounds may not be our "prize" this time round......

Totally agree. It may have been the correct decision based on the laws of the game. But the law is an ass in those circumstances.

McGinn. It was a difficult night.

Desperately disappointed that we didnt progress and take advantage of an open draw. And I guess there could be some questions asked over the starting line up. However, what can you do when you get a man sent off after 3 minutes? Regardless of what you think of the decision, the gameplan is already on the slates..... FWIW I thought we held on and tried to stabilise things and when it was evened up to 10 aside we looked like we could asset ourselves. The second red card is a joke, albeit, Gordon really doesnt need to make the challenge. Thought we were the better team with 9 men, but its really hard to effect the game at that stage. Overall, circumstances have dictated our exit. Its difficult therefore to criticise the gaffer or the team. Just need to concentrate in the league now.

The '91 team had some good players. But they didnt dominate and control games the way this one does. It also had an average mid table finish in the league. So no surprise none of us really saw us winning the cup that season until we beat Celtic in the semi final. Even then we were up against a decent Dundee United side that we were no better than 50/50 to beat. Im not saying we will definitely win tonight, beating Aberdeen away is always a tough task. But you have to look at the possibilities going forward if we do win, and the draw has absolutely opened up with the big two drawing each other.

Im with you on the league. Top 6 looks a stick on now, but there is still room for improvement in this squad, so if we dont make top 3 or 4 Id be disappointed, but still view it as a good season. Re the cup though, the chances of the uglies drawing each other before the semis and both Hearts and Hibs being out, doesnt come along too often, especially coinciding with us having a good team. So I think this IS about as good a chance of winning a cup as we are going to get. But much like the chance the League Cup afforded us, we still need to step up and do the business. Tonight is huge. Win and we have a winnable tie to get us back to Hampden. At that point all bets are off. Lose and we will be moping around wondering "what if" once more......

They keep trying to get that headline, and he keeps batting them away! 🧡❤️🧡

I presume "Soccer" is behind Aussie Rules, Rugby League and Cricket for attendances?

I had assumed Sydney would be a fairly big club with a big support and a decent stadium. I guess that isnt the case?

A couple of wrongs to right!

Its two. Missed yesterday and will miss St Mirren.

I think its absolutely mind blowing that we are even contemplating it. I thought those days were gone and never coming back. Of course Rangers and Celtic have both made catastrophic management appointments this season and allowed Hearts and ourselves to capitalise, but I certainly couldnt see this coming at the start of the season, and Im probably one of the happiest clappers out there. We are still a fair bit back mind you but if we can win our game in hand and secure a few more good results (particularly away from home) before the split, I think we can still be in touch going into the split where it will be all to play for.

I get that. And we have all been programmed over many, many years to think that way. I keep waiting for this bubble to burst and for us to throw in a stinker. But, League Cup semi aside (and that wasnt even that awful for the most part) it just hasnt happened. At some point I think we need to decide whether this manager and this team has earned that trust. If we can win this one, it will be another step along the road......

Having seen both teams yesterday, what is your logic for that?

This season is but a ladder to be climbed! 😉

I think we win this one. Aberdeen pressed us really hard today and we got sucked into attacking the space in front of us leaving us wide open at the back. Jens wont allow that to happen again, so I expect us to be more disciplined defensively and restrict their chances. It will make it a tighter game, but I think we have the quality to get the goal we need. 1-0 Motherwell.

McGinn was imperious today, however, I went for Oscar Priestman. He was absolutely everywhere and always available to take the ball. Took so much pressure off his team mates given how hard Aberdeen tried to press us. Outstanding performance.

Thought our offensive performance was pretty good today (finishing aside) and it was certainly another entertaining game. If I have one complaint, it was that we were a bit gung ho at times and left ourselves open to the counter attack way too often. At one point we had 5 guys in the Aberdeen box and 50 yards between them and our back four with only two Aberdeen players in the space in between! I think that made life a little bit more uncomfortable defensively than it needed to be. I get the teams enthusiasm for getting forward and scoring goals, but our clean sheets have been built on structured possession and that today was back to the Tynecastle 3-3 madness. Overall, still a great 3 points and Im sure Jens will have things tightened up for Wednesday so we dont conceed so much possession/chances. Only 7 points off top place if we win our game in hand. Its still all to play for.....

The defenders grabbed an arm each with Said! Couldbt believe they didnt get carded. Dickinson is no Bargain. But he is a bit of a Hunt!