joewarkfanclub

Was between O'Donnell, Campbell and Polworth for me. But has to be O'Donnell for that strike!

Dont think we should get too carried away with the result. It was a decent performance, but until they had the man sent off it was still touch and go and we were only one defensive lapse away from a defeat. Credit where it is due though, we totally took advantage of the situation and the manager made a positive substitution that allowed us to press home our advantage. Still a little disturbed at him putting SOD at LB to start with. We need to stop this square pegs in round holes nonsense. The boy is a quality RB just play him (and everyone else) in their natural positions so that that they can flourish and produce their best football. The 2 up top was the right call, but Hastie, Hylton, Land or Seedorf could have played on the left without upsetting the balance. Personally I would have played Hastie as he is probably best of the bunch at tracking back in that formation. Great strike by SOD for his first goal btw!

I think they have proved they cant. Teams have us figured out. Time to rip it up and start again. Our players may not be world beaters, but they are nowhere near as bad as they are being made to look right now.

I presume as its a home game, it will be on MFC tv. Not sure if it will be covered on the season ticket, but it will surely be available on ppv.

The ref and linesman got it absolutely correct. When the ball is played Seedorf is in an offside position. He then moves into the keepers eyeline and becomes active and therefore offside. He also tries to flick at the ball to deflect it. If he had stood still where he was there would have been no problem and the goal would have stood. But he didnt.

Turnbull. The boy is class and starting to show what we all know he is capable of.

Finally something we can agree on! He would walk into our current team!

Ooft! Thats a bold claim!

One of the few good things about playing behind closed doors is that the players wont be subjected to abuse feom the usual suspects in the East Stand should things not be going our way after about 20 minutes tomorrow! We really could do with a performance and a result though, just to buy us some time until the squad settles down.....

As John Greig used to say, "Oot the park wins games son...."

My only real criticism of Watts clearance is that he kicked it straight to a United player which allowed them to knock it straight back in. Out the park or in the direction of a Motherwell player would have been preferable. However, I do concede we should have defended it bwtter from there.

No real obvious choices this week. Cant be Watt, Grimmy or Bevis, as between them they were responsible for the goal. Carson didnt have a lot to do but the one save he did make saved a goal. Turnbull, Gallagher and Campbell were ok but went for Lamie as I thought he coped reasonably well being pushed out wide and put in a solid enough performance without again doing anything exceptional.

I thought first half we looked ok. Shape was better and we controlled the play much like we did 2nd half against Ross County. The disappointing thing is that we didnt create any clear cut chances and it seems we are entirely too predictible playing against teams that sit in and play us on the break. We really need to find a formation and a way of playing to counter that. With the pace we have in the team, maybe we should be inviting teams onto us to leave more space for the likes of Hastie, Seedorf and Long to exploit? 2nd half we became increasingly frustrated and none of the changes made by the manager seemed to improve things. Like others, I thought Watt for Hastie seemed a very strange thing to do without apparently changing formation. Hylton was the obvious choice for a straight swap, which was proved correct when he actually came on and Watt moved inside to support White, who despite his critics at least seems to engage opposition defenders and make them work a little harder. Desperately disappointing result, not helped by the injuries illness and suspension. But we need to find a settled formation that works soon before confidence starts to erode and effect performances further. With no actual full backs available for the forseeable, it might be worth just playing 3-5-2 until we have a full complinent to choose from. It would allow Grimmy some respite by allowing him to play further up the park a little, get Hastie over on his natural side, allow us to retain 3 in centre midfield and give long a partner up front. Maybe not a long term solution, but in the interim could be the way to go. Carson Maguire Gallagher Lamie Grimmy OHara Turnbull Campbell Hastie Long White/Watt

I thought the picture was fine. No sound first half and sound lag second half up until about last 10 mins. I understand the cost implications re any features pre and post match and half time. However, surely there cant be that much cost attached to someone from the media team discussing things with a player that is suspended or injured like they did with MFC radio or the little pre match youtube features they used to do? The staff and players are all working on matchday anyway so even 5 mins before, at half time and 5 mins after as a round up would create a massively improved experience. Early days. Lots of room for improvement, but the potential for something really good is there.

The team that "was like watching Brazil!"

Off the players that completed 90 mins, McGinley was the best by a distance. However, given how much I criticised him last season for being an imposter, I have to doff my cap and give my MOTM to Sherwin Seedorf, purely for the impact he made when he came on. Much more of the same please!

Lots to digest. Robbo clearly got the starting selection wrong. We looked unbalanced from the off and it cost us the first 20 mins. I get that we have so many options now in midfield and up front, but not one of us would have David Turnbull anywhere other than in the middle controlling the game. He is our best player. Play him where he is most effective. To be fair to Robbo, he did change it around and we looked much better 2nd half. I dont agree with those that say DT and Polworth cant play together. They are both good footballers and if both played centrally they will easily find ways to break teams down. Against better teams though we may have to drop one for a more defensive player. Those criticising the defence. Other than the penalty and the shot that hit the bar, Im struggling to think of any clear cut chances Ross County created? Certainly 2nd half there was next to nothing. I share everyones concerns re Grimmy, much as he is a great guy, he will cost us at right back and we do need to try someone else in there. Donnelly, OHara? The manager does aslo leave himself open for criticism for not getting in a replacement after Tait chose to leave. However, the rest of the defence looked fairly solid to me. Lamie looks an upgrade on Hartley. He is certainly more mobile and his distribution is better. Positioning needs a little work but thats to be expected in a new team. McGinley for me did great after a shaky start and grew into the game. At 23, he has time on his side to improve. Midfield/Upfront, surprised to see no Campbell. Hopefully he is not offski as we will need him going forward. But Donnelly and OHara are good defensive midfielders. Whether we need them both on the park against Ross County is another matter. OHara was unlucky to be subbed as he had been the better of the 2 in the first half. Donnelly is a player I like. His athleticism is suited to the Scottish game but he needs to stick to what he is good at. He should never be on pens when David Turnbull is on the pitch. That decision alone cost us a point. Similarly corners. Polworth needs told no floaty pish! Get the ball driven in for our defenders to attack or stand aside for someone that will. To be fair to the players both decisions should sit with the manager who needs to get that sorted out pronto. Lang looks a decent addition on that brief cameo. Certainly has enough pace and trickery to trouble teams at our level. Bad miss and terrible judgement for the red card, albeit it should only have been a yellow. Hastie either needs played on the left, or given considerable work in training to go past his man and cross with his right foot. Far too predictible at the moment, as he was before he left for the dark side. Long needs to get sharper quickly. We have competition for places now, so if he cant hit the net, he might be out the team. Makes some really good runs, but if he is played as a loan striker we need to forget wingers and play thru the middle. The pass from DT to him when he hit the post was sublime and thats how to get the best from him. Formation wise we could certainly go with 2 up top, but that may weaken us further back the pitch. Finally, the surprise package of the night, Sherwin Seedorf! Where was that guy all last season? Other than his goal v Hearts he offered little. Here's hoping it wasnt a flash in the pan last night. Giving Jake Hastie some competition for his place could be very beneficial to us. Overall, very disappointing result last night which was mostly self inflicted. However, there were lots of positives and if we can learn our lessons and find a settled formation, there is still much to be positive about.

I think we should be comfortably top 6. Im gonna say we will finish 4th. League Cup semi finalists Scottish Cup Quarter Finalists Europa League - lose in the play off round narrowly failing to get into group stages. Davy Turnbull to confound everyone by staying until Xmas before going south for £4.5m. Robbo takes the Bournemouth job and Lasley and Mo Ross get co-manager status!

I think the keeper and back 4 picks itself. Other than that I have absolutely no idea what the lineup will be! Changed days!

Brilliant! You will do for me! Have fun with Steelboy! (Sorry Steelboy, couldnt resist!)

All you need to know is.... "Its magic, you know, Davy Turnbull and Campbell...." Enjoy! #coyw #siwy

I quite like Steven Thomson (and Mikey Stewart) as pundits. They are a very good double act. But Tommo is honking as a presenter. I truly hope he is only covering whilst Johnathon Wotsisname is on holiday, otherwise it could be a desperately long season!

One of the legends of my dads first Motherwell. RIP Willie.....

Welcome Blue3! I too applaud your choice of Scottish club! We have a rich history, not only in Scotland, but also in the world game. Not sure there have been too many links between the 2 clubs over the years. Off the top of my head only Jamie Murphy, Mark McGhee and Ben Hall spring to mind. Obviously you will be aware we are a community based, fan owned club so I trust these ideals blend in with your opening gambit about moving here! Hope you enjoy your time on the forum, but before we go any further, you need to answer the most important question on here..... Are you a happy clapper or a doom monger?