joewarkfanclub

Some pretty damning posts so far which is understandable given the manner of the defeat and the fact we have been here before a number of times under the current manager. However, I thought tonights performance was a long way short of being our worst of the season against a very organised and resolute defence. Despite a rather strange starting line up (no apparent right midfield?) we DID start the better side. We DID score a perfectly good goal that was disallowed. After the red card (which was entirely merited IMO) we dominated possession and controlled the game effectively for almost the entire 90 minutes limiting Aberdeen to the odd breakaway. The substitution of Ainsworth for Lawson was the right one. You could be picky and suggest the manager should have made it before half time but hardly a shocker on his part leaving it until HT. I actually thought the second half started brightly and some of the criticism of Ainsworths crosses is IMO off the mark. I counted at least 3/4 in that period that flashed across the 6 yard box that big Higdon would have despatched with ease. For some reason our current strikeforce dont seem able or willing to gamble on the run across the defender to put themselves in the position to score. After that Aberdeen doubled up on Ainsworth and the balls out to him were too slow, so no surprise he found it difficult after that. I dont think any of these things are particularly the managers fault once the players take to the pitch however..... The game swung for me on the substitution of Anier who for me was our most influential player going forward. McHugh was just the wrong choice all day long. McFadden should have been given a run out at that point. Like others have said if he wasnt fit enough to throw on he shouldnt have been on the bench. This was only compounded by not having a last roll of the dice with a third substitution after gifting a poorly defended first goal. Cant really argue with the second goal. Thats the risk you take throwing everyone forward at the end. Overall a disappointing night which could and maybe should gave gone better. The manager will however need to sit down and have a long hard think as to how he brings some balance to this team. I still think we have good players but the tactics are not getting anywhere near the best out of them.

Suns out on the Ayrshire Riviera, think the rain might be passing thru'. Hope so anyway, dont mind the rain but wind kills a game of football everytime.

Any Ayrshire based fans looking for a lift tomorrow night. I Will be driving and leaving Irvine about 6pm. Space for 4.

Its a cup tie. A one off game. Nothing that has gone before matters. Whoever wants it more on the night will win. Lets hope the manager knows who he can trust to put in a performance.

Will definitely be getting up early for this. All the best boys. Looking forward to it.

Total change of tactics required. 4-2-1-3 Normal back 4 Lasley Carswell McFadden Ainsworth Sutton Anier

Was going to go for a null vote however changed my mind and went for Hutch. One of the few who tried to drive forward and make things happen. Caused their defence problems at set pieces too.

Normally I would defend the manager but I think he got it wrong big time today. I can understand him wanting to keep some players fresh for Wednesday night as clearly he really wants to try and win us a cup this year and this is a great opportunity, however, the tactics today were very poor given the makeshift nature of their defence. I can understand him wanting to save Anier, Ainsworth and McFadden, however, ZFA and Moore are young boys both of whom would manage 2 games in 4 days. Playing either from the start would have at least given Saints back four something to think about. We looked like we were set up for a 0-0 and at half time it looked like we could maybe get that or even sneak one. As soon as the goal went in he should have changed it. Took too long to make the necessary adjustments and after the second goal went in he compounded it by giving away the midfield. It has to be said that not manybof the players seemed to fancy it today either, so not all the blame lies with the manager. Like others have said, a win on Wednesday and all will be forgiven, but we need to go out and earn that right. Massive improvement required all round but the prize is huge.

Nail on head again Andy P

Wasnt at the game today but seems to be the same old same old, from some quarters. I will repeat. We lost 6/11 first team players last season. Yet still some people seem surprised that we are not playing fluently? To be sitting third only 4 points behind Celtic with all their resources, is remarkable at this stage. It takes longer than 10 games for a new squad to gel. When it does I think we will be exceptional. Especially once Faddy finally gets himself fit.

Always good to see a Motherwell player pulling on the dark blue so hoping Stevie gets a start regardless of the fact it is 5/6 years too late. Mulgrew is the only real alternative and I would prefer not to split him and Brown in midfield as I think we have stumbled onto something that works there. Just hope if he plays he gets some cover in front of him and gives a good account of himself. All the best Stevie. Do us proud!

Vip box ya dancer! COYW!

Had it up on day.to tv but couldnt get rid of adverts either. Now the picture and sound has disappeared altogether. None of the normal channels showing any links. Sky has blocked firstrow sports.

Whats the best way to get the Celtic TV coverage today? Do any of the bookies sites take the feed or is it wizziwig front row sports etc?

Now THAT was something! Did we not have quite a good record at Celtic Park back then? I recall us giving them the runaround in one game in the 80's with Andy Walker having the game of his life. Think he joined them not long after?

Magic.

Big Shaun Hutchie Geordie man.... Never been able to make out the rest, hope I dont regret asking! Cheers

Surely if you have aspirations to win the league you need to beat your rivals.....

I have a certain sympathy with both points of view here. Whilst it is undoubtedly concerning how poorly Faddy has started the season and question marks over whether he deserves his place in the side on current form are perfectly valid, lets not forget his form at the end of last season. Had we not enjoyed the experience of those performances, I think we could justifiably question whether the injuries had finished him as a force in Scottish football. However, that wasnt the case and he showed then he clearly still has what it takes. I have thought since the start of the season that Faddy looks like he is carrying an injury and from the language coming out of the dressing room yesterday, I would say thats almost certainly the case. Its clearly not that serious, or he wouldnt be getting game time, however, for his "type of player" any loss of sharpness can make a huge difference. If you add that to the huge turnover in playing personnel over the summer and the fact that as a team we havent been reaching anywhere near the heights we hit at the end of last season, I dont think its any surprise that his form has slumped. I agree that he needs to work on his decision making, he is not a young boy anymore, he will not run past players like he used to, however, he should still have the touch and vision to create space for others, but speaking as a fortysomething, that can be a hard thing to accept and a certain amount of anger and frustration as you come to terms with that is not uncommon!!!! The international break is coming up, so he will get more recovery time and and as McCall gets to grip with a formation to get the best out of our new squad, I am sure we will see our performances get better and better. That will allow Faddy to show us what he has got left. We are sitting third in the league having barely kicked a ball. There are positive signs of improvement. Im pretty confident that this could be another special season. Exciting times to be a Well fan.

Thought we played well first half and controlled the game. Faddy looked a bit sharper although still not quite there. If we had been more ruthless in front of goal we would never have been behind at half time and Ross County couldnt have complained. The incident with McLean in the lead up to their goal was bizarre and seemed to cause a lapse in concentration. 2nd half I thought we started slowly but once we scored there was only going to be one winner. Like others I really like the look of Ainsworth. We look a lot more balanced with him on the right. Think we are slowly getting there and if we are having the likes of Lawson Vigurs McFadden and McHugh on the bench, we look like a team with options.

Easy. Motherwells no 9.

Vote Messy!

This is also true!

Absolutely. Ludicrous statement. Need to get some emoticons on my phone!

Fair doos. I wasnt really looking that closely to that aspect of his game so you may have a point. I take on board what some folks are saying about his range of long passing which was more evident in the second half after the sending off. However, throughout the game I felt, rightly or wrongly, that he gave the ball away a lot or was caught in possession. Just my opinion. I dont have a downer on the guy, more than happy to give him the benefit of the doubt, but on last nights performance I think Lasley is the better option. Also thought Carswell had his poorest performance of the season last night. Whether that was because of Lasley's absence or whether that limited Lawsons contribution is hard to say.