Kmac

I really don’t think having this thread bogged down into criticizing a referee helps (despite his somewhat troublesome track record). The reality is that we got horsed by a new club which has yet to win a major trophy and has only competed for a couple of years in the top flight; that’s what is worrying. We totally capitulated. My concern is how that projects out. If that’s how we will react under pressure later in the season, when we enevitably find ourselves in a relegation scrap, under pressure, I dare to think of the consequences.

Would Be beneficial to cut Sammons loan and bring in a striker of quality, on the basis of saving wages by having a smaller squad come the summer. I’d also like to see Bigi offered a new deal on top of those mentioned by welldaft. I would however consider a deal for McHugh, I still can’t quite figure out what his best position is, he isn’t a midfielder and isn’t as good at centre half as Hartley or Aldred. ‘Would see no deals being offered to Taylor-Sinclair, Rose, Gorrin, Frear, Newell, Bowman and Main. Some relatively big wages I’d imagine there.

Whilst its two months until the window opens in January, does anyone have an overview on contracts/ loan period expiration’s in the squad? I’d imagine that the past couple of games have re-affirmed (if it was in any way needed) just how poor our summer recruitment was. There’s plenty of dead wood in the squad which needs to be cutaway hopefully allowing budget to be freed up for a couple of additions, particularly upfront where we are sorely lacking in quality and on the left side of midfield. We need to build a squad capable of competing with the stronger teams in the league and we’ll need players of a better caliber of those currently on the bench (or not even earning a place on it) to do so.

Having never been a massive fan of Robinson, I wouldn’t be sorry to see him go. His style of ‘football’ is atrocious to watch and I’m sure was part of the reason why, despite two cup runs, we never managed to capatalise by really building any significant growth to our support despite the finals of last season. If I was swaying, I wouldn’t be ‘driven’ to watch this Motherwell Team - it’s pretty brutal most of the time. He seems incapable of stringing a few good performances back to back. As stated elsewhere, the signings have been bloody awful. I’m sorry, but Frear is just not up to the standard required, meanwhile we have a bench and squad outwith the first 11 pretty much dominated by low quality Robinson additions that bring absolutely nothing. Sammon, Donnelly, Gorrin, ATS, The eternally injured striker etc etc. the list goes on of sub quality players bloating a squad and contributing nothing. He has built a squad devoid of any real quality (outwith the goalkeeper) and given our own youth a back-seat, meanwhile is happy to chime on in the media about needing to bring in guys which aren’t the finished article. I’m sorry Mr Robinson, however you’ve been the architect of your own misery here by handing guys like Grimshaw and Rose contracts to Back-seat players like Turnbull who could’ve been playing alongside 1 quality midfielder whereby two salaries could’ve been combined to one, to allow us to bring in someone closer to the finished article. Same can be said strikers and defenders. Ultimately, the squad isn’t laden with quality ,which is self evident at the moment, and the buck stops at Robinsons door for that. Yes, guys can put in effort, however that’s the absolute minimum that you should be guaranteed each week from paid professionals in any walk of life. What we’re lacking is talent and a manager who seems capable of really understanding that and working out ways of making is very difficult to beat until such times as that can be remedied.

Total dross

Bigi has had an absolute shocker since kick-off

Tactically and player wise, a lot needs to be questioned from yesterday. I didn't understand bringing in Donnelly in terms of the shape and also ability. In my opinion, he looks completely of out of his depth and unable to come to speed or compete as required. McHugh seemed to be playing as a defensive midfielder at times, which created a bottle neck as Bigirimana wasn't pushed far enough forward to create either which meant we stifled ourselves in the middle of the park. Personally, I'm not a fan of Frear whatsoever (I have never really got the hype or actually seen him take on and beat a man) and Tait was well off the pace yesterday, without Cadden bursting forward (despite his relatively poor form of late) it meant we had no one to go beyond the Aberdeen line which Robinson should have seen coming. Coupled with the fact that Sammon has the be the worst striker in a Motherwell jersey since Paul Keegan, for me, all questions need to be pointed at Robinson. As we've gone back and forth on these pages, recruitment has been highly questionable. We look powderpuff middle to front. Strong in the cups or not (This week will tell us), our league form is dire. We seem quite incapable of stringing a few wins together. There hasn't been much in the Hearts or Aberdeen games, but loosing becomes a habit, just as much as winning does.

you are aware that you’re in an utter heads gone zone, by trying to defend the rights of a sectarian Organisation which marches to celebrate the battle of an English and Dutch king in Ireland, 17 years before the act of Union even took place? They now seem to march, not to defend themselves from policy changes at Westminster, the crippling insecurity caused by leaving the largest trading partner (Europe) and the impact it will have on their economic outlook or indeed, the lack of employment or prosperity within many of these communities. No, the real and direct threat are Roman Cahtholics! Gees peace.

LOL - I’m not even going to respond here. You’re so far off the mark about your assumptions and points, it’s laughable. Have a good Saturday.

An expression of religious and civil liberty? I, as many, will have seen orange parades taking place in Motherwell. The dregs of society following the March, never cease to amaze, its like the night of the living dead. This element of Scottish society is the last bastion of the “Rule Britannia” brigade. It has in contemporary culture, as is well researched and documented, little to do with religion, than it does with a demographic graphic so disengaged and disenfranchised through direct and indirect action, that it clings for the safety of a group whereby they are no longer the marginalized but rather have the ability, for a short time, to marginalize others. So, yes I stand by my point that anyone prepared to celebrate Irish religious wars and killings (on either side of this divide) for the purpose of momentary groupthink, should be flushed out - there should be no place for this in modern civil society, in 2018, Scotland. But hey ho, my and my ignorance eh?

Words cannot describe the contempt with which these elements of society should be held within.

Calm down. We’ve gone through countless years of pandering to the old firm. “We’ll Be lucky”, “they’ll need to have an off day”, “they’re a great side” etc etc. It has got us absolutely nowhere. I’m not suggesting it’s correct to be laughing at breaking someone’s nose, but put it in context. He’s been given a loaded question and answers back in a defiant manner. Was it diplomatic? absolutely not. However, the comment doesn’t have him advocating setting out to hurt someone on Sunday, he’s used it as a spin off point in regards to being competitive within the match and not lying down to two sides (here, rangers) which personify some of the least digestible elements of both Scottish footballing and wider society. Clumsy, but not quite the green-street-preamble blunder moment that some would claim it to be.

-------------------Carson------------ Aldred---------Hartley------McHugh Cadden-------Campbell--------Tait -------Bigirimana------Gorrin----- ------Bowman--------Johnson Subs: GiIllespie McGuire ATS Rose Turnbull Frear Main 2-1 please

----------------------Carson----------------- ---Aldred-----------Hartley---------Maguire Cadden-------------Campbell------------Tait ------------Gorrin--------------Bigirmana --------------Johnson-------Main Please get the ball on the deck and play some football......

Very touchy. I’m assuming that yourself, like the rest of the happy clappers will be delighted if we find ourselves relegated; chance of a wee day out to places we never normally go, perhaps? Utter Guff

So you’d prefer that we’re reactive than proactive?

-------------------------Carson--------------- -----Aldred----------Hartley----------McHugh---- Tait---------------Campbell-------------ATS ---Cadden----------------------Bigirimana --------------Main-------Johnson------ Subs: Gillespie Maguire Donnelly Gorrin Rose Turnbull Scott Sammon

Completely wrong on this one I'm afraid. As was said above, we went out with a whimper in the Scottish cup final and didn't score a goal in either. As others have said, the signing policy has been exceptionally poor this summer. We have a bloated midfield and after today, two defenders too many on the books, considering we have Maguire as back-up. I argued before on this thread about quality over quantity which Robinson has not done in my opinion. Donnelly/Mbulu should have been only 1 signing or salary of real quality with Aldred and Maguire backing up Hartley and a returning Dunne as a back 3 with McHugh adequate to cover. Gorrin should never have been added to the squad without offloading a midfielder again, people will point to Bigi leaving but if that's the case, the club has badly managed an exit and stating it in the media was a crazy move by Robinson as it puts the player and thereby Gorrin in a very awkward situation. 1 player of that ilk, again with real quality should have been the objective. Sammon/Johnson once again should have only been 1 signing of real quality to play with Bowman and Main. I would argue the case now that we have a bloated squad devoid of any shining lights of real quality outwith our own homegrown players, the next generation of which seem to be over-looked in favour of Non-League English players.

Careful with that chat on here!

Self evident that we’re sorely missing quality. Let’s hope we’ve managed to bring in a couple of players by next week... Badly needing another quality defender and Attacking midfielder/striker who can create.

Absolutely brutal stuff. We’re so static and undynamic, it’s quite unbelievable at points. Rose contributed nothing from first to last but could be said of most. Hartley’s mistake at he first was evident and a crazy decision to stick an arm out. Front two from the start were awful. Agree with the above that Tait needs to shift to LWB and Caden right. In our regular 3-5-2, were desperately missing quality and centre half, the middle of the park and up top. Shocking stuff and Robinson needs to get a grip. Awful cup performances masked by getting through and very very poor today. Someone above posted that we’ll look back at this as an awful summer for the club and I have to say that I can only agree with that.

No defenders on the bench?

There are people at the club paid for that... im not discussing which player, more the strategy of signings and the playing squad

I don’t see one point as negating the other. im more focussed on this summer’s dealings. Im neither Rose or Grimshaws biggest fans though they can both be useful players. I’m more focused on this summer. as said, was there a need to bring in Sammon and Johnson rather than 1 striker of quality? was there a need to bring in Gorrin without offloading a midfielder? Surely again brining in 1 notable midfielder whilst offloading 1 should’ve been the route to go? I’m there could’ve been options in either Scotland or England or further afield with a number of senior games under their belts at a good level who could’ve been sold for profit further down the line, too? i’ve no issue with us selling players, what Issue with is our planning and strategy.

Many ways do so. One option would have been to place emphasis on strengthening the squad this summer through the promotion of youth ie. turbull, Maguire, Scott etc. Rather than adding to what has become. A bloated midfield for example, whilst utilising other assets we have in the squad, ie. Bigirmana. None of those mentioned have had a look in on the cup games and I’m doubtful they will for the ucpcoming league matches. ‘Subsequently, you can argue that this would have allowed a differening of budget prioritisation ie. bringing in 1 striker of note rather than a journeyman SPL striker and a non league - I’m sure combining two salaries to one could’ve allowed us to bring in very decent quality with Main, Bowman and Scott and the ever injured Newell and a returning Tanner all in the mix and I’d argue, same strategy for midfield.