Morning after and time for reflection.
I believe that looking at last nights result in terms of other Scottish teams in European action is a good place to start.
Falkirk - Knocked out by a side from Lichtenstein - Embarassment.
Aberdeen- Hammered at home by a side who qualified through winning the Czech Cup - Embarassment.
Celtic - Beaten relativly comfortbaly at HOME by the only side who come near to the standard of Steaua, they still have a chance (a little one at that) of progressing yet infront of the 'greatest fans in the world' they are beaten - Embarassment
Motherwell - We have beaten both Lanelli and Flamutari...arguably the level of the latter does not stray that far off from say Falkirk, Kilmarnock or St. Mirren...yet we trully showed we were far superior. We then come up against Steaua, arguably the most succesful team in the history of Eastern European football, and we loose 3-0 AWAY, in a 'hostile' atmosphere - Even with last nights result we are the only Scottish team who can show pride in their results considering opposition...would Aberdeen and Celtic who are percieved bigger clubs have faired any better?...No chance, yet they will be easily cementing top 6 places this season.
The team - We all know that we lost a rediculous amount of players over the past few weeks, and some good ones at that. Yet at Nancy last year with these 'stars', Hughes etc...we attacked less and showed less fight against a side who were in comparison to Steaua, mediocre.
Now if we look at a starting 11 -
Ruddy - One of the best performances ive seen from a Motherwell keeper...better than Smith - Yes
Saunders - He is too lightweight...but let us not forget, he made some good performances in the SPL last season...yet we judge him playing against Steaua, a team who last night looked better than any old firm side has in the past 5 years...but its all about improving so do we need a new right back - Yes
Craigan - Okay so he made an arse of himself last night, but he is a solid centre half..and in SPL terms very reliable....but again its not just about the SPL its about stepping up a gear...and I think we need someone bigger who can be more commanding...Soley anyone
Hutchienson - I really like the look of him...okay he is still young but he is a stick insect like the rest of our youth team, and he has a good brain I think, for me he is a starter.
Reynolds - He has coped quite well with a transition to left back and didint look too out of place last night with the step up in oppsition, I would keep him at left back.
Forbes - Even though he was hooked last night, I reckon he will be a major asset for us this season...Quite a versatile midfielder I reckon, very steady for a young guy...who will do ver very well in the SPL.
Jennings - He is the type of player that a team needs, but his lack of fitness somewhat concerns me...okay he didnt have the pre-season the rest of our side had but realistically he should only be 2 weeks off the pace...in line with what he missed yet he looks further away than that...he will be a good asset if that is sorted, but I would keep my eye on that.
Slane - For me has been the outstanding outfield player in all 5 of our european matches...he tore Flamutari to pieces himself in the first half, and even again with the step up last night...showed glimpses he can do it against a high level of oppsition also.
Coke - Okay only one game, but physically he is the type of player we have been lack...someone athletic in the middle, he is off match pace, but he didnt loose the ball cheaply and i feel he could be a major asset.
Humphrey - Something about this guy makes me like him...I dont know why...deep down i feel he has more ability to be dangerous than O'Brien, but his problem isnt fitness, its confidence...he needs to believe he can do well and is the type of player easily affected by the moral of the rest of the team...so mentally he needs to tughen up a bit but I think he will do well.
Sutton - For all the abuse he gets sometimes, he has done very well over the piece in our mtahces pre season...for a large majority of the time has been a lone striker but seems in a short space of time to have made himself more capable of becomming a target, which is good.
Subs
Hammell - I think he will become a bit part player...not dynamic enough for Gannon to merit a first team place.
O'Brien - Not direct enough or a good enough crosser to be a winger...not strong enough to be a ttacking central midefielder...I think he will be covering Suspensions and injurys through the season...nothing more.
Page - I think this guy is a better defender than Saunders, but I get the impression that for now ( he is very young) Gannon like Hammell doesnt see him a verstile enough...so he will be worked on.
Mcgarry - At the end of the day...I doubt he has a future at the club.
Lasley - People called for him to be brought on last night but at the end of the day, the were a more athletic and physical side than we are and so I doubt he would have made a difference...when it comes to the SPL though he will be a good asset still offering cover and relief in midfield.
This sqaud has been pieced toghether in a VERY short space of time, but looking at it just now it will do well in the basics of the SPL.
A team using what we have and what we need to take that next step up, challenging for third...bugger it second would be...
------------------------Ruddy--------------------------------
New Right Back (Phycially large)-----------Hutchienson-----------New Centre Half(Large Physcially)------Reynolds
-----------------Forbes-------------Jennings---------------
Humphrey----------------Coke--------------Slane-----------
-----------------------Sutton---------------------
Subs-
Fraser
Hammell
Craigan
Lasley
Murphy
New Striker/attacking mid
New Stiker
So all in all, I believe we need at least 4 new players to challenge top 3 etc.. and have a sqaud adaptable to win cups etc.
We have a very good base, time to take it up that next level.