gullane

I don't think McGarry even trains with the first team anymore. I don't want to upset JG and name players earmarked as being surplus to requirements but - McGarry is definately one of them.

Easter Road on Saturday requires battling in midfield. I advocate Lasley starts in place of Coke.

Good shout for Lasley's return. However, I too sense Jennings is ahead of him in the pecking order. One of them needs to come in to the starting line up for Saturday. That's 3 games on the trot we've failed to put 10 men to the sword - we may have beaten Hearts but only cos we held out. We are sitting too deep, not tackling in midfield and surrendering possession. I notice Forbes is getting rotated in the starting line up. Is it not time for Coke to be rested too?

I think Yassin's defensive problems are more to do with tactics - Gannon asks him to attack so that's what he does. He can't mark opposing strikers if he's 50 yards up the pitch. As for his crossing? Well we can all see where he needs to work on his game. Will extra training help?

Unlike some on here, I have taken the trouble to read past posts. That's what makes this a community. Overall, I'm not too dispondant with the Aberdeen game. Quick reality check - Motherwell is a young, developing side. The two big weaknesses - we naively defend too deep and we don't finish off games when we've got the ascendency. The first problem can be addressed with tactical planning and training. For the second, we need to improve passing, especially from wide areas. Yassin - great pace, no cross. The future is still bright.

This must be one of the most unanomous polls we've had. And no wonder.

Nice to hear JG having a go at McGhee and the media over comments about Jimbo. Gannon on BBC There's also a rumour JG is in talks with the board to extend his contract. Although this is sounds positive, I think we should treat it like other recent press stories - pure speculation.

I'm surprised we haven't seen more of Jennings. Compared to Hately, he was an established regular with his previous club. He seems a bit of a trier too. Is it simply a case of young Tom keeping him out the side or is he not settling up here? I take previous comments about Fraser being "unproven". But he just doesn't look a confident keeper to me.

Fitzy on the mend Just to put the cat among the pigeons, Fitzy's just returned to training and declared his ambitions for first team football. At least he makes all the right noises. By the way, sorry for calling Fraser a journeyman when he's only had 2 clubs in his career so far. But is it OK if I call him mediocre?

I too am not so sure of young Jamie playing out wide. I prefer him through the middle alongside a big striker.

I'd rather have a quality, enthusiastic youngster as back up keeper than a journeyman. Unfortunately, since JG pulled Kosiorowski from the bench against Hearts, I fear this will have impacted upon his motivation.

All we can do is speculate until January. I can't see JG making any more outlandish comments to the media. My comments on discussion so far - Fraser - Fair point Joeboy that he's not been given time to prove himself. But I'd shunt him cos no matter how many times I see him, he's never going to be quality and he's not tall enough. Craigan - Keep him. Apart from his wee sojourn with Partick, he's a big part of the club. He's near the end of his playing days but he's working on his coaching badges, he's smart and articulate. I'd like him given player/coach contract. Lasley - Popular with many fans - including me, a midfield workhorse. It would be nice to have him as a squad player but that's maybe not what he needs at this time in his career. But the situation would change completely if Coke or Hately weren't to stick around long. McGarry and Fitzpatrick - Move them on to smaller club where they can get regular football DL Smith - Long term injury, been a future prospect for a long time before that. Will he ever make it at Fir Park. I agree with the comment he's the type who could thrive under JG, but will he ever get the chance now? Murphy is now way ahead of him in the queue and McHugh is knocking on the door now as well. I don't think there's room for Darren anymore.

BBC story I don't understand McGhee's style. Why come out in public with your signing targets? Is he trying to wind up Willie Miller and the Aberdeen fans? If he wants Jim O'Brien to know he wants him, he only has to speak to his agent. But now the whole world knows he wants him. I forsee another Stephen Hughes scenario. Jimbo off down South and McGhee and Aberdeen looking skint, threadbare and desperate.

Cheers for the info. Glad the guy sorted himself out. Just a pity it wasn't when we had him, tho I suspect he's with his boyhood heros now. Still, 3-4 years ago, he could have got regular 1st team games at Fir Park.

Official Site Good news about young Paul. He could be fit to offer the side some attacking options for Christmas period. Let's not get carried away with him though. He's just a young prospect, one who's now missed half a season through injury. Given other discussion about JG, I think the coming weeks will be a good measure of his management abilities to see how he deals with Slane's development and contract negotiations. Aw ra best.

Really? When was McCourt on trial at Fir Park?

Having read JG's comments on the official site now, I conclude he was naive to say to camera when questioned on who might leave - "well just look at the team sheet". So evetone, media and fans did and came up with a few names that weren't playing regularly. I like JG's style of keeping quiet about incoming players until they're actually signed. It might be a good idea if he adopts the same approach for the out going players too.

This Wikipedia bio reminds me of pre-signing Danny Murphy - one of the best full backs in the Eircom et al. However, that doesn't mean he's not a bad player. As Yir Elder reminds us, it's not that long since Derry came over to Fir Park and put on a good show against Gretna. How long before a Scottish club goes the same way as Derry? Sorry .... aren't Hearts in an even worse financial state? Get them kicked out now.

For now, I'm just seeing this as media speculation. It will be over the next few weeks that JOB will discuss his future with JG. Given his creative contribution and work rate to the team, I believe JG will offer him a contract. I can't see Aberdeen offering anything better than Motherwell. The only sort of offer that should tempt him away now will be from England - eg. a deal like Rosco's. But right now, I don't think JOB's got the same credentials as Rosco. Look at Clarkson warming the bench at Bristol. If JOB was to work with JG for another 12-18 months, he could develop into a serious prospect for the Premiership or Championship.

Just finished a study on how this forum treats fact from fiction. Wish I hadn't finished it now. This thread is pure keech

This and the Crewe story have been going around the local press down south for a few weeks now. But nothing up here. I feel there's nothing in this. But I do wish it would go away.

An interesting comparison. 1 defeat as opposed to 5 - yet only 2 points difference. Last two seasons felt fair to middling - win some, lose some. But this term we appear strong and consistent. Some of our draws have been nearer to victories rather than defeats. Therefore I feel optimistic we are going to pick up more points in the second half of the season than we did in the first. The team is is still developing - but going the right way.

I am currently studying Digital Culture at Edinburgh Uni. I had to pick an online community to analyse. As an ethnographic study, the aim is to to tell it as it is. Ethically, it is preferable for the researcher to be a participant rather than just an observer. As I have been using this Well forum for some time, I thought it would be worthwhile to analyse it. It raised a fundamental question for me - why do I use Steelmen Online? If I'm honest, although the internet is a large part of my work, I probably hit Steelmen Online more than any other website. I want info and opinions on what's happening at Fir Park. My study therefore focussed on some recent discussion on transfers. I looked at how our community shared stories, speculations and stories. I think that if you cut through the banter, the forum members are actually quite good at working out fact from fiction. This was only a micro-study, and I suppose it could be possible to unearth various discussions where members went way off track and found consensus on issues that were complete fabrications. However, in all my years using Steelmen Online, I think it's quite easy to spot a posting of a good story or a piece of idle, juicy gossip. Cheers

I thought JG's comments on players leaving were honest - but he still didn't name names. His challenge was to those who were not performing. Therefore the message to those not in the team is either dig in an show some graft or find another club. OK, his comment - just look ath the team sheet - suggests he's referring to Craigan, Fraser, Lasley et al. But is he actually stating who's finished? Suppose the likes of Lasley put in the graft at training and bounce games and showed what he could do. Would Gannon still ship him out? As had been said earlier, Stockport fans experienced JG being forthright with his views. I like it. Still, no need to just take your ball home Jim when the press analyse what you've said.

BBC lost commentary at half time. Can someone who was at the game comment on Fraser and the defence please? With JG announcing a January clear out this week, I wonder what affect it had on Craigan and Fraser. We need a squad of players, not just a favourite 11. Today showed that. I know Ruddy ships goals but would he have stopped Hamilton's two today? What impact did Craigan have today?