gullane

I went for Forbes but I agree - Esson, followed by Foran were the best performers. good to see Richie getting a decent reception.

I think the only recent departures who would make the current team are Porter and Hughes. Clarkson may have been a fans favourite but I don't think JG would rate his ball control. Can you imagine what Jim would have made of Fat Boab?

JG said after the Europa games, Motherwell wouldn't lose so many soft goals and we should learn how to handle crosses into the box. True to his word, Jim has taught the lads how to defend. The Rangers and Arabs games have seen the back 4 challenge everything. Special praise to Reynolds and Saunders. I think we have to go back a long way to recall the last time we defended this well. I am so used to waiting for the late sucker goals to beat us, the last few games are a breath of fresh air. Cheers JG

Ruddy - most assured keeper since we had Goram.

Good to see the majority keeping their feet firmly on the ground. Arabs away is a toughy. I admit to looking at Falkirk as 3 points, but we've dropped points off them in the past and we'll do the same this term. As for Hibs - depends what mood they're in. 4 points likely, 5 maybe, 7 is heaven. 9 - get a life! Or Gannon is God.

During the close season, most of us were pleading for 2 new central defenders. Now we seem to have grown two of our own. I don't think its just about JG giving Saunders and Hutchinson a chance and MMG not. Credit to both lads for working so hard at developing their game. Saunders came into the side last season. IMHO he did all right, but still looked a bit off SPL pace. On Saturday he was immense in closing down Boyd et al. Hutchinson impresses with his distribution - and of course his finishing in the opposition box!!! My one plea to all Well fans. Let's give youth a chance, but we shouldn't expect consistency every game. Fortunately we have old Reynolds (22 years ) and even older Craigan (still 2 years left in him) to provide some stability.

I don't think short term marketing campaigns are the solution. As Yir Elder points out, we drew in a similar crowd the last time we played Rangers with £15 tickets. Somehow we have to promote a culture change. That can only come with a long term, financial alternative. So back to my original point - how come the Bundesliga do it? Why do all clubs - top and bottom of the league - attract big crowds? Let's get the Scottish nation back attending football as a matter of habit.

I know this has been discussed recently but I think its time all clubs got together for a serious rethink on marketing the Scottish game. Saturday was a glorious sunny day. A newly laid pitch looks like a bowling green. Jim Gannon has put together one of the best M'well sides in ages, playing attractive football. Rangers are the visitors. It was the perfect recipe for a great game of football. Yet the gate was just over 9000. Huge gaps were in both the East and DC Stands. Not all supporters are season tickets or able to attend every game. This was a game non regular Well fans should have been at. Sky telly offer good coverage, but they don't provide the atmosphere, sunshine, singing and banter. It was £20+ to get in yesterday. The evidence on Saturday was clear - that's simply too much. I propose all clubs experiment with reduced ticket pricing for a few months. At least, send a delegation over to Germany to see how the game is run there. I heard recently from a Bayern Munich fan who pays £70 for his season ticket. That includes 3 Champions League games. If we are going to lift Scottish football, then surely the best way is to attract more fans back to watch it.

Ditto. Fair dos young guys need to weigh up their options. But if the club have put decent offers on the table and there's now an infrastructure for them to develop further, what a golden opportunity. I hope these two signings have a domino effect on others. Come on guys - make yirselves Well legends. Just ask Dougie, Kirkie and Wullie P.

I thought Jimbo was a strange choice for the penalty. He also looked f*****. Shooting looks the weakest part of his game at moment. I would have thought Hammell or Coke were better candidates. Fair dos he was keen to take it though.

Is this the ex Celtic bloke? My memory's a bit foggy regards him.

The future looks very bright. Some of the long range passing was awesome. I believe in a top 4 finish.

I understand why so many are going for Saunders as it was a great showing for a young skinny lad in central defence. Coke seems to play to the same consistant high performance every match. But the best player on the park was Jim O'Brien.

Rather than bitch about MMG, I'd simply like to thank Melly for his service to the club and wish him well.

I think Saturday would be an ideal occasion to offer decent ticket prices. I reckon more than half of us in the DC are season ticket holders. So why not try and fill the empty seats with more floating Well fans? Looking forward to Saturday. I even feel optimistic. Having seen off last season's Champions League runners up, the h**s should be mere bread and butter :lol:

Fairly typical friendly - sterile in places. Points of interest - - Hately looks very comfortable in central midfield. - Moutaouakil shows promise. If he can cross the ball he will add a great attacking threat to the side. - Jutkiewicz looks decidedly average. Same size as Sutton but offers far less threat. McHugh has shown more so far. - Jamie Pollock came on for the last 15 minutes. He could be yet another young talent.

I think we are in for a cracking season - and in Jim Gannon we have cause for optimism. I say this in full expectancy that over the season, we will put in some poor/mediocre performances and drop points at Falkirk, St Mirren and Killie. But this young squad of pace and talent can beat the Old Firm. I anticipate more highs than lows between now and May.

A really exciting signing. I get the feeling he's not going to do much to our shaky defence - but what are we going to be like going forward? Blood rushing to my head - top 6 here we come. :P

I'm going for a Well victory. I'm basing this on us having an established team and tactics. I know MMG played a couple of talented youngsters last week, but I think we have a stronger side at present. Same starting 11 as last week. Can't see a rational for Hammell coming back in. 2-1 the Well

I'm not sure how fit Jennings is at present. He was well thought of at Tranmere. I propose we give him time to settle in.

I can't believe too many SPL clubs would offer bigger wages than Motherwell. Having said that, McKay chose St Johnstone over us. Whatever, I hope the club are able to pay the going rate as the young talent are our future.

Like Darren Smith, Hammell is injured. However, absence breeds speculation. Of last season's regulars, only Lasley appears fit but not selected. He now has to compete with Coke, Forbes and Jennings for a start.

Apologies for a negative post at this time of all round optimism - but I found this article in Times Online from back in February regarding the Fir Park pitch. Pat Nevin advises Motherwell Nevin describes the efforts the club put in to solve flooding when he was Chief Executive. His conclusion was the only solution was for the club to move grounds. The new pitch looked like a bowling green against Killie. After last season's embarrassment, it was great to see. But does anyone know if all the problems regards soil, undersoil heating and drainage have been resolved. Here's hoping.

What a great birthday for your Dad. Not surprised by Jim Gannon's contribution. Don't know how many games you go to but it appears JG's practice, to shake every player and official's hand at the end of the game, win or lose - and then applaud the fans. When he was appointed, Stockport fans came on here to say he was a legend. In just 8 games, he appears to have one all Well fans over - for both his management skills and sportsmanship.

JG delivered what he promised - attractive attacking football. Great to watch. There is now an air of excitement every time we go forward. For 4-5 seasons, I barely applauded the winning of a corner cos we were so inept at them. Now Forbes puts in some lethal balls - for others to attack and finish. Great stuff.