Lobey_Dosser

15 minutes of exciting football inspired by the introduction of Thomas and Erwin. Unfortunately it was preceded by the drivel we became used to under McCall. Little sign of Baraclough's passing game today but you have little option when Lasley isn't accompanied by at least 1 midfielder. Unfortunately the long ball is never going to work when you have an isolated striker with led boots. Solid enough debut from Luke Watt, good luck to him. I thought McManus lack of leadership in the middle of such an inexperienced back line was deplorable. My views on him have been mixed from the outset but it's clear his heart is not in it. Time to roll up the sleeves.

Encouraging words. http://www.espnfc.co.uk/scottish-premiership/match/408556/motherwell-aberdeen/preview

It will be interesting to assess whether Aberdeen have the credentials to potentially push Celtic for the next month or two. It will also be interesting to see if Cadden and Thomas get their chance now. We've been going round in circles since Iceland and I'm struggling to have any feeling for many of those who represent our club while we continue to be undermined by a legacy of unprofessionalism, incompetence and self pity. Baraclough does provide hope but he has the odds stacked against him at present. In the meantime, I anticipate a Kenny Black style performance where we'll try hard for a wee while before blowing out our arse and being unpicked with ease.

Despite finishing 2nd, it was recognised within the support that our standard of football last season was largely woeful. We were badly in need of some quality in the midfield and out wide. Our form was epitomised by the 5-1 humping at Tannadice before riding our luck to victories against Inverness and Aberdeen to clinch 2nd. We then went on to lose 3 quality (albeit not entirely reliable) players in Anier, Hutchison and McFadden and adequately replaced one. The summer of 2013 remains the major failing though. Lawson, Vigurs and Neilsen on the back of McCall swithering over the Sheffield United offer. Horrible signings, their wages over the 2 years will equate to a sum in the vicinity of what fans have donated to the Well Society. Sickening.

From Iceland to today, special mention to McCall, Dempster and the current Board for a shambles of a season consequent to years of short-term thinking and self-indulgence on and off the park. Baraclough and Hutchison's staff have a helluva job on their hands to turn this around but at least they'll have a blank canvas to work with come the summer.

Yes, the focus off the park for Baraclough and the Board from now until the summer, is to identify and sign players on pre-contracts. Primarily players that have the quality and desire to use Motherwell as a steeping stone and earn us a few quid. As Steelboy stays, hopefully we've learned our lesson from dishing out so many wasteful contracts in 2013. If we manage to get 1 or 2 of the deadwood off the books during January then it is a bonus. And I think we will as surely some of these players want to be playing on a regular basis. For those that remain, they'll need to up their game and put in some sort of performance to get a contract at Motherwell or elsewhere in the summer. That should benefit us in the short-term. If we are genuinely interested in anyone from Ireland, there's probably a fair chance they'll come over in January as they're mostly unattached.

Dan is on a 2 year deal. Erwin is about the only one out of contract that I'd be in a rush to sort out. If there is room for manoeuvre, I'd say we need a quality midfielder that is comfortable in possession and a decent fullback that could add some much needed pace and power to the team.

I think Faddy played at Killie before coming off with an unrelated injury. Supposedly it's fine for him to play on but he couldn't train on it all week. I think we built up a bit of a mental barrier towards plastic pitches under the previous regime. Will be interesting to see if Baraclough leaves anyone out due to the surface, particularly with the Aberdeen game 3 days later.

Yeah, I wasn't sure if it differed outwith the UK.

Imperative we keep Ojamaa but he didn't look a happy bunny yesterday. Is it correct that Ojamaa can only play for Motherwell or Legia for the remainder of the season?

Pretty brutal 2nd half but it was all about the 3 points again. Impressed by our improved defensive structure and our willingness to win the ball back high up the park. I wonder if Vigurs was fit, would he replace Law in behind Sutton? We certainty need someone pulling the strings so that Ojamaa and Ainsworth don't need to drop so deep for the ball. Disappointed for Lee Erwin, he's no exactly covered himself in glory with his recent performances off the bench but there is a good raw player there that probably needs an experienced head beside him.

Highlights are on the official website. Lovely goal.

Listening to the commentary of Peter Martin and Alan Rough, it sounded like we were pretty poor, lacking shape and rhythm. Job done though, today was all about the 3 points. I'll look forward to seeing us against a half decent Thistle next week.

It'll be time to chuck it.

Hopefully the youth on the bench gets a chance and we see Thomas or Cadden replace Ainsworth when he runs out of steam.

If Hutchison's revenue streams do come to fruition then hopefully the WS fund doesn't need to be touched. I think it's very important that there is a 7 figure working capital sitting there should the fan takeover materialise. Once the imminent deal is signed and sealed, I hope they focus in on regular funding and set realistic targets in January for how much the WS should raise each year. Possibly with split targets for personal and business level. For instance, if we are require a 1,000 fans to pay on average £20 per month then there's an achievable £240k per annum. Is this sufficient? Could the business community come close to matching this? And a nice wee incentive would be for the loan to turn into a donation should the WS meet all it's targets.

Think much of this was down to a really good agent who we'll hopefully do business with again. Randolph one still baffles me but we need to get better at projecting our players and boosting their profile without begging for cash. Dundee Utd and Falkirk being two shining examples of what can be done.

First few minutes:

Really hope sensible player recruitment and profitable turnaround comes to fruition under Hutchison/Baraclough. It has to be at the essence of a tightly run ship. This was a major failing under the Dempster/McCall regime.

He's been definitive in saying that he will bring in his own assistant manager.

Very positive week. Can't understand why we are in the position we are, given quality. Full focus on getting 3 points tomorrow but with consideration for the longer term, he has spent time watching youngsters and looking at player contracts. Team already named for tomorrow. Moore and Hammell definitely out.

Judging by his press conferences, I think the manager is keen on players that have yet to hit their peak and eager to improve.

Only 2 press conferences in but it's hard not to take a shine to Baraclough. He seems a perfect fit for where we want to go. Hopefully the players can get him off to a good start over the festive period so that he has breathing space to embed his ethos. Glad to hear that we will be bringing in a new assistant too.

I don't think we are capable of putting out a competent midfield, which is McCalls fault.

Are we looking at the likes of Andrew Wilson departing the board?