Lobey_Dosser

Too many variables at the moment. Most would put McHugh down as a first choice but while his contribution has been positive, we've barely seen him over the course of 7 games. What we do need though is a creative midfielder to compliment Cadden and one sitting midfielder (McHugh/Clay/Lasley). Failure to complete that piece of the jigsaw will make for a difficult few months.

Good news if we got decent compensation for Leitch. Hopefully a proportion of it can be reinvested in squad.

Two clubs at a relatively low ebb early in the season. Would be happy enough with a point. Roll on the international break.

Clay may end up being a relatively solid acquisition. However, when you sell Pearson who is one of the most influential midfielders in the league, we should have had a better replacement lined up. A replacement that complimented Lasley and McHugh. Find it hard to believe Clay was in our original thinking.

Scheduled to return for the Ross County game on 10th Sept. You can often take these projected dates with a pinch of salt though. I think his injury was misdiagnosed when examined at the end of last season with rest the suggested remedy.

McGhee benoaning the lack of options on bench today. Doesn't bode well for Lucas.

Agree entirely with this. Recall similar discussions at certain points of the McCall era.

Wasn't there today but I think part of our perceived lack of fitness is down to our style of play, which is compounded by too many slow players. We spend large chunks of the game chasing the ball and when we get the ball, we lack quality, composure and movement. Consequently we are seemingly under instruction to go route one more often that not. Night and day from McGhee in 2007 when we swept teams aside with incisive interplay. Obviously we are operating with a far lower calibre of player though.

Didn't following the game but having feared a doing I'm relatively content with a narrow defeat. Sore one for those that travelled but it's no surprise to lose a late goal given our limited options.

Rangers -2 @5/2. Will hold off to hear our lineup but very tempting.

Think you are right there. There's also the possibility that McHugh could deputise. A young understudy to Hammell should have been a priority this summer but sadly there is no chance of any team taking Chalmers off our hands.

Lasley was frighteningly off the pace against Celtic and St Johnstone but I'm keeping the faith he'll be up to speed soon enough.

Semple it will be cheers, couldn't remember the name.

Towards the end of today's press conference, McGhee mentioned that he had a 15 year old who would be flirting with the first team if he was allowed to do so. Possibly a throwaway comment given the nature of the question but who's he talking about?

No team news was shared at the press conference but that's a blow if McHugh is still out. Find it hard to envisage us competing with a team that moves the ball about so quickly. We're going to need big performances from the likes of Lasley and Cadden just to get in the game.

Autumn 2017 before we'd receive the CL 'solidarity' payment according to Burrows on Twitter.

Grimshaw was the one that came to mind. He appears to be starting for Preston though, while Humphrey tends to be a sub. Sadly can't think of any ex creative midfielders, competent left backs or decent goalkeepers that would be available.

Craigan mentioned post match that he hopes 3 or 4 can make the 1st team this season. Ross MacLean strikes me as the one with the style of play, intelligence and work ethic to slot right into McGhee's plans. I suspect we'd have seen more of him by now if it hadn't been for injuries. Who else could make the 1st team this season? Watt? He's clearly got ability but he looks like one that could do with addressing his lapses in concentration and playing against experienced strikers at League 1 level for a few months. I'm convinced Campbell is the star man. Fully expect him to be loaned out to a team that plays possession style football. Thinking back to the East Fife cup game, that would be an ideal move for him. Suspect Kevin McBride will have been impressed by a few last night and will likely make enquiries.

On the subject of young keepers, I've been impressed with Morrison against Edinburgh and Airdrie. Based on limited viewings admittedly, he's the most accomplished young Motherwell keeper I can recall for some time.

Enjoyable viewing again tonight, it's good seeing a Motherwell team that is comfortable in possession while offering good movement. We obviously have a number of very decent prospects. Think this competition has provided further evidence that they'd benefit playing against the likes of Airdrie every week. Think we have recruited really well in Thomas Fry. And a mention for Mackin, the McGhee fitness regime appears to be working for him, far more mobile than he was this time last year. Another cracking goal too.

Cadden is still 19, 6 months younger than Thomas and Ferguson. I assumed both of them were too old for u20s this season. Regardless, I'd expect Craigan to go with the new group.

Shinnie could be some signing for Hibs, fair play to them. I imagine his representatives will have talked to a few Scottish clubs. If we end up with Lucas and Clay, it'll be the most baffling business since the Theo Robinson debacle last summer.

Good luck to Laing if that's the case. I had high hopes for him when he signed permanently but for whatever reason he never fully recovered from the East Fife shocker. From a financial perspective, there was little sense in having both Kennedy and Laing on the books so we've done well to get one out the door. I suspect Laing was on a very decent contract.

And not one attacking midfielder with a hint of pace amongst them. Signing Lasley, Clay, McHugh and Lucas in one summer defies logic. Even more so when our hottest young prospect is a sitting midfielder.

Very little confidence in the current team until the obvious weaknesses are addressed. if we go there and sit off Rangers like we did for 60 mins at FP, we'll get hammered. Fair chance that some of our new signings will be like rabbits in the headlights in front of 50k Rangers fans.