Lobey_Dosser

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.

Liam Henderson still not been loaned out by Celtic. If at all possible, he's your man to replace Pearson.

Don't think anyone could argue with Cadden being substituted, he looked like he still had the Celtic game in his legs. The issue was bringing on Blyth and losing our shape. We lost any momentum we had at that point.

That was probably Clay's least anonymous performance to be fair. My concern is that despite our budget constraints, our midfield options are far from balanced. Lasley, McHugh, Clay and Campbell are all deep lying midfielders. As is Lucas going by his Annan cameo.

Largely uninspiring way to kick off our season at home, albeit not unexpected given our league cup performances. I think today highlights the consequences of our tightening budget: - We have went with a low cost mediocre keeper in order to invest elsewhere in the team - Pearson is yet to be replaced. Clay might do a job but he's not the man to drive us on and feed our forwards. - We have no cover for the increasing injury prone Hammell. You might get away with one of the above but the accumulation of all three leaves you with a disjointed and incompetent team. That could make for a very hard season if not addressed. As an aside, has there been any word on ST sales? We're still in holiday season but it seemed quieter than normal for the opening home game.

Hammell signing autographs in the 'Well shop tomorrow so no fitness test for him. Wonder if McGhee could be tempted to play Marvin as a left wingback.