Lobey_Dosser

Ended up picking up a ticket for this... Cup runs are part of the new business plan, I'd be surprised if we don't go with an almost full strength team with Kennedy and Thomas possibly being the exceptions.

I think longer term he's been signed to play left of a midfield 3 and/or wide left to provide competition for Marvin/Ainsworth. Hopefully he's got the bottle to recover from a poor start.

Jackson Irvine would have been a nailed on starter for Motherwell. If we were in for him then fair play to Ross County for offering a more attractive package, he'll go on to be one of the best players in the league. Regarding Cadden MB, I like him a lot but he plays further up the park than Pearson.

Clarkson was painful to watch in the u20s. He may well get a run-out on Tues but don't expect much.

We potentially need 2 signings. 1st priority being a midfielder that can get a grip of the game. At the moment there is nobody at the club capable of filling that role. Secondly we need a right back. Hopefully that is Luke Watt but Baraclough needs to make a decision there. I was surprised Watt didn't make the bench today after impressing as a sub on Tues.

The thing with Baraclough is that he's not a manager. He's a talker, a delegator and ultimately, a bluffer. Not the only one at the club mind you.

Why do we only score in the first 10 minutes? Killie game hugely significant now.

Mentioned in passing by Richard Gordon that Aberdeen were after Marvin in the summer.

Stadium is fine for what it is but it's not a trip to get the juices flowing like an Ayr or QoS. As for league cup, there is apathy across the country towards the competition, which is reflected in crowds and the apparent desire to restructure and rebrand. From our perspective, Motherwell haven't provided too many memorable moments in the last 15+ years and it will always be in the shadow of the Scottish Cup. I obviously hope we progress but I find tomorrow at Perth much more important. Which is quite a shift from how I used to view cup competitions.

I'd be there but the anticipation would be a fraction of what I experienced in 2005.

I drove by the ground last week and quickly realised it wasn't worth the hassle on a Tuesday. Think I'm finished with the League Cup nowadays.

I think the fact that he lost the best part of 2 seasons due to injury, may have swayed his decision. If he's good enough he'll get his chance at Leeds. They aren't miles ahead of us.

He was at Airdrie today unless I'm getting him mixed up with another old boy in a 'Well tracksuit. We are far fitter than last season which brings us up to a par with most of our competitors. Was good to see Ainsworth pelting back in the 90th minute on Saturday.

Cadden plays a more advanced role than Pearson but yeah he's got a good engine on him and comfortable running with the ball. Young Allan Campbell who has just turned 17 plays the sitting role in midfield. Leitch was tidy enough on the ball and grew into the game. Not the midfield general that the 1st team seeks though.

Also headed along to this. We're looking like a well drilled outfit, committed to pressing high up the park and breaking with pace. Not too dissimilar to the 1st team. As expected, Cadden and Thomas really do look like the 2 hot prospects. I think both are capable of making an impact in the 1st team this season - but they need a solid midfield behind them. At the back McMillan and Hall looked fairly solid. Kennedy was absolutely strolling through the game until his unfortunate sending off. He is very much a centre half in my opinion. Good to see Luke Watt come off the bench, hopefully he's back on the fringes of the 1st team soon.

Wee fell to pieces without Hammell last season. He's far from flawless but remains one of the best left backs in the league. His technique and composure on the ball ensures he remains a key part of our team. Josh Law on the other hand, his contribution to the 1st goal yesterday was embarrassing. Totally out his depth.

I can't see Taylor going on to be a regular starter in a midfield 2. More likely he'll offer competition on the left. I'm no sure about Leitch but he's been hard done by in the last 2 selections. Law meanwhile does my head in at right back. Leaves Laing to clear up his mess time and time again and in the last 2 weeks, has failed to offer Dom Thomas any support in the later stages of the game.

Was good to see Skippy grow into the game today. Glimpses that him and my motm Moult will develop a decent partnership.

Another good game to watch which ends in frustration. Baraclough went with a bold formation and we competed well, creating a number of half decent chances despite Marvin being off the boil. Moult may divide opinion but today he strengthened my hunch that he is going to be a terrific player for us. Wee bit lightweight at the moment maybe but he has good movement, runs all day and wins numerous headers. Him and Skippy will create goals for each other as time progresses. Aberdeen are so strong in the wide areas that they were always going to create chances and we'd have to ride our luck. Disappointed therefore that we continued the theme of losing such soft goals. It's not been a good week for our unit of a keeper. St Johnstone game now grows in significance. Play like today and we'll get a result but as we know, consistency is far from guaranteed under the current regime. Finding a midfielder with a bit if dig between now and then would improve our chances.

Too many in our own support were quick to undervalue Murphy too. Would love to come into contention with Scotland. McGhee will likely see plenty of him at Brighton now.

Delighted for Jamie. Hopefully Strachan gives him a chance this year.

With Aberdeen obviously very strong, hopefully we can strike a balance between bolstering the midfield and supporting Moult up front. Might be worthwhile putting the likes of Leitch on McLean, while Law will need to be on his game against McGinn and/or Hayes. 3-2 Motherwell with Thomas getting his first goal for the club.

Obviously it's way too early to discuss manager's future and I don't think anyone is suggesting his position should be reviewed just now. Niggling concern for me is that we could very easily lose our next 2 games against Aberdeen and St Johnstone. While a run of tough games would be out the way the pressure would be on prior to the East Fife and Killie games. Given how rotten we've been on recent trips to Perth, I think it's vital we run Aberdeen very close on Saturday.

Thomas has had a fair amount of game time so far and has a long way to go before being a regular first team starter. In addition to Thomas, the two which Baraclough rates the most, Watt and MacLean, are both injured. If they're good enough they'll get their chance. Last night didn't bode well for Leitch I guess but he didn't have a strong enough performance on Saturday to maintain his starting slot.

Baraclough's reported downfall at Sligo was his obsession with 4231. Before Skippy arrived in February, he experimented with the likes of Law and Moore playing in the advanced midfield role. While it worked at treat at Ibrox I don't see the point in signing Fletcher, Skippy and Moult unless you are committed to a front two more often than not.