star sail

I have been disappointed by the reaction of the press to last nights results. The Aberdeen result is embarrasing and to some degree Falkirk's result was also poor but to lump Motherwell and Celtic in with what some papers are calling a dismal week for Scottish Football is harsh. Celtic lost to a team who are well into their season in a league that is fairly strong. From Well's point of view 3-0 away from home against a decent European side is not a disgrace as some in the press have labelled it. The truth is that the Scottish game is a country mile behind most other European nations but it is not this weeks results that show us that. For years now European teams have been fitter, more organised and more technically gifted and it is going to take some radical change in the Scottish game (and the Scottish culture) to get close to this (and the problem is not simply money). I think it is a shame that Motherwell get held up for example when in actual fact they have done as well as could be expected of them. I am pleased with the way JG is talking about trying to progress the game in Scotland but he needs like minded people within the game to help and unfortunately it seems that footballing philosophy in Scotland is stuck in the past. What our teams don't need is our press ridiculing individual teams for what is a national problem.

What a save. Ruddy looks good. I think that this has been a better performance than the Nancy away game despite the scoreline. They are a good side.

I can get the screen up but when I press play I just get a rotating circle in the centre of the screen. Is that ok at this stage?

I have been guilty of that myself in the past. Remember the St Mirren cup game last season (home game) when Porter had just left and I thought Sutton was going to get his chance but McGhee did not play him (Sheridan played second half instead). I thought Sutton would never kick a ball for us again but turned out he just did not fit into that legendary 4-3-3 (aye right then) system that day. Would fully expect Hammill to be one of our main players this season but do think he needed a kick up the arse after the first Llanelli game where he just did not look interested.

Thanks. I thought so but he has changed a bit. He too looks really well in that photo. Adds to the disbelief. As somebody said above lets hope we do not hear news like this again for a long time.

Apologies I don't recognise him in this pic. Could somebody point him out. On a positive note it is good to see Stevie Kirk and Dougie looking so well in that picture.

Very sad and shocking. Paul was the same age as me. What makes it all the more frightening is that all these guys Uncle Phil, Jamie Dolan, Davie Cooper and now Paul were fit and healthy athletes through their teen's and twenties. RIP Paul and thanks for the memories.

Ruddy has a bit of the Dolph Lundgrens about him. Lets hope he's as imposing as he looks.

Some people have very short memories. We finished 3rd in season 2007-2008 having played some of the best football of a Motherwell side in some time (better at times than last night). More importantly than that McGhee handled the Uncle Phil situation very well and I think that is something no Well fan should forget. Yes the second season was not as good and yes he was out for number one but there is a lot of people in Football like that (only time will tell if JG is any different). It could be argued that last night would not have happened if McGhee had not managed the players well enough to obtain the Fair Play Euro Place. McGhee's last few months were far from perfect and he obviously thought he was off to Celtic but that is not the full picture. Think we need to wait untill the end of season 09-10 before we start singing 'Are you watching Mark McGhee'

May have been mentioned but in JG's interview on the official site he talks of a signing today (Friday). Fingers crossed.

It has been an excellent start by JG because of all the reasons mentioned above. The only slight concern I have is his treatment of the more experienced players. I am not saying it is wrong, just that it may backfire. I watched Laslay, McGarry and Hammall warming up at the corner flag in the first 5-10 mins of last nights game. JOB was having a torrid first 10 mins and I sensed (may be paranoid or totally wrong) that there was a bit of whispering and almost piss taking going on from our jilted three. Also watching the body language between Gannon and Craigan it looks less than warm. That is all fine if like last night everything goes well but I hope he does not completly alienate these players as they may be needed when things are not going so well. Having said that he was right to drop all three as I think Hammell and Laslay particularly have been coasting a bit recently. It must be a tough balancing act. Overall though I have been really impressed and love the way he 'goes about his business'.

It's hectic. If you want to see where society is going wrong we need to round up these clapping idiots and make an example of them. The thing is if we let it take hold it could lead to further clapping. Then where would we be? It needs to stop and I think your the man to lead us in this war against these appreciative, friendly, happy morons. Clapping a ball boy twice. Made me sick to my stomach!!

Fantastic. Forbes and Slane were excellent. Brilliant to see players with some pace. Felt sorry for Sutton but he contributed well tonight (Beautiful cushioned pass for Forbes goal). As others have said, the only negative is the defence. The Goalkeeper looks to have no confidence. I know that Craigan has a lot of supporters on here but I don't think he looks at all comfortable at the moment. I hope he finds his feet if Gannon can get the right person to play along side him. A better team would have caused us problems defensivly tonight and unfortunately Bucharest are a better team. Reynolds looked comfortable at left back but the right back position needs filled asap. Very impressed by what Gannon has managed to achieve in such a short time. He arrived under difficult circumstances and has done exceptionally well to guide us through the last four weeks.

I know positive vibes. Its a disgrace. Some people need to have a good look at themselves.

Nice one. Lets hope he's celebrating a Well victory this eve. Pleased it has not put him off.

Ok friend, point taken maybe I should be a little more thick skinned. It's just that I know parents close to me who have lost young children and it wrecks lives. I'm sure you meant nothing by it. Peace. Back to the fitba best wishes Stephen Hughes!

Also nice to hear JG, at least publicly put the ambition of the club above personal ambition. I thought we might miss MM's interviews in the press as he was always articulate but I think JG is showing a similiar ability. He certainly speaks with confidence which is great to hear.

This post is not only dross it's offensive as well. Best midfield player we have had for some time. All the best Stephen. Thanks for letting us watch a player that has more ability than the usual SPL fodder. I think that if Kaka was leaving us you would get some people saying 'better of without him'

That sums it up for me. Given our vulnerability at the back I think we will loose 1. I think they will do everything they can to spoil the game with timewasting etc. Going to be a tense evening.

Have faith in JG and it is good to get some new players in . Just have to hope that he has not underestimated the SPL like Harri Kampmann did. I would think that if you took the best player for each position in Scottish Division 1 and made a team out of them you would have a half decent side. Hope JG is picking the best from the lower divisions in England.

The two hardest types of players to find are creative midfield players and out and out goalscorers. Thats why they tend to cost the most money. It is what makes Kris Boyd an asset. He can score goals even if other parts of his game are poor. In Stephen Hughes we had a creative midfield player who although expensive we could just afford. He will be very difficult to replace. I know there is an arguement to say that Hughes created little last year but I think people get confused with players creating goal scoring opportunities and creative players. Full backs and wingers may provide more assists without neccesarily being creative players. The creative midfielder links the team together in the middle of the park allowing players to do their thing round about him. If they can also provide defense splitting passes (ie Zidane) they become multi million pound players. I remember Paul Lambert leaving Well and people suddenly realising how good he was for us. The point is I think we are going to struggle to get another Stephen Hughes and we are going to miss him.

Early days but I think the league may look like this given the state of play at the moment 1) Celtic (Mowbrey adding some freshness) 2) Rangers (may loose a few more players before the transfer deadline) 3) Aberdeen (hate to say it but i think MM will do with Abdeen what he did with us two seasons ago) 4) DUtd (very stable at the moment and CL is a good manager) 5) Hearts (thought they got lucky last year will get found out this year) 6) MWell (more hope than expectation but hoping Gannon can make the difference) 7) Hibs ( don't know about this one, could really end in tears for them if Yogi gets it wrong) St Johnstone (think they will have that first season bounce like Accies last season) 9) St Mirren ( a club who are fairly stable at the moment and may have a bit of money to spend) 10) Accies (good manager in BR but going to loose some key players before the season starts) 11) Falkirk (going to have to rely on young players like ourselves but may just have enough talent to stay up) 12) Killie (just don't know where there inspiration is going to come from) The fact is that from 3 to 12 it's pretty much anybody's guess.

I take it that it would be the away leg first as they came out the hat first? If so bummer because I will be on holiday for the home game.

I think most people would have waited untill after last nights game before buying tickets. I reckon that the ticket sales will start to take off a bit now. Hope so. The crowd could make the difference on Thursday.

Would have absolutely loved if that had been for real. Maybe not the most successful football player of all time but one of the most naturally gifted. Was an absolute pleasure watching him play football. I thought when he went to Liverpool he was going to be a revelation but it never quite happened.