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Because I like to sit with my kids at the weekend and read about how the manager thought the game went and how he thought his selection/formation went. If your calling me a sycophant full of self importance, I'd like to call you an arse wipe. Hope that's ok with you.

Beautifull game , ugly industry. I would also rather have heard him say `Yes. Of course I'm still enjoying my time at Motherwell. There's the makings of a very good side here and the futures Claret and Amber`.

I've enjoyed reading the posts. I've found peoples opinion of how Jim Gannon has handled these last two games interesting. I have to admit Gannon's stance has annoyed me. The only one's who suffer are the fan's and supporters. The Press don't give a fuck. They'll just print more column inches about Hibs. Gannon puzzles me. Although I'm delighted with our position in the league, I wish the football was more incisive. I like Gannon's faith in youth but think the team needs greater experience. I also understand Gannon's shock at the standard of refereeing but question the wisdom of his attack when it is rightly pointed out we've really had a good time with refs lately. Lastly, just as the club finally makes great strides in public and supporters relations, Gannon's not talking. January will hopefully bring goodwill and some creativity.

McCormack was exactly that type of player. He had some craft and guile. Our midfield needs someone capable of opening up defences. Looking around Scotland their ain't too many players around, never mind in the ones we can afford bracket. I agree with someone who posted before and expect the southern exodus to continue. I'd make a cheeky bid to take Dobbie north again though. Despite the good start things don't seem to be going well for him in Wales and Sousa doesn't seem to rate him.

Kids bitching about kids. Ruddy over Forbes if it was a choice I had to make. Think your barking up the wrong tree with Forbes though. If Moyes is looking to have a Motherwell player in any sort of exchange for Ruddy, then its more than likely to be Reynolds.

Would like Jim Gannon to gather the whole squad together and first tell them, he's committed to staying for at least two more years. I would imagine he's already asked those concerned whether they want to stay or not. For me if anyone is not 100% behind Gannon they should go. The opportunity for players to run contracts down should not be an option. You get nothing from the player except an uncomfortable situation and often a disruptive effect around the club. Their agents or whoever should be told by MFC - here's what we want for him (value determined by the cost of his wage until the summer) and instructed to find them a club before January. If they take the piss? MFC then has to decide whether to bite the bullet and continue to pay their wage but freeze the player out of all meaningful playing action until the summer (Basically lower their profile and appeal), pay them off or try to use them in some sort of swap deal. I think we'll see quite a bit of transfer action come January and can easily see us losing a keeper and a couple of defenders - we might get a bid for Reynolds that we can't afford to turn down and release either Yassin or Craigan. I also expect us to shed some baggage in midfield - 2/3 players to leave. If money is saved/raised I hope Gannon and Boyle spend it wisely. Creative midfielder and a Coyne-esque type striker (can but dream) would be good.

An incredible achievement. Well done players and staff alike.

I think this game has goals in it. 3 or 4 goals for the Well and maybe they'll get one. My coupon will have us in a nice treble of away wins - The Well, Dundee Utd and Hibs. Hell St Midden are 11-1 to beat a very poor and tired Rangers side. Why is there not a Reasons to Hate the OF Thread The feelings stired up by this slur on those brave men and women obviously run deep. As someone else said, their acceptance (or fear) of a few is nothing but cowardice. Thankfully a trait that was as foreign to the men annd women of WW1/WW2, as the land they fought on.

A six goal thriller. lol

Against the general feeling on here but I reckon this might be a high scoring game. 6/7 goal thriller. (Although the way my coupons have been going lately 0-0)

Pretty much spot on for me. He needs games and not 15/30 mins. The forward line is needing some pace and movement badly.

1. Ruddy decides to accept a modest paycut to sign a two year deal at the Well. Everton accept a modest sum (£LOL) 2. MM signs Fraser for £100 000 and gives him Leighton's Job. 3. Kerr discovers another gem already playing for in the Motherwell youths and gives him his chance. But then its my birthday and I've had toomuch malt.

Good Post. Agree that versitility along the back line is a great asset. For me the youngsters mentioned have brought some pace to our back line and this has meant we dont have to sit so deep. Perhaps Ruddy is also having an influence on them. On a sour note, how long before the OF media state their interest in one of them?

Apart from one who scores goals, what are people looking for? I agree with those who say Sutton needs someone beside him who can play around him. Someone like David Connolly would be perfect for me (available on a free from Sunderland). The right age at 31 and an experienced International. His days of being on a large wage are over and maybe 2/3 years near his beloved would be good for The Well. Not sure why he hasn't played a lot lately, but a good goal scorer. I know its fruitless but anyone care to suggest a partner type for Sutton?

Unthinkable not to go into the season having not replaced Clarkson and Porters goals. If we don't also get a strong centre half, then we have learnt nothing from MM's time. Totally agree with the post above that says this team needs some experienced heads though. One or two quality signings and I'm sure this team will be top six or there abouts.

Motherwell and United. A man I could trust. Have a great day.

Great to read all the positive posts. I can't remember a pre season that has generated such childlike excitement in me. The entire club and team has transformed. A month ago I was thinking about how a new manager was going to scrape together a team that could avoid relegation. Now, I could of course be wrong, but forwards aside, this team looks as good as last years. If Gannon manages to find us a 15-20 goal scorer, I'll piss myself. Although I've criticised Boyle in a few posts I now give praise when its due. He looks to have made a good choice of manager again. (I include MM because although I disliked him strongly in the end, I acknowledge the good football and success). Boyle's been in the job a wee while now and he's taken us to and brought us back from some scary places. Perhaps he's learning to be a successful and popular chairman. A Vidicesque centre-half and I'm in the Crichton.

Also agree with a lot of what El Grew said. If we can afford to keep what we've got and add a RB and CB then fine. If not then I'm not against selling to raise funds. This team needs some experienced heads though. What we've got is small or lightweight and I'm still not sure what some of our defenders best positions are. One thing I do know is our dietitan wants to give some of Hammel's pasta and chicken to the other defenders. I've no doubt Gannon will address this as a settled and confident defence is worth a lot of points in the SPL. What a pre-season!

Amen.

Ok. I can remember some of Boyle's comments but was that interview not a good while ago. Just wondered if the club looked at it again and asked the question from those who give advise.

Question for Flow and groundstaff. I was wondering if the club considered playing the home tie with Steaua at Fir Park? I might be wrong on this but I thought I'd read somewhere that the Wigan match was going to be the first game played on the new pitch. If I'm right Wigan were due to play us on the 8th and Steaua at Airdrie is on the 6th. The two dates are only two days apart so that would suggest the pitch would be ready. Would have be a great way to showcase it. PS I have enjoyed the photo's and posts.

If your pushing me for an answer then yes I thought they were as good, if not better than last years old firm teams. Your opinion is also valid.

Eight goals against any team in Europe will command us some respect from their coach and players. We are an unknown entity to them and I expect them to be quite cautious initially. An attacking line-up may get us an away goal. (I think they'll score home and away). If we choose a defensive team and sit back and allow their midfield to play 30 yards from our goal, I think they'll murder us. Old or new Steaua, I expect them to be better than the present OF and at least as strong and technically gifted as Nancy.