El Grew

Yet again another vitally important game where Stuart McCall and the players have been found badly wanting. Why go to Tannadice against a quick, young energetic and technically superior team and try to play an open expansive game? Another poster got it spot on when he said that McCall and Black are simply incapable of setting us up to be difficult to breakdown and score against.

I think it starts in goal. We have been fortunate for a few seasons in having really good goalkeepers in Ruddy and Randolph who gave our defenders comfort and confidence in that they confidently commanded the area in and around the 6-yard box. This meant the defenders don't need to worry about having to clear too much in that area. Next, the manager doesn't seem to want our two full backs to operate as orthodox defenders but more as auxiliary wingers. This allows teams to counter attack us by playing passes for runners into the big spaces they leave behind them when we ilse possession. Our two centre halves are too similar in their manner of play - both old fashioned and able to deal with things straight in front of them but far too easily turned and pulled out of position and very immobile. Having 'had a go' at the defence, in their defence, they are continually exposed to runners because of a serious lack of cover from our midfield. Main reason for this is we playi with two wide midfielders which means the central two midfielders have to cover a hell of the pitch both supporting the forwards and tracking back and from side to side. The 'simple' solution and one I've always favoured (maybe I'm an old fashioned traditionalist) is to use a system of play which the players are capable of operating in as opposed to using a system in which they are incapable of operating. First and foremost I believe that all four defenders first priority is to defend and not operate as auxiliary midfielders/forwards. Next we should operate with four in the midfield, with two whose main role is to track runners and protect the centre halves and two supporting the two forwards. It maybe old fashioned but I believe 4-4-2 is a system that our players understand and can play in and be at ease in. We simply don't have the class of players to be playing the type of systems that only top class players can play in. All the best teams have usually been built on a good sound defence and I see no reason to deviate from that.

Quelle surprise! Our forwards must be getting right pissed off at the defence. Continually doing the business of putting us in winning positions only for the defence and goalkeeper to toss it away. Our goals scored is highly impressive but our goals against column is as bad as those at the other end of the table. McCall needs to get this addressed. To lose 3-2 from being 2-0 up is just unacceptable. However I seem to recall being 2-0 up at home to this lot at FP in the last game of the season a few seasons back when Malpas was in charge and we ended up losing 3-2. Who says lightning never strikes in the same place twice? If there is a hard way to do things the the mighty Dossers will not only find it but do it!

What about going after Tansey, Shinnie and McKay fro ICT?

A real down to earth modest guy. One of the greatest footballers ever to have played in Scotland and for us. For the short time he played with us he gave terrific entertainment and brightened up many an otherwise dull grey Saturday. Lifted a fairly good side into being a really good side when he arrived at FP. Watching him and Bobby Russell playing together was a real pleasure. Seeing the true joy on his face when he lifted the cup for us and whilst on the open-topped bus round the town will be a lasting memory.

BBC used to provide the best TV service in the world and their coverage of sport was unrivalled and they particularly exceptional at horse racing, golf and football. However they have all but dropped out of sport now and the organisation seems to be getting run by a cabal of chancers, doowallers and wahoos who employ third rate presenters, commentators and reporters - particularly in Scotland. As for the credit or lack of credit given to our club, it's been like this for a long number of years. The Scottish sporting media, particularly the football media, have been in denial of Motherwell going way back. As for the coverage being afforded Aberdeen. Yes it's way over the top and totally unwarranted but just watch how quickly this gets dropped when The Rangers get into the SPFL. Maybe we are our own worst enemy though because we are after all a well-run, well organised, non-sectarian, family-oriented, fan-friendly, non-controversial, reasonably successful football club that just goes about its work quietly, effectively and efficiently. Our manager does not court the media nor provide them with lurid, noisy outbursts and comments or seek publicity just for its own sake neither do our players. In short maybe we are too boring for the tosses in the Scottish media!! Long may it continue.

I'm with you there. Worse was seeing us grubbed 8-3 by Partick Thistle. I remember seeing Kilmarnock, Dunfermline, St Johnstone all getting into Europe and wondering if we'd ever get there. Guys soak it up while it's going because it won't last forever. The only thing I would ask UEFA is why they don't consider having the preliminary rounds organised on a regional basis to help smaller clubs avoid heavy travelling costs.

Another 3 goals conceded!! Inability to keep a clean sheet. If you look at our goals against column it is that of a team from the bottom 4 and not 3rd in the league. In our last 5 games we have now conceded 13 goals. This just puts undue pressure on our forwards as it looks as though they need to be scoring 3 or 4 goals to win a game. There was no excuse for going from 2-0 to 2-3 today. And okay we managed to get a draw in the end but hardly reasons for celebration.

Goalkeeping problems. Pish poor defence. So what's new?

To Wellfan09. A well thought and articulately constructed response. Well here's one equally well thought and articulately constructed response.

Hardly a surprise result!!! We lost 3 goals at home to Partick Thistle so anybody that had thoughts of us winning at Tannadice was seriously delusional. Our defence is absolutely terrible and at no time could you be convinced of their ability to keep a clean sheet. Hard hat time For me one of the major problems is Shaun Hutchison. He is still making the same stupid mistakes now as he was when he came into the team and IMO he has not progressed at all. He was far too easily beaten for Partick's first goal last week and tonight he was a bomb scare. He is far too easily dragged out of position and is actually slower than he looks. He apparently does not want to stay on at the end of the season well I'd happily oblige him. McCall needs to get a centre-back that can complement McManus by being decent on the ground because he must be pissed off having to cover for him all the time to the detriment of his own fame. He also needs to accept that Stevie Hammell's best days are gone and that he needs to get a new left back who can first and foremost defend. Getting these positions sorted plus getting Twardzik from Dundee should be his top priority for next season.

Really sad news. Was my dad's favourite player and always spoke about him in reverential terms. Thoughts and prayers are with Andy's family. RIP.

Wondered where all the added time came from. Just watched the game on BBC Alba and the ref added on a total of 9 minutes to normal time - 4 minutes at end of first half and 5 minutes at the end of the second half. I think the first half stoppage was about right due to time used getting Jack treated and subbed but where did he get 5 minutes in the second half?

Found this 10 minute clip on YouTube. Motherwell V Celtic at FP in 1968. Lost 0-1 but to the majority of the Lisbon Lions side. Big Peter McCloy in goals all in black. I wonder how many posters remember seeing these 'Well players playing. http://m.youtube.com/results?q=motherwell%2520v%2520celtic%25201968&sm=3 I picked out Peter McCloy, Davie Whiteford, Joe Wark, Tom Forsyth, Willie McCallum, Bobby Campbell, Jimmy Wilson, Jackie McInally, Dixie Deans. First 'Well team I saw. Ah what great memories!

Kovacevic leaving Ross County. Only 25. He had a couple of decent seasons at Dundee Utd previously and looked a decent left back. Still quite young and Stevie Hammell is getting to the veteran stage. Worth taking on?

Thanks guys for filing in the blanks. Aye great memories. It's really funny I remember that self-same burn at Cowdenbeath mainly because on the road out of the ground it was pitch black and I nearly ended up in it. Aye I don't like to think about the semi-final, JPR Gordon or Derek Johnstone.

Big Peter McCloy did very well for us but his one fault was he was not good with anything low to the ground near the corners. Billy Ritchie had been a top line 'keeper with Rangers and was a bit past it when he came to us but managed to do a decent job when required - reliable safe pair of hands. Big Jackie McInally (I'd an uncle that called him Jacqueline as he didn't seem to rate him) again was probably by his best when we got him - he'd won the league with Kilmarnock a few years previously but from what I can recall he formed a decent partnership foil for Dixie Deans. All three gave their all for the old 'Well in an era when players were paid peanuts so my respect to them all.

GK - Keith Macrae RB - Luc NihjoltLB - Joe Wark CB - Craig PatersonCB - Brian Martin RMF - Vic DavidsonCMF - Bobby RussellCMF - Phil O'DonnellLMF - Davie Cooper Striker - Willie PettigrewStriker - Tommy Coyne Subsitiutes:Darren RandolphWillie WatsonTom BoydPaul LambertJames McFaddenDougie ArnottBobby Graham

Oh Wullie, Wullie. Wullie, Wullie, Wullie Pettigrew. Legend. IMHO a member of the best 'We'll team never to win anything in the mid-70s. Consider 1976. We finish paged 4th in the SPL behind Celtic, Rangers and Hibs. These were three of the best sides ever to come from these clubs. Then in the Scottish Cup we were drawn to play all 3!! We never ever seemed to get easy draws in the Cup even them. SC 3rd Round at home v Celtic (the then cup holders wit a side containing the likes of Dalglish and McGrain in their prime). Won 3-2 after being 0-2 at half-time. Man pure ecstasy. SC 4th Round away to Cowdenbeath. Potential banana skin. Fro memory we didn't play well but won 2-0. I think Peyer Marinello got one but not sure who got the other. I think we had well over 5,000 fans in Cowdenbeath that Saturday as it looked ad though we'd invaded the place wit C&A everywhere. Great away day. SC 1/4 Final home v Hibs. Over 20,000 in FP to see us draw 1-1 thanks to a last gasp equaliser for Hibs from wee Jimmy O'Rourke later to play for us.Replay at Easter Road. Again over 20,000 turned up. Another 1-1 draw after we had been in front. Can't recall the scores though.Another replay - neutral ground. Ibrox chosen. Another 20,000 plus crowd saw us manage to win 1-0. I think Wullie P scored but can't remember. At last a cup semi. Possible opponents Hearts, Dumbarton or Rangers. Aye, we got the hard one, Rangers and I still find it hard to recall the events of that night. Still it's cheers to The Grew and all the lads in that side for giving us such a great time.Maybe some of the posters who watched us then can fill in the blank scores or correct mine if wrong.

Never ceases to amaze me the things that upset some folk!!

As I said on another post fantastic response from the players after the Albion Rovers debacle. Outside Celtic we are the form team in the SPFL at present. We'll done Stuart McCall and the players.

After the all-time low of losing to Albion Rovers in the Cup, everyone asked for a response from the players. Well I think the players response has been great with four straight league wins. Hopefully putting a sock in the sack the manager brigade. Teams will always have bad spells in a season but the answer is not to sack the manager. For a team that's been having a "poor season" to be sitting second in the league going into the New Year is a fantastic feat and there rioters in the league with far greater resources that would gladly be in our shoes.

If, if, if, if!! If yer auntie had baws she'd be yer bawsie auntie.

Worst result in our history. Season burst. Financial disaster. All down to the players but McCall picked them and has to carry the can. Not for jumping on the sack him train but club have to take stock of his position and future.

The debate about our fans is not new. I remember my dad and uncle saying exactly the same things about our support when they watched the team in the 50's and 60's.