CoF

Yep, St Johnstone were promoted in 2009 so seasons 07/08+08/09 + the 2 Play-off games is enough to almost make up the numbers there. I'm racking my brains how Hearts have played 12 fewer games than Dundee United despite being in the Championship with them. United do have 5 Scottish cup ties which Hearts don't have, but the rest...? All my info is from http://fussball.wettpoint.com/head-to-head/ We have also played the 2nd most number of games, so that's expected.

Comments after Saturday's game got me thinking - it seems like a big chunk of our support think our record against Rangers and Celtic is fairly shite, yet in my experience Motherwell are viewed by Rangers and Celtic fans as a team are always tricky and take points off them. Thought I'd take a look at roughly the last 10 years (season 07/08 to today) across all top flight clubs + Dundee United and Hibs in all competitions to see how we compare. I've worked out the win % and, given that a draw is generally regarded as a good result I've also worked out the "not defeated" %. There may be some errors in here but it's a rough picture. The results are fairly boring however this took me an hour so thought I might as well post it. The most interesting is probably Ross County's performance. In terms of not getting beat, we're doing better than some I'd expect to be up there (Aberdeen, Hibs). By order of Win % 1. Hearts - P55 W10 D9 L36 18.8% 2. St J. - P46 W7 D7 L32 15.2% 3. Dun U - P67 W10 D13 L44 14.9% 4. Ross C -P21 W3 D7 L11 14.3% 5. Aber -P59 W8 D8 L43 13.5% 6. Hibs P43 W5 D7 L31 11.6% 7. Mwell P64 W7 D11 L46 10.9% 8. Invern P48 W5 D7 L37 10.4% 9. Killie P51 W5 D7 L39 9.8% 10. Accies P32 W2 D3 L27 6.25% 11. Dunde P18 W0 D3 L15 0% 12. Partick P17 W0 D1 L16 0% By % of games not defeated 1. Ross C -P21 W3 D7 L11 47.6% 2. Hearts - P55 W10 D9 L36 34.5% 3. Dun U - P67 W10 D13 L44 34% 4. St J. - P46 W7 D7 L32 30.4% 5. Mwell P64 W7 D11 L46 28.1% 6. Hibs P43 W5 D7 L31 27.9% 7. Aber -P59 W8 D8 L43 27.1% 8. Killie P51 W5 D7 L39 23.5% 9. Invern P48 W5 D7 L37 22.9% 10. Dunde P18 W0 D3 L15 16% 11. Accies P32 W2 D3 L27 15.6% 12. Partick P17 W0 D1 L16 5.8%

My sense of disappointment was severely heightened walking back to my car in the crowd with my Motherwell scarf still on. A reminder that they have some amount of absolute space cadets following them. I'm actually heartened by McGhee's interview and hopefully it puts to bed the ridiculous notion that he doesn't care. I do get the impression that the players do play for him so their reaction to yesterday will be interesting.

That's the spirit.

What's with the claret and amber bin bags on ma seat? Do I flap it about or whit?

Couldn't agree more - any new stadium is a statement of ambition and status. 7000 would be disappointing to me and backwards thinking, but I think more than 10000 is beyond what we're ever likely to need.

I dare say every single one of those projects starting out with grand ambitions of breaking the mould but when it came to the hard finances, the character, design and individuality was gradually costed out. So I agree, we probably wouldn't be any different.

Love the optimism but we've performed far better than we should in recent times and with the exception of some decent Rangers / Celtic crowds a few years back we have scraped past 10'000 once - vs Nancy. Look at other big games - First ever 'champions league' qualifier - 9035 Sealing 3rd place in 2008 vs Aberdeen - 8574 Sealing 3rd in 2011 vs St Johnstone - 4743 End of season 2013 games vs Celtic 8641 and 7503 (equally important games vs Hibs, Dundee and Dundee united saw crowds of 4 - 5k.) Race for 2nd vs St Johnstone 7201 (free kids tickets - 4482 the following week vs ICT). I would think 10'000 is the maximum we should be aiming for. I'd rather sit in a 60% full 8000 seater stand than a 60% empty 11'000 stand and I imagine more empty seats for the vast majority of home games is probably counter productive. I think if we are to grow the fanbase as you suggest, the stands need to have that buzz of busyness and we will only get that week in week out in a smaller stadium.

Thomas' goal from Saturday. Roasted. https://www.facebook.com/spflofficial/videos/10155611755758998/

Quick google search brings up some bits n bobs (which to be honest don't really tell us much). Tranmere put a bid in in the summer. http://forum.fgrfc.net/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=77222(ignoring the point of the original post, there's a few opinions on his play).

https://soundcloud.com/officialqosfc/a-dundee-utd-140117-dom-thomas Thomas post-match interview from yesterday. Speaks well in my opinion and sounds like he's enjoying the move. Delighted it's been such a positive start for him.

Yep. Point well and truly missed.

I honestly don't understand football at all sometimes. Surely there is a level where someone like Hollis can earn decent money playing fitba, which sits somewhere between finishing 2nd in the Scottish top flight a couple of years ago and an amateur league. A bit like players who hit 33/34 and their careers fall off the edge of a cliff. Higdon turning out for Bangor City is a prime example. How is it possible to deteriorate to that level in a few years? (Enter fatbuster aka Steelboy for comment).

I watched the game and he was very good. However it really is worth noting that it was just one game, he may still be dogged by inconsistency which will only become evident over the next few months. Also Dundee United honestly looked like they didn't know what a football was at times.

Jumped onto Pie and Bovril to see if there were details on Thomas's performance today. Looks like it's been a very strong debut which is great to hear. Hopefully it continues and he develops the way we all want him to. Far too early for this comment, but I hope for our sake it's not a case of a player finding his level. 3 hours ago, palmy_cammy said: Set up the second goal and was awarded MotM on the travel club coaches. I'm sure the guys at the game will be able to provide further detail. 3 hours ago, Mr X said: Did really well. Showed a real ability to run with the ball and beat men, something we've been badly missing. Final ball could have been better a couple of times but he played a fantastic pass to Dykes for the 3rd goal. 2 hours ago, NM_1919 said: Very well. Constant threat maybe over done it a couple of times but first viewing was encouraging 2 hours ago, Skyline Drifter said: Dom Thomas simply turned and ran at the opposition every time he got the ball. As we were warned, his final delivery is erratic but he got them turned and panicking all day. He had one excellent shot from which we ultimately scored too. Great debut from him. 2 hours ago, spacekid84 said: Thomas played well, sometimes thought the wingers would have been better suited switching sides but can't really complain.

I recognised the name but I have zero recollection of seeing him in a 'well shirt. Losing it.

Humphrey looking sharp as fuck tonight. edit - I must add, Dundee United look murder.

I think he's started 8 out of 21 and only 4 of the last 16. 'Bit part' possibly isn't the right term to use, however that's a huge change in circumstance from being a more senior squad member who was previously one of the first names on the teamsheet. With that in mind, I can't see Ainsworth having much job satisfaction just now and I think he simply doesn't have defensive attributes to consistently fit into a McGhee team. He's someone with the ability to be playing and contributing from the start every week at a decent level - it just needs to be within a team with the capacity to maximise his attacking threat and accommodate his defensive limitations. I also imagine he'll be on a decent wage - if both parties are happy with how he fits into the squad just now then that's fine, however I imagine Ainsworth would want more out of his game, and Mcghee may see a decent wage being better spent elsewhere. That said, the guys on MFC commentary did say that he's desperate to earn a new contract so maybe Ainsworth still has aspirations to nail down a starting place. McGhee has also commented on his unquestionable ability in the past so maybe he still thinks he can get more out of him. Personally, I'd love to see him stay - he still one of our most exciting players and I always have high hopes when he gets on the ball. The squad is definitely stronger with a player like Ainsworth in it.

I agree with all of that. My point wasn't about the substitution. Ainsworth has gone from one of the first names on the teamsheet to a bit-part player. It appears Mcghee sees a few in the squad as being a preferred option than him on the right or left.

My thoughts: We looked decent in the first 20 or so and I felt if we got one, we could get a few. Lucas deserved the straight red. Two footed tackles with full body weight behind it is very dangerous play regardless if the ball is won. We adapted well to the red in the first half. Second half we were poor despite being down to 10, Accies played it round us and we spent the game looking like we were trying to conserve energy. Individual performances dropped and clays last 20 minutes were gantin'. Campbell was very good and got well and truly stuck in. McGhee's clearly doesn't trust Ainsworth to do what he's asking of him. I can only assume it's due to his defensive weaknesses as he contributes as much as anyone going forward. Wouldn't be surprised to see him go in January.

Nice one. Goals at 5 mins and 42. https://www.periscope.tv/ComeOanTheWell/1LyxBwlaRrjKN

I've heard this from a few folks and I honestly can't see where a view like this comes from. We might not be firing all cylinders, but not sure where the evidence is that he doesn't want to be with us. Injuries? He updates weekly on players who have recently been in the starting 11. Midfield? Between Lucas, Mchugh, Mclean and now Lasley we've had our share of injuries here so there is always going to be chopping and changing. Mchugh was clearly a big part of Mcghee's plans so was always going to be difficult to replace.

Clay. Again. He's the most intelligent passer in our team and I think a lot of his contribution goes unnoticed becuase its not particularly flashy, but hes so calm and composed in tight spaces. Always picks the smart pass and his passing success ratio must be 95%+ Not sure he's quite clicked with Lasley to make an effective midfield pairing as both lack that bit of pace. I'd like to see how he fairs with Mchugh. Mcdonald would have got it for his goal alone but I think he lost the plot second half.

Obviously players get a start even they aren't fully fit because even at 80 - 90% they are still a better option than what's in the under 20s. I often don't think folk fully appreciate the step up between the two levels.

Great stuff from Craigan in the post match interview. From that alone I can see why he can get performances like that out of youngsters.