Kmcalpin

I'm glad our club supports us as opposed to chasing the dwindling once or twice a season green/blue pound.

To a degree we were no worse yesterday than we have been of late but, as Celtic are possibly the best team just now, they ruthlessly exploited our weaknesses. Team selection again looked odd but we don't know if there are any fitness reasons behind it (Ojala for example). We're not the best side when not in possession as Celtic well knew. There are also a few unknowns just now like the impact of players like Efford, Shaw and possibly Tierney. We need to sort out all areas of the team; defence; midfield and up front. For me Slattery, Goss, and Cornelius are stick on starters in midfield if we play with 3 nominally up front. If we go with 2 up front then Tierney slots in between them and the 3 midfielders. I'll reserve judgement on Shaw for the time being. Longer term, I would be in no rush to renew the contracts of Donnelly and O'Hara. Maguire is a squad player at best.

For starters, hammer sectarianism and erode their fanbase. However there is zero political will for that to happen. Too many votes at stake.

Shields is work in progress and in any event I don't see him as being an out and out traditional no 9 striker. That's what we need. I haven't seen Efford in the flesh but again I don't see him as being an out no9 striker.

Spot on OTF and your comment was made before today's game. I'm not blaming solely Donnelly for the result or performance though. Our best players were Liam Kelly, the much maligned Nathan McGinley, and young Dean Cornelius. Our weaknesses today have been evident for a wee while. I know its hard to compare like with like due to the fixtures schedule but we now have the 3rd highest goals against tally in the league.

Normally I'd agree but what are the alternatives?

Now Celtic's biggest away win of the season. What does that tell us?

The yardstick for me is the results the other 9 clubs get against Celtic.

Celtic heading for their biggest away win of the season?

No red cards or injuries please.

A very cautious line up with Van Veen up front in isolation. Not sure where our fast break will come from. One bright spot is that its good to see young Dean Cornelius get another start, although I doubt if he'll be 100% match fit.

Not sure what that means; I can only guess.

I'd guess slightly more than half of our league earnings.

At a very rough guess I think we'd be looking at £4-5m. Not sure what the refurbishment will involve - maybe replacing seating and a paint job?

Liam Polworth again an unused sub for Kilmarnock last night.

I'll stick to SOL, warts and all thanks.

Ye cannae beat shortbread from Walkers of Aberlour! (Don't like shortbread myself though).

The AGM will be held on Monday 21st. Headline information and Jim McMahon's statement is available on the Offcial site https://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2022/02/02/financial-results-for-year-ending-may-2021/ Considering the effects of the Pandemic what an amazing set of financial results. They don't even include all of David Turnbull's transfer fee - only the up front component and some add ons which have already been realised (appearances/goals?). We still have to be prudent though. Unlike most clubs, we also gave season ticket holders a very good deal when renewing last summer. We're fortunate to have responsible people running our club. So far, fan ownership has worked a treat. I hope that encourages more folk to join the Society.

I feel the same way, although I know its irrational. You can add to that list getting off scot free for breaching Covid guidelines last season and getting our game postponed.

I agree about Roberts and Amaluzor but Shields is a long term project. That said, I'm not sure of his exact position in the team. I like Woolery but he needs work. He earned us a point last night with his perseverance and vital pass. Give Efford a chance, he hasn't even appeared yet.

So with that defensive line up we still managed to lose the first goal. Overall a decent point but not performance.

No worse than some others midfielders. We need to let him settle in.

Fair point.

I see it more as a back 5. What happens if, despite this ultra defensive line up, we lose the first goal? I wouldn't like to be in Van Veen's boots tonight. If we don't pick up at least a point serious questions will be asked.

We're overdue a 2-0 win in Paisley with 2 penalties. For the first a high ball strikes a defender in the face, first kick is saved, and we score from the retake. For the second, Van Veen stumbles over his feet or the ball and dives to the ground.