Kmcalpin

It depends on what type of players are coming through the youth ranks. We seem to be well covered in central midfield and central defence with the likes of Dean Cornelius, Jamie Semple, David Devine and Yusuf Hussain progressing but we don't seem to have any young strikers or wingers coming through at the moment.

As far as centre backs go, management may not see Mugabi as a long term option and may view Donnelly and Maguire as midfielders - will the latter even move on. Gallagher of course could move on although I'm not aware of any evidence he will. Charles Dunne - on a short term contract and injury prone. In midfield, a player or two could move on who knows? You also have to take into account the type of player in there, where we need a balance of defensive and attacking types. Agreed, the way things are shaping up, we do look a bit stronger than last term, if we can add more firepower up front. All that said, it'd be great to see some home grown talent push through and establish themselves.

At the rate we're going now I think Declan Gallagher is taking the club over with his mates. Thats about 4 in recent weeks!

Any word yet if any of the following players have accepted the new deals they've been offered? They could be an important part of our squad this season. Charles Dunne Christopher Long Barry Maguire Peter Morrison Harry Robinson Yusuf Hussain

As far as I know Maguire has not yet signed a new deal.

We’re still a bit light up front as the only experienced striker we currently have is Watt. We need 3 in that department and are still awaiting Long’s decision.

Not sure about that. For every Hartley or Main, he’s signed a Gallagher, Polworth, Hylton or Ariyibi.

The club is now offering refunds for the final 4 scheduled but unfulfilled home fixtures of last season. https://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2020/06/10/2019-20-season-ticket-refunds/

If confirmed, Lamie seems to be more of a utility defender than an out and out central defender. That could still leave us a little short in the middle, depending on whether or not Dunne re-signs.

A great top. I like it.

Good luck to Peter Hartley, a big character, and Richard Tait who both leave with a bit of class. Good luck too to any young lads who are leaving i.e. Adam Livingstone, a Well fan himself. Hope he gets another club soon.

Yes, a good summing up as usual. The new season will also be about how our rivals reshape their squads too. Teams such as Ross County seem to be trimming their squad numbers and that might well be the norm in these strange times. There's always the risk that one club will try to gain a short term advantage and not cut back or even strengthen slightly. Maybe clubs will rely more on youth? We'll find out in the next 2 or 3 months.

Has he not picked significant injuries in the past two seasons and missed quite a few games in both?

A good bit of business.

Maybe Mugabi isn't progressing/performing as well as expected so I get that. Tait has been a good servant and model professional but he lost his edge and pace last season and quite plainly Robbo preferred Grimshaw at right back. Could money be an issue? If Mugabi was to leave we would need to pay up his 12 month remaining contract. Apart from that Tait is a full/wing back and Mugabi is a central defender. I'm happy to leave the squad assessment to management. Robbo & Keef know the players well, know their plans for the coming season and know their budgets.

My overwhelming emotion was one of relief. I wouldn't want to go through that again.

Agree overall but don't forget gate money is subject to VAT and due to concessions our average £20 might be nearer £15. We would also have to fork out expenses to away games like Aberdeen for example. Other clubs will face exactly the same financial issues. It'll be interesting though which clubs, outwith the gruesome twosome, splash the cash over the summer (irrespective of whether they have it or not). Your points are well made though.

In all my time of going to Fir Park I consider the team of the mid seventies to be the best that I've seen and that includes the cup winning team of 91. Sadly they never won silverware. It had everything - skill, physicality, mental attitude, and pace and finishing ability. A joy to watch.

It is very low admittedly but its not effectively zero as you put it, and certainly not for those fatally affected. However although many of those under 45 may not be fatally affected by the virus they can be carriers and that must not be ignored. In this case I'm quite happy to leave such decisions to informed politicians, advised by scientists and medical experts.

Are you talking about England and Wales or Scotland? Scotland could adopt a different approach to the UK Government. Apart from that, are you suggesting that over 45s and under 45s with underlying health conditions be excluded from games on health grounds or that they don't matter? You also miss the point that under 45s could pick up and transmit the virus to older friends and families, or those with underlying health conditions. An August start simply won't happen.

My thoughts exactly. One of our very few strikers, if indeed the only one who could really play on his own up front.

According to Martin Lewis an employer can ask employees to undertake training but not work, whilst furloughed.

Not necessarily. The author has not named his source and we have no way of verifying it. It’s most unlikely that the club has put out false information. I think you’re rash and hasty in coming to that conclusion.

I have every faith in those in charge of our club and they will be more aware than any of us about the current pandemic and it’s financial implications. As OTF says if they haven’t divulged details of our current financial planning then there will be good reason for that.

Everyone has a right to do as they wish and I quite understand those who can't afford to renew or those like yourself who want to hold off to end sure you get a product for your cash. However you are saying above that the club should not be giving those who want to renew just now the opportunity to do so, and by implication those who want to renew should not be allowed to do so. Have I got that right?