Kmcalpin

Louis Moult signed the contract. Surely even he wouldn't expect to be sold if we didn't make a profit on the deal?

I'd like to see MacLean start wide left if Frear is out. We need more creativity to help the striker(s).

Midfield, and specially central midfield, is going to be crucial and apart from the fact that we don't yet know who'll be playing we'll be up against it there. Hopefully Tanner and Frear will be fit but if not we need MacLean to step in. Not overly concerned that Carson is missing as Griffiths is an able deputy. McHugh's absence will be more crucial. Can Rose do a physical defensive job or can Campbell step in and plug the gap? Strikers also need to step up. Game could go any way.

Yes, but I don't think the media made a big thing of Lennon's gesture.

Is anyone surprised? Total inconsistency from the SFA.

By implication is the SFA also saying that the penalty decision was wrong?

I was doubtful about Dunne's appeal for his red card in Dingwall and that outcome seems reasonable. His successful appeal for his red card last Saturday was also fair. However, I don't agree at all with Carson's outcome. if referees are going to apply that interpretation of a "clear goalscoring opportunity" consistently in future we could well see a flood of red cards.

Unless there's a confidentiality clause in place.

Great result for our young lads and some well taken goals too. It should give them some competitive experience.

Not as large as you might think. It was widely reported a few years ago that some investors suddenly appeared and gifted United about £6m out of the goodness of their hearts to wipe out their debt. Details however were very vague. It turned out that the investors did not simply gift the 6 million after all but in return for their cash injection were given a large percentage of the transfer income from the sale of players to Celtic.

A lot more could be done to improve refereeing standards in Scots football. The introduction of goal line technology is one must for me. The publication of referee's reports, or at least summarised versions, for fans would also be a step forward. Most fans, me included, have never seen a referee's report. That would help to dispel myths and misunderstandings and would make officials more accountable. Football is a spectator sport after all. The biggest gripe for me is inconsistency, even within the same game. Examples of this would be random and irregular treatment of foul throws; random and irregular treatment of encroachment at penalties; inconsistent definition of and punishment for dissent. I simply cannot understand why we were pulled up 6 times last Saturday for stealing yards at throw ins yet Saints did exactly the same and were not checked once. Red card appeals seem to be a complete lottery from what we have seen. Now refs have a very difficult job to do and have to make split second decisions without the benefit of action replays. In the course of a game they will make mistakes, they are only human after all. But these could be minimised and more consistency achieved. It is a very difficult job and you only have to view post match pictures to see the amount of fouling that goes on during a game eg jersey pulling is very, very common. Another gripe I have is timing/duration of games. It really does seem to be a complete lottery. Time wasting is rarely, if ever taken into account. It was interesting to see that on the opening day of the English lower league card on 5/6 August the number of games in which 6/7 minutes were added on. This is a rarity in Scotland. Are refs biased? I'm sure most aren't but human nature being what it is it'll be very hard to be 100% objective. Refs can be unduly influenced by large crowds, big playing characters, personal dislike of certain players and so on. Its human nature. I think Liverpool University made a study of this years ago and came to this conclusion. We need to encourage more to take up refereeing and give those who do more respect but the SFA needs to start the improvement process itself.

That doesn't surprise me Andy. From memory its comprised a former player, a lawyer and another party (I can't recall who), but the impression I have is that the personnel can vary from meeting to meeting. I think also that our club seeks advice from a "refereeing consultant" before submitting an appeal.

No problem Andy. Just contact me and I'll bring them along on Saturday.

Yes but surely you must agree Andy that he has improved beyond all recognition after a short spell in England. He's probably 6 times better than he was when he left us.

Great idea Andy which will benefit the Society. Could I suggest though that there be some collection at the home games against Ross County and Hearts. Many fans, like myself, aren't able to go near Fir Park except on matchdays and by excluding us you'd be missing out on some contributions. For my part, I won't be at the Hearts game but will be there on Saturday. If someone can meet me either before or after the game I'll hand in a few shirts.

You might be right but how would Thomson know that unless Carson admitted that openly to him? He can't make a decision based on what he thinks a player was thinking. To make the decision he did he must have made several big assumptions 1) Wotherspoon would have won the ball 2) He would have beaten Carson's challenge 3) He would also have beaten Kipre's challenge. 4) Having won the ball and beaten both Kipre and Carson no other Motherwell player ie Heneghan, who was also nearby, would have restricted his opportunity on goal. In short he cannot have been anything like 100% certain that we denied a clear goalscoring opportunity for Wotherspoon. Just noticed too before Carson's poor kick out a St Johnstone player pushes Heneghan, I think, off the park - a soft foul yes but one nonetheless. From other posters, I believe we have appealed this red card but can't find any sources.

Hopefully, Tanner and Frear are deemed fit, and possibly Newell too. Campbell to be a straight replacement for McHugh. Optimistic too that Dunne and Carson will make it but who knows. If not, you'd imagine Plummer and Griffiths will come in.

Normally agree with you O'Neil but not here. In many of the examples the keeper saved an attempt on goal and in the vast majority of cases the attacking player either hit the ball goalwards or was in control of the ball. Wotherspoon neither hit the ball goalwards nor was in control of it. Our appeal, if we make one, may be rejected for a variety of reasons, but I think its strong enough to submit one.

Wotherspoon is also outside of the penalty box and not directly in front of goals. He's also running a slight angle away from the goals. In short he'd have to win the ball, control it, and beat 2 men.

That makes sense for both parties. He was clearly struggling with injury and it clears the way for us to bring in another player. I'm sure someone posted this rumour a day or two ago.

A good thought provoking post by Well Up For It. In the great scheme of things a minor issue. If accepted, then a yellow card instead of a red. Player should still not have been sent off.

We're now past the first knock our stages in the League Cup and the first two league games. The transfer window has about another fortnight to run. How are we doing so far? I think its too early to draw definitive conclusions but here's my work in progress report. Goalkeeper: Carson is a definite upgrade on Samson and is more reliable and better in the air. An all action packed keeper but prone top the odd rush of blood to the head. Defence: Has potential but lacks experience and thats catching us out so far. Tait seems to be the weak link now. Not sure where Hammell & McManus go from here. Midfield: Definitely better than last season although we're over reliant on attacking down the wings. On paper midfield looks better equipped to protect the defence but perhaps they're still getting to know one another. Wings are working well. Can't fathom out Rose yet. Until Saturday was fairly anonymous but played well in Perth. if I'm pushed I'd say he's a low profile player who can do a lot on unnoticed but valuable spadework. Attack: my biggest concern. Moult is struggling for fitness and not getting decent service. Bowman and Fisher just aren't cutting the mustard. Both work very hard but are firing blanks. Of the two Fisher has shown slightly more. Bowman to move on? In general I'm not a fan of the 3 at the back or of the single striker formation. Good to see the team is more physical this year and less prone to bullying by the opposition. However we're a bit naive and inexperienced. Where to we go from here? Obviously the team will settle down and gel more given the large number of new players arriving. I'd say we need an experienced defender and a quick striker up front.

Was Griffiths also unsighted?

Sorry for not making myself clear....since the retaken penalty in the Inverness game.

Have we seen any retaken penalties since in the Premiership for encroachment?