Kmcalpin

If you play against Scottish lower league opposition thats exactly what they're about for opponents. Terry Butcher vowed never again to play against lower league sides after we suffered a pre season battering at Stranraer.

A typical pre season friendly against lower league opposition. One team, usually the bigger one, goes out to get match fitness the other, usually the smaller one, goes to win at all costs and prove a point and there you have it. Cowden with a few trialists were quicker, fitter and more determined outfit. The cynical last ditch tackle on Scott MacDonald typified that. Had that been a competitive game the defender would have received a straight red. The squad will have gained more match fitness without picking up injuries - job done. The overall performance was poor though. I thought Tait had a reasonable game, but the two central defenders, especially Kennedy, had a poor night. The big Cowden striker bullied Kennedy all evening. I felt a bit sorry for Moult, Blyth and Skippy. They worked hard but received little decent service or support against a hard working defence. My one big concern was central midfield where we were as slow as ditchwater and lacked any creativity or energy. Our build up was painfully slow and was easily stifled by our opponents. The trialist had a reasonable first half but ran out of steam in the second. The game largely passed Keith Lasley by. A Pearo type player was badly missed. As it stands, I have grave concerns for the fast approaching League Cup if we go into it as we are (in central midfield). Irrespective of how good McHugh is, he'll take a good few weeks to get up to speed and we still lack a creative attacking player. Mark McGhee will have concerns too about his engine room and no doubt is already working on it. I was a bit disappointed by Dom Thomas as I thought it was his type of game but he failed to make any impression. Alan Campbell did little of note but in his defence was not on long enough. Maybe too it was a timely reminder not to take the likes of Annan, Stranraer and East Stirling lightly. Like Cowdenbeath they will have a point to prove.

I'd guess so although they do have an old fashioned terracing, if you could call it that.

Yes, we've used it before with either Humphrey or Coke.

As you'd expect a good few of the Fife contingent will be there. A home game for us.

I'm always suspicious when one party speaks for both sides. Neil Lennon is bigger news than Scott MacDonald therefore the press will focus on his views. Anyhow we have bigger and more relevant fish to fry this week and indeed every other week.

We don't have a great cup record in recent years but yes I'd expect to beat Stranraer, Annan and East Stirling. That said, early season games against smaller clubs can be tricky for any premiership team. As yet, we don't have a central midfield in place and thats a critical area of the team. I have no idea how good or poor or Rangers will be be but they'll be no pushover. I hope we'll win the group and thats quite possible but if we don't we will be thrown into a runners up pot with 7 other sides and I've no idea how that will pan out.

That usually indicates that the midfield is struggling; but we all know that.

No they don't.

No Watt either.

1) He has appeared there before albeit briefly and shown some promise. 2) Mark McGhee has also said he thinks Laing may develop into a decent midfielder. 3) He has some previous experience of playing there.

A tad harsh but overall I agree. Las will be ok to fill in for injuries or coming on from the bench but not much more in my view. We are going to need an attacking midfielder and a defensive one at the very least. Alan Campbell may get some game time but thats uncertain at the moment. Chris Cadden may be drafted into the middle but again he'll take to settle in there. Josh Law is no midfielder. On the plus side Louis Laing may develop in a midfield role. My concern like yours is that we go into our first competitive games with virtually no central midfield.

A good bit of news Allan.

Absolutely. Far too much speculation.

No doubt fallout from the SPFL's kangaroo court ruling. Many, including the club I strongly suspect, were not happy about the recommendations of the report. Don't be too quick to blame the club.

Good question. Don't forget he's now 33 and is a year older and slower than he was this time last year.

Do we know if Dylan Mackin has re-signed yet? I'm sure I saw his mugshot in the pre season training photos.

Its not impossible we'll see Pearo back next January - maybe a gentleman's agreement. He scored quite a few vital goals last season, despite being played out of position at times. Much as I like Cadden, and he has similarities with Pearo, he hasn't yet achieved the same scoring rate.

If confirmed, Stevie Hammell's re-signing is interesting. At the very least it will give us some continuity and consistency which we'll need given the unexpected number of departures. It would also seem to confirm that no other club was prepared to offer him a markedly better deal than us even taking into account the drastically reduced offer - telling in itself. He may have received a slightly better deal elsewhere but decided to stick with us - who knows. Surprised however its reportedly for 2 years.

Does anyone know where this chant originated? Where did the Bois pick it up from?

We'll need 3 new central midfielders. At the moment its unlikely that an under 20 player like Alan Campbell will break through and hold down a regular starting slot. Assuming of course that Pearo will indeed be leaving us, that just leaves Keith Lasley, who I suspect will be "phased out" gradually this year. If we sign just two then that will in effect leave no back up whatsoever for this critical area of the team.

I too hope he manages to step up and gets some first team game time but we can't expect him to be a central midfield mainstay week in week out at this stage.

It has been for a few years now Greg and successive managers have done precious little about it. But yes, its now of immediate and pressing concern. If Pearo goes, which looks very likely, we'll need about 3 central midfielders I think. Pre season starts tomorrow and that doesn't give us much time to sign replacements and get them up and running. Mark McGhee has always liked a powerful midfield and he now has the opportunity to create his own, albeit hastily. That said, he will have known for some time Jack Leitch would leave, Gomis would return to Hearts, Keith Lasley is probably in his last season and that Pearo might leave. Certainly the rebuilding job is much more extensive than I had anticipated.

Bobby MacCallum was in the first Motherwell team I can remember watching. He seemed to leave the club very suddenly and never knew why.

It seems a bit of a strange move if I'm honest. Pearo scored a few vital goals for us last season but yes he was injury prone. In a transitional season for us I'd have thought his presence, experience and goal threat from midfield would have been vital. Chris Cadden to me has yet to prove he can play up and down the middle, as opposed to the right wing. Why is Pearo being allowed to move on mid deal? There's a release clause in his contract? The cash although modest is absolutely crucial to us (doubtful)? He is simply not in Mark McGhee's plans?