Kmcalpin

That's true Greg & Andy. Don't get me wrong though - he's been loyal, solid and a real asset to our side over the past few years. Our midfield weaknesses are not all down to him. In central midfield we've had inexperienced players partner him neither of whom are particularly fast. On the wings we've got one great pacy attacking player who is weak at defending and another who is pacy but a bit erratic. More than any other part of the team midfield has to be a balance. If that balance is wrong then we shouldn't pin the blame on one player. Keith Lasley is what he is. In addition Stuart McCall like to play open attacking football which is great in itself. However he doesn't believe in fielding defensive central players. In short what I'm saying is that IF we want to strengthen our defence and improve our goals against tally then changes have to be made in central midfield (coaching can only go so far). Or, it might be that we can live with a high goals against tally and stick with our current midfield. That's fine too, as long as we can score more at the other end. You pays your money you takes your choices. Again, to place things in perspective our high goals against tally isn't all down to midfield. We need to look at goalkeeping and defence.

Sentiment aside, yes it does.

A bit harsh I'd say but there's a grain of truth there. He's had a decent season overall interspersed with poor games and very good games but must take some, not all, responsibility for our poor second half performances and poor defensive record. Our central midfield has often gone AWOL in the second half, and been found wanting week after week with regards to shielding our defence. Shinnie's goal on Wednesday and the Tannadice performance being typical of that Achilles heel. All that said he deserves a lot of credit for playing through the pain barrier at times. Decent season yes, POTY no. In mitigation he is 34 years of age and we shouldn't expect too much of him now.

Ramsden is the best defender when fit but how often is that? You can have the best player in the world in the squad, but if he's out injured for long spells he's of no use to the team.

The one good thing in our favour is that John Porteous is one of the best physios in the business. I've heard this from one or two folk totally unconnected with football or Fir Park.

John Sutton for me. He knows his limitations and has been at his best when allowed to play to them.

Didn't know that but rumours were rife in the stands last Saturday that he'd had several offers from other clubs. I would not expect him to stay on with us.

And Willie Collum never saw fit to stop the game.

In developing the squad for next year we really do need to address our defensive problems - posters on here have banged on about this for month after month. So where do we start? Goalkeeping is but one element of this. Unless SM changes his tactics, which I can't see, then personnel changes have to be made. Hard decisions have to be taken. Any squad requires 2/3 new faces every year and we're no exception. One year into our rebuilding, we have to monitor, review and adjust.

That's my understanding.

Really a carry over from last night's game thread. Planning will already have started for next season and contract negotiations may already be underway. As I see it, goalkeeping, defence and midfield are the areas on which we need to concentrate. Our attack will take care of itself. Possibly our greatest area of concern should be midfield. Lionel Ainsworth will probably be on his way. That then leaves us with ZFA, Paul Lawson (as yet largely untried) and Stuart Carswell, and Iain Vigurs all in contract. As things stand we lack pace, physicality and defensive prowess in that department. We don't know about Jack Leitch's contract. Keith Lasley is 34 and out of contract. I think its a given we'd need to replace Ainsworth if, as seems likely, he moves on. Do we offer Keith a new deal? At 34 his legs are not what they used to be and they won't improve over a 1 year period, never mind 2. From Keith's perspective he'd be right to want a 2 year deal. Should we offer him one or even a 2 year deal? We have limited wriggle room financially and if we want to revamp that part of the team there's few players out of contract. Will Stuart Carswell (I'm still to be convinced by him although he's still young) really come good and will Jack Leitch start to challenge for a starting place? Big decision time.

Central midfield could be a big issue for us in the close season and it needs revamped. In that critical area of the pitch Inverness proved too big, strong and fast for us. We also need a physical defensive midfielder in there to face up to and break up opposition attacks. Still that's an issue for another day. Lets enjoy our day and look forward to Sunday.

The important thing is that we won, although it has to be said the performance was downright brutal. In truth ICT deserved a point but I didn't like their style of play. They were very fortunate to reach half time with 11 players on the pitch. The amount of possession that they enjoyed was embarrassing. There are clearly shortcomings with our squad that will need to be addressed in the close season. Still we won our last home game of the season and will finish, at worst a very creditable third. A chance too to say goodbye and thanks to the likes of Ainsworth and Hutchinson. Quite a good crowd last night.

There must have been a few hundred free tickets given out last night to schools/clubs as the southern end of the POD was full where it normally be empty.

Well done to all at Fir Park. A Rollercoaster of a season to be sure.

Looking ahead, we're not too badly off for strikers. In the close season we should look to bring in 2/3/4 fresh faces depending on how many and who leaves. I think we should concentrate on goalkeeper, defence and midfield. The bottom line is that we need to bring more solidity to our defensive capability.

A great signing in my book. He can defend has a good engine in him and can attack. From what I've been told his best position is centre back although we haven't yet seen him there. Very versatile and can play in 3 positions. Get him signed for 2 years.

Don't know about every week but I agree it should be done more often. As you say the catering profits should have been boosted yesterday.

Agreed. On the personnel front we should move Craig Reid into the middle to shore up a vulnerable central midfield. We badly need a bit of pace and defensive cover in there.

I'd rather just read an adult discussion on these boards. Irrespective of which posters are involved we should treat each other / fellow Well fans with respect.

Don't know why, because for the past 2 or 3 seasons they've been perhaps the physically hardest team in the league along with maybe Dundee United. In almost every game against them these days you see late tackles and boots left in. Guys like Anderson are ticking timebombs. Steve May for all his ability has always been a pretty abrasive character. Within the first minute he'd committed a stupid foul on Keith Lasley (unpunished of course). A high ball came over just in front of the dugouts and although standing just behind Keith and more than capable of winning the ball he didn't even try. Instead he opted to wait on the deck and thump Keith in the back as he jumped. The cup final will not be for the faint hearted that's for sure. Its got the potential for a bloodbath. You'll see dives aplenty, late challenges, cynical fouls, sneaky fouls - the lot. Two very very hard sides.

Vigurs or Reid for me, but the latter gets my vote for shoring up a midfield that had gone into hiding when the going got tough.

An important win today which boosts our chances of finishing 2nd or 3rd. First half was good in patches but the second was very poor as retreated into our own penalty box. The midfield went awol, but Craig Reid did help to shore things up when he was drafted in there by Stuart McCall. Good performances from Hollis, Hutchinson, Reid and Vigurs. I thought Saints played like a mob of petulant playground bully boys and were fortunate that the referee was very accommodating. Onwards and upwards.

I would imagine its to raise funds. Surely income from any legal source is to be welcomed? A pound raised from a bucket collection is just as important as one raised from a donation/race night or whatever.

Great post. Most of the first team squad will be on at least £50,000 per year and some considerably more. I don't know how others feel but that's not a bad income in my book.