Kmcalpin

I thought the referee Matthew McDermid had a reasonable game yesterday but I was curious about his treatment of Hemming. He had a long word with him fairly early on in the game about blatant timewasting. Fair enough. However he then spoke to him again, but despite that Hemming simply refused to desist. Why not speak to him once and then bring out the yellow card. That would stamp out this practice. Any views on Vale's yellow card for diving? Not many refs issue them these days, despite it being a common malpractice.

I think he's 100% safe irrespective. He's a good man manager and coach, but we saw his tactical limitations and tendency to overthink yesterday. He's still learning and lets not forget he's a lot less experienced than his opponent yesterday, Stephen Robinson.

I was reasonably pleased with the result, if not the performance and would have happily taken a draw at 3pm. My expectations were modest and the script for the game could have been written 2 weeks ago. Results elsewhere made it a pretty satisfying afternoon. On paper, the team line up looked reasonable, with the exception of the defence. I’m not a fan of playing McGinn and O’Donnell in a 3 man defence and I really thought we’d ditched that failed experiment. If Blaney can’t displace a 32 year old wing back in central defence then the chances are that he’s heading out the door. That line up lacked physicality, height and leadership. We started off brightly enough but after the initial 10 minutes, struggled to compete against a physical, energetic and well organised St Mirren. Fortunately, for all their aggression and endeavour, they proved pretty toothless. ( I hope the BBC doesn’t read this). The defence, from start to finish, was disorganised and allowed Saints too much time and space in and around our box. As expected, they caused us problems in the air. Although we created a few chances early on, it was no surprise when they opened the scoring with the obligatory gift; again schoolboy defending. Saints then shaded the first half. At times, it looked as though they had 14 players on the pitch. I felt sorry for Bair and Vale. The service to Theo was poor and he was often left isolated. Vale was played far too deep – just not his type of game. Bair and Vale just couldn’t link up. That tactic was a clear mistake and should have been changed early doors when it became clear it just wouldn’t work. Maybe one reason too why Spittal was anonymous? A clear case of managerial overthinking? Captain Hindsight here - at the break I’d have introduced Mugabi for either O’Donnell or Devine, Miller for Halliday and Nicholson for the anonymous Spittal. To be fair Saints had done their homework on him and snuffed him out. After the break we did improve and shaded the second half. I was glad to see us break our scoring duck against St Mirren. The Nicholson for Bair substitution had me baffled. Why take off a striker and introduce a midfielder when we had Moses on the bench and we were chasing goals? In the main, I thought our substitutions were too late in the coming and somewhat conservative. Its not as if those on the field were playing well. Still, we just deserved the draw. Our performance was error strewn and we looked downright rusty. I absolve Bair and Vale from criticism for the above reasons. Spittal didn’t play badly he just didn’t play at all. Georgie Gent was my sole and clear contender for MOTM. He caused Saints problems on the left flank all day with his surging runs.

Sorry, I should have been more explicit. It looked as though he was carrying an injury. He should have been taken off at half time.

I felt sorry for Bair and Vale today. Theo has had better games but he did score the equaliser. Suffered greatly from poor service and lack of a strike partner. Also felt sorry for Vale. He was played far too deep and didn't really link up with Bair. Agree 100% about the defence. I had the fears when the line up was announced. We can get by with one full back in it, preferably McGinn, but not two. I thought that formation had been binned and rightly so. From start to finish we looked vulnerable in the air. Can only assume that Blaney wasn't fit enough to start. Hopefully we'll never see SOD and McGinn both play in central defence together ever again unless it's a dire emergency.

Not a game on which to judge Halliday. He looked nowhere near fit and it was unfair to leave him on the park for so long.

We need to cut him some slack today. He made a few errors in terms of tactics and line up today but he's inexperienced and still learning.

Only one contender for me - Georgie Gent.

I'll see what I can dig out. No doubt quite a few posters will be familiar with Tom Johnstone's 1938 book entitled "Motherwell Memories". Some good photos in that interesting book. Also, as part of the Images of Scotland series, "Motherwell" compiled by Helen Moir published in 1999, might be of interest. As an aside, anyone interested in the history of coal mining in the area could do worse than check this map out https://mapapps2.bgs.ac.uk/coalauthority/home.html This shows the abundance of mine entries and coal workings in the area, including Fir Park. I suspect that many posters will have ancestors who worked in the pits in the area. The nearest recorded mine shaft lies between Dalzell Drive and the East Stand. Another interesting historical map can be found on the National Library for Scotland website https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=17.6&lat=55.78179&lon=-3.98716&layers=6&b=1&o=0 This shows the nearest mines to have been around what is now Primrose Crecent (Parkhead Colliery Pit No 7); and what is now John Murray Court (Dalzell and Broomhouse Collieries, which most of you will know as the Doctors Pit). The line of the present day Knowetop Avenue follows what was the old mineral railway which ran between the Parkhead pit and the West Coast main line.

If we can score a goal tomorrow that would be an achievement in itself, as we've failed to score in all 3 meetings so far this season. Go for it.

How fit will Bevis be after his international travels?

Any update on Lennon Miller's injury?

Agreed Allan. Like us, perhaps Hearts are finding the English market, in which they fish, too expensive money wise, and are having to scale back their ambitions. If they sign more Premiership players, that will confirm this theory.

Good news. That should help our off the field activities

Out of respect. There would have been no great disadvantage in Hearts keeping quiet. I don't buy the line that the announcement was to pacify their fans. To some extent its hung Spittal out to dry, although you could argue that he was hoisted by his own petard. That said, I would say to our club that they don't need to treat Hearts with great respect in future. They'll reap what they sow.

St Johnstone has also written to the SFA to complain about VAR. More grist to the mill as they say.

Some substance in that, but having the money certainly helps. A lot though, is to do with final league placings. Hearts and St Mirren both kow they won't be relegated whereas we don't yet know for certain. This uncertainty will colour negotiations.

No harm to the lad but its best for both parties if he moves on. Too lightweight I'm afraid.

Would we die in a ditch over any of the 5? Only Paul McGinn and Sam Nicholson possibly?

My feelings exactly. We can now move on. This would have been best kept quiet though.

The latest VAR controversy is only serving to highlight long standing problems with the SFA. Its up to the clubs themselves to sort this out. The SFA officials are servants of the clubs and should only be carrying our their wishes and administering, not managing, the game itself. I get the respect employees, including referees, bit and have no problem with that. It should be a bit like a local authority. The officials are there to carry out the will of the constituents through elected members. There is a problem with VAR, but in my view its only about unnecessary lengthy delays and technical camera issues. I agree with those who say that if its not obvious within say 30 or 45 seconds then let the goal or whatever stand. What is the problem, is the standard of decision making, as someone on P & B said. Thats what the SFA needs to iron out but it has shown no desire or ability whatsoever to do so. I'm pretty sure that if they were to analyse the lead up to most goals, they would find some kind of technical infringement, especially at set pieces. The problem is that these incidents are being viewed inconsistently. The handball rule is a complete farce. The fans are the lifeblood of the game and football is an entertainment industry and so the SFA should remember that. In the case of our letter, and indeed any letter, the SFA should publicly acknowledge that its a genuine grievance; investigate it; take any appropriate action to raise refereeing standards; avoid future occurrences; and make their findings public. Referees should be respected and protected but not at the complete expense of the game. In that respect, on the field dissent needs to be punished more severely but thats another issue. All we're likely to hear from the clubs' servants is some kind of slap down for daring to criticise referees.

So, our goal was ruled out for deliberate handball! What a farcical decision. 100% behind the club in writing to the SFA. Maxwell needs to remember he is a servant of the clubs as he is a paid official. We'll await developments with bated breath.

If something sounds too good to be true it probably is. I must admit to being very suspicious about Hibs' deal. I just don't believe that the philanthropists have appeared and are giving Hibs money with no strings attached. Dundee United and their philanthropists come to mind.

There was indeed. One that was mentioned was a decision to rule out a Hearts goal at Tynecastle. Its also important to note that the scope of the "review" was limited to decisions made, not those that were missed. The list was a sample and as such "hand picked". There was no mention, for example, of the last minute penalty claim against Aberdeen which was missed because the cameras were switched off before the end of the game. I would take that list with a spoonful of salt.

I think we're more than capable of drawing with St Mirren and Hibs. Can't see Ross County beating Aberdeen. Don't forget St Johnstone too as they don't have an easy run in.