David

Following the dismal performance and result at home to Inverness last Saturday I have a feeling that McCall may make some changes for this one. I assume that Jennings will be recalled back into the midfield from the start, so I would personally go for a team that looks something like this; Randolph in goals, a defensive back four of Hammell, Craigan, Hutchinson & Hateley, a midfield four of Law, Lasley, Jennings & Daley, and Higdon & Ojamaa up front. I'd drop Murphy & Clancy to the bench. I'm not sure that McCall would go for more than one man up front in reality right enough, but hopefully he does something different to shake things up a bit. This is where he starts to earn his money.

There was someone in the middle section of the east yesterday who was being very vocal about the fans who abuse Higdon near the end of the game. It's nice to see at least someone is willing to speak out.

I'm not too sure about that to be honest. I think the people getting shouted down are those who are starting threads asking if time is running out for the manager and suchlike. Most would admit that we aren't playing well, and that McCall has a job to do in turning it around, but there are more than a few who are going to the extreme.

No one is saying that. You simply go way over the top. It's nowhere near as bad as you're making out.

There's still time yet, Lobey. Wait and see what happens.

And if your aunt sported a penis she'd be your uncle. The simple truth of the matter is that our away form doesn't mirror our home form. Here's a question for you. If the results we have had so far at home & away were reversed and we were still in the cup and sitting fourth would there be as much negativity towards McCall? I've said before that if we want to finish in the top four we need to be winning games at home against the likes of St Mirren, Inverness & Kilmarnock, and I stand by that. If McCall can turn it around and get us a top four finish along with a Scottish cup quarter or even semi-final place then I think that would mark a superb season. If we don't pick up our home form and finish fifth and get papped out of the cup at the quarter-final stage then it's been a good season. A top six finish is the measuring stick for McCall (or any other manager we bring in). If he secures that then he's done fine by me. If we find ourselves fighting off relegation with Hibs & Dunfermline then I'll revise my position on the guy.

And we're a club with below average resources, so we should probably be happy to have him, and maybe even get behind the team once in a while.

I actually thought Omar Daley looked good today. Wee bit surprised to see him taken off as early.

He's already brought one forward in.

I couldn't agree more. Well said.

Obviously all isn't well, Jim, but the fact is that we are still top six and in the Scottish cup. We're going through a bad spell at the moment, things just aren't clicking as they did earlier in the season, but it has to be said that every team goes through a slump during the season. I'm sure McCall is the man to turn it around and keep us on course for a top six (hopefully top four) finish. Talk of his removal is a fucking joke.

McCall's job will be under threat when we're in the position that clubs like Hibs & Aberdeen have found themselves in. We're sitting fourth. If we finish in that position I'll be happy enough, even if the aim for a club like us should always be top six and a decent cup run if possible.

Or..... You could just tell your workmate that you support Motherwell because they're your local team? Saying all of the above to him will only make you look as much of a tit as he undoubtedly is.

I presume Higdon was dropped from the game on Saturday simply to rest him? He wasn't on the bench either, was he?

Especially if one (hopefully both) side of the Old Firm get knocked out.

Sure, his personality is somewhat questionable, but his goalscoring record isn't. I'm not sure we could get someone of that quality on a free in January.

Apparently Kilmarnock are looking at signing Derek Riordan, with him playing a bounce match for them shortly. Surely if someone like Kilmarnock can afford his wages we could as well? Possibly a pay as you play deal until the end of the season? It would give us a boost up front, and give him a chance to put himself in the shop window.

Sad stuff. Thoughts are with his family.

Unless we win the game, of course

Back to league business at the weekend with the visit of Inverness. We have a referee officiating his first 'Well game in Bobby Madden, and from what I read he's quite decent as far as cards go. I imagine that Ojamaa will start on the bench again, which will mean we probably start with the usual partnership of Murphy & Higdon.

You have to imagine that any new deal offered to Forbes will be for less than he's currently getting, as it doesn't appear that McCall rates him very highly.

Does anyone know how long Forbes has left on his current deal?

I don't think we'll lose any of our first team regulars during the January window, but I wouldn't be too surprised to see a few fringe players move on. The likes of Forbes & Page (and even McHugh) must getting a bit fed up of sitting on the bench or in the stands every week. I think at least one of them will be looking to move on this year.

Yeah, let's leave that stuff to the suits in charge, eh? If such a circumstance is reached, then fair enough. As a fan I'm more concerned with what's happening on the pitch, and that means I want us to keep all of our best players. Law hasn't even completed a full season with the club yet, and is an integral part of our midfield along with Jennings & Lasley.