MelvinBragg

I see your Stevie Woods and I raise you a Cammy Duncan, a John Gardiner and a Mikko Kaven...

Really need a second. See Hearts have just hit the bar...

Big handsome bastard 1-0..

Sounds like we've missed a few chances already...

Specsavers is in Brandon Parade,just along from McDonalds...

Just a thought but should Hutchinson leave this month, I see that Tim Clancy has apparently been told he can leave Hibs if he can find himself a club. If we're allowing Cummins to go out on loan, Hutchinson's departure would leave us pretty short at the back. Clancy an option? McCall certainly knows what he can do and if there was no fee involved and he was willing to fit into our wage structure... Just a thought...

I'm pretty much of the opinion that others have expressed that I'm not too bothered about media praise or lack of BUT Where this does kick us in the Albert Halls is trying to sell players. How much of the fee for Goodwillie was inflated by media hype? The old argument about Jamie Murphy or him has been done to death and obviously contract status and club's ability/willingness to turn down an offer plays a part, but the disparity in fees was shocking. Certainly Sheffield Utd got a better deal than Blackburn.. It just seems that players at other clubs get hyped more than ours. Can anyone explain how we received not one bid for the best goalkeeper in the league last January when an inferior keeper is being linked with massive clubs? How we change that? Don't know but maybe if we stopped slating our own players and maybe phoned the phone-ins (I'd draw the line at Radio Clyde) to praise our team, then it might help a bit...

Report card: Must try harder...

That was really enjoyable today. As others have said, we could have scored even more. No real failures in the side. Do I think we'll finish second? No, but Stuart McCall has proved me wrong before. He and the players deserve enormous credit. Having lost six "first picks" in the summer, it was always going to take time for the team to click. Now it's showing signs of happening, we should finish top six, I'd say probably fourth or fifth... Obviously Ainsworth has made a big difference recently but watching the game today, it struck me how much we owe to John Sutton. Not everyone's cup of tea but while things weren't clicking earlier in the season, his habit of sticking away a chance kept us picking up points. Is it a coincidence that Higdon is the player that I've heard the least number of fans say we're missing? Obviously Hateley probably comes into that category, but I think it shows the kind of season both Ramsden and Sutton are having. I just don't think big John Handsome gets the credit he deserves from some of our support...

Not a bad shout for player of the year. Even when things aren't going well in terms of results, he rarely lets himself down. A really dependable player, fast becoming one of my favourites...

Anything that involves Stevie Hammell played at centre back should be frowned upon. Other point of interest. Pretty clear McCall has been unimpressed with Nielsen...

Aye, me too. Especially as I have a bet on Sutton and 2-0..

Let both go. Give Moore and an U20 winger a run of games. It might cost us some points this season (it might not, mind you) but it'll act as good preparation for next season. With relegation off the table, we'll never get a more risk-free chance to blood a few youngsters and see what they're made of. Guys like Leitch, McCafferty, Cummins and Murray as well as others have to get game time if we are to find out if they're good enough...

I'd argue that Ramsden is a much better full back than Hateley. Chris Humphrey constantly tracking back made Hateley look better than he was. Who has Ramsden had in front of him this season with the same willingness to help out...?

I heard a rumour that Ainsworth's application in training leaves a lot to be desired. Source is a former club employee who still has contacts within the club...

Knowing you, if you've had more than three pints then probably not...

If we somehow manage to finish top six having lost the SPL player of the year, our best goalkeeper in at least 20 years, our entire right side, our most creative midfielder and our second striker, then McCall should be carried shoulder high around Motherwell. Top six would be that big an achievement, in my opinion...

Aye, my point is made...

Still not sure what I was thinking taking us to finish the game with a clean sheet..

None taken, but I'm sure we'd all have settled for 2-0 beforehand..;-)

Ok, that about time up now, ref?

Sutton 1-0. Good news for those of us with a £1 on 2-0 with Sutton first scorer...

No harm to either player but why are Ainsworth and Anier playing? Twardzik, I have less of an issue with. As Tweed said earlier, goalkeeper is a tricky position to blood a youngster. But I'd imagine both of the outfield loanees would be on their way in January. I'd rather see us play Moore and a U20s winger play. Can't contribute any less than the other two have in recent games...

What's the team?

If the Dundee reserve keeper plays, surely it only shows that McCall wants a result and wants the best possible player in each position and feels he's better than Stewart? Whether I'd do the same is another question. I've already stated in other threads that I'd write off this season and play youngsters. But it's easier for me to say results don't matter than it is for McCall. My job isn't to get wins for Motherwell...