MelvinBragg

The cases of Moore and Erwin tend to suggest that the best way to convince McCall that you're worth a shot is to go on loan and do well. Not sending him on loan doesn't mean he'll get time on the pitch with us...

No one out on loan? With the way McCall was talking, felt sure Cummins, Thomas and maybe a couple of others would be out on loan today...

Twardzik Reid O'Brien McManus Angol Ainsworth Lasley Lawson Law Ojaama Sutton Erwin, Leitch and Ramsden among the subs, no Vigurs or Thomas..

This...

Not listening, let me guess? Overrun in midfield, Kilmarnock always seeming to have a player free?

Aye. Midfield not closing down or keeper at fault? No dangwr of us replying in kind. We don't shoot from distance...

1-0 down already...

If he was watching the St Mirren game, he might have noticed Fraser Kerr has the potential to be that player. An opportunity to develop one of our own into either a solid SPL player or a sellable asset. Which will be lost if O'Brien takes his place. And what will that say to our other young players...?

I agree that the players you listed are untested over the course of a season. Here's an idea. Let's test them over the course of this season. One criticism levelled at McCall, possibly fairly, is his perceived lack of faith in our young players. Can't criticise him for that if we're not willing to place our own faith in them...

McCall quoted after United game saying this...

Kerr's performances make me think that maybe the O'Brien wages could have been spent better elsewhere. Certainly Kerr has done enough not to be dropped automatically when O'Brien is fit/arrives...

Fraser Kerr. By a country mile.

Law seemed to be all over the place. Seemed to be playing almost between Erwin and Ferguson at times. I gather Ferguson plays right back for the under 20s. Who plays left back for them? Is he that bad that we'd rather play an under 20 out of position?

Where to start? Tactics were wrong. Anyone persevering with only two central midfielders is going to struggle in the modern game. Is that why our technique and fitness looks as bad? Hard to take a touch and find a pass when they have an extra man closing you down? And given we spend so much time chasing the ball, no wonder we look knackered? Whether it's the tactics, technique or fitness or all three, we'll need to figure it out fast. Losing becomes a habit. Trying to look for a positive from the game, at least Kerr seems to know what he's doing at centre back. Hopefully the right wing experiment is over...

Indeed, it's Leitch dropping out. Vigurs fit enough for the bench...

According to the BBC, Ojaama on the bench, Ainsworth and Ferguson both start. Doesn't mention who's dropping out for Ainsworth. My money is on Leitch. Unfortunately...

Hollis suffered from following Randolph and Ruddy in the same way that Moyes suffered from following Ferguson. It was asking a lot to match up to two of the best keepers I've seen at Fir Park. I suspect that Hollis is no better or worse than a lot of keepers in the first team at SPL level (keepers in the SPL last season, outwith Forster, much of a muchness). His injury record leaves a lot to be desired which didn't help him get a run of form last season. I'd have him ahead of Twardzik but Nielsen ahead of them both. Still can't believe we signed Twardzik this summer when Jamie McDonald was available...

Twardzik... EDIT Presumably managed by Craig Brown given he was assistant and came back to manage...

Need to explain that one to me...

As good a player as Ojaama is, am I the only one concerned that just as Kerr and Erwin get some game time, O'Brien and Ojaama arrive forcing them back on to the bench...

Was O'Brien not the guy we were looking at but who still hadn't recovered from injury? Was Kenny Black not quoted as saying as much..?

All I was saying was after one start, it's a bit early to say Erwin should be starting ahead of a guy with a proven SPL track record. I, as much as the next Well fan, hope that Erwin develops into the new Chris Porter (reminds me a bit of him) but let's not pile a load of pressure on him. Everyone thought Craig Moore was ready to make a real impact after his goal against Hearts. One swallow does not a summer make...

This is what McCall was trying to counteract with his comments after Saturday's game about Erwin's hard work starting here. Let's not put too much pressure on the guy and expect him to be the saviour after one start for the first team... And by the same token, to write off a guy who scored more than 20 goals last season as on the wane after one league game, seems a touch premature...

Far from our best, but far from abysmal. Given the players we had unavailable and clearly some playing far from 100%, any kind of win would've done yesterday.. Positives: Thought Kerr, after an iffy first 15 minutes, had a good game in his actual position. I'd keep him in the team, if only so McCall can't bring him off the bench to play right midfield. Erwin looks to have potential. Big and mobile generally enough to cause most SPL defenders problems (ask Ciftci). Looks more of an out and out striker than Moore. Looking long term, those two could work well together.. Negatives: Only one. If we insist on playing two in centre midfield against a team playing three in there, we're just inviting pressure. Those critical of Lasley and Carswell need to bear in mind that they were outnumbered. Like I said, delighted with the three points. Don't expect much from Tannadice but already looking forward to next Saturday...

Cummins also on the bench should any of our defenders not last the 90 minutes...