MelvinBragg

I feel the same way. It's the Motherwell way of things...

Nickname while at Rochdale: Rambo Hero in the making?

I've had a recurring dream last few nights of the second leg, us trailing 1-0 having won 1-0 at Fir Park, and defending for our lives in the last minute.A header out of our box reaches Humphrey and him running the length of the park and scoring...

Problem for Saunders is that he's been injured for the best part of a season. You just need to look at McFadden to see how that can affect the number of clubs willing to take a punt on you...

Obviously you can't question McCall's record at Motherwell, but if this is true he needs glasses in my opinion. For me a fit and in form Saunders is as good as Hutchinson. Personally I'd have him at centre back alongside Hutchinson but would be happy to see him at right back (only flaw with that would mean Hateley would be playing midfield). For me Saunders has massive potential, and I'd hate to see it wasted sitting on the bench at Motherwell. For his sake, he'd be better getting a move elsewhere. Sadly it would be more our loss than his...

I'm equally glad to see McHugh back. Hoping for a big impact from him this season..

Actually think that McCall might go slightly more attacking in the first leg. Having seen us boss the game at Ibrox second last day of the season with two up front, he might think the best way to guarantee 'Panathinaikos 0' is to keep the ball in their half as much as possible. I'm expecting the same starting eleven as against Everton with Hutchinson in for Cummins if he's fit.

If you play for Motherwell and score a handful of goals in Europe and also score in a Scottish Cup semi final, I reckon you've done pretty well. I think the problem Murphy has had is that he hasn't turned into the player we thought he would. Remember the "New McFadden" chat? Funny thing is, comparing their achievements while at Motherwell, you could argue Murphy has done better, looking at league finishes, cup runs and European football...

I'd argue that in terms of potential impact on survival of the club, games against Dunfermline last day and Falkirk second last day to avoid relegation were bigger. In terms of magnitude of the game, for me the three cup finals I've seen us in were bigger.. In terms of potential financial boost though, it's probably up there...

Two separate people have told me this weekend that a deal's been done for Murphy. The Randolph story has done the rounds for a while, particularly before Celtic sealed the Forster deal. I was told that McCall was told that he'd need to sell Randolph unless we made the Europa League group stages..

What can an English side do to toughen him up that we can't?

I was told that he'd be off before European games...

I did hear that Randolph might be off after the CL games. But I have heard from two separate sources that Murphy is as good as away...

Based on the fact that Ramsden looks likely to sign, for me defence isn't a priority. A centre midfielder or a replacement for Murphy would top the list. If I'd told you last season we'd lose Jennings and Clancy, who would you have wanted to replace most..?

I touched upon it above but has it occurred to anyone that Hutchinson's continued absence might be down to the fact he's being sold. Not saying it's the case but the thought has crossed my mind. Anyone else have the same thought..?

I don't disagree we need cover but for me central midfield would be the priority...

Unless he's head and shoulders above the likes of Page and Cummins, it does seem a strange decision to bring someone in on loan in that position particularly if we sign Ramsden. We'd then have Saunders, Hutchison, Page, Ramsden and Cummins. Although part of me suspects we're selling Hutchinson and that's why we haven't used him this pre-season. I'd imagine there are midfielders in a similar situation that we could get that would offer us cover in an area we're short. We only really have Lasley, Law and Carswell there...

Heard a strong rumour we've agreed to sell Jamie Murphy. To whom, I don't know but person who told me seemed quite sure it was a done deal..

Corrigan is a prime example of a player winning fans over. There was a period when he first arrived when he was part of an Unholy Trinity. Any time anything went wrong, it was the fault of either Woods, Adams or Corrigan according to much of the East Stand. Only debate seemed to surround which one of three was at fault that particular week..

At £30 a pop, we won't match the Nancy crowd..

I have been a season ticket holder on and off for twenty years and at the moment I can't see myself shelling out £30 for what I see as a glorified friendly. It's all very well saying that we should all dig deep as our clubs faces tough financial times. But what this ignores is that many families are facing equally tough times. Having said that, I don't mind the idea of buying an extra programme/pie/drink when I have the cash. What I do object to is the fact that the club are taking advantage of the fact that many supporters would pay anything because "it's the champions league". Well, I hate the champions league. To get excited about it, would be hypocrisy. The prospect of us qualifying at the expense of others was amusing but I'm not that excited. I'd compare it to The Smiths first manager who said he got ridiculously excited when they got on Top Of The Pops, then remembered he thought it was crap... That's just me. But I'm pretty sure there will be others who feel the same. So it might not be only floating hunters they put off with this..

At £30, I reckon I'll be giving this a miss. Bit too expensive, in my opinion...

Stranded in England this morning. What is there in the papers this morning?

I think the original post is fantastic. But am I the only one who can hear the strains of Jerusalem when I read it...?

Looking at it the other day, I figure we could muster a decent 4231 Randolph Hateley Saunders Hutchinson Hammell Lasley Carswell Humphrey Law Murphy Higdon Only issue is Higdon getting isolated as he did in the first half of last season...