MelvinBragg

I'd agree with your last statement, the first paragraph I'd take issue with. Clarkson, Sutton and prior to his departure Porter have all weighed in with goals. The real problem is that no other bugger does. We need a goalscorer, aye, but one that plays in midfield not to replace one of the strikers...

I think Quinn is far more of a leader than Craigan but unfortunately the manager undermined that by removing the captaincy from Quinn last season. We do need someone to be a driving force in the middle of the park. I don't know if Klimpl is that man, he seems a bit much of a headless chicken to me to fulfil the Scott Leitch role...

I think the way we play hasn't helped Sutton. A lot of our build up goes through the middle. He's a guy who thrives on crosses. I think that a 4-4-2 with proper wide men raining crosses in, or even a 3-5-2 might benefit him. And I don't think this would do any harm to Clarkson's game either, he's decent in the air as well. Also might mean that not everything was gojng through Clarkson. It seems to me that teams have worked out that if you shut Clarkson down, there's a fair chance we won't score...

Christ, I hope we don't qualify then...

I would argue that worse than that everyone at Fir Park (supporters, management and players) know that McGhee has his favourites who will not be ousted irrespective of form and whether there are players that would be able to do a better job. The names McGarry, Reynolds and Hughes leap to mind... EDIT I know McGarry has been dropped but he seems to return for key games despite having shown nothing in substitute appearances...

Ah, the old fallback if you dare critcise McGhee. If you don't like McGhee then you must want Malpas back? How I've missed that one... As I've stated on other threads, I'd love us to finish 7th but I don't see how playing players whose futures may lie elsewhere or who have one eye on their summer holidays helps us achieve that. McGhee himself has stated that he is preparing for next season as of now and will only be using players who see their future at Fir Park. How does that square with the line up today, particularly the selection of Hughes and Smith who, if we're being honest, will only sign a new contract at Motherwell as a last resort. And I fail to see how playing players out of position and guys who frankly are so out of form it's not true helps us achieve the aim of finishing seventh...

Without wishing to go on (and on and on), this is why I wanted to see young players in the team today and for the rest of the season. If we see which of these guys can cut it at this level, then next season we may not have to resort to Keith Lasley at right back. No disrespect to Lasley...

Heard a rumour today that Notts Forest are looking at David Clarkson. Let's hope not. A starting front two of Sutton and Murphy next season...

I've said it before, I'll say it again. McGhee talks a good game...

I actually agree with every word of this post. The thought of us getting into Europe only to be punted out by part-timers from Kazakhstan because we only started training a week before the game leaves me cold...

Agree with everything the Grew said. Why was Sheridan even introduced if we're planning for next season? I hate to quote myself from another thread but Yes, we had a lot of possession according to the stats, but we need guys who are committed beyond trying to impress other clubs...

Sounds like it's a big NO then...?

I know, not necessarily yourself I was trying to calm down. I just have a feeling in my gut that it's not going to happen for us. Which I'm not crushed about. It was always a long shot. But some posters seem to be getting in a frenzy over it...

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'll believe it when I see our name in the draw...

I think you'll find that that the last six words are...

Good job we're not in the top six. You'd have five weeks to wait to see if we could qualify through our league place. Let's work on the assumption that as there have been no Scottish sides in UEFA competition that there won't be enough points accrued for a Scottish team to qualify via fair play. So it's unlkely that we'll qualify. If you think like this, any good news is a bonus...

It was indeed yerself. I remember drunken and incoherently ranting about claret and amber ribbons on a bit of silverware that night. It should worry you that you now agree with me...

Totally agree. I remember a fellow Well fan once telling me that they'd rather lose the Scottish Cup Final and get into Europe than win the League Cup. If I were a Falkirk fan right now, I'd be desperate for us to win the cup, and were we to lose the final, Europe would be very small consolation...

In what world is Mark Reynolds currently worth one million pounds?? If a club were to offer £350,000, I'd take it...

You are aware we're only at the end of April, Ricky aren't you? Or am I misreading this...?

Cesnauskas, aye. Not the other guy. Any Hearts fan I know said that Mikolunas only got a game because he was Romanov's favourite player...

I know I make myself an easy target on that score, but I don't think you'll find it's just me who can't fathom as to how McGhee hasn't addressed the issue thus far. I know our defending at set pieces has been somewhat better this season, but it is the manager himself who continues to make it clear that he is looking for a defender dominant in the air. Surely if this is something we have required for 18 months and he still hasn't found a suitable player, even the manager would admit this was a small failure on his part...

Two years is a long time to try and find a centre half good in the air on our budget...

On that basis, I reckon you'll be alright then...

I'd agree with you about Quinn. And as much as I like all of your targets, I think you're setting your sights a bit too high. I'd love them all at Fir Park, but we'd be very lucky to get one of them...