MelvinBragg

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...

I don't known whether there's any substance to the story or not but Birmingham and Celtic doesn't really surprise me. On the form of last season, Quinn is a better player than Hinkel, Caddis or Wilson. And have you see Birmingham's defence?? The old McGhee/Strachan/McLeish connection maybe strike again? As I say, haven't heard this rumour myself but I'd be sad to see Quinn go. I think he's a better player than many on here give him credit for, and if nothing else he's one of a few guys at the club who always gives 100%...

I honestly believe that our chances of getting that one win to secure seventh are not improved by playing guys like Hughes, Smith, Klimpl and McLean, guys who may not be here next season. Even those first teamers who will be here next year may have one eye on their summer holidays. It also gives us the chance to rest guys whose form is shading, Mark Reynolds being the obvious example...

I tend to agree with you that that's what will happen. I'd stake my wages on it. I just think that in doing that we will be missing a great opportunity to see what these players can do to get some fans having second thoughts about coming to the post split games, excited and through the doors to give some of the established stars a rest/kick up the backside (delete as applicable) to start planning now for next season (ourselves and perhaps Kilmarnock are the only two clubs who can do this on the field without too great a risk) have for the next 5 games against teams fighting for their lives, eleven players with a lot to prove working hard for our team But as I have said, I know football is a fear and results driven business. Many of his advocates on here claim Mark McGhee is a breath of fresh air. A willingness to break from the norm and think long term might have even me believing it...

I get the impression Celtic will be looking for a manager this summer irrespective of where the title ends up as I hear that Strachan is sick of the media/goldfish bowl that goes with the Celtic job. That and not getting credit for the job he has done. Though it's certain that McGhee won't be top of their list. I've heard the name Owen Coyle mentioned, believe it or not...

Other than Dougie Ramsay and Kenny Wright, the guys from that season have all done alright for themselves (half of them are are in our first team squad). The use of the word responsibility interests me. What responsibilty? I know there are certain financial benefits and league cup seeding to concern ourselves with but other than that you are not going to get a situation with less pressure and responsibility. And I've said earlier, the chance of discovering that someone is ready to be called upon next season may well save us a wage and a signing on fee. To go off on one for a moment, the Old Firm are criticised for not blooding their young players and often there is talk of the mentality of fear in football, the culture of playing it safe, avoid defeat rather than take a chance and go for it. We find ourselves in a situation we rarely have. Safe from relegation (that Falkirk team isn't suddenly going to win five on the spin)and with very little to play for. Surely a man manager of McGhee's calibre would be able to get these young guys in a mindset where they could play with freedom and without pressure. If we don't blood them now, then when? We have nothing to gain by playing players who will not be with us next season or who are tiring towards the end of the season. Playing these young guys might actually give a bit of spark back to the fans who felt let down that we didn't make the top 6. A bit more reason to get excited for the games to come. I know I'd be looking forward to the Inverness game more if I thought I'd be seeing 4 or 5 guys who might be the future of our club. And if they flop, McGhee will (hopefully) be able to look and say whether these players simply don't have the talent or whether they just weren't ready yet. Sadly, I know I'm wasting my breath, but it's something I feel quite paasionate about...