MelvinBragg

I really do think people need to shake the idea that three at the back is necessarily a defensive formation. Only problem we have with playing is the same one we had the last time we played it. No one suitable to play left wing back. If we had Carroll or McGinlay available, 352 would be our best option. Sad to say we'll probably play 433 even though we don't have anyone suitable to play on the wings...

You do realise that neither Celtic nor Motherwell have confirmed that?

Obviously the Turnbull story has distracted somewhat from the buildup to tonight's game. I suspect even more so because of the lack of fans at the game. Might have helped in a bit lessening the amount of negativity that has been (rightly) present regarding Saturday's performance. But it's a Motherwell European game and I can't believe the lack of speculation regarding the team lineup or how the game will go. Obviously recent form has dampened enthusiasm for all things Motherwell.. For me, I'd be looking at ways to get two strikers playing up front together. But for defensive injuries, I'd be inclined to go 352. Could even do that playing Maguire in the back three or playing Lamie in the back three with Grimshaw and O'Donnell at wing back, but these are far from ideal. However we set up, it shouldn't be the same 433 with two wingers. Our wingers are offering little and general consensus is that none of our strikers play well as a lone striker. Would almost be tempted with a McGhee style squinty 442 with 3 centre midfielders and one winger although who that winger would be is anyone's guess....

Sorry. Bleary eyed after waking up after a nightshift. I read your original post as saying £2.5m. Apologies...

Was O'Donnell not £1.75m so nearly double should be nearer the £3m at least.. ?

Tell me about it. My son looked at me like I had lost the plot when I told him that I remembered Liverpool signing players from Ayr United and Chelsea signing players from Clyde. Ways to make you feel old...

You have to remember Chelsea in 1991 were a very different proposition. Pretty sure the manager that signed him was Ian Porterfield whose previous jobs had been Reading and Aberdeen. Can't see Derek McInnes getting offered the Chelsea job somehow...

McAllister is the player he most reminds me of...

I'm not saying that they necessarily will be better than Cornelius or Semple. If Robinson feels that any player that he brings in on loan can contribute more than what he has in his squad, given our situation then he'd have to take a chance on bringing the player in. Whether you trust his judgement as regards players is a separate question. Given injuries at the minute mean we can't realistically play a back three without playing people out of position so have very little flexibility formation wise, surely we'd be better looking at getting a defender in on loan til January rather than another midfielder? Whether that's part of the Turnbull deal or not....

Unless they're markedly better than what we have... Personally disappointed that we haven't seen more of Semple in the last year. If we are to lose Campbell, Turnbull and Polworth then we are asking for trouble...

Bringing in more players at this point in the transfer window is an admission that, despite talk of squad depth after our summer business, we made an arse of the window so far..

Campbell is an excellent player but the last thing they need at the minute...

Seem to remember the rest of the team stepping up when McFadden left first time around. Have to hope that happens again. Although there were a few strong characters in that team...

That'll be us out then given the inability of the rest of our squad to score goals...

Interesting that this has come up now. Would there be an issue of being 'cup tied' if he plays for us against Glentoran? We are playing Celtic on Sunday. There are rumours of a bid coming in for Odsonne Edouard. Have to figure that one of more of these is a factor if Celtic are actively looking to get this done this week...

Pot. Kettle...

Lack of penetration suggests not...

I seem to remember getting laughed at on here after Scott left for asking where the goals were going to come from. No one seems to have the answer. 2 goals in 5 games is perhaps acceptable if you've played both halves of the Old Firm and Aberdeen. Given the fixtures we had, it's appalling. Have there been points where we've been unlucky? Maybe but even taking into account missed penalties and goals (rightly) chopped off, it's nowhere near good enough...

I don't rate Chris Long at all. .

The talent at our disposal? I've also read the phrase 'the quality in this squad'. I don't see it. Turnbull, Campbell and Carson are quality, Donnelly is decent. Beyond that? Dross. Is there anyone in our squad with a proven track record of scoring goals at this level other than Turnbull? Answer is no ..

Aye, plastic pitch a no-no for me as well but stadium around it is an improvement...

Airdrie possibly? Broomfield was a shitehole...

I would expect our game to be on TV, be it Premier Sports or BT. As of next week, only the Scottish and French leagues will be playing in Western Europe. A big gap in the sports channels schedules. Regards the club stream, pretty sure the club said when advertising season tickets that it would guarantee access to the first European tie. Maybe I'm misremembering that though...

Went for Lamie, more down to the improvement in performance than anything. That and the fact that Martin Boyle against him was probably an area of real concern and he managed him reasonably well...

Tim Robbins was lying, hope is not a good thing...