MelvinBragg

Funnily enough, that's the shape and personnel I'd use. Means that any new striker we bring in would have to be one that could play up front on his own. None of our current strikers have that ability..

If I recall correctly, if a foul was given then they can't do anything about it. If the ref has missed it altogether and not even given a foul, then he can be hauled up for it. So if a foul was given tonight, he should be fine...

This is the most damning indictment of us. And not one I can argue with...

No, I'm not worried about relegation. I'm resigned to it...

Rangers have been dreadful in their last few games. Really doesn't look good them beating us so easily. I have the fear for Saturday...

Losing to this mob, hard to come to any other conclusion than we are the worst team in this league..

Aye, last thing we really needed was another player injured...

352 with Grimshaw at wing back? Or 442 with a diamond midfield? Neither of those is inspiring much confidence...

I know what you mean about feeling as if he hasn't started that many games. I think it's because he has gone weeks without starting then will start one or two then drop out. Like you, any time I've seen him I've been impressed. Hibs away when he came on he made a real difference. Even in the League Cup final, in the time between him coming on and Kipré getting sent off, he was finding pockets of space. I think we've still to find the best way to use him but as the squad stands, he's our most important attacking player...

Indeed. Obviously depending on who we bring in during January but at the minute I'd say the nailed on starters when fit are Carson, Tait, Kipré, Hartley, Dunne, Cadden and Tanner. Leaves us with at least five midfielders fighting for a couple of places. And a massive question mark over who plays up front...

Tanner has started eight league games and scored four goals. Don't know how many assists he has but it's certainly a few. The end product is there. I think he will be a crucial player for us in the second half of the season, the real question being where we play him to get the best out of him and to best suit the team. He'd be one of seven players we have that should be definite starters when fit. The other four places are up for grabs...

Oh well. Things starting to look a bit grim...

Probably time wasting because a point away from home is never a bad result...

That will be yer diamond midfield again...

As someone who has sat in the section in line with the 18 yard line at the Cooper Stand end of the East Stand for over 15 years, I'd be mightily unimpressed to be moved. On a similar issue, there was discussion following the Cup final of the Bois obstructing the view of those near them. We had seats pretty close to them and those in their section weren't the problem, it was those who wanted to be close to them but who had tickets for other seats. About twenty of us had seats for the rows behind them and had to try to get those "hangers on" to move which wasn't easy and we received a fair bit of abuse for trying to do so. If it was one or two of us, we could have tried to find seats elsewhere but given we had bought a large group together so we could all watch the game together then it was difficult and made the twenty minutes or so before the game started a really unpleasant experience. I realise that this probably doesn't belong in this thread but it increases my concern if the Bois are moved to close to my seats. They are not the issue. It is (and I hesitate to use this phrase) the "daft wee laddies and lassies" who are not part of the group as such but want to be "close to the action". And I know saying this makes me sound like an old sore arse. So be it. The Bois for the most part do a great job of self policing but those who want to be "cool" by hanging on the fringes cause problems sometimes...

Jim McMahon quoted as saying the transfer has the potential to earn us more in the future...

The thing I have taken from the last few games is this: we have to find a way to get Craig Tanner in the team. The number of assists and goals he has contributed for the amount of time he's spent on the park suggests he could provide the creativity we need. Where we play him is the question...

Real test for the manager. Let's hope he can justify that new contract...

We won't get Moult back, Hartley could easily move elsewhere and Cadden may well leave in January. We need to work with what we have. Robinson has done reasonably well so far but this will be a huge challenge. A team that has been designed with the idea of 'Get the ball into Moult' for the last two seasons will need to find a new way of playing...

Looks like a 451 to me, obviously hoping that it turns into a 433 when we have the ball. Could be a 352 with Frear and Tait as wing backs. Time will tell...

Fee?

As much as I love Louis Moult, this is not a new problem for us. John Sutton averaged nearly a goal every two starts for Motherwell. Michael Higdon scored 43 goals in 81 starts. Porter was a similar story. These guys move on, we find a way of making it work, maybe not replacing with the same type of player, but we'll come up with something. And if we don't, then we replace the manager with someone who can make it work...

I suspect we'll lose Cadden and Moult in January which is fine because that's the model we are using. Good to know we have targets lined up but pretty relaxed about it given we have options within the squad. Bear in mind we went to Dens Park and won without Cadden, Moult or Rose in the starting eleven. Campbell, Plummer and MacLean weren't even in the squad that night. Obviously it's a concern losing arguably our two best players but we have a good few points on the board already and even without those two, I reckon we'll have enough about us to stay out of trouble. Would feel a good bit more relaxed if big Bowman could hit some form again. Feel as if he hasn't really been the same since the semi final witch hunt. In terms of the summer, Hammell, Watt and Plummer will probably be away. Of those three, Plummer is the only question mark. If he can force his way into the team, which given our form hasn't been easy, he may yet earn another deal. Newell and Petravicius are both young and will be seen as prospects so expect us to offer them deals. Pretty much everyone else will be offered a new deal. Whether they sign it or not is a different question...

I suspect when Cadden's slot is up for grabs Robinson is hoping that the competition for right midfield/attacking midfield will bring the best out of MacLean and Tanner...

I'm kind of with Robinson on this one. As soft as the penalty was (and it was very soft), let's focus on how well our team did. We rode our luck with some of their chances as you always have to against a team with better players but for our defence and goalkeeper to hold them out for as long three days after chasing the ball for half an hour with ten men is impressive. By focusing on the penalty, we fail to give our players the credit they deserve. I don't think that on paper we have the second, third or even fourth best squad in the league but on our day we'll give anyone a game...