MelvinBragg

Interestingly no Hanley or Greer. Only three centre backs in Martin, Berry and Reynolds. Assuming that despite his possible regression that he's only been selected due to lack of other options. Could have been worse. They could have promoted Zak Jules from the U21s...

Another aspect of last season's spending which strikes me is that we signed three midfielders. One clearly targeted, McHugh, looks like a good player. The other two, Clay and Lucas, came on trial and we're offered contracts. I know that you can find decent players by taking some on trial (thinking McDonald and Ojaama) but when two of your three signings in a key area of the team are brought in this way, it seems like poor preparation or a squad cobbled together. Obviously we may have had other targets that we missed out on but it smacks of desperation. The Belic signing strikes me as a similar case. Reading between the lines, Frear was our intended target (and had we got him, our season might have worked out better) but the Belic signing seemed symptomatic of our business last summer. Rushed and taking whoever was readily available. We can't repeat that this summer...

I tend to agree. Bowman was signed as a backup 'number 9'. Thing is, when he played, he often ended up playing with Moult which meant one of them playing out of position. The bizarre thing about the Bowman signing was signing both him and Blyth. If you listen to both Blyth and Bowman giving their interviews upon signing, they both describe themselves in exactly the same way. Can play as a target man but also like to run in behind are phrases I distinctly remember from both. I remember thinking when Bowman signed that it was a very early admission that the Blyth signing was a mistake...

Like others, not surprised by many names in that article. Bowman is maybe the only one. Not particularly because I rate him as a player but because Robinson has used him both as a starter and as a substitute ahead of Ainsworth and Gordon among others. The article does say others may follow and the three names that leap to mind are Ainsworth, Clay and McFadden. The Ainsworth situation has a thread all of its own, but I suspect that it may come down to whether he'll accept terms that we would offer a squad player as Robinson probably sees him and whether he'll get better offers elsewhere. Clay, like Bowman has featured a lot. Does this mean Robinson rates him or is it just the fact he's been fit and available unlike Pearson and Lucas? McFadden, sad to say, I can see no reason to offer a contract to. If he's not been considered good enough to play ahead of Blyth and Bowman, does he have anything to offer now? Only thing I would say is, if Blyth, Bowman, McDonald and Moult all leave, we are left with a situation of having no strikers at the club (I'm assuming Moore will also be released). Do we offer McFadden a vastly reduced deal in order to have at least an option should we struggle to get our targets in promptly? Not saying I would, but given McFadden won't be inundated with offers, it's something the club may consider. Certainly shows the scale of job Robinson has this summer. To lose nine players (with possibly Heneghan and Moult to follow) leaves a massive hole in the squad. Having said that, how much did the eight listed contribute? Might we see Harri Kampman's lawnmower again..?

I don't think you can take too much from a meaningless game on Saturday. McFadden coming on underlines that for me...

Leaving aside Bowman for a moment, looking at Craig Clay, would I want him as first choice in our midfield? Possibly not. Could he do a job as a backup midfielder or someone to bring on in a game when we're trying to shore up the midfield? Could we find someone better quality happy to do that job on similar money? He's no world beaters but certainly not the worst midfielder that I've seen playing for Motherwell...

The talk of wheeling and dealing does suggest some will be moved on, just not sure if both Bowman and Clay will be among those being wheeled and dealt. Only basing this on the fact that Robinson used them both extensively. It may be that he simply felt that he had no better options rather than a show of faith in them...

I've seen a few people saying that they think that we'll try and move Clay and Bowman on but I'm not so sure. Albeit we've had limited options but Robinson has used the two of them a lot, even if only as his first players to come off the bench. Not saying that I would keep both of them but wouldn't be surprised if the club decides to even if only as squad players...

Only 4?? By my reckoning, you could guess that McManus, McDonald, Pearson, Samson, Lasley and Hammell would all be at the higher end of our wage scale. Unless Hammell and Lasley took a fair sized pay cut the last time they were offered "reduced terms". Who of those gave value for money? Certainly not Samson or Pearson. McDonald probably did. The other three you can debate...

That's Accies two up. Unless something dramatic happens, we're 9th at worst. A win for us and County coming back to win at Killie would see us eighth...

Shea Gordon. Has played a couple of times recently..

How many do we have out of contract? My reckoning it's Samson Lasley Lucas Pearson McDonald of technically senior professionals. Or am I missing some? Pretty obvious the way the Samson, Lucas and McDonald conversations will go. Other ones, I'm not so sure...

I suspect that half the SPL will be interested in them...

I think if Lionel's wages were those of an impact player to come off the bench, we'd be more inclined to offer him a deal. As it is, I suspect he's among our higher earners...

Sell Heneghan and move McHugh to centre back permanently? Could live with that...

There has been a tendency with our squad recently that it's been dominated by guys in their 30s and very young players. Looking forward, interesting that three players that you have to think will be starters next season (McHugh, Frear and Tait) are all in their mid 20s, in their prime theoretically for a footballer. Add to that, Cadden has already played over 50 first team games. So there is a bit of experience without relying on veterans providing it. Obviously depending on what happens with Heneghan and McManus, areas in the team that need most work are at both ends of the park. Replacing Moult and McDonald will be tough. Given what I previously said about the age of players in the squad, it will be interesting to see the approach we take. Do we look at bringing in a couple of 'veterans' in key positions or do we look at bringing in prospects to possibly sell on like Johnson and combine them with the guys coming through from the U20s. I think it could be an interesting summer...

Irrespective of any fan's individual opinion of Lasley's abilities, it's hard to argue that he's not been a fantastic servant. He goes with nothing but my respect and thanks...

Hence the phrase 'won the free kick'. He's quite slight, Frear, so I think referees may be more likely to believe a challenge could knock him off balance...

So who are the 14? Tait Heneghan McManus Hammell McHugh Clay Campbell Cadden Frear Bowman Blyth Moult I can't think of any others unless he's including MacLean and McMillan. Maybe Dom Thomas. Big job as others have said. Given we may lose Moult and Heneghan from that list too, you're looking at only 3 or 4 probably first picks left. Either the U20s really have to step up or Robinson will face a stern test in terms of recruitment...

He's stopped the defence leaking like a sieve. Has proved that he's not afraid to change things (Griffiths for Samson was bold, to say the least). He's given Allan Campbell a few games and introduced others on to the bench. Was he my first choice? No. But 4 wins out of 11 is better than 6 wins in 26. He's made a difference. Replacing Moult, McDonald and Ainsworth is a huge task for any manager. This will test him...

What amuses me is people saying that if you play Ainsworth in his natural position then you'll get the best out of him. His best spells tonight were playing as a striker and on the left wing. But he made a difference and if he's to go, he goes with my best wishes given he's played a massive part in helping us beat the drop. Twice.. Generally tonight, thought we were poor first half and came on to a game in the second. I know Ainsworth is taking a lot of plaudits and rightly so but really impressed with Frear tonight as well. Set up the first goal, won the free kick for the second, scored the third. Not bad.. Oh, and I fucking love Carl McHugh...

Looking like 442 tonight Griffiths Ferguson Heneghan McHugh Hammell Cadden Lasley Clay Frear McDonald Moult Subs Pain Jules Bowman Campbell McFadden Livingstone Ainsworth Not the worst team I've seen us put out...

Obviously but let's not assume that they will lose (although having watched them yesterday, I suspect they will). We cannot go into the game thinking a draw will be enough. Are we sound enough defensively to play for a draw anyway? I think we all know the answer to that question...

As it stands, we could win on Tuesday and still finish in 11th place. All it would take is for Accies to win both their games and Dundee to win their midweek game and us to lose at Inverness. By my reckoning, that would leave Dundee on 40 points and Accies on 38 points like ourselves but with a better goal difference. Impossible? I wouldn't say so. Watching Accies yesterday, they didn't look like a team that could win their last two games but stranger things have happened. We need to win on Tuesday and hope that Accies don't. Yesterday was a massive result. But there's no point winning that to put ourselves back in a position of it being outwith our control again a few days later...