superward

We played 5 first team friendlies before Stjarnan (not inc the u20s v albion). Just because you weren't there does not mean they didnt happen. That seems a decent amount to me given when we started training? We planned still to be in Europe at this stage so I can understand why a friendly now has been hard to organise at short notice.

News - news, actual news with quotes and everything... Source Motherwell assistant manager Kenny Black has denied the club have signed Notts County striker Anthony Dwyer. On Monday Dwyer tweeted 'Never thought I'd Be Playing My Football in Scotland!! Wish Me Luck Motherwell F.C' However Black said: "If he's been training or signed here then he's done it on his own because we have no knowledge of him. "There are a couple of boys in training with the under-20s, but no one of that name. "Since we have come back from Iceland there has been no business done." 'Well have been linked with a loan deal for Derby defender Mark O'Brien and Black admits at least they're aware of the Irishman. He said: "We've made an inquiry, but no more than that, there has been nothing concrete. "However, we're at least aware of O'Brien unlike the other boy who's way off our radar."

Nowt much wrong with that for me. I don't think Reid has done much wrong but I'd be keen to see Kerr in the middle and Ramsden back to RB where he played so well last season before injury.

I kinda get what you mean, I think, in that you want a ball playing central defender to compliment the old fashioned blooter of McManus? I wouldnt be knocking back this big lad if he is better than what we have though. Can't quite remember him from Fulham friendly to be honest.

I am sure they police and stewarding companies are also aware of the other games hence the reluctance in being able to support our game at short notice. Like others have said, the most important thing is the team get a game. People need to relax a bit and stop criticising every action the club is taking at the moment. Focus on the important things, not the trivial things like this.

No, in monetary terms its not but in fitness terms, yes it is.

Yes, seriously. This is about where we are now as a team. If our first team had been playing 2 times a week for the past 2 weeks that would have had an adverse affect as the base fitness just isnt there. Given our apparent stage of fitness at the first Stjarnan game (i.e. gubbed at half time) if our first team had then played on the weekend (which is the people who should be playing to get the benefit?), then played the 2nd leg, then the weekend again, then the 1st leg of Lech Poznan we would be knackered. We also would have cut the amount of time for actual training way down due to having to schedule in rest and recovery. You would have 2 games a week, 2 days of active recovery, leaving only 2 at a stretch 3 days of actual training for drills, tactics and fitness. Absolutely would have an adverse affect. How often do you hear managers early in the season moaning about having 2 games a week as it is just too early? Whilst it's important to play games for sharpness the balance needs to be right between training and match time. We obviously thought we would get through, and like in previous seasons, use the games in Europa to get sharp before hitting a 'big' team and then the start of the season. That was risky, for me, and what we should have been doing is coming back earlier to get core fitness up to sctratch (ala McGhee pre season) which would then leave us in a better position to play more games now and more competitively at this time. But, yeah, of course we could play a weakened team, at 75% effort and make loads of subs - because that would be very beneficial.

Agreed. If we had got through and been playing a friendly the Saturdays in between we would have been knackered come the actual euro games and the usual army on here would be decrying the fact we organised friendlies.

Knickers twist. Everyone calm it. Main thing is we will be playing a game. Would maybe have been nice to see it but the most important thing is the team get game time. If that spoils your pre season ritual of going for pints or seeing a fairly non descript boring game then go to the pub and take in a lower league come Saturday.

Some posters wouldnt be into that though as apparently or trip to Portugal was just a jolly for the players and had no benefits at all...

Oh aye, of course.

Exactly. Who are all the ex Bradford players? Ramsden, Daley and Jones - only 3?

That was my thought too...

Seems like the Dwyer guy is a youth player for Notts County so will be interesting, if it happens, to see if he is a youth signing like ZFA/Hutchy/Cummins all were originally or if indeed he is for the first team straight away.

I actually think we will be ok once we are match fit. The fact we are not match fit before a key european game is a different story... In my opinion, even without anymore additions: * Aberdeen will get 2nd this year. We pipped them last year but I think they will kick on this year. * It will be between us, Dundee Utd and St J for 3rd - 5th. Dundee Utd may egde it if their few new signings are good ones but the loss of Robertson and Gauld is a big big blow for them even though they got good money. St Johnstone haven't signed anyone and are weaker but I think stronger than the rest The others - No matter how disappointing the last 2 games were we still better than Thistle, Ross County, ICT, Killie, St Mirren, Accies and Dundee. They have all signed a lot of players but none are players who worry me in the slightest. James McPake, Jamie Hammill, Lee Miller, Ryan Stevenson and Simon Ferry are the only players out of all the signings those 7 clubs have made that make me slightly raise an eyebrow and none of them I am really convinced would make a difference to our team or will damge us in anyway by playing against us. Dundee and Killie I could see pushing away from the rest and challenging for 6th. * Cups - I have no idea. I would not be surprised to go out in the first rounds we enter but at the same time I really hope we dont!

Bollocks I think we will comfortably be top 6. Once we are match fit, and that is the one biggest failing of McCall this season, in that he does not have the squad fit, we will be fine.

Ah how the mighty fall from saviour to roaster on here in 3 short games....

Nail. Head.

Called the team - YAS! Now for the result...

Nothing definite or on the reliable streaming sites. The only one showing is this at the moment but no guarantees - http://livetv.sx/en/eventinfo/241076_stjarnan_motherwell/

I think we will do it tonight. We didn't concede from open play and should have had 5 or 6 last week. They should be tiring given as they have played 2 games a week for the past 3 weeks. We should be getting fitter from another 90mins and week's training. 3-0 to us. McCall will prob start: Twardzik Reid--Ramsden--McManus--Hammy Ainsworth--Lasley--Carsy--Vigurs Law Sutton

It basically makes your iphone/ipad into and android phone/tablet which is much better

Anyone got 100% confirmation from the pubs in Motherwell or snooker hall in Bellshill? I cant find it on the streaming sites (the reliable ones anyway) so dont want to make a wasted trip!

Not true - on the official club twitter

This article would support Steelboy's estimates: http://www.heraldscotland.com/football-policing-costs-set-to-rise-by-millions-1.912527 Its circa 2009 but states Rangers paid 40k for the police inside the stadium at an old firm game which had a total inside/outside policing cost of 150k.