superward

If you count Tait, Clay and McHugh as established then Brill, Bowman and Heneghan were all established at the respective levels also. Blyth and Lucas are the punts and both been curtailed by injury. Belic cost nothing..so not a punt in my eyes. As for melting players down I find it funny you want Chalmers given a new contract in another thread when he is number 1 on the list for melting due to always being injured. Also, it was made very clear at the AGM that McGhee has full and final say on how the playing budget he is given is spent.

It was made fairly clear at the AGMs this week that nobody needs to be sold and the most important thing is ensuring we are not in the bottom 2. So, unless it's a fee that cannot be knocked back as it's so big then I fully expect to see them in February.

Would the academies have exclusive pick? Or is it just that there would be many factors that would encourage them to go there over the other clubs?

No fee or wages...your as well taking the risk late on in the window I say. You never know.

From the article they are signing players who haven't made it through the elite development schemes. So I don't think it's a solid case of buying them in every or each time. But either way - it's not a route I think I would like us to go.

A line in here on Blyth being injured still (or again). If that's the case then he deserves to get fit and give it a go here in the second half of the season. http://www.motherwelltimes.co.uk/sport/football/motherwell-fc/well-boss-mcghee-dismisses-ugwu-link-1-4311592

It's an interesting one for sure. I don't really think the argument, for example, that Hamilton shouldn't have the academy, it should be Motherwell sits that well with me. For me, the whole system needs to be fair. I am not even going to attempt to suggest how that is possible or what it should look like. But it needs to fair across the board and not to the advantage of 8 teams (whoever they may be). A bit more discussion on the Brentford model in regards that, and definition of elite v not elite, here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/scotland/38178077

Thanks. I was just reading about it a bit more there as well actually. An article in the Herald and and article about Annan pulling out of the system. Seems a broad consensus that the current system does not work as well as it should. But to essentially give an advantage to 8 teams seems very very poor.

I've heard about all of this but not actually sure what academy status means. Anyone care to explain? What would actually change? Would kids choose to go to a club with an academy status over one without it but the same level of facilities/coaching etc? Do we get SFA investment as an academy? If players move between academies now does this change things from a money perspective? None of those leading questions...just an area I know little about.

An interesting point coming from the Well Society AGM, I thought, was the intention to introduce a constituency style system where each board member is linked to x amount of members like an MP would be. Giving a more direct link to request info, raise concerns, give ideas etc.

Ina related point, something I didn't really consider as I hadn't gave it any real thought.... Jim McMahon, while talking about executive/supervisory board, made a good point related to transfer fees. If, for example, we get a really good fee in (e.g. £1.5m) it's well within our right, and possibly in the best interests of all parties, to approach Les/Boyle etc. about settling all of the debt. So, while we need to give them 40% and wont be forced to give any more. It appears to be flexible enough that we can give more towards paying the debt early/completely.

Good to hear it clarified that he came at no cost to the club.

The more the better in my eyes. A bidding war resulting in enough to pay off the club debt please.

Aye, June 2019

Game of two halves First 45 we had them rattled and made them change it to cope with us. Pressed them and exploited a poor Toure twice. We then didn't adapt quickly enough to the change to a back 3 and the width they started to employ. Early goal left us rattled and we really then had to deal with a confident and skillful Celtic. That said we made some silly decisions defending and paid the price. Central midfield didn't protect enough in the second 45 and they just got too much space and time to knock it about. All in though I am proud to see the Motherwell team that can play like that first 45 with that intensity. If we can replicate that we will have the beating of a lot of our peers in the league.

Thought the ref made some strange decisions. But none made a huge difference. Toure had his hands on him but I don't think it was a pen. Certainly would have been raging if we conceded one that way Moult MOM for me due to his first 45. Cadden or McManus a close second.

Two different lines of thought here - what do you want to happen v what will realistically happen. For me... What do I want to happen? Out - Belic, Blyth, Laing, Chalmers, Lucas, Thomas (on loan) In - A left sided attacking midfielder See more of Campbell, Mackin, MacLean, Hastie on the pitch to fill some of the gaps left by the above when cover required for injuries and tiring players during the game. What will realistically happen? Out - Belic, Laing loan extended/freed, In - Pearson, Lucas extended.

http://www.motherwelltimes.co.uk/sport/football/motherwell-fc/well-may-use-4-2-2-2-against-celts-1-4306541 Lucas still not fit. The lad looks like a skillful player. But he is fast running out of time to prove he can stay fit.

To play devil's advocate he also said Celtic are going to win the treble and are the best team in the country. McGhee says that he would get dog's abuse. I do agree Faddy did come across in the main a lot more positive though. Playing to win and not to get a 0-0 etc.

I guess most of us will never know thr story. Feels very much like a last minute offer to take him, we had a look at some craftily edited video and just took a punt. I would assume if we did that there was no real risk/cost on our side. However could be wrong.

To be fair Lucas and McHugh are injured and one is the sub goalie. Bowman, Blyth and Belic the others?

Belic I can't really comment on as he hasn't played any first team matches and I missed his U20 foray. Blyth has only played about 40mins of first team football. So, I don't particularly want to judge him solely on that. Many players have taken more than 40mins to show what they are about. That said, one thing for sure is they must not be doing enough in training - be it their skill, fitness or mindset. Or all 3.

Some of the more in the know posters did say early on he wouldn't be seen in a well shirt. As it was a short term loan done on at the end of the window I am assuming (maybe wrongly) there was little to no financial impact on us. So not overly worried but it is odd. More worrying is the lack of appearances by Blyth given he is here longer term. Not on the bench, not playing in the 20s....

I think Aberdeen, Hearts and Rangers do have a slight edge on every else. Not that they arent beatable but they are the tougher teams to get over the finish line.

This, and, what felt like, yet another away opening round draw got me thinking. So, out of interest I had a look back (as far as 2000/01 to see how many times we had been drawn away from home in the first round we entered the Scottish Cup (Round 4 now, used to be Round 3). I think I have it right below for the opening round: 2000/01 - A 2001/02 - A 2002/03 - A 2003/04 - A 2004/05 - A 2005/06 - A 2006/7 - A 2007/8 - A 2008/9 - A 2009/10 - A 2010/11 - A 2011/12 - H 2012/13 - A 2013/14 - A 2014/15 - H 2015/16 - H 2016/17 - A 14 away, 3 home! When you look at all the games, when we have progressed, including replays it's 19 away, 16 home. We've been knocked out in the opening round 7 times, 6 of those away from home. Let's not make that 8 and 7!