Well 4 Europe

I thought McDonald was poor by his standards, his link up play was below par and he gave away possession cheaply on several occasions. Pearson was another one who was guilty of wasting possession in good areas, however to call them wage thieves if fucking ridiculous. A few weeks ago during our good run of form they were the ones being credited with saving of our season and after a couple of poor performances, which wasn't anything to do with lack of effort, they are now the main culprits for our recent poor performances. Incredible. I don't see how you can accuse the team of being gutless or lacking in fight today, I've accused the team of similar on too many occasions this season but not today. I thought they looked pretty up for it and started the game well and deservedly took the lead through a well worked goal. Grant playing on the right was obviously designed with the idea in mind of getting Law down the outside which worked to perfection for our goal. We then spurned several good opportunities to double our lead due to poor decision making and poor quality in the final third. Then as is typical of our season, even when we were defending alright a defensive fuck up gifts the opposition a soft goal, being right before half time that was a real kick in the baws after a decent first half showing. We huffed and puffed in the 2nd half but couldn't really break down County who were obviously fairly happy to leave with their point. The number of set piece opportunities we wasted was particularity frustrating, I counted at least three of Conor Grant's deliveries that bounced in their six yard box for fucks sake. Criminal that not one Motherwell player got on the end of any of them. If any team deserved to win it was probably us, I suppose that's no surprise given our need was the greater but I don't think we really did enough to claim we deserved all three. Outside of Pearson's shot I don't remember Brown really having a save to make. A decent enough performance but slightly underwhelming given the circumstances, Lasley and Hammell the standouts. Can we still do it? Let's just concentrating on beating Killie next week and we can at least give ourselves half a chance.

Absolutely massive game now, despite people one here having us dead and buried results have gone our way today and we're still alive, just. Win this and we're very much back in the hunt, anything less and it's the play-offs for us.

Listening to Baraclough's pre match interview it doesn't sound like Johnson's going to make it for this one. Coincidently, Dom Thomas isn't involved for the U20's tonight...

Thought first half we picked up where we left off last week, probably played better football in truth and created a decent number of chances. Still look liable to concede at the back but we certainly didn't deserve to go in behind. The red card and Skippy's free kick should have set us up nicely for pushing on to get the 3 points in the 2nd half but we never really threatened to hit the same heights and didn't really do enough to get the three points in the end. I know Straker was piss poor last time out but the amount of stick the guy got today was ridiculous, even sarcastically cheering him at some points when he done something productive. The guy might not be great but he was fairly solid today, as was the also much maligned Law who seems to have found his niche at right back in much the same way Hateley did. Also thought Laing looked decent again this week. Grant struggled out wide and clearly isn't a winger. Pearson and Erwin were full of endeavor but don't think either played as well as last week. Skippy again made a huge difference to us going forward and took his goal very well. However I felt Marvin Johnson was our biggest threat going forward and it was no surprise that as he began to fade in the 2nd half so did our chances of getting three points. Was causing problems with his pace and direct running, some of his deliveries were also fantastic. Somewhat ironic though that Sutton has toiled up front on his own and been starved of decent service all season and when we suddenly start creating chances and supplying the sort of service the big man thrives on he's sitting kicking his heels on the bench. Difficult game next week but the three after that, if we play as we have shown we can over the last two games, suddenly all look like games we're capable of getting something from. Disappointing not to get all three points but after the fight shown today and last week I've started to believe again that we can stay up.

Luke Watt signs a new contract until 2018. Good bit of business by the club. The boy's looked a good player when used this season, especially considering he's only 17 and was being played out of position. Hopefully Thomas and Erwin to follow soon.

McDonald really is a fantastic coup for the club, his performance today reminded me of Faddy's first start when he came back against Celtic where he just seemed to give everyone a lift. Players and fans alike. You can see his attitude is infectious and he demands the best not only from himself but from those around him. Plus he's a winner and would do anything to get 3 points. His presence aside on the pitch I thought he was different class. His movement and link up play were superb and he was unlucky with a couple of his chances in the 1st half. On today's evidence certainly a more rounded team player than the one that left Fir Park. Above pretty much goes for Pearson as well. I raved on here about his performance at Tannadice and the difference he made to our midfield and hopefully those on here that weren't there can see why. His drive and tenacity just sets the tone for the rest of the team. Much like McDonald he just seems to bring the best out in those around him and Lasley beside him in particular had his best performance of the season to date. Keep these two fit and free of suspension, get Hammell back and it'll make a massive difference. Thought all the new guys fared better today as well. Long and Grant have always been impressive and both looked good additions again on today's evidence. Long's save before half time and Grant's cross for the first goal were two real moments of quality that helped make the difference between 3 points and nothing. The others that haven't been as impressive really stood up today as well. Laing looked solid enough and scored a bullet header. Can only echo what someone else said earlier about Johnson, think he's got something about him. A rough diamond was how I think he was described when he was signed and you can see he has potential with his pace and trickery. Swung in a couple of cracking crosses as well. Definitely one to keep an eye on. A really good team performance though, for probably only the 2nd time this season. We worked well as a unit, we pressed them well and dare I say it we even looked fairly well organized. As others have said we actually looked like a professional football team. Everyone played their part and can rightly be proud of that performance, Baraclough included . Same again next week please.

I'll say Grant. Finally we have a central midfielder who actually looks to find space, wants the ball and can pass it. Showed some very classy touches and dragged us back into the game himself by driving forward, winning the free kick and then by sticking in it in the back of the net. Sadly though he didn't have a lot to work with as his more experienced midfield partners let him down. Ramsden looked a mile out his comfort zone in there and the game past an insipid Lasley by. Says a lot about some of the senior pro's that in a game like today a 19 year old lad playing his first game in senior football was the one taking responsibility to try and get us back in the game. Wasn't helped either that his obvious passing ability was wasted due to the fact he had one striker ahead of him who doesn't have any pace or movement. Agree about the above on Long though, would probably have been my 2nd choice. Looked confident, commanding and made a couple of good saves. Just had that sort of presence about him that we've lacked in goals since the Ruddy and Randolph days. Long way to go before he can be talked about like those two mind but he made a decent start today, wasn't helped by the chronic defending in front of him and County's first and third goals were both stunning finishes. Apart from the new boys I thought Kerr had a decent game again, if he gets dropped again next week he can feel very hard done by. Erwin also showed flashes of his obvious ability but he was wasted out wide. Fair play to the lad though he never stopped trying and was one of the few looking to try and make things happen.

As someone who's stood up for Baraclough and was also in Dingwall today I have to say, I have nothing to defend him with. Woeful today, another three goals shipped and the only chances we created were from Grant's set pieces. Why bring in two wingers, have Ainsworth, Thomas and Johnson on the bench but play Lee Erwin out wide for 90 mins? Why persist with a 33 year old journeymen right back in central midfield for 90 mins? Why have Sutton up front on his own, when does that ever work? Why when we were lacking in creativity did Thomas not get a sniff after setting up our goal last time out? Plus points... Long looks a good keeper, commanding and made a few cracking saves to keep us in it. Don't think he had much chance with any of the goals. Grant looks a real coup, great left foot. Really came onto a game 2nd half, great free kick and you can't argue with a goal and assist on his first game of senior football. Also thought Kerr had another solid game as did Straker. Johnson looked lively in his cameo. Most frustrating thing is I don't think a result was beyond us today if we'd played the right team as County are as shite as we are. However in my opinion the manager made an arse of that today. Wrong team, wrong tactics and a deserved defeat in the end.

Looks a decent enough signing on paper. He's made 80 starts at first team level, in leagues of a similar standard to our own, which is decent for a goalkeeper who's still only 21. He's also been capped at youth level and been in England U21 squads in the last few years so he's clearly got some sort of potential. Given his size and frame you've got to hope at the very least he'll be a bit more commanding and be able dominate his six yard box.

SSN just reporting Motherwell are set to sign 6'4 goalkeeper George Long on loan from Sheffield United..

Anyone else here Flow mention in his post match interview with Baraclough about bringing in another 2 or 3 new players? Got to say that surprised me given we've already brought three in and only Ojamaa's left. I thought we would honestly only be able to get another one in at most, is this a sign that Baraclough is being backed or are a few players on their way out?

Some Nottingham based journos reporting on Twitter that Stuart Pearce said at his press conference today that Louis Laing is close to joining Motherwell on loan.

There was fuck all between the teams in the 1st game this season and we quite frankly should have been out of sight by half time in the game at McDiarmid. St.Johnstone are probably the only side we've played who I haven't seen outplay us this season. Also how you can possibly say there was no improvement at the weekend when you weren't even at the game is ridiculous.

Wasn't just the defence though, the whole team as a unit looked more organised and well balanced than we have been in months. Didn't give much away at the back and still created plenty going forward. To be honest I wouldn't be changing too much. Probably go with a similar line up and if the games tight look to bring on the likes of Ojamaa, Ainsworth, Moore or Thomas in the 2nd half.

Having seen everything again I have much the same feelings. -Should have had a pen -Ball didn't look like it crossed the line however it was handled badly by Thompson -Pearson and Erwin were at the heart of everything we created and we looked far more of a threat going forward with those two in the team -With the chances we had we should have left with a point at the very least. Much more positive today, still a lot of work to be done but signs that all is not lost. Big week coming up now both on and off the park.

Agreed. Thought Pearson add so much more energy and drive that we've been missing from midfield. Also thought Erwin was fantastic up front and gave their defence a torrid time. Young Luke Watt also impressed once again. Much more fight today and created several great chances. Still a long way to go and a lot of work required but today is the first performance in a while that's given me hope that we can stay up. Get a few of the injured players back and 1 or 2 more quality additions like Pearson and who knows.

Seen as how Hammell's been ruled out for another month I would guess the left back that played for County and Killie. Fallen out of favour at Colchester apparently and been told he can go out on loan, dunno if it's true like but it makes sense I suppsose.

Andy Devlin of the sun reporting Pearson is back training with us and may be offered a contract next week.

Baraclough can only pish with the cock he's got. He's been left an unfit, mentally weak, disorganized, disinterested, unbalanced mess. The guy needs time to get rid of the shite in our own squad and bring in his own players. I said if he could keep us up it would be job done and I stand by that. Today was a shambles. Two down inside 8 minutes, 3-1 down at half time and it could have been more. One shot on target says it all, in fairness it was a well worked goal which was the highlight of an otherwise dreadful display. Baraclough can spend all week talking about players and systems but he can't legislate for individual errors which are killing us. Kerr last week, Twardzik x2 today. He also can't go out there and put in the effort, that has to come from the players and sadly too many of them are half hearted in their efforts. Even guys I've been big fans of and defended in the past like Ainsworth and Ojamaa are letting us down badly. Ainsworth's been a passenger for most of this season and Ojamaa seems to have taken the hump since Baraclough came in. Lasley has been off the pace all season and McManus has dropped a level since last season. What can Baraclough do though? He has to rely on these guys cause after that all he's got left are kids. You can't say he's not given them their chance, he's not been here a month and he's already handed out three debuts. I think long term he could be the right guy to bring through these young kids but that he doesn't really want to be relying on them in our current predicament and I can't say I blame him. The players have to take another long hard look at themselves. Booed off twice today but will we see a reaction next week? Probably not. Only one's I'd give pass marks to today are Dom Thomas, looked lively early doors but faded as Dundee took control. John Sutton purely for effort and getting another goal despite shite service and support. And Josh Law who grabbed another assist and was at least looking to make things and looked like he gave a fuck. We can only hope Baraclough can somehow shift some of the shite McCall left him out the door and has the contacts to bring in 2 or 3 quality additions of his own. Cause if we don't it looks like the only we we're heading with this current lot is down.

Ah well, if there's a trial involved that's us fucked.

My link Not sure of the translation but hopefully it means Gunnar is on his way.

Just stick with what we've got until the end of the season and then build from there, hopefully we can keep Ojamaa though. Let Baraclough asses the players at his disposal and get rid of the deadwood and the one's he doesn't rate. Hopefully we can quickly drag ourselves away from the danger zone and start to phase out the players that will be moving on and give increased game time to the more talented youngsters like Erwin, Thomas, Cadden, Moore, Leitch(when fit again) etc. with the view to having them as first team regulars next season should they sufficiently impress. Then in the summer hopefully Baraclough can use his contacts to add a few quality players in key areas to supplement the younger lads and the experienced pro's still under contract for next season.

FFS settle down, hardly have a bad thing to say about the lad. Folk were discussing Erwin and I gave my opinion on the boy and his performance today. It's kind of the whole point of the fucking forum. I also went on to discuss the rest of the game and how the rest of the team performed. In fact I think most of what I've said about Erwin on here has been almost entirely positive, however I felt today wasn't his best game that was all. However in your defence given that 90% of your posts seem to involve Erwin I can only assume your his dad/brother/pal or something like that and are therefore probably wee bit touchy about any slight criticism he may receive.

I might have been a bit harsh on Ojamaa actually. I didn't realize it at the game but watching that back you can't help but notice he's involved in just about every attack we have and most things went through him. Also never really noticed at the time but his pass with the outside of his boot for Erwin's chance at the end was fucking superb.

I think everyone recognizes Erwin's clearly shown a fair bit of raw potential and has made a difference at times coming on this season. However today was not one of his better games. He put himself about but struggled to get a hold of the ball and when he was put clean through on goal he looked a bag of nerves. To me he never looked like scoring and his effort that trundled past the post was so bad it was almost funny. His day was summed up when he inadvertently blocked Ainsworth's through ball to Ojamaa near the end with the ball smacking off his back. Just one of those day for the lad and he looked to be lacking a bit of confidence, missing chances like today and the header against Celtic are hardly going to have done much to improve that. However you have to give the boy credit, he doesn't hide and keeps getting himself into good positions to get these chances so he should take some confidence from that. He always shows flashes of real potential, even today the near the end when he plucked a ball out the sky with a superb first touch before driving past a few players to the corner and winning a free kick near the end. Anyway given we have 7 games in January I'm sure he'll have plenty more opportunities to put those misses behind him and get himself the goal his efforts deserve. On the game we were decent 1st half and could have been a few up. Ainsworth was superb in that 1st half, he even played the full 90 mins and put in a decent shift for the team. Also thought Law put in another decent shift, not flashy or anything but you can see why managers keep picking him as he seems to do what they ask of him with minimal fuss. Agree that Ojamaa was out of sorts, might be in part due to him being shunted out onto the left and struggling to get into the game. Came onto a bit of a game in the last 10 when he went through the middle and was unlucky not to score. 2nd half was poor to watch, penned in and we really struggled to get a hold of the ball to get Ainsworth or Ojamaa into the game. However we all said when Baraclough was appointed it was results that mattered first and foremost and you can't ask for anymore than 6 points and 2 clean sheets. On that note I thought the back 4 played well as a unit, probably aided by the return of Hammell and by having two defensive minded players sitting in front of the back four protecting them. Did Twardzik even have to make a save? Some definite positives, especially us looking a bit more solid and organized and working better as a unit. Good to see Baraclough saying that the 2nd half performance wasn't up to scratch though, I get the feeling he knows where we need to improve and slowly but surely he's going to get us where we need to be.