Well 4 Europe

That Vigurs pass(to Ainsworth) was sensational, thought he was really good today. Always put his foot on the ball, always calm and composed when others around him were panicking and rarely wasted possession. Also yet another assist. Never hid I've always been a big fan of his and was delighted when we signed him and I'm delighted he's really beginning to show his quality as a Motherwell player. Also thought Faddy played well until he began to tire but don't think him and Sutton played that well as a partnership today. Thought we missed Anier's movement up front. Sutton was quite poor I thought but he worked hard and got his goal. Lasley and Carswell had good games, Ainsworth was our biggest threat and could have had a hat-trick and big Hutch was immense at the back and my man of the match. Gunnar gives me the fear but he's paid to keep the ball out the net and I suppose he did that, although he was somewhat fortunate on several occasions. Would really love Twardzik back as he exudes so much more confidence. Thought we played some lovely stuff in the first hour or so but failed to kill Hearts off and let them back into it. Still, we dug in and ground out another win and another clean sheet. Well done once again to McCall and the team.

Apparently tomorrows(well today's) Sun is running with a story that McCall hopes to sign Anier on a permanent basis by offloading fringe players, with McHugh and Cummins being the two players mentioned. McHugh has fallen well down the pecking order behind Sutton, Anier, Faddy and even Moore, Cummins though I thought might play a larger role what with the imminent departure of Hutchinson. Unless he perhaps feels Euan Murray is the better long term option. I mean it's the Sun, so there's a fairly good chance it's not true but would people see that as good business?

The Shaun Fagan stuff has absolutely no relevance to what's being discussed. Bizarre point. The bit in bold is quite staggering. How could you possibly know the club agreed with you? Perhaps Ainsworth, who still has 6 months left on a more lucrative contract at Rotherham, didn't want to give up his extra money to sign a long term contract at Motherwell? Especially when you consider he can continue to play for Motherwell, still receive his wages from Rotherham and continue to put himself in the shop window between now and the end of the season when his contract expires and he can asses his options. As for me getting my knickers in a twist? You made a point I disagreed with, so I said so(kinda the whole point of a fans forum). You then threw your toys out the pram with a condescending post where you inferred I was stupid because I disagreed with your opinion. I then made a further post to try and back up my argument that Ainsworth had not been 'garbage' like you said. Which you then ignored, brought up Shaun Fagan and got all upset again.

I got this far into your post.. And decided you were talking complete shite. What about when he came off the bench at Tannadice on only his 2nd appearance and scored a stunning 30 yard equalizer? What about three days later against Livingston where his corner led to McHugh's opener and his cross set up Faddy's winner? What about three days later when he came off the bench against Ross County to set up Sutton's equalizer and was generally credited on here with playing a big part in turning the game in our favour? He then got injured against Celitc and was out for three weeks. His first start back post injury against Hibs he set up the winner. A few weeks later he came off the bench at Rugby Park and was involved in both goals in the second half as we ran out 2-0 winners. Apart from all that he did nothing though eh? Or am I just being stupid? That leads us nicely on to his current run of form which I'm sure we'll all agree has been fantastic. The rest of your post was just patronising nonsense.

His loan spell was already up as he was only with us to the 1st and sadly I doubt he'll be coming back anytime soon.

No, you thought he was garbage if I remember correctly. A lot people could certainly see potential of what he could bring to the team if fit but he was restricted through injuries during his first few months of the season. Before December he hadn't managed to start three games in a row to get a proper run of form going so it was no surprise his form was somewhat sporadic. I don't think it's any coincidence that we're now seeing the best of him given he's now had a regular run of games. Before he joined the general consensus was that he was talented but his attitude was questionable, however like so many others who have struggled eslwhere he has come to Fir Park and found an environment where he has flourished. This season he's started only 9 games, he's scored 5 goals and got 4 assists. We would be mental not to sign him up if we have the chance.

Lawless started well and was causing us problems but faded, Forbes struggled to make any sort of impact in the game and Higginbotham helped further cement my stance that he is a complete and utter sand dancer. Baffles me that folk were raging when we didn't try and sign him, he's really not that good. All flash and no substance. Ainsworth is a far more effective player for my money and continues to improve week on week. After a dodgy first 10 mins or so we were brilliant. It was great to see us play with a swagger and play some cracking stuff at times. Not a failure among them but I thought Ramsden & Carswell were very good to stop Thistle's threat down the left. Lasley was outstanding and got himself a goal and assist. Twardzik impressed again, his goal saving tackle after his mistake was great entertainment, maybe not so much if we weren't 4 goals up right enough. However special mention to Faddy. Dragged us back into the game with a lovely reverse through ball for the first and a fantastic classy finish for the vital third before half time. I think everyone was clearly delighted for him and 2nd half he was back to the Faddy we all know and love. Could easily have a had a hat-trick of his own, seemed to have a real spring in his step and it was great to see the old confidence and swagger come back. Thoroughly entertaining performance and without doubt our best of the season, well done to the team and to Stuart McCall. Bold selection today that looked like it was going to go tits up after 10 mins but he was fully justified in his selection. To go away from home and score 5 against anybody in the league is just brilliant. Great to see us back scoring goals and winning games in style. Really, really enjoyed that today.

Third goal in just seven starts for Ainsworth, must have 3 or 4 assists as well now. Today was the first time he's started three games in a row since he's been here and it's no surprise that after getting a run of games we're now seeing the best of him. Would love to keep him if possible.

Fucking get in. Fantastic result Motherwell.

The most pleasing aspect for me today, aside from the 3 points and the clean sheet, was the far greater emphasis today on getting the ball down and playing the ball out from defence and through the midfield. Which in turn led to us playing our best football of the season, creating plenty of chances and scoring three goals and to be honest it could have easily been 5 or 6. Much more like it today and a far more enjoyable watch. Also nice to get the clean sheet. First time seeing Twardzik and I thought he was alright. Few iffy punches at one or two crosses but he seemed fairly assured for one with such little experience and confident on the ball. Thought his early save where he was sharp off his line to pounce on a loose ball in the box was excellent goalkeeping. Not sure the other two would have rushed as far off their line for that one but it was brave and proactive goalkeeping from him as if he hadn't committed himself their boy seemed certain to burst the net. Much of the rest has been covered, Ainsworth, Lasley, Anier and Sutton were all excellent and the whole team get's pass marks. Thursday will be a much tougher test but one we can go into with more confidence after today. A very enjoyable day out at Fir Park today, well done to McCall and the team.

Nah, was not it not when Hateley scored a late pen after Gow had been bundled over in the box? Sure we won 3-1, think Murphy scored that day as well.

From an STV news reporter. I know Nielsen picked up an injury on Friday, can we sign a keeper on an emergency loan if he's out along with Hollis? EDIT- Dundee are reporting it's true. My link So it looks like it'll be Twardzik or Stewart in goal on Saturday then.

Apart from when they came to Fir Park earlier in the season and we managed to stick 3 past them in 45 mins?

Ninety minutes, not a shot on target. Pathetic, just rank rotten. We set out not to lose too heavily and although we 'kept it tight' for the first 40 odd mins the result was never really in doubt. And we lost heavily. I mean, despite having almost everyone behind the ball for most of the game it's not as if Celtic found it difficult to break through us? They had their first shot on target in less than 20 seconds! With Lustig(?) or somebody in acres of space at the back post. We must be the only team to play with ten men behind the ball and still get outnumbered at the back. I know Gunnar was hardly 'overworked' fist half but nobody could say the goal wasn't coming/deserved. Another goal from a set piece, same goal we lost against Aberdeen. Then after that it was a fucking shambles. Lost all shape and it was as many as they wanted it to be. Felt sorry for Sutton and Moore, the service and support they got was non existent. If your going to sit behind the ball you need an out ball, which we didn't have so it was just wave after wave of attack. We posed no attacking threat at all. Although having watched the Milan game I'm sure McCall must have noticed Celtic lost two soft goals from set plays. So what do we do when we get our first corner? Play it fucking short and we didn't even manage to get the ball into the fucking box. Unbelievable. Not much more you can say, no different to what most expected.

Witty. I'm sure McCall would point out the fact he was the one who got us to our first Scottish Cup final in 20 years, making him I think maybe only the 4th or 5th manager to do so in the club's history? Something which you failed to give him credit for(a recurring theme in your post). Should we have expected to beat Celtic? No. Could we have played better? Yes. However Randolph wasn't exactly overworked and Gunning was about 6 inches from drawing us level. We also put in a tremendous display against Rangers in the League Cup semi when he first took over which you seem to have missed out. Last seasons 'joke' Euro games? You mean like Panathinaikos? Where Christodoulopoulos, who opened the scoring in both matches, cost them over 3 million euros? The team that had Boumsong a French Internationalist and former Lyon, Newcastle and Juventus player at centre-back where we had Simon Ramsden? I'll bet Boumsong earned about as much in those few weeks between those two legs as Ramsden earned all last season. The gulf in resources was astronomical and although I never made it to Greece I was at Fir Park and thought we gave a very good account of ourselves. As for Levante, did they not finish like 5th or 6th in one of the best leagues in world football? I was actually very proud of our efforts in the 2nd game, a young Motherwell team with the likes of Kerr, Page, Cummins, Hethrington & Carswell all in the starting line up gave a fantastic account of themselves. Higdon had a goal questionably ruled out for offside and Page missed a glorious chance as well at 0-0. Only a goal in about the 75th minute separated the sides on the night and finally killed off the tie. They were a very good side that went on to reach the last 16 of the Europa League. Im sure Stuart McCall would also point out that he was the the one that led us to those 2nd and 3rd place finishes that got us to those European ties. The Ibrox cup tie was bad, aye. So was Aberdeen in the League Cup and Saturday was undoubtedly the worst of the lot. However none of McCall's cup defeats before Saturday, however disappointing, were any worse than some of the other shambolic cup upsets recent managers have endured. McGhee out at home to 1st division, nine man Dundee. Gannon pumped three zip in Paisley. Paw Broon papped out to 1st Division ICT. Malpas turned over by 1st division St Johnstone at Fir Park. None of the above where really here long term though. So what about Butcher's tenure? Another long serving manager, good old Terry. Given much credit on here for the way he fires up ICT for those big games, something McCall should take note of according to some on here. Butcher however oversaw plenty of shite cup displays in his time at Fir Park including us getting pumped 5-1 in a cup final, papped out by part time Forfar, knocked out at home to 1st division ICT and getting scudded 3-0 by 1st division St.Mirren at Love street. And during those times under any of those managers we were nowhere near as consistent in the league as we have been under McCall. Bad cup results seem to be in our DNA sadly and McCall isn't the first manager at Motherwell to struggle in cup competitions. Sadly, I doubt he'll be the last. Admittedly Saturday was the worst of the lot. However a sacking offence? Absolutely not. I'm no McCall lover, especially at present but your post is horrendously weighted in an anti McCall manner and gives him absolutely no credit for some of the excellent work he has done at our club. He's far from perfect, in fact he's quite flawed. And if you could find me a manager that could deliver sexy fitba, consistent high league finishes, qualify for the group stages of a European Competition and win a few cups all on a shoe string budget then I'd be all for it and would pay for McCall's taxi out of here. However until such times Stuart McCall is our manager and will be for the foreseeable future, like it or lump it.

Leanne gave McCall a rollicking after the match as it leaves a gaping hole in our budget. It now seems more than likely several players will be sold to make up the shortfall with no new additions

At least you're not bothered though eh?

Not long back. We went out for something to eat and a drink after the match and I'd hoped I'd begin to feel better but I'm still pretty fucked off to be honest. Where do you start? Rank, route one football on display again. We were so slow and pedestrian. One paced, lethargic, no urgency and no passion. Some of our boys shat out of several tackles as well as the Rovers boys threw themselves into every one. It's a cliché but they fought and scrapped for everything, we didn't and that's what hurt most. In these games the first rule is to match your opponents for effort and endeavour and then let your football do the talking. I mean if we'd had 10 shots on target with their keeper having a blinder, shots hacked off the line and cracking the woodwork and they'd scored with their only attempt on goal then you could say fair enough these things can happen. Would have still hurt but I could at least accept it easier knowing we'd given our all. The fact their keeper only had one save to make(a header from a set piece) in over 90 mins of football against a part time team who earn a fraction of what our players do is fucking pathetic. To be fair to McCall that team he had out had 6 full internationals in it. Fair enough one is from Antigua and Barbuda and the other the Faeroe Islands but it also had an Estonian International and three full Scottish Internationals. Now when I saw the team I was underwhelmed and uninspired as I thought it would be a turgid game where we'd struggle to a 2 or 3 goal win with a couple of late goals or something. Sadly I gave them too much fucking credit. I never even thought for a second they might lose, sadly the players looked to have approached it with an attitude that suggested they felt the same way. Same problems we've had all season but McCall persists with the same formations and same long ball tactics. Even Maurice Malpas wouldn't have set his teams out to hit long balls towards Bob McHugh. Baffling. The team looked unfit, labored, poorly motivated and disinterested. No urgency or desire from anyone playing for Motherwell today, felt like a fucking pre-season friendly at times and Albion Rovers probably created as much as we did which fucking says it all really. Also why the fuck did we only have 5 subs? Where was Moore? Erwin? With Ainsworth and Vigurs out we surely must have had a winger from the U20's who has a bit of pace/creativity that could at the very least have had a seat on the bench just in case? Nah, let's start with a left back on the left wing and continue to persist with Faddy wide right (cause it's worked so well before this season) and two defensive midfielders. And when that doesn't work we can take ZFA and Faddy off and bring on another two central midfielders. I genuinely 'lolled' when he done that. If you didn't laugh you'd greet and we ended up with Lasley/Carswell on the right wing, I think, it was quite hard to tell what McCall was going for at that point. I was pretty much past caring at that stage as my mind had drifted towards the replay.. When Rovers scored I wasn't even that surprised, I wasn't even that angry. I just got up and headed towards the exit. It was quite a sight to stand back and see 2,500 'Well fans booing with a fair few hurling abuse at McCall and belting out a loud chorus of 'you're not fit to wear the shirt' as the full time whistle went and we trudged off the pitch. Glad I stayed to the end though to clap the Rovers players, they deserved it today for their fantastic, battling display.They even put together some decent moves which put our 'pro's' hoofball effort's to shame. Well done to Rovers, fantastic today and the scenes at the end for a club like there's were fantastic. As for us, deary me. Nearly 15 years going to the football and today was the definitive low point in terms of results. Will be my last away game for a while I think, Aberdeen and Ross County are the next two and I just can't justify the money for what's being served up, especially at this time of year. That's the third time in our last four away games where we've failed to score and managed just one shot on target over the 90 mins. I can handle losing, it's the level of performance and the football on offer that's scunnering me at the minute. Just can't justify the money just now, even to myself. Have my season ticket and will be there on Friday, it's going to have to be some fucking performance to get over this right enough. Scunnered.

Absolutely. That team should have won comfortably today. The fact they didn't was an absolute disgrace. Three Scottish internationals in the starting line up, in fact 6 of the players that started were full internationals. On top of that they were full time players who were outfought and outthought by a team third bottom of the Third division. Today was a shambles and McCall must take a large chunk of the blame as well. I don't agree with our fans booing our own team but for once were quite right today in my opinion, they really weren't fit to wear the shirt.

Jack Leitch hit a forward pass when he came on. Which was about as positive as it got for me tbh.

Under McCall(Ibrox shambles aside) we've played 6 lower league teams in the cup. We've won 6, scored 22 in the process and only conceded 1. This is a part time team who sit 3rd bottom of third division or whatever it's called these days. We won't need a full strength side. It would be madness to do so in my opinion given we play the best team in the country just six days later and will need to be at our very best to avoid a pumping. Motherwell 12 Hollis 15 Hutchinson 20 Page 23 Halsman 04 Law (Humphrey - 57' ) 06 Hateley 14 Lasley (Carswell - 57' ) 09 Higdon (Smith - 57' ) 16 McHugh 18 Forbes 25 Lawless That Mothewell team went and pumped Third division Clyde away from home 0-4 without getting out of 2nd gear. Only 5 of our regular first team started, the rest were fringe players and youngsters. We'd released 4 of the players that started that night within the next year for being deemed not good enough. I know some Motherwell fans worry about these things but there's a massive difference between top flight football and the third division. McCall doesn't take these games lightly but usually strikes the right balance in terms of selection and I imagine he will do so again. Nielsen Kerr Hutchinson© Cummins ZFA Ainsworth Carswell Lawson Vigurs Moore Anier Rest McManus, Hammell, Sutton, Lasley. Also I wouldn't risk Faddy on a plastic pitch. IMHO that team would win comfortably.

Vigurs and Lawson both had good games today which was promising. Have to give it to wee Moore, first class attitude with his chasing and hassling of defenders and showed great touch and strength to hold up the ball and link the play. Also for his size he refused to be battered about and bullied their two bigger centre backs at times. Only downside was he rushed a few good chances and probably should have scored. However on the whole it was a very promising display from the wee man who can be rightly proud of his display.

Craig Moore not even on the bench tonight for the U20's. Is he injured?

We're 35th, they're 47th.

I don't think it would be the worst idea in the world to give Moore a start in the near future. Sutton, Anier, McHugh have all started games recently and yet none of them have scored since September. In fact Moore's goal against Hearts remains the only goal we've scored from open play since September, which is slightly depressing when you think about it. He certainly could inject a bit of freshness to our stale attack, at the very least he'd be something of an unknown quantity. He's also not that young really, he's 19 and looks like he could handle himself physically . He's also got some decent first team experience behind him with his spell at Cowdenbeath, where he was prolfic with 7 goals in 11 starts which is very impressive for a youngster getting his first taste of first team football. Especially playing in a physical league like the 1st Division in a poor team involved in a relegation scrap. He's also just scored his 12th goal of the season for U20's today so his confidence must be sky high. I'm sure most 'Well fans are sensible enough to understand he's still a young lad and he's not going to magically fix all our problems. However if he keeps scoring for the U20's and continues to impress in his cameo appearances for the first team then his first start can't be too far away. Perhaps the cup game in a few weeks against Albion Rovers could be the ideal opportunity to give him his first start for the club?