Well 4 Europe

Settle, we've not been that bad. While we've been shite against the better teams in the league we've still taken 21 points from a possible 21 from the teams that occupy the bottom six. As long as we have the right attitude, and considering McCall's near flawless record against lower league sides(Ibrox shambles aside) in his time at Fir Park I've no reason to think we won't, we will win this comfortably plastic pitch or not. I seen the Deveronvale game and even a team of.. Nielsen Kerr Hutchinson© Cummins ZFA Ainsworth Carswell Lawson Vigurs McHugh Moore Without the likes of Hollis, Lasley, McManus, Hammell, Sutton, Anier & Faddy would still have far too much for Rovers IMHO.

McCall seems intent on playing a conventional 442 with two up front and it's not working and he seems to have no plan B. It worked last season as we had the firepower to outscore teams. Even earlier this season when Anier and Sutton were scoring we were getting away with it but neither has scored since September. In saying that I know the service they get is poor. Again though I would put that down to our formation/tactics. We have no one to drop deep and pick up the ball from the defence and start attacks like Law or Jennings did so instead we bypass the midfield altogether and go long to Sutton which just isn't working. I thought Lawson would do that role but again he won't fit into a conventional 442 which McCall seems intent on playing so has been hung out to dry and benched. You could say the same for Faddy and Vigurs as well. McCall keeps juggling his players trying to fit them into his system, square pegs in round holes comes to mind. Take United today, they played with a 4-2-3-1 with Paton and Rankin in front of the back 4 doing the ugly work and keeping it simple allowing the front 4 to express themselves. It really suited their team and you could see they thrived in that formation. Meanwhile we continue to persist with an old school 442 even though it clearly doesn't suit our team. McCall has to go away and come up with a way to get the best out of the players at his disposal. Rather than fit the team around the formation pick the formation that best suits the team.

I also thought Fraser Kerr had another decent game, which I know sounds strange when you lose 4 goals but he looked solid and was far better than Cummins at centre back and I don't think any of the goals were his fault. And to his credit, several times after winning the ball back he kept it on the deck and drove forward with it and tried to start an attack. Sadly the players he gave it to never done much with it but at least Fraser tried to take responsibility rather than just aimlessly punting it towards Sutton's forehead.

It was suicidal from McCall to go with a 442, last week we were fortunate Hibs were guff and couldn't score in a brothel. I just can't get over how he went with that formation again, knowing the pace and creativity United have in Ciftci, Gauld, Mackay-Steven and Armstrong he surely saw today coming? We did well to suffocate Gauld at Tannadice, today he was given space and time to run riot. Fair play to the boy, he's only 17 and looks some prospect but he was given all the time in the world to pull the strings. United were running riot and you almost had to applaud some of their moves as they were lightyears ahead of us today. You know what that reminded me of? When a young Hibs team with Brown, Fletcher, Sproule etc. came to Fir Park and pumped us 6-1 under Malpas. Only difference today was United didn't take their chances and we never looked like scoring. Pitiful, horrible long ball football with no shape or fluidity. United played some lovely stuff but we just fucking watched and the let them. No point hiding behind injuries McCall, you got that badly wrong again today and that's now one goal in four games(from a corner) and another game where the opposition keeper didn't need to get his gloves dirty. Shambles, is how I would describe today. Worst display from a Motherwell team at Fir Park in some time.

Well first of, thank you. Secondly, I don't think I once said the team didn't try on Wednesday, let alone repeated it. Thirdly, we did create almost no chances.

Got to here, then stopped. Not what I said at all. However I should have known better, I should have known good old 'SteveDiggle' wouldn't miss a chance to jump on his high horse to have a go at any 'Well fan that might have even a slight criticism. I can only assume the rest of your post would be equally as condescending so didn't bother reading it. x

I simply want a reaction from our players and management staff, something to show me they are genuinely as hurt over Wednesday as we the fans are. I've spent in excess of £60 already this week traveling to see a Motherwell side give me nothing in return. Four goals conceded, none scored, two insipid performances in which we've mustered a pathetic 3(THREE) attempts on target in over 3 hours of football, over a third of which was against ten men. Now I don't expect a Motherwell team to win every week, I don't expect us to play particularly well every week however I feel fully justified in being a little perturbed by our efforts in our last two matches. I don't want McCall sacked, I don't think all our new signings are a waste of space etc. I don't think I expect too much from Motherwell but I expect better performance wise, than what we've gotten so far this week. I was angry after Wednesday, more so than I have been in years leaving Fir Park. Although that's started to subside now it'll take a while to get over this particular missed opportunity. However I'll be there again on Sunday to support the team, I think the players and management staff owe us a performance after their performances so far this week and I sincerely hope we get it.

And a fine post it was. Agreed with a lot of it. I think our biggest problem tonight was actually in the middle of the park to be honest, rather than the wide men. They're basically always an easy target. However tonight we had three central midfielders who, despite generally having a bit of space and time were quite content with going sideways and passing the buck as it where creativity wise and were guilty of basically (slowly)giving the ball to the wide men and going 'do something with it'. There was no tempo to a lot of our passing, no one to dictate the game. Nobody to take the ball in, to drive forward and to prompt and to probe the opposition defence with 1-2's or to try and play the killer passes between defenders. Was almost a walking pace at times, side to side, in to out and then an aimless punt into the box. Which suited Aberdeen down to the ground, they were more than happy to deal with our aimless balls from deep melted towards no one. The only time, to me anyway, that we looked vaguely threatening in the 2nd half was when Ainsworth first came on and he seemed to be asking a few questions with his pace and a few of his aforementioned crosses before Aberdeen reshuffled and nullified him, albeit aided by our chronic slow build up play. The lack of creativity in our team tonight was criminal and Ainsworth was far from the worst offender tonight if you ask me.

You must watch a different game to me as I think you're being extremely harsh on Ainsworth . To me he looked like the one player who actually might create something for us. He hit at least three cracking crosses, two of which flashed right across the six yard box and nobody in a Motherwell shirt looked interested. There's nothing more that he could do than that. His set piece delivery was spot on again as well. When it became apparent he was our biggest threat Aberdeen started to double up on him and if you looked you could see Reynolds shift over in behind Hayes every time he got the ball to shut down the space . What with our slow build up play we never in my opinion fired the ball into his feet quickly enough to get him running one on one with Hayes with space in behind. Instead Lasley would have the whole game in front of him with plenty of space before slowing the game down and by the time Ainsworth had the ball the Aberdeen team were sitting deep back in their shape and it became difficult to break them down. He did fizzle it out slightly after a promising first 20 mins or so but I think you have to give Aberdeen and Mcinnes credit for seeing the danger and reacting to it.. I only wish our manager was as quick to react in such situations. After being unsure to begin with I've started to warm to Ainsworth and we would definitely be in my starting line up for Sunday.

Has anyone asked McCall why he had Faddy on the bench if he wasn't fit enough to play? Not even Faddy can make a difference when all he's doing is shuttle runs up and down the touchline. What a waste of a space on the bench when we could have brought on a Vigurs or a Moore to at least try and make a difference.

Motherwell: Nielsen, Hammell, Ramsden, Hutchinson, McManus, Lawson, Sutton, Lasley, Francis-Angol, Carswell, Anier Subs: Stewart, McFadden, McHugh, Kerr, Ainsworth

Lawson, thought he done his job which is more than you can say for most. You can see he's a good player when's he played in his preferred position in the holding midfield role. Rarely wasted a pass. However it begs the question why McCall signed him if he didn't plan on playing a formation that would suit him as I'm still not convinced he fits into a conventional 4-4-2.

Why is Lawson getting abuse? I was there and he was our best midfielder. Rarely gave the ball away, won tackles got a few interceptions and hit some lovely passes. Was better than Lasley and especially Carswell who was rotten. As was Vigurs. I thought Lawson done his job well. Sadly the formation and 'tactics' from McCall were atrocious and we offered nothing in an attacking sense.

I see Saints have moved to solve their defensive crisis ahead of this one by signing 31 year old Bosnian International defender Sanel Jahić. Seems to have a decent pedigree, played for APOEL, AEK Athens and has 24 caps for Bosnia. Although he clearly won't be match fit they at least now have an experienced centre back for this one.

If Ainsworth and Faddy are back he'll a have a fight on his hands just for a place on the bench as I can't see McCall leaving either of those two out of the squad if they're back fit. Don't get me wrong, after the week he's had for the first team and U 20's he's going to be full of confidence and deserves a place in the squad on Sunday. Be interesting to see who McCall leaves out though, assuming Faddy and Ainsworth are fit. If it were up to me, (if fit)I'd bring in Ainsworth as I thought we missed his pace and natural width on Saturday and were a bit pedestrian at times. Would give ZFA a rest and allow Vigurs his preferred position on the left. Hopefully get Faddy some game time before the big one on Wednesday. Would be delighted with any sort of win in this one, however I'd happily take a defeat in this one in exchange for pumping Aberdeen out the cup on the Wednesday to be honest.

I've just seen Moore's goal again, absolutely tremendous hit from the wee man. It's a shame that in a thread where we should really be celebrating a product of our own youth system, which has taken a bit of stick on here recently, coming off the bench to score an absolute wonder goal with his 1st kick of a ball in a competitive game at Fir Park to pull us out a hole and set us on our way to another 3 points, we are instead lumbered with the petty squabbling of the last few pages. To come off the bench for your home debut when your team needs a goal and to produce that was something special. He could have taken a touch, he could have passed the ball and kept it simple as the ball sat up quite awkwardly but instead he showed tremendous confidence and no lack of technique to take it first time on the half volley and put his laces through it. Was in as soon as left his boot and I think it's the most I've celebrated a goal at Fir Park this season. Love seeing a young player, especially one from our own youth team, coming on and showing skill and confidence in their ability. Moore deserves great credit for that goal because until that point it looked like we were running out of ideas and we needed a moment of inspiration to lift us. Wanted to see him get a chance ever since he was getting rave reviews in the 1st last season at Cowdenbeath and I hope he can kick on from here. Obviously it's only one goal and it's important not to get carried away. Heck if Faddy and/or Ainsworth had been fit he probably wouldn't even have been on the bench today! However he was and when he got his chance in the 1st team that he's patiently waited for this season while continuing to do the business for the youth team he more than took it. Well done Craig Moore.

I like Vigurs however I'm not surprised some can't/won't take to him. No doubt he can be lazy and lackadaisical at times but I thought anything positive we did today in an attacking sense went through him and he showed some lovely skill at times and hit some wonderful passes. Did it come off for him all the time? No and he had a few shockers. However what I like most however is his courage and willingness to get on the ball and try and make things happen. It was often a criticism of mine of Chris Humphrey that went it got tough and the crowd got on his back he had a tendency to disappear. Today even when things weren't going his way and certain sections were getting on his back Vigurs never once hid, he was always looking for the ball always trying to make things happen. Even though I'm sure he was fully aware if whatever he tried didn't come off he would be in for dogs abuse. It was actually Vigurs who won the corner that led to our winner by again getting on the ball and trying to make things happen. He got the assist his set pieces deserved today as his delivery was exceptional throughout. I think he has undoubted natural ability and was nowhere near as bad today as some are trying to make out. Bare in mind also that today he was playing out of position I think he's an acquired taste, some will love him and some won't. Me? As I say I like him. I think he posses a lot of ability and has come in for a lot of undue stick. I remember sticking up for a certain Michael Higdon when the knives were out when he first joined because I knew he was a good player and was confident it would all come good for him. I feel the exact same way about Vigurs.

Motherwell's Francis-Angol wanted by five English clubs after good start to the season

Pretty much agree with this. Always difficult playing away to the best team in the league. Most important thing is to bounce back in the next match, which is at home to probably the worst team in the league.

If Anier's not fit(and Faddy) and McCall want's to go for a 4-5-1 I have no problem with Vigurs coming in. It's an attacking move though by McCall as the easy option would have been to drop Lawson in there to go 4-1-4-1 and be compact. The fact he's opted for Vigurs instead is more attack minded and I imagine you'll see Vigurs playing off Sutton. Hopefully Vigurs shows some of the form that made us sign him.

We scored 8 goals in 4 games in September, ZFA set up 2 of them, Ainsworth scored 1 and set up 2 others and Anier scored 1 and set 1 up yet you've benched them all. Sorry but to me that's madness. No offence but Sutton aside, you've basically ripped our main sources of goals/creativity in recent times straight out of the team. What have Faddy and Vigurs done to merit an inclusion ahead of ZFA, Anier and Ainsworth? Also we're likely to spend large spells without the ball on Saturday and neither Vigurs or Faddy are exactly noted for their mobility and work rate. Dundee United's 2nd and County's goal at the weekend are evidence of this. I have no doubt they'll both come good this season but I'd have them both on the bench for this one. I'd go with the same team that started the 2nd half on Saturday.

I've said it before but with the form of Higdon over the last two years I had forgotten just how big a fan of John Sutton I was first time round and how much I liked him during his first spell. Today when we needed someone to dig us out a hole it was Sutton's willingness and determination to meet the corner and thump home his header that set us on our way. Also never thought I'd see the big man win a foot race (although it was Grant Munro) but fair play to him when he got their the finish for the 2nd was clinical. Unlucky not to get his hat-trick with a few headers near the end. Ainsworth made a difference when he came on as well. Also special mention to Hollis, that's the most confident he's looked and made a couple of good saves as well as collecting several crosses. However it has to be Sutton.

Decisions for McCall to make, well one in my opinion. I personally think 10 of the players will pick themselves and it'll be the same team that started against Dundee United on Sunday but I think Vigurs place will be up for grabs. And it'll be between Ainsworth and Faddy for who takes his place. Do we go with the pace of Ainsworth who's got a goal and assist in his last two games or give Faddy the nod in the hope his goal tonight propels him back towards his best form? Or do you keep the same 11 and go with Vigurs? Be interesting to see what shape McCall goes with for this one. Somebody at some point is going to thumped by us, hopefully it's this weekend.

We got the job done and that's all that really matters in the end, not a great performance where we never really got out of 1st gear but we were never really in any danger and Gunnar never had a save to make. Boab poached another goal but his overall performance wasn't enough to usurp Anier or Sutton for Saturday in my opinion. Lawson done some good things and some not so good things although he was generally solid. Lasley will certainly be back in for Saturday though. Ainsworth for me was good in patches but he was very wasteful and passed up two glorious chances either side of Livi's goal to put the tie to bed. Although he put in a good cross for Faddy's goal, and what a finish, individual brilliance from McFadden. A real touch of class. You could also see the relief in his celebration, hopefully he can kick on from here. We were fairly pedestrian however once Livi went down to ten we had numerous chances to rack up a few goals but a combination of bad finishing and good goalkeeping kept them in it. We were never in any real danger even after they scored. However we have to start taking our chances or it's going to come back and bite us on the arse soon. But not tonight, never got out of 1st gear but we're in the next round and that's all that matters.