fizoxy

Ignoring SK completely would be very funny, but you know he will still go to the papers saying he got abuse anyway. He must be so excited to have a game that's all about him (in his mind). Looking forward to us being back home, and by the sounds of it we will have a decent crowd. It will be interesting to see how the squad has shaped up by then, with RCC available and the likes of Mcghee and Gordon with another week of training under their belts. Outside of possibly the CBs I don't see us changing our starting lineup.

On Oxborough, I like him, but... Remember last season where he just dropped a cross in front of him for the Hearts player to tap in for the only goal of the game? He got very shaky after that, and if anyone is remembering him being commanding in the air, it's a distorted memory. I think he's a better shot stopper than Ward, and an all round better keeper, but not to the degree that we keepna clean sheet yesterday if he plays. Maybe he messes up a couple of passes that Ward wouldn't, who knows?

Commenting on players tweets is loser behavior.

I wouldn't be surprised of the likes of Robinson, Nicholson, and Stuperwvic do end up on loan, but it is unlikely to be before the winter window as they are all still a fair bit away from being ready, still doing injury rehab. By the time they have recovered from injury, they will have to alowly ramp up their training load, and it's going to take weeks to get anywhere close to match fitness, then they will have to fight for a place when there are multiple people in front of them in each position. Their best chance is if we have a run of injuries while the window is closed (which isn't that far fetched based on the last couple of seasons) but they're at a huge disadvantage from not having a pre season. On the numbers, there will definitely be some outgoings, both permanent and on loan, and there's no doubt that clubs will be sniffing around our squad come January, so I'm not too concerned about us being bloated for a few months. We're still dealing with the injury mess from last season, hopefully we have some more luck this season so that we can get our squad to a more manageable state.

Wouldn't be surprised, they need some experience in there. We do have a large squad, but a light first XI, so can see a few outgoings in the next couple of weeks, whether permanently or on loan. With McGhee and Johnny K due back, and Hendry joining, we are a little stronger, but I'd still expect 2-3 more incomings.

The club doesn't make player salaries public, and as far as I'm aware that info isn't itemized in accounts, so this is just made up, or pulled from Football Manager.

I thought that was a great signing at the time, but unfortunately he was one of the long list of players who were only good against us.

AP has 6 goals in 25 games for us, and 20 in 40 for his last team. To say there's little evidence of his ability to score is lazy and incorrect. He had 2 injuries last season, on top of literally moving from the other side of the world, at the same time his baby was born. It's well known that it takes players from other countries an extended time to settle. Never mind when the club changes manager twice and overhaul the style. In addition, he works his arse off, leads the line well, is solid on the ball, puts himself about, and frequently gets himself into good positions. All attributes that tend to buy players time, but for some reason AP isn't getting the benefit of that from some. JBA said that it will take time for the forward players to gel, which makes sense. No one knows for sure how it will play out for him, but there's no evidence to suggest we should cut bait on him when signing a goalscorer is proven to be one of the hardest things for a club to do, and our market is the likes of Callum Hendry. We just came off of losing two managers in a season and having to reshape a bloated and unbalanced squad that looked dead on its feet at the start if fhe yead, and we've managed to make a good start of it, so I don't think now is the time to nitpick on individuals.

It will be interesting to see how each team adjusts after the first game. It will be a good indication of JBAs tactical nous.

I think wimmer and JBAs philosophies are pretty much the same. High pressing, and controlling possession, altnough it looks like Wimmer is still playing a back 3 with his new team. As mentioned above, JBA had the opportunity to bring players in to suit the system (or benefit from the players that were already identified for that purpose, i.e. fadinger), so its hard to compare directly. I'm sure JBA would have made the same concessions that Wimmer did if he had joined last season. I didn't think wimmer was particularly bad with the media, but JBA is miles better in that regard. Both are pretty candid about what they want to do. It will be interesting to see how JBA handles interviews when he's up against it. I'm pretty sure if he gets asked another miller question next week he will two-foot someone.

Turnbull seems to be back on track, getting the full 90 today.

St Johnstone gobshites on commentary, going to listen to some music I think.

He's getting a game for Cardiff, so seems unlikely

Or it's a myth?

We could spend it all on the playing budget and still not get close to the likes of Hearts, Hibs, and Aberdeen in spending (and at least one of them is a basket case each season despite that). That doesn't mean we can't speculate a little with modest fees like we have been doing lately, but it is unlikely that we will be able to pluck the best player from another Scottish club (i.e. Ronan Hale), so I don't see our model changing. I also don't expect a one time fee like this to change our wage structure, which should be based on our more predictable income streams. I'd go with investing in making the club sustainable, finding ways to cut our recurring costs, and continue to invest in the youth system, which is our best chance of significant transfer income. Clubs around us are improving their training facilities, so we should be looking at that.

These thing take time, and there's always a lot of moving parts in deals like this, it isn't Football Manager. Standing our ground and getting what we're due isn't being greedy. There seems to be multiple clubs interested, which gives us leverage.

And the best they could do was hold us to 0-0 at home.

Id be surprised if we didnt bring in another midfielder. Halliday will be absolutely fine in that midfield, but we need some more cover/competition. We were rumored to be interested in dean McMaster from airdrie (one of their fans posted on P&B). I'd agree that another striker and a defender on top of that are needed. Two strikers would be nice.

That's a shame, cos he's also a diddy.

Had to go give the highlights a watch again

Most strikers?

Here is it's attempt at the Clyde game Formation Motherwell should line up in a 4-2-3-1 to balance control and intensity. This gives two defensive midfielders shielding the back four and three attackers ahead. It suits Askou’s preferred style of “dynamic…aggressive” football with layers of playnews.stv.tv. The two holding mids will dictate possession (one likely Elliot Watt – a “highly skilled passer” who “covers ground well”motherwellfc.co.uk – alongside a box-to-box runner like Tom Sparrow). Ahead of them, an attacking trio (Callum Slattery centrally with wide runners) can stretch Clyde’s defense. The back four – O’Donnell at right, McGinn at left, with Gordon and Balmer centrally – provides width on overlaps and defensive solidity. Overall, 4-2-3-1 offers controlled buildup, high pressing, and multiple attacking outlets against the League Two side. Defense (4): RB Stephen O’Donnell; CBs Liam Gordon and Kofi Balmer; LB Paul McGinn. Midfield pivot (2): Elliot Watt (DM) and Tom Sparrow (DM). Attacking midfield (3): Callum Slattery (CAM) supporting as #10, with wingers Sam Nicholson (R) and Lukas Fadinger (L). Forward (1): Apostolos Stamatelopoulos leading the line. Starting XI GK: Aston Oxborough RB: Stephen O’Donnell (captain) CB: Liam Gordon CB: Kofi Balmer LB: Paul McGinn CDM: Elliot Wattmotherwellfc.co.uk CDM: Tom Sparrow RW: Sam Nicholson CAM: Callum Slattery LW: Lukas Fadinger ST: Apostolos Stamatelopoulos Watt and Jordan McGhee joined in summeren.wikipedia.orgen.wikipedia.org; Watt’s arrival gives extra quality and width in midfieldmotherwellfc.co.uk. All listed players are under contract and fit; key contributors from last season (Oxborough, O’Donnell, Slattery, Nicholson, etc.) remain available. Tactical Overview Style of play: Under Askou, Motherwell will play high-intensity, aggressive football with multiple layersnews.stv.tv. In possession, the team will focus on controlling the game through midfield, using short passes and movement rather than only long balls. The double pivot (Watt/Sparrow) will dictate play and recycle possession, while the #10 (Slattery) provides creativity. Fullbacks O’Donnell and McGinn will push on to supply width and overload wide areas. Askou demands “aggressiveness, discipline [and] structure” from his sidenews.stv.tv, so Motherwell should maintain a compact shape without the ball and press Clyde intensely high up. Key tactics: The midfield should press collectively to deny Clyde time on the ball, reflecting Askou’s emphasis on intensitynews.stv.tv. Watt’s ability to cover ground and provide disciplined possessionmotherwellfc.co.uk makes him ideal for breaking up counters and transitioning play quickly. Up front, Nicholson and Fadinger will stretch the defense, allowing Stamatelopoulos to latch onto crosses and through balls. Set pieces will be important – Motherwell have tall, aerially strong defenders – so winning corners and free-kicks can produce goals as they did last year. In defense, the two holding mids must screen the back four to prevent Dunachie or Hilton (Clyde’s strikers) from running in behind. The back line will stay organized, and O’Donnell/McGinn will support the press by quickly advancing on Clyde’s wide players. Matchups & pressing: Key matchups include Watt and Sparrow against Clyde’s central midfielders, preventing the Bully Wee from building play. Out wide, O’Donnell’s one-vs-one battles vs. their left-sided forwards (e.g. Dunachie) will be critical. Motherwell should press up on Clyde’s half when possible – Askou wants the team to “take the initiative”news.stv.tv – but also stay compact enough to prevent quick counters from Hilton or Robbie Leitch. In short, Motherwell will look to dominate possession, probe openings through midfield, and suffocate Clyde with energetic pressing and quality distribution. Opposition Analysis Clyde (League Two) finished 7th last seasonmotherwellfc.co.uk under new manager Darren Young. Their attack revolves around former Well youth and lower-league scorers. Martin Rennie (10 goals in 2024-25) has left, so look for Motherwell youth graduate Logan Dunachie (7 goals in 24/25, now used as a strikermotherwellfc.co.uk) and new signing James Hilton (9 goals for Dumbarton last term) to lead the linemotherwellfc.co.uk. Midfielder Robbie Leitch (6 goals last year) also remains a threat from deeper. Clyde will likely line up in a narrow 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1, attempting to attack quickly when they win the ball. The Bully Wee’s strengths are their forward runners and set-piece work. Motherwell must counter by denying service to Dunachie and Hilton – cutting out passes through the middle (using Watt/Sparrow’s pressure) and marking aggressively on the wings. Given Clyde’s lower-division physical style, Motherwell should use quick passing and width to unbalance them. In defense, compact lines and quick switches of play will counter Clyde’s pace. Neutralize their targets (track Dunachie’s movement in behind, crowd Hilton at crosses) and Motherwell should control the game. Clyde threats: Dunachie and Hilton (right footed runners) will attack space, so Watts’s coverage is vital. Dunachie’s pace means O’Donnell or Sparrow must close him down early. Leitch can shoot from distance, so midfielders need to close down any turning time. On set plays, Clyde’s physicality means Motherwell must stay alert. Overall, Motherwell should dictate tempo (as Askou demands) and punish Clyde on the break and from corners, which will nullify the lower-league side’s main threatsnews.stv.tv

Spittal and Bair are good recent examples. We were all clamoring for Ronan Hale as well. In fact, there were plenty of folk after sprangler, who is a more limited player than Watt, but his name sticks out more. If we're signing players from good teams, it would likely be their shite players, so you can't win. There's always going to be something to pick at regardless of where a player comes from so it just comes down to your outlook on things. As stv says, unless a manager has been there a few years, most of the players aren't his signings. Also, we're going to have to get used to the way things work now, in that managers have less of a say in the recruitment process, so there's going to be a mix on guys signed by the recruitment team, with some recommendations from the manager. There's plenty of time for things to shake out, so I don't see the point in folk getting worked up at this point.

He has a good amount of first team games for his age and captained Burton Albion for most of his time there, so has some leadership qualities. Looks like a decent signing to me.

Seddon is injury prone because he was injured last season. Halliday played every game last season, but isn't fit enough because he didn't do that before 🙂