Catweazles ring piece

I'm beginning to have mixed thoughts on McGhee's appointment as I'm now worried about our survival this season! I was delighted at his appointment initially as I did think he could reverse the trend much like he did after the Malpas saga! However, after his initial good work and some resemblance of stability, we've veered into continual formation and player variations. The December manager of the month was well deserved and like many, I thought we had turned the corner. However, his perception of one of his strengths may in fact be his weakness. Tactical overthinking! I'm Thinking his last appointment at MFC was a decent manager brought together with talented but under performing players. However, after numerous jobs and failure to kick on in his managerial quest, I'm starting to think that he might not be able to reverse our fortunes. Whether that is down to the standard of players we currently have and the ability to carry out his instructions, I don't know. One thing is for sure though, he needs to quickly sort out this mess and put points on the board. This constant tinkering, IMO, is going to reward us with the averages seen of late, which could see us in the play off position. Fingers crossed he works out the best formation quickly and puts on a decent run prior to the split. The time for major changes is end of season and preseason when we've already secured our future in the top league.

Keep it simple with a 4-4-2 formation. None of this 4-5-1 pi$h transforming to 4-3-3. It's obvious the players we have are unable to understand these tactics. As I said previously, we encountered this for a period in his 2nd season and it was a shambles. Same thing happened at Aberdeen! I do think he will turn things round, but only if he simplifies things. Hopefully Hall returns alongside McManus in central defence and continues to improve with experience. A return for Moult with Skippy just off him and we might just get a result. Defeat wont necessarily be the end of the world, but it will put massive pressure on the management and players. Fingers crossed for a good performance, coupled with points in the bag. Hopefully we can put together a decent run of games and get out of this mess. COYW

Just watched the highlights there and not good viewing! Hammell appears to be on the wrong side of his man, who has the easiest of tap ins for number 1. Kennedy seems to have a rush of blood and dives in, only to be skinned, leaving the central defence in a two v one scenario for number 2. To me McManus is totally blameless for that goal. I was more than happy for McGhee to return and felt he would turn things around. Forgetting him hawking himself for more appealing jobs, I thought he would do more than a decent job. However, one thing sprung to mind in his second season. He started tinkering with the system and the arse fell out of things. If I remember correctly for 6 or 7 weeks he started shuffling things around and it was obvious to everyone things were not working. It appeared his stubbornness kept him from reverting to the tried and tested formations that worked previous. Not panicking yet, but please revert to formations used during December. Irrespective of his knowledge and his philosophy on the game, Motherwell FC needs to retain its position in the SPFL next season. Let's get back to the basics of 4-4-2 and try and get ourselves in a safe position. Any tinkering can happen pre-season when he shapes his team around players better suited to his tactics.

I also believe he's still the man for the job. However, I wish he would change this, my way is always right attitude! He has been prone to it previously and it backfired. Sometimes, he overthinks things! Too much talk about the technicalities of ICT and nullifying them and not enough thought about us tearing them a new one. He maybe feels that we can't play an expansive game like he wants and things will take time. However, I'm confident that we'll survive and with a few new players joining for next season, things will progress. You've got to hope!

Just saw the penalty decision. Unbelievable! Referees need to be held accountable or the game is f___ked! Speechless at that decision!

Good result. Well done lads!

Well done Skip. COYW

Good draw. Paul Lawson effect!

I was totally unsure of yesterday's performance, after listening to McGhee's pre match interview. Yes, we had plenty of possession but I think the tactic back fired. First thing I noticed was the off the ball movement was poor, with no one showing for passes or to support one another. How many times did the left back have space on the wing with no out ball, other than checking and coming back. In contrast, I.C.T. had triangles and movement all over the pitch. However, the ref was shocking! What at an arsehole he is!!! Message to linesman - how the fuck can you call for a booking on McManus. He knew he fucked up and similar to ref in rugby match ran straight up the tunnel. Bellend! Lopez - typical foreigner. You are a disgrace to your sport! Cheating bastard! 3000 miles to see match and wasted by a couple of bellend trumped up officials. Useless twats!

Seems so much more positivity around FirPark these days. Just goes to show how a good manager can unify the dressing room and start to get performances in such little time. It's just a pity McGhee didn't have the cash to strengthen specific positions, but hopefully he can add to rectify problem areas over time. The other positive thing is how we manage to up our game and tactics in the second half. Two in a row now, where we change personnel and get a positive reaction and points on the board. I'm convinced McGhee will continue to make improvements over the season and look forward to new personnel and a preseason under their belts. Here's hoping for good entertaining football and some long needed excitement on a good cup run. COYW

Saw the highlights and my first reaction to Aberdeens goal was offside. Much improved performance and actually looked like a pretty decent team yesterday. Heard McGhees post match interview and thought that's an accurate assessment of the match. First time I've thought that in a long time! Whatever has happened, it looks like the players are buying into the systems adopted and actually looked like they were enjoying playing again. Hopefully, we can kick on from here and push on, up the table. Noticed that quite a few players have been given game time as McGhee previously stated. It will be interesting to see who ups their game and if players that were deemed below par, actually have more about them than previously thought. Looks like the players realise their jobs are at stake and have something to prove now. Fingers crossed that this is the start of better things to come.

See you soon, Colin

Remembered the game, thinking we are beat, then it's in the bag, then everything swapping all over again. Can't remember anything about McVie getting sent off or a Stuart Rennie incident. However, I do remember Rennie bandaged up in old pictures. Could be this match but not sure?

Scorers that day O'Rourke, 51,61,65 mins ; Pettigrew, 71mins ; Davidson, 74mins Fallis, 5, 13mins ; Maxwell 67 mins ; Smith 68 mins Dead and buried 0-2 at half time. O'Rourke hat-trick 3-2 within 20 mins of coming on. A quick double for Killie 3-4 Pettigrew and Davidson double 5-4 What a match!

Was mega pissing it down that night. We were lucky that we were crammed right up to the fence. 1-0 up going into the last 10 minutes before Andy Lynch cracked 2 peaches of O.G's.

That was the Hibs match at FirPark. Think it was the first match of 3 which we eventually won 2-1 at Ibrox. Another brilliant match was against Kilmarnock at FirPark 1976-1977 season. We were down 2 or 3-0 at half-time and looked well beaten. Jim O'Rourke came on as a sub that day and played a blinder scoring 3 or 4 goals before eventually winning 5-4. The forwards we had back then were class acts. That team should have won silver wear, no doubts!

It was reported as a 27 000 crowd. Definitely 30 000+. However after getting crushed in the choir section, I moved behind the goals before getting crushed again. Ended up 6 feet up the flood lights at Knowetop school side. Let's just say that we were combative that day and dished out a lesson to Fergies lot. Anyone remember the half time entertainment that day and the subsequent singing Lol?

I watched this match in my local (Celtic pub in Lenzburg.) If you think this Celtic team is of decent quality, you need to seriously have a word with yourself. They believe it's one of the worst during their time following them. The other comments made yesterday, was why did Motherwell not make any attempt to try and rescue a point and attack a poor Celtic defence. We did look set up for damage limitation and at no point looked capable of anything offensive. MCGhee tried to take positives from his post match comments. However, I'm sure he has already weeded out the dross already. Another unbalanced squad of even lesser quality than before. Massive restructure ahead!

We eventually crawled over the line on the 3rd attempt Dave. Probably my fav team and gutted they never won anything. Bad luck, fate and even a certain referee conspired against us back then.

Expecting hee-haw from this match in terms of a result. However, I'd expect plenty of fight and endeavour today from players who have under performed thus far. I don't expect much change tactically today, but I'm sure we'll see significant changes over the coming weeks from McGhee. IMO MCGhee will be an even better manager since his last stunt. Loads of positive traits undermined with ambitions that finally derailed him. All being well, this could be the match that suits both club and manager. Enjoy the match Well fans. Best wishes to Mark McGhee and every player today. COYW

Motherwell 3 Celtic 2 cup match. Every Texaco Cup game. All the matches mentioned earlier. I'll throw in the Motherwell v St Mirren (Fergie) cup match at FirPark. Crushed inside FirPark that day and they did have half the support that day. Approx 15-16k supporting each team. Great atmosphere!

The Motherwell Board have been winging it the last 2-3 seasons because they were also out their depth. However, they've realised this is a pivotal moment and went for stability. I'll applaud them for that! Whatever went on before with McGhee didn't matter as they know what he brings to the position and right now, it's needed. New start for everyone here, the slates clean and we all move together. Go back and enjoy the footie.

FFS give the guy David a break! Anyway, for whatever it's worth, McGoo is the safe hands we needed. Someone who will have instant respect and will kick arse when needed. A proportion of current players will be found out in due course and moved on at the earliest. Funny though, for all the talk about the new way at FP. Diets, conditioning, monitoring players and technology. Improvement didn't appear on the playing side. What happened and where are they all? As McGhee said no magic wand. A stop watch, a note book and hard graft will be the ultimate solution. If he replicates Austria preseason we could actually be a no bad team. Look forward to see if any changes are noticeable on play and systems in the coming month or so!

I've been highly critical of MFC since the departure of Leanne Dempster in their wisdom of choices. Most IMO at the time were wrong and led us to where we are. However, Lessons will have been learned. Delighted with this appointment. Welcome back Mark McGhee.

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/3uSTOHa4Im4/hqdefault.jpg Seen outside FirPark in a car with number plate 00