couttsy

I can again see both sides of the Kettlewell debate. Whilst we’re exceptionally poor at the moment, we’ve also been so unlucky with injuries this season, particularly to important players. To be missing the full spine of the team yesterday in Ox, Gordon, Miller and Stama, it’s little surprise we’re struggling to get results. On the flip side, and as many are saying, we’re so poor to watch and don’t really look like we have a plan for when we have the ball. Allied to that we keep trying things that have failed previously. If we can ever get McGinn, Gordon & Casey on the pitch together with Miller, Andrews, Maswanhise and Stama we have the makings of a decent team. Until that happens it’s going to be a tough watch and trying to grind out a result or two. I get the feeling Sat is massive for SK to keep the silent majority of the support onside, lose to a team that have won 4 games out of 22 and go out the cup I fear will see the majority turn on him.

SOD starting and no Gordon or Casey, worried, very worried.

What an utterly depressing performance, still trying to get over the fact I paid £27 to watch that. How we escaped with a point tonight beggars belief! 4-0 would have been a fair reflection on how it played out, we were completely and utterly outplayed in every department. If we start at Easter Road on Sat with 5 defenders, 3 forwards and only 2 in the middle I fear our luck will well and truly run out. Allowing the opposition to have 60/70% possession will eventually catch up with you, just a matter of time before your luck runs out.

Deffo. A bit surprised some would let him go, I think he's been a great signing on the whole. I'd keep McGinn, Casey & Paton. Wouldn't lose any sleep if any of the rest left.

Went for Gordon, thought he had a cracking game, not to mention his goal! Might need to see it on TV, but thought Ox should have done better at the Killie goal.

I agree with all of that, however he won’t be sacked (and neither he should be) when we’re top 6 and have been in a national cup semi final. Whether we like it or not decisions will be made based on season so far and not on 3 or 4 games.

Would have expected 4, win the home game and a point in one of the away games.

Any chat about Kettlewell being sacked is wild. Whether we like it or not the facts are we’re in the top 6, having played a game less than all of the bottom 6, and have just played in a national cup semi final. Next 3 games are huge before we go into a tough run or 6 or 7 games. Really need to be picking up 4 points minimum or a fear he may be in big trouble come mid Jan.

Interesting team selection, no Davor or Halliday which I think is good, but also no right back strangely! Balmer? Wilson or Seddon?!

Whilst Saturday was horrific I’m not sure making wholesale changes to formations or personnel is the way to go (yet). I’d be keeping the 3 at the back with some tweaks. I’d go Ox, Casey, Gordon & Seddon (better balance with the left footer at LCB), Kaleta and Wilson wing backs, 2 centrally in midfield of Miller and Paton, then Maswahise, Stama + Watt/Robinson. If we start with Davor & Halliday I’d be shocked if we get anything from the game. Davor tries hard but is weak and ineffectual in almost every game, Halliday is one paced and well past his best I’m afraid. Both look like Championship level players to me.

Shout out to big Oxborough for a couple of big saves in the first half, Balmer & Casey solid in the 2nd half, and Miller good on the ball as usual, but has to be the 2 goal hero!

Poor poor 1st half, and fortunate not to be 1 or 2 down, thanks to Ox and Miller. 2 up top not holding the ball up much and unless we get it to Miller we’re struggling to play through midfield. Have defended reasonably well, but can’t keep sitting so deep and expect not to lose a goal.

Thanks for the advice, that’s exactly what’s happened. Cheers

Just went on to get 2 and I’m struggling to see any availability! Anyone know if we’ve managed to sell out?

Better than drawing Celtic, but would much rather have had Aberdeen! It’s winnable but we’ll be massive underdogs.

Think they’re complaining that we had two players holding balls when we took the throw in, weird one to be fair! Although it was well back in the move. What a finish, although we’ve been awful to be honest. Playing like the away team, sitting off and hoping to break on them.

No failures, but has to be SOD, outstanding!

Don’t think even the most optimistic amongst us saw that coming! Most I’ve enjoyed a home game in quite some time. As others have said, without Gordon making some cracking saves we could have been 3 or 4 up. Not a single failure in the team but huge credit to O’Donnell, Davor and Halliday who all had their best performances in a Motherwell shirt. I also thought Gordon was solid at the back.

The Dundee Derby showing up just how poor our midfield was yesterday. Both teams have mobile midfield players bursting forward, the exact opposite of us. Fortunately both also look shaky at the back!

Very very frustrating afternoon. We weren’t great again, but we were far better than last week, and far better than County. Should have won the game. Thats the positivity out the way. Our midfield is a big problem and we need to hope 2 or 3 of the guys injured/on the bench come into the first 11 soon. We can maybe start games with one of Halliday or Davor, but both of them won’t do, too slow, too weak, too ineffective. Miller poor today, but playing too far forward for me, he’s much better coming onto the play in a slightly deeper position. The two up front both missing straight forward chances is also a big concern, let’s hope the Aussie can come in and take the chances. Make no mistake Ross County are really poor and will be in the bottom 2 or 3, so we need to be picking up 3 points at home if we want to avoid getting into trouble.

Didn’t make it up to Aberdeen yesterday (thankfully by the sounds of things). Just watched the highlights, no surprise after what Kettlewell said, it’s never a red card! How the refs not sent to watch that on the monitor I’ll never know, peak Scottish referees. Don't get the grief Kelly is getting on some forums, no chance with the goal and then looked like he went on to make 2/3 really good saves. Blaney could and should do better for the goal, but it’s a good header to be fair to Garterman. We are going to be safe, but it would be good to win next week and put it to bed asap.

Suspect we’ll see Kelly, O’Donnell, Gent, McGinn, Mugabi, Casey, Miller (Davor if not fit), Halliday, Spittal, Vale & Bair. Expecting a 0-0 or 1-1 draw.

Is McGinn injured? Can’t see us starting without him in the line up!

Massive credit to every single well fan that endured that place again today! You deserve to party tonight!

What a bloody result. Played well 2nd half on Wednesday night, but didn’t see this coming! Biggest thing about it is we can push aside any concerns of relegation and start looking up the way! What a day!