The African

An absolute shambles, and one which makes those that are involved in the governance of Scottish football look like the rank amateurs that they obviously are. No wonder the game in Scotland is in the state it is. As to what we as a club can do about this situation, I am afraid that the answer is precious little. I see no value in trying to use what some might see as the precedent set by this ruling to try and gain advantage ourselves. I really don't want Motherwell to be a club like that. I see little value in using the whole mess as a motivational tool. If our players and staff are not already fully motivated for the task ahead of them, especially given the hole we find ourselves in, then they have no right to be at the club. I also doubt we will gain anything by trying to play hardball when it comes to negotiating as to when these fixtures will be replayed. We might, quite rightly at the moment, feel a sense of injustice and that we, in particular, as a club, have been well and truly shafted, but the one thing that is clear from this unholy mess, is that the powers that be obviously do not share that opinion and, as such, us being petulant about it is only going to be, ultimately, an unnecessary distraction. I shall conclude by quoting what a US army Sargent is supposed to have told an injured and disabled soldier on the way back to America after World War 2, " if you are looking for sympathy, you will find it in the dictionary between sh*t and syphliis". This mess is done. We need to stop feeling sorry for ourselves and get over it.

The cynic in me is thinking that Celtic might not be too upset if they are docked points over protocol breaches on their Dubai jolly. It would give them an excuse to blame their failure in not achieving the mythical ten in a row on being the innocent victims in an establishment fit up. I apologise in advance for my inherent cynicism. It is not an admirable trait.

One of the joys of being a supporter of a certain age are the memories of the excitement one used to feel before the old third round draw. The what ifs and what might bes on a possible run in the cup, all the way to Hampden perhaps? I have to admit that, over time, and with the chances of our success seemingly being ever further squeezed by the way the game is going, that excitement has worn off a fair bit. I sencerely hope that it is just me getting old and that somewhere, out in darkest Lanarkshire, or wherever, there are young Motherwell fans waiting with hope and anticipation for what might be the beginning of something special. I still believe that it is the way it should be.

Indeed. Right now I'd take a point.

Harsh, but I have to admit, probably accurate. I love Grimshaw's attitude and wish it was infectious, but the only real reason I can see to keep him is if we end up in the Champioship next season, where he might find it more of his natural level.

I would suggest the Reserves? Seriously, I do think we are, at least partially, victims of the unique Covid situation in that the lack of reserve team and under 20s action will have been a major hindrance. We are currently trying to rebuild the first team and have no fixtures to experiment in, plus we are a club who look to give youth players a pathway and that is blocked off for now. Okay, other sides are in the same boat, but it seems to be a major factor to a club like ours.

Has anyone mentioned Stuart Baxter yet?

Chapman was brought in as longer term cover for Fox. It made sense to play him when Carson got injured and Archer had only just arrived. Once it became clear that Atprcher was the better keeper and was up to speed, it made sense to play him. It now transpires that Archer, to all extent and purposes, wasn't available last Saturday it made sense to give Chapman another chance, which he clearly didn't take. Hopefully Liam Kelly, or whoever comes in, can hit the ground running.

Based on one performance, it looks like Lasley is more part of the problem than, going forward, part of the solution. We don't have the time to muck around here so hopefully the search for a truly able replacement is already underway. We can probably write off the chance of taking anything except a pumping from the next three fixtures.

Fair comments. Whyte is not of the required standard for this level. Giving him the final twenty minutes, two goals and a man down, and expecting him to be able to make a telling difference is tantamount to workplace bullying.

Well that was sh*t*. I generally believe that changing manager mid season is a huge gamble and one which can often go the wrong way. Having said that, managers tend to have a shelf life and when it is over, it is time to say goodbye. We are a team devoid. Lacking in all fundamentals. No organisation, no fight, no skill and no belief. Change is required and sooner rather than later. I really don't like calling for people to lose their jobs and livelihoods but we cannot go on as it is.

Played for Wellington Phoenix in the A league for a number of seasons. Was considered a decent player here, where the tempo of the game is slower than the SPL.

Your, I assume, unintentional, use of happy ( sometimes predictive spellcheck is not your friend) made me smile as it is certainly not what you would describe the McLean brothers as. I remember Jim saying he called Tommy the grumpy one in the family.

Indeed. Puts a little perspective on our onfield issues. A genuine legend of the Scottish game and complete one off. RIP Jim McLean. Sincere condolences to his family and friends.

Like the Aberdeen game, before kick off I would take a point.

I think we might do better at throw ins if we returned to calling them shys. Don't ask me to explain why, I just do. The same goes for "goal kicks". Bring back the by kick and we will be okay.

With regard to throw ins, I have often wondered why nobody seems to have come up with a ploy that takes advantage of the " no offside from a throw in" rule.

Just following online and it sounds pretty dire. Still, I would have taken a point before kick off. A safe and Merry Christmas to all 'well fans, wherever you may be.

I wonder if the terminology is a bit disingenuous. Free cash to top level football clubs would be a difficult pill for any government to swallow, politically. The question really is, is there much expectation that these loans will be repaid at any stage?

Not as daft as you might think. Was it Mick Channon who used to go mental about "bodies in the box" when working as a World Cup pundit for ITV? Something that any Agatha Christie creation cannot be criticised for lacking.

I am not sure we can bank on them missing their penalties.

Are we talking a fee?

Poor result and what sounds like another lacklustre performance. The kind of result that, if things are allowed to continue, will see us in real trouble at the end of the season. The fact that we have been on this track for a few weeks now is worrying. Things have to change for the simple reason that whatever we are doing now just isn't working.

Given the disruption caused by the loss of two probable starters just a few hours before kick off, I'll be happy with a point. I generally see a draw as points dropped, but in this instance, one point is better than hee haw.

I would say it happens because we allow it to turn into a game that they can win. Generally, we are a better quality team from front to back, but they somehow manage to drag us down to their level, then beat us through their greater experience there. Throw in their abomination of a playing surface and it suddenly isn't so difficult to see why. Of course, if we can see it, it begs the question of why our coaches and players cannot do something about it. I am sure they are trying.