dinnae-punt-it

The manager was the defensive coach at Copenhagen before joining us, and was a centre half, so if he can’t sort it, nobody can. Let’s see how things go when it’s not 30 degrees on plastic. Not a great start, but still really early days. I can see Ward getting lobbed a few times if he plays that high up the pitch.

Ward is the backup keeper and has only just been given a new deal. Can’t see another keeper joining.

Exclusive: Motherwell agree deal to sign Birmingham defender Emmanuel Longelo Pete O'Rourke, Transfer CorrespondentWed 9 July 2025 8:28, UK Credit: Birmingham City/Getty Motherwell have agreed a deal to sign Birmingham City defender Emmanuel Longelo, sources have told Football Insider. The former West Ham youngster, 24, will join the Scottish Premiership club on a permanent deal. Sources have said that Longelo has agreed terms with Motherwell and will head up to Scotland to finalise the move. He was down the pecking order at Birminghamhaving spent last season out on loan at Cambridge United. Motherwell agree deal for West Ham academy product Longelo came through the academy at West Ham, joining at under-10 level and working his way through the ranks. In September 2020, the left-back made his senior debut for the Hammers during a 5-1 win against Hull City in the EFL Cup. MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES The 24-year-old made a permanent switch to Birmingham in January 2023 for a reported fee of £400,000. Last season, Longelo started just three League One games while out on loan with Cambridge, with much of his playing time coming at the start of the campaign. The Englishman is set to join a Motherwell side who appointed former IFK Göteborg head coach Jens Berthel Askou as their new manager last month. Longelo had a disappointing spell under Neil Harris at Cambridge

I actually see it as more of a 4-2-3-1, with the obvious back four, Watt and Miller, then Fadinger, Slattery and Maswanhise with AP up top. Could be completely wrong though!

SODs is murder at right back too. Terrible in any position.

SODs sells so many goals, I’m hoping MW tells him he isn’t going to be a first team starter next year, which may convince him to move on.

As much as SODs might be nice guy, and the players might like him as a person, the number of important goals he’s cost us over his time with the club is significant. Can’t believe he got another years contract. Hells bells.

There is no way the goalkeeper cannot see where the ball is going there and it doesn’t hit Casey. Absolute bullsh*t from VAR.

Can’t believe this is the only home game left this month. It feels like we’ve had a few months where we’ve hardly been at home this season.

Hakeem Odoffin would be my guess as he’s out of contract in the summer.

Robinson is so bad, it makes you wonder what he has on Kettlewell. His attempt at a cross when we had Tavares free at the back post was unforgivable. He literally had about a 10 yard gap to aim for and sclaffed it.

Theo Robinson and Jair Tavares are absolute imposters. Robinson is absolutely chronic at doing anything useful. Jair just looks like he can’t be bothered. Kettlewell killed our chances of winning by putting them on instead of Watt and Moses.

Yeah, his middle name is Jethro.

Connor Wilkinson freed by mutual consent already at Colchester.

Is that not what I said. Not a great start, and will take time to get up to speed. Performances have been largely poor so far. Folk arguing with me when everything I’ve said is correct. Gies peace man.

He’s played more than one game, so get your facts straight if you are going to debate! I also didn’t give a definitive verdict, but said he looks like he’s going to need time to get up to speed with the Scottish game. The manager saw fit to hook him at half time, so I can’t be a mile out with what was a poor performance on his part.

I’m 43 mate, not played FIFA in about 25 years, but I’ll tell you what I can do, I can watch a game of football and have an opinion. I’ve seen some players play for quite a long time, plenty of time to form an opinion. If you can watch some of those players regularly and not have concerns, then maybe you should play some FIFA!

Well he got caught on the ball or hurriedly gave it away lots in all appearances so far. Scottish football at most levels is hustle and bustle and he looks like a player that is used to having more time on the ball.

O’Donnell - Not good enough, terrible crosser, too slow getting up and back down. Kaleta - Will take 3 months to get up to speed. Katroumbis - No idea as injured. Hopefully better than O’Donnell. Wilson - Not fit or fast enough. Turns back or inside all the time instead of down the outside. Blaney - Not good enough at this level. Easily bullied and not sharp enough in the head. Casey - Got a major blunder in him most games. Regressing after a good start. Davor - Passing poor, only good for breaking up play. Struggles to impose on games. Halliday - Spent force. No legs. Slow in possession. Championship player at best these days. Stuperavic - Struggling with the pace of Scottish football. Hope he comes good, but have early concerns. Robinson - Looks to be lacking confidence. Not convinced he will score enough at this level. Need another Striker, Attacking Midfielder and Left Wing Back. If I was being greedy, a good Defensive Midfielder. Buckle in, because it’s going to be another tough season ahead with the squad Kettlewell has built so far.

Rumour of Aidan Fitzpatrick of Patrick Thistle joining on Twitter.

Steve Seddon got sent off 3 times last season. Wonder if he’s been unlucky or has a touch of the Jake Carroll about him. I’d rather some who isn’t afraid of tackle than someone who can’t defend, but 3 in a season is good going.

https://www.footballinsider247.com/steven-seddon-begins-motherwell-medical-after-leaving-oxford-sources/

Kettlewell’s poor in game management and weak options off the bench once the first 11 runs its race lost us that game.

Our width is provided by attacking full backs. When they get tired and stop getting up to support attacks, we lose momentum. SK should have freshened things up around the 60 minute mark to restore greater attacking intent. Instead he hummed and hawed and did nothing. He had the chance to go for the win and bottled it. There ain’t much difference between draws and defeats with 3 points for a win. Got to be braver. Also, it’s his fault we lack attacking options. He had all of January to sort that and just signed full backs.

Whilst it’s good not to lose, drawing too many games is a recipe that will having us staying near the bottom of the table. I was really frustrated with Kettlewell yesterday as I felt he should have rolled the dice with a few subs around the 60 minute mark. I felt one of the fullbacks should have been introduced then and Halliday was done, so Miller should have been on earlier. I also fail to see the point of introducing Nicholson on 89 minutes. He should have been on no later than 75 minutes. We need to be winning games at Fir Park. We’ve still only won once in the league in 20 league games, which simply isn’t good enough. Playing for draws just isn’t good enough. Nevertheless, the general level of performance is at least a lot better. We still need to work on ball retention and meaningful shots on goal though. We must also be a team who are the least effective at corner kicks. We could take them all day long and hardly lay a glove. Frustrated!