St Johnstone v Motherwell 31/08/2024

[SteelmaninOZ]

Moses Ebiye

 

[fizoxy]

5 hours ago, Ya Bezzer! said:

From watching the highlights, could Oxborough done better at the goal?

Wouldn't put it in the blunder category but it seem to go under him. 

 

The striker hit it hard and low from close range, and placed it exactly where you're told to. I'd say any criticism of Ox in this case is harsh.  We probably should have been more cynical in the build up and too out the sub that made the initial run, but then we wouldn't have had the Ebiye scenes.

Are we better organized at set pieces in both boxes this season, or are we purely benefitting from better delivery at one end, and Liam Gordon at the other?

[weeyin]

SK has spoken at length (as always) about defence being our biggest weakness last season. Although you hardly need a UEFA Coaching badge to have spotted that.

Difficult to tell how much the injured defenders will add, but Liam Gordon has made a difference, and we definitely looked more organised. The biggest difference is that, so far, we have cut out most of the stupid mistakes.

Promising signs, but very early days. We won 3 and drew 1 in our first four league games last season before we went into meltdown, so no chickens being counted yet.

[Kmcalpin]

46 minutes ago, weeyin said:

SK has spoken at length (as always) about defence being our biggest weakness last season. Although you hardly need a UEFA Coaching badge to have spotted that.

Difficult to tell how much the injured defenders will add, but Liam Gordon has made a difference, and we definitely looked more organised. The biggest difference is that, so far, we have cut out most of the stupid mistakes.

Promising signs, but very early days. We won 3 and drew 1 in our first four league games last season before we went into meltdown, so no chickens being counted yet.

Yes, we're much stronger defensively than we were last season. This is especially true of our keeper and central defence.  So, job seems done there. However there's more to good defence than that. I think our set up with a narrow midfield leaves the wing backs a bit exposed. This was evident yesterday but fortunately Saints weren't good enough to capitalise on it, although they targeted Ewan Wilson early on. Also I don't think Davor and Halliday are cut out, for various reasons, to shield the defence in the centre. The Ox was clearly unhappy at our midfield yesterday for letting Saints ping in 3 unopposed shots late on. I know were big on numbers now but as soon as is practicable I'd like to see us bring in a solid defensive type to slot into the middle.  Work in progress, so far so good. 

[steelboy]

Looking at the winner on Twitter and Moses definitely nods it over the line but most importantly Cameron probably clears it if Moses doesn't out muscle him. 

[Toxteth O'Grady]

Turn the volume up 🤣 

https://x.com/camer0n_mcd/status/1830170046586360042

[weeyin]

15 hours ago, Toxteth O'Grady said:

Turn the volume up 🤣 

https://x.com/camer0n_mcd/status/1830170046586360042

He had to make a quick exit at the end of the commentary, as he said he didn't think he was safe.

[SteelmaninOZ]

11 hours ago, Toxteth O'Grady said:

Turn the volume up 🤣 

https://x.com/camer0n_mcd/status/1830170046586360042

The joys of being part of the media I bet he’s glad his microphone wasn’t that big  😂

[AllyMax]

6 hours ago, SteelmaninOZ said:

The joys of being part of the media I bet he’s glad his microphone wasn’t that big  😂

And had a nice rounded end 🙂

[thewelllfan]

On 9/1/2024 at 5:37 PM, Kmcalpin said:

Yes, we're much stronger defensively than we were last season. This is especially true of our keeper and central defence.  So, job seems done there. However there's more to good defence than that. I think our set up with a narrow midfield leaves the wing backs a bit exposed. This was evident yesterday but fortunately Saints weren't good enough to capitalise on it, although they targeted Ewan Wilson early on. Also I don't think Davor and Halliday are cut out, for various reasons, to shield the defence in the centre. The Ox was clearly unhappy at our midfield yesterday for letting Saints ping in 3 unopposed shots late on. I know were big on numbers now but as soon as is practicable I'd like to see us bring in a solid defensive type to slot into the middle.  Work in progress, so far so good. 

That's what I thought he would of added we've needed a holding midfielder for years. On the game we've started to use the ball a lot better than we did at points last season and our set-peices look particularly dangerous

[Kmcalpin]

That's St Johnstone sacked Craig Levein. 5 games into the league season. Interesting that some Saints fans want Tom Wright brought back. 

[star sail]

1 hour ago, Kmcalpin said:

That's St Johnstone sacked Craig Levein. 5 games into the league season. Interesting that some Saints fans want Tom Wright brought back. 

Once again, it shows just how difficult it is to be a football manager of one of the smaller teams in the league.

Some very experienced managers have tried and failed with teams in recent years, Tommy Wright, Owen Coyle, Malky Mackay, Craig Levein to name a few.

Proof to me yet again that SK is doing very well to keep Motherwell's head above the water.He must be one of the longest servicing managers in the league. 

The life span of managers at clubs is bonkers.

 

[mio]

To think a few on here were screaming for either Levein or the failed car salesman Tam Courts last year speaks volumes.

 

[AllyMax]

1 hour ago, mio said:

To think a few on here were screaming for either Levein or the failed car salesman Tam Courts last year speaks volumes.

 

Exactly. I'm sure we also had people shouting for Duncan Ferguson (cause 'he wouldn't stand for any nonsense') and other dumb suggestions. Outside of three or maybe four clubs, it's a pretty difficult and thankless job thats almost always going to end in sacking. Luckily, Motherwell have three or four top class football brains on this forum that could take over if the manager was to get fired. 

[joewarkfanclub]

Not surprised Levein has been sacked. Maybe just a little at how quick it has happened.

Maybe the new American owner flexing his muscles and wanting his own man in?

Just goes to show that experience isnt everything.

[numpty]

3 hours ago, star sail said:

Proof to me yet again that SK is doing very well to keep Motherwell's head above the water.He must be one of the longest servicing managers in the league. 

Currently 15th-longest serving in Scotland, but 3rd-longest in the top flight.

Managerial reign

[weeyin]

9 hours ago, mio said:

To think a few on here were screaming for either Levein or the failed car salesman Tam Courts last year speaks volumes.

 

It was the calls for Tommy Wright that gave me the fear. Thankfully, he relegated Killie instead.

[StAndrew7]

13 hours ago, joewarkfanclub said:

Not surprised Levein has been sacked. Maybe just a little at how quick it has happened.

Maybe the new American owner flexing his muscles and wanting his own man in?

Just goes to show that experience isnt everything.

He hinted at some issues between him and the new owners on the radio at the weekend, I believe. Seems like the rest of the coaching staff are staying so might be a personality thing. Mainly that he doesn't have one.

[David]

That could have been us. Kettlewell sacked for refusing to entertain the idea of signing a couple of Mexican players to help push the tequila brand that was mentioned.

"Transformational" indeed.

[joewarkfanclub]

Be interesting to see who they go for now.

Will be a big steer on how they see the direction of the club.