Motherwell v Kilmarnock 30/08/2025

[mio]

39 minutes ago, robsterwood said:

Since you criticise my spelling if Callum. Im quite right to criticise your alleged name. Given your age.

Spelling “of” Callum, not “if” Callum.  It’s not just your spelling, your grammar is appalling too. 😉

 

[Kmcalpin]

6 hours ago, MJC said:

So again some encouraging play but we don’t get the result to show for it. 
We don’t carry enough threat up front and when we do manage to score goals we duly chuck them in for the opponents to cancel it out.

It’s not been a bad start to the season but already there are concerns because we’ve played well enough so far but haven’t been able to convert that into wins. We could very will live to regret that.

We're stll adapting to the new way of playing and it'll take time and patience for the players to become comfortable with it.  That said though, we continue to have problems at both ends of the pitch. Without doubt we've signed some good players; a better calibre than we usually do, but the squad is still deficient in some types of first pick.  The jury is still out for me on our striking options, but I'd like to see a bit more height and muscle up front. Likewise at the back we're short in central defence. I've been a fan of Gordon's up until now but he doesn't seem comfortable with the new system. Likewise, McGinn is proficient on the deck but lacks physicality.  Kilmarnock's height and physical approach caused us problems today and we seem uncomfortable dealing with high balls. I'm not advocating a Robinson style approach but if the opposition choose to play direct, when they are in possession then we need to have the personnel to deal with that. Likewise, at set pieces such as corners, we struggle to cause the opposing defence problems due to us being somewhat lightweight.    

[Kmcalpin]

Today was the first I've seen us play for a few weeks and I have to say its the best I've seen us play for many a year. A good crowd today but I thought our fans were a bit flat. More games like this though and they'll come back in even bigger numbers. It was encouraging to hear the applause and cheers at full time and smiling faces talking about the quality of football. 

The game itself panned out pretty much as I expected and both sides could have won it. We were the better team  and dominated possession but weaknesses at both ends of the pitch cost us. There's no doubt we missed Callum Slattery badly and hopefully he'll be back well before Christmas. I thought Killie tested us rigorously with their long ball approach and hopefully that lesson will feed into our recruitment. We did seem a bit vulnerable on the flanks.  

Some good performances from the likes of Just, Watt and Said. I remain unconvinced about Ap Stam though. He seemed very lightweight against a big intimidating defence. 

For me though this weekend was never going to be about today's game; rather about our transfer dealings. 

A final word on Callum Ward. I was 100% against dropping him after last Saturday, as every keeper can have an off day. However, 2 games on the trot? Its rare that a keeper makes not one but two glaring errors in conceding a goal. Time to bring the Ox back.  

[robsterwood]

1 hour ago, mio said:

Spelling “of” Callum, not “if” Callum.  It’s not just your spelling, your grammar is appalling too. 😉

 

Stop being so pedantic. You got to get a life. Sounds like your a cretin. It's pathetic criticising grammar. There's other people that mis spelled his name too and other words. 

[fizoxy]

I felt that we dealt with their physicality pretty well, and we have done the same against other teams so far this season. None of our players are scared to get stuck in, and we are very organized when pressing, 

The forward players/wingers track back well to prevent crosses, and our defenders don't get drawn into a game of headed tennis, instead, they knock it down to the nearest teammate, or bring it down themselves to play on the deck. 

That's not going to stop all chances, but we're definitely not getting battered.

Today showed we can be effective against a low block, but we are vulnerable then the CBs get turned around, with mcginn often giving up early and appealing for an offside (when var will take care of that). 

A center back with a decent turn of pace would be a huge upgrade.

Overall, it is impressive how our pre-JBA players have adapted. If anyone said last season that we'd be dominating posession and playing it out from the back relatively successfully, with SOD, McGin and Gordon in the back 4, they would have been laughed out of town.

[mio]

2 minutes ago, robsterwood said:

Stop being so pedantic. You got to get a life. Sounds like your a cretin. It's pathetic criticising grammar. There's other people that mis spelled his name too and other words. 

I was only joking bud, calm down man 👍 and it’s “you’re” a cretin, not “your” a cretin. Lol 

[Kmcalpin]

I'm not one to get worked up over grammar or spelling. Its what the message says thats important not how its expressed.  An old boss of mine had an annoying habit of refusing to answer any letter or memo, irrespective of their importance,  that contained a spelling or grammatical error and if they did, just tossed them to someone else to deal with or worse still, into file 13. 

[mio]

2 minutes ago, Kmcalpin said:

I'm not one to get worked up over grammar or spelling. Its what the message is thats important not how its expressed.  An old boss of mine had an annoying habit of refusing to answer any letter or memo, irrespective of their importance,  that contained a spelling or grammatical error and if they did, just tossed them to someone else to deal with or worse still, into file 13. 

🤣 I knew I knew you from somewhere 🤣 kidding

I was just joking and at the wind up. Apologies if I caused anyone offence. 

[robsterwood]

1 hour ago, mio said:

Spelling “of” Callum, not “if” Callum.  It’s not just your spelling, your grammar is appalling too. 😉

 

Very good. Your no Grizzly mate. Leave humour to Grizzly. 

[FirParkCornerExile]

3 hours ago, robsterwood said:

Think he's got a point as we not won in 4. Jury still out. I'm sure most would have expected 3 points today.

I'm a bit baffled with the jury still out. 4 games played, played every team off the park and the only thing that has stopped two wins on the bounce has been two games where the goalkeeper has chucked the points away. No manager can legislate for that. The fundamentals are all there. There's nothing wrong with our approach, style or recruitment so far. What would the manager  need to do to convince those who think "the jury is still out" Are we really saying if the goalkeeper hadn't fucked up in the last two weeks that more people would be convinced by the manager 🤔.  Every manager  will become unconvincing to the fans at some point that's why 99% of managers will always lose their jobs eventually. That's the nature of the beast. However right now I don't know how much more Askou could do to convince the fans that's he's right for the job right now. 

[Kmcalpin]

7 minutes ago, FirParkCornerExile said:

I'm a bit baffled with the jury still out. 4 games played, played every team off the park and the only thing that has stopped two wins on the bounce has been two games where the goalkeeper has chucked the points away. No manager can legislate for that. The fundamentals are all there. There's nothing wrong with our approach, style or recruitment so far. What would the manager  need to do to convince those who think "the jury is still out" Are we really saying if the goalkeeper hadn't fucked up in the last two weeks that more people would be convinced by the manager 🤔.  Every manager  will become unconvincing to the fans at some point that's why 99% of managers will always lose their jobs eventually. That's the nature of the beast. However right now I don't know how much more Askou could do to convince the fans that's he's right for the job right now. 

I'm a 70/30 supporter of JBA but its early in his reign and he's got a few issues to sort out. Its how he deals with those that will determine his legacy. Yes, we're playing the best football we've seen for many years. A huge tick. However, we're weak at both ends of the pitch and those deficiencies need addressing, possibly using different methods. Attractive football is all good and well but it has to be accompanied by good results.  Yes we're unbeaten in 4 but we've also not won in 4.  

[robsterwood]

7 hours ago, wellgirl said:

JBA has said he thinks Ward was fouled for the second goal. 

Never got fouled. Just poor goalkeeping. Basic error Flapped and fumbled the ball. Easy goal and more points lost

[robsterwood]

Going by fixtures 18th October against Falkirk is only real chance if 3 points. Will be a difficult season. 

[SteelmaninOZ]

 

 

[MelvinBragg]

4 hours ago, robsterwood said:

Going by fixtures 18th October against Falkirk is only real chance if 3 points. Will be a difficult season. 

Take it you haven't seen Aberdeen play yet this season? 

[FirParkCornerExile]

6 hours ago, Kmcalpin said:

I'm a 70/30 supporter of JBA but its early in his reign and he's got a few issues to sort out. Its how he deals with those that will determine his legacy. Yes, we're playing the best football we've seen for many years. A huge tick. However, we're weak at both ends of the pitch and those deficiencies need addressing, possibly using different methods. Attractive football is all good and well but it has to be accompanied by good results.  Yes we're unbeaten in 4 but we've also not won in 4.  

If a manager only convinces fans when everything is right they will never be convinced by any manager we have. No manager is right about everything all the time. The perception of managers in football is one of the most fluid assessments you will ever find because every one of them loses their shine at some point in their career. There are too many variables that impact what they achieve. 

I will just enjoy what I'm watching until the shine wears off it or he leaves, one or both of which will almost certainly happen at some point.

I really liked Stuart McCall and Stephen Robinson but was pleased when they both left. I was devastated when Tommy McLean left us for Hearts and in my time supporting Motherwell I will always put Tommy McLean down as our best Manager. However in his 10 seasons there were times that I would have happily seen him leave because there were just as many downs than ups in that 10 year period. That's the nature of the beast.

The only factor unknown about Askou is how long it will take for his shine to fade or he leaves , so lets enjoy not watching eye bleeding shite for the first time in ages and not read too much into it all.

 

[grizzlyg]

6 hours ago, robsterwood said:

Very good. Your no Grizzly mate. Leave humour to Grizzly. 

Awwww shucks 🤣🤣. Catching up this morning with all the posts.   My take is it is a wirk in progress and going to take time. We were all crying out for a new style which we now have and made some great signings.

Should be 8 it's instead of 4pts but give me entertaining football ahead of hoofball any day.

CAME IN BE WALL. (Whoops....apologies for grammar and spelling) 🤣🤣🤣

[wellfan]

I’m sure JBA is as frustrated as the rest of us. His side is playing some great football and dominating games, but keeps being let down by a weak first choice striker and an even weaker keeper. You could add a shaky central defence to that list too. It is now on him to sort out both ends of the pitch and I see no reason why he won’t or can’t.

[mfc]

We're a lot further along the line than I thought we would be,we have a manager that's only just in the door that inherited a shambolic mish mash of a squad,some of the players we have brought in are absolute quality,fadinger and just to name a few,were playing some of the best football any of us have seen for a long time.granted the last couple of weeks have been frustrating but there's an enjoyment and excitement around the club again which has been missing for too long.this team is only missing 2 or 3 players and we will really kick on,we have made great strides in a short space of time already.

[star sail]

I have just watched the highlights and Ward definitely gets nudged in the back. The Killie attacker is actually very cute about it making no attempt to play the ball. He just pushes with his arm into Wards lower back to unbalance Ward and push him underneath the flight of the ball  

It would have been a soft free kick but Butland got a free kick for similar contact against Tony Watt last season. 

I would go as far as to say that if that had happened to Jack Butland yesterday going into the last 10 minutes with Rangers defending a lead , it would have been given as a foul. 

Ward should still have done better but it is not as black and white as it maybe first appears. 

More generally on the game, the support were crying out last season for a better style of football that was attractive to watch. We now have it. Happy days.

[wellgirl]

7 hours ago, robsterwood said:

Never got fouled. Just poor goalkeeping. Basic error Flapped and fumbled the ball. Easy goal and more points lost

Other people have said he was fouled. 

[Mad Dog]

1 minute ago, wellgirl said:

Other people have said he was fouled. 

I thought that there was contact but Ward should be stronger in situations like that. Definitely seen freekicks given, though.

[mio]

7 minutes ago, Mad Dog said:

I thought that there was contact but Ward should be stronger in situations like that. Definitely seen freekicks given, though.

My issue was it was clear he was never in charge of that cross, he was out of position when it got whipped in and he was aware there were Killie players behind him….. why in that situation did he not either punch or tip it over for a corner? He tried to catch it which was really bad decision making.

i think Ward could be a decent back up keeper but we need Oxborough back and I think JBA will have him back in the next game. It’ll be a good judge for us to see if he is a strong manager or not.

[stv]

15 hours ago, wellgirl said:

JBA has said he thinks Ward was fouled for the second goal. 

What was he supposed to say..... that's an easy catch to make my granny could have caught it , that's the second time in a week we've lost points cause of him .No protect the player as all managers do.

Fair enough but he has to be dropped for next game or more points will be chucked away.

Pun intended.

[mfc88]

100% behind JBA. The style of football is a joy to watch.

For any doubters, last season our first home game vs Killie (under kettlewell) was also a draw... irrespective of how it was achieved, which draw would you rather watch us play out? It's a no brainer man.

Room for improvement? Absolutely, but it's still early days. Play like we did and we win games like yesterday more often than not.