Livingston v Motherwell 25/10/2025

[wellsince75]

Agree that we need to win, this is the type of game we always need to win and fingers crossed we do. 

Personally think some of the criticism is a bit harsh.  We're the 4th top scorers in the league and at half time on Saturday we were at that moment 3rd - appreciate it was fleeting but it does highlight the margins. 

Appreciate we've fluffed our lines at times, some defending has been poor but in the main it's been individual errors rather than poor tactics and that could well be down to the type of player we can afford at our level.  

I do think the energy expelled in the first half comes back to bite us - a little more judgement needed re when just to keep the ball v's go in all out attack but we're literally less than a handful of games into a new season, new squad, new manager.  This is all going to take time. 

The positive re low expectations is that's often when we surprise ourselves.   3 points please at the weekend chaps, that will do nicely.  

 

 

[grizzlyg]

58 minutes ago, Kmcalpin said:

Slattery shouldn't start. Maybe give him 15/20 minutes when we start to flag late on. Swap Gordon for McGinn as Livi will be very physical. Will Longelo & Koutroumbis be fit? If we are in a position to do so, we shouldn't risk anyone unnecessarily.  

Yup, Gordon for McGinn for me also. If both full backs slight doubt then I would play Sparrow right back and SOD on the left

[Richie]

From the training pics it looks as if Longelo is fine

[joewarkfanclub]

57 minutes ago, Richie said:

From the training pics it looks as if Longelo is fine

Longelo, Koutroumbis & Slattery all in the training pics which is encouraging.

I agree that Gordon & Welsh should start. Although this Livvy side are not the long ball, physical side of old, Gordon still provides more set piece security.

[grizzlyg]

I see Livi have quite a few defenders injured so hopefully we can take advantage. 

Putting positive spin on season , apart from jambos and sellik the most league wins any team has after that is 2!!, only one more than us.  Just shows you how tight the league is.

Yes doesn't disguise fact we should be on 14 or 15 pts but it's a job in progress and we all need to be on board. Last thing we need is bad vibes from the stands.    Fine tuning still required but JBA has transformed us in a short time and I am sure come January will have more targets lined up that suit our style.

COYW

[mio]

Just looking forward to the game again, and hopefully we can put to bed last weeks 2nd half performance. I’ve no doubt they’ll have been working hard all week on the good and bad of the Falkirk game so let’s see where it goes. 
I am genuinely quite relaxed on the points tally and league position for now but The defeat bugged me quite a bit on Saturday, more so due to Falkirk’s incredibly annoying fan base online and Brian Graham and Scot Arsefield being on a winning team against us ….. but I’m willing to forgive and forget if we beat Livi 🤣

have a feeling it may be a draw though.

[Kmcalpin]

2 hours ago, grizzlyg said:

I see Livi have quite a few defenders injured so hopefully we can take advantage. 

We'll see on Saturday. I'm always sceptical of pre match injury stories. Shane Blaney injured again. 

[joewarkfanclub]

Its gonna be interesting to see who is risked on the plastic pitch.

I know its a significantly better surface than the previous incarnation, but it still has to be a consideration.

With Stama and Hendry both coming back from injuries it could be a tight call up front (Surely Osong doesnt start?).

Also with Koutroumbis and Longelo both going off flast week, will both be fit enough to be considered?

Big decisions for the manager with one eye inevitably being on the semi final......

[SteelmaninOZ]

The gaffer said 

 

[well_said]

58 minutes ago, joewarkfanclub said:

Its gonna be interesting to see who is risked on the plastic pitch.

I know its a significantly better surface than the previous incarnation, but it still has to be a consideration.

With Stama and Hendry both coming back from injuries it could be a tight call up front (Surely Osong doesnt start?).

Also with Koutroumbis and Longelo both going off flast week, will both be fit enough to be considered?

Big decisions for the manager with one eye inevitably being on the semi final......

We have got a home game v Dundee United in between. 

[grizzlyg]

1 hour ago, joewarkfanclub said:

Its gonna be interesting to see who is risked on the plastic pitch.

I know its a significantly better surface than the previous incarnation, but it still has to be a consideration.

With Stama and Hendry both coming back from injuries it could be a tight call up front (Surely Osong doesnt start?).

Also with Koutroumbis and Longelo both going off flast week, will both be fit enough to be considered?

Big decisions for the manager with one eye inevitably being on the semi final......

Semi final obviously huge but we need to get points on board so cant afford to rest players but definitely don't risk ones where the pitch could be a factor.  We are so close to giving someone a right doing but need to be decisive in final ball and switched on defensively

[joewarkfanclub]

2 hours ago, well_said said:

We have got a home game v Dundee United in between. 

Not sure what that has to do with my point?

If Stama, Hendry or anyone else is risked on the plastic and get injured, they will likely miss the semi final.

However, still need to fulfill the fixture and could do with the 3 points.

[stv]

6 hours ago, well_said said:

We have got a home game v Dundee United in between. 

Aye but that's on grass

[robsterwood]

Semi final not massive as it's old firm in final. Would be more interesting if final was against other side. Been to last 3 finals against old firm and never even competed in the games. 

[joewarkfanclub]

6 hours ago, robsterwood said:

Semi final not massive as it's old firm in final. Would be more interesting if final was against other side. Been to last 3 finals against old firm and never even competed in the games. 

Seriously?

How any Motherwell fan can so easily dismiss getting to a cup final is beyond me.

Im 56 years old and Ive seen us play in 5.

Ok, we have only won one of them, and having either Celtic or Rangers in the final always makes things harder. But these are not strong Rangers and Celtic teams, and this Motherwell team has already shown it can go toe to toe with both of them this season.

The League Cup semi final is a huge game for us.

Given that we cant win the league, surely we can still dream of winning a cup?

[gaz7]

Just listened to managers press conference and doest he come across great. He is big on little percentage differences and how our league position isn't justified. I am fully with him on this. Football yes is all about results but their needs to be foundations for it to be sustainable. Jens is trying to build as we all know and I just hope that some who I feel are shortsighted in their feelings about our results do not chase him out and we are back to firefighting every year. He is ambitious and talks about other small clubs throughout Europe who are now competing with big boys. Yes tomorrow is big and we certainly need a result but if we don't which is possible I just hope the majority  keep calm. 

[Spiderpig]

9 hours ago, robsterwood said:

Semi final not massive as it's old firm in final. Would be more interesting if final was against other side. Been to last 3 finals against old firm and never even competed in the games. 

Stop talking nonsense, for a club like Motherwell getting to a major  final is massive. Yes every one we have contested since 91 has been against the ugly sisters both of which had teams far superior to the teams they have now.

So yes if we make the final it will be against one of them but given the way they are both playing currently we have nothing to fear, especially from the blue uglies.

[SteelmaninOZ]

Callum Hendry talks 

 

[texanwellfan]

3 hours ago, gaz7 said:

Just listened to managers press conference and doest he come across great. He is big on little percentage differences and how our league position isn't justified. I am fully with him on this. Football yes is all about results but their needs to be foundations for it to be sustainable. Jens is trying to build as we all know and I just hope that some who I feel are shortsighted in their feelings about our results do not chase him out and we are back to firefighting every year. He is ambitious and talks about other small clubs throughout Europe who are now competing with big boys. Yes tomorrow is big and we certainly need a result but if we don't which is possible I just hope the majority  keep calm. 

Exactly!!  Very similar to my view. He’s barely got his feet in the door and already has transformed us and done something that I don’t think I’ve seen in all my years supporting the ‘Well…. Increased the attendance at Fir park!!!  
Yes, we all want results but it’s early days and we need to have confidence that results will come. However, we need to realise that they might not come as quickly as we would like and may not come till after January or maybe next season. I think we have a much better chance of becoming a good team by supporting JBA and the players in what they are trying to do than reverting back to “normal” guid honest laddies approach which makes your eyes bleed. 
Fair enough to make comments and some criticism on forums but let’s keep it in perspective and let’s not get on their backs and start panicking, especially at the games. We know there will be ups and downs but I think the fans have to stay positive. I’m excited to see what JBA can achieve with us and have already enjoyed this season way more than any of the recent past ones. 

[texanwellfan]

2 hours ago, Spiderpig said:

Stop talking nonsense, for a club like Motherwell getting to a major  final is massive. Yes every one we have contested since 91 has been against the ugly sisters both of which had teams far superior to the teams they have now.

So yes if we make the final it will be against one of them but given the way they are both playing currently we have nothing to fear, especially from the blue uglies.

Obviously, I’m hoping we make it to the final but also hoping the blue uglies make it, so that Welsh can play in the final. 

[grizzlyg]

3 hours ago, gaz7 said:

Just listened to managers press conference and doest he come across great. He is big on little percentage differences and how our league position isn't justified. I am fully with him on this. Football yes is all about results but their needs to be foundations for it to be sustainable. Jens is trying to build as we all know and I just hope that some who I feel are shortsighted in their feelings about our results do not chase him out and we are back to firefighting every year. He is ambitious and talks about other small clubs throughout Europe who are now competing with big boys. Yes tomorrow is big and we certainly need a result but if we don't which is possible I just hope the majority  keep calm. 

Brilliant post,   agree 💯 

[mio]

1 hour ago, texanwellfan said:

Obviously, I’m hoping we make it to the final but also hoping the blue uglies make it, so that Welsh can play in the final. 

One step at a time as we still have to play a Wimbledon circa 1988 side to get there but I agree I’d much prefer Rangers as they are the poorer side …. but Celtic will also not be too confident going into a final after their last shambles against Aberdeen. If either us or st Mirren manage it, both have a really good chance of causing an upset.

[FirParkCornerExile]

14 hours ago, robsterwood said:

Semi final not massive as it's old firm in final. Would be more interesting if final was against other side. Been to last 3 finals against old firm and never even competed in the games. 

The two worst Old Firm sides we'd ever face in a final.... 

[robsterwood]

1 hour ago, FirParkCornerExile said:

The two worst Old Firm sides we'd ever face in a final.... 

We were up against a rangers team in 2005 that had bob Malcolm and Ross in side. We had O'Donnell and Scot Mcdonald but still lost 5.1. There's usually old firm bias. Budget divide is massive.

[Richie]

Swings and roundabouts.

Alot of it depends on the state of the squads and how Röhl performs.

Johnston got injured again last night and CCV done his achillies as well. Ihenacho also got injured.

An injury to others Eg Scales, or McGregor and they are in a mess.