Motherwell V Hibs 21/03/2026

[grizzlyg]

We move on and hopefully can bounce back. If we can win this one its 9pts clear plus a much better goal difference.  I think we were all starting to believe the impossible so possibly explains a lot of the frustration especially on my part...plus I despise the old firm.

Maswanhise needs to get back to his levels or else he won't be getting any big move.  I think big Thor alongside him would help and save Said as an impact player off the bench

[joewarkfanclub]

2 hours ago, Kmcalpin said:

My target this season was 7th spot.  So, we've more than achieved that. Bottom line its been a great season results wise. Performance wise even better. As the season progressed and we settled in 4th spot I became increasingly optimistic that we could finish there. I never thought, at any stage, that a title challenge was even a remote possibility. Ambition wise, that left a top 3 finish, and I always felt that was extremely remote and is now well outwith our grasp. My disappointment at Dens was our chance to win our game in hand and pretty much seal a 4th place finish and we failed. 

To put things in perspective, this is JBA's first season in charge and he's introduced a completely alien way of playing. I've been surprised at just how well the squad adapted. Our possession stats rocketed and just look at the number of clean sheets we achieved - unheard of in my time. Its the best football I've seen from us since I was a young lad i.e. the latter days of the Ancell era. Is it the best Motherwell team I've seen? No. The team of the mid 70s, which won nothing, was a better all round team.   

Why am I questioning our mentality in big games? Rangers in 2 home games; Hearts at Tynecastle where we blew a 3 goal lead; 2 losses at Parkhead; League Cup Semi Final defeat to St Mirren; Aberdeen loss in the Scottish Cup; and Dundee at Dens. Now I'm not saying that all of that was down to our mentaility because it wasn't. JBA settling in tactics wise; poor refereeing/VAR; and sheer bad luck have all played a part, but lack of that hard mentality has been a theme running through these games. As I'm finishing this post, I've just read Thewellfan's post. To crib from him/her our away form has been fair at best. Our possession stats haven't always translated into hard goals and results. 

We are where we are and I'm more than happy with that. I'm confident these weaknesses will be rectiifed in time for next season.  

Apologies for the rant and straying off topic. 

Dont disagree with any of that.

The only thing I would take issue with is that its a "mentality" thing.

Some bad decision making, lack of quality at vital times, bad refereeing decisions and just plain bad luck have all contributed to the games we have lost this season.

At no point have I felt that we just never turned up or bottled it.....

[weeyin]

2 hours ago, joewarkfanclub said:

Dont disagree with any of that.

The only thing I would take issue with is that its a "mentality" thing.

Some bad decision making, lack of quality at vital times, bad refereeing decisions and just plain bad luck have all contributed to the games we have lost this season.

Also agree about the mentality thing. We' re not perfect, but I see no evidence of a mentality issue.

We always knew this approach would sometimes create mistakes that cost goals. It's an intense approach that, more than other approaches, needs all the players to be 100% switched on at all times and all players to be in sync at all times. 

I also think the amount of success and quality play we have watched tends to make errors stand out even more. A bit like when someones makes an aimless punt and there's a collective groan.

[thewelllfan]

4 hours ago, bobbybingo said:

Hearts just lost at Kilmarnock. They also lost a huge game at Ibrox and have failed to beat us so far. Celtic lost a cup final to St Mirren and still trail Hearts in the league. Rangers have only lost 2 league games but still sit in 3rd place, They lost a 2 goal lead at home to Celtic, and followed that up by going out of the cup to them in a penalty shoot-out last week. St Mirren have 9 huge league games coming up, plus another semi-final. We'll see how those go.

Other than Falkirk fans, probably, I guarantee every other set of supporters have asked/are asking questions about their team's mentality this season.

Hearts have beat both the OF twice and sit top of the league. They're going to lose games their not a Celtic or Rangers type machine their in unknown territory to them and have been top of the league for the best part of 6 months. I also don't see how any other teams mentality is relevant to what I said. We haven't won any games with pressure on us this season. Went out both cups to teams we're unbeaten against in the league and when the media started talking about a title challenge we've lost the 2 games since. I like watching us under JBA but as far as I'm concerned our seasons basically been over since we went out the cup. I'd like to get into Europe but I'm also wary we'll most likely be without our manager and multiple key players (Maswanhise, Slattery, Welsh at a minimum) and probably Just as well. So bringing in a new manager and half a starting 11 doesn't fill me with confidence.

[bobbybingo]

6 minutes ago, thewelllfan said:

Hearts have beat both the OF twice and sit top of the league. They're going to lose games their not a Celtic or Rangers type machine their in unknown territory to them and have been top of the league for the best part of 6 months. I also don't see how any other teams mentality is relevant to what I said. We haven't won any games with pressure on us this season. Went out both cups to teams we're unbeaten against in the league and when the media started talking about a title challenge we've lost the 2 games since. I like watching us under JBA but as far as I'm concerned our seasons basically been over since we went out the cup I'd like to get into Europe but I'm also wary we'll most likely be without our manager and multiple key players (Maswanhise, Slattery, Welsh at a minimum) and probably Just as well. So bringing in a new manager and half a starting 11 doesn't fill me with confidence.

If you think our season's basically been over since Pittodrie, fair enough. I don't feel that way at all, and whatever happens in the summer, I'll wring every bit of enjoyment I can get out of the remaining games. 

[weeyin]

15 minutes ago, bobbybingo said:

If you think our season's basically been over since Pittodrie, fair enough. I don't feel that way at all, and whatever happens in the summer, I'll wring every bit of enjoyment I can get out of the remaining games. 

Absolutely.

It's one of those rare seasons I don't want to end.

While I'd love to win a cup, I enjoy watching us perform at this level week-in week-out, and would be delighted to see us play the same way for another 38 games.

[joewarkfanclub]

17 minutes ago, bobbybingo said:

If you think our season's basically been over since Pittodrie, fair enough. I don't feel that way at all, and whatever happens in the summer, I'll wring every bit of enjoyment I can get out of the remaining games. 

I agree.

Using the above logic our season has been over in January for the last 4 years as we have never thought winning the league was possible.

Whether you believe we had any chance of winning the league this year or not, just having a conversation about it was something new.

This season wont be over for me until the last ball is kicked and we see how high up the league (or otherwise) we finish.

I think 4th and European football would be a very good return on top of the entertainment we have enjoyed this season.

[weeyin]

10 minutes ago, joewarkfanclub said:

I think 4th and European football would be a very good return on top of the entertainment we have enjoyed this season.

Especially considering we had a complete overhaul of our style and tactics at the start of the season.

Earlier in the week JBA and SOD talked about "the journey" from where we were in our draw against Clyde and narrow win at Stenhousemuir. To come from that to (semi) serious title chat has been far more rapid progress than most of us could have hoped for.

The next test is how do we sustain and build.

[thewelllfan]

50 minutes ago, weeyin said:

Especially considering we had a complete overhaul of our style and tactics at the start of the season.

Earlier in the week JBA and SOD talked about "the journey" from where we were in our draw against Clyde and narrow win at Stenhousemuir. To come from that to (semi) serious title chat has been far more rapid progress than most of us could have hoped for.

The next test is how do we sustain and build.

I don't think we'll get the opportunity to build our gaffer will be off and unless your giving the job to his rookie assistant manager there's not going to be much continuity. Your also going to have to trust the recruitment to get it spot on again to replace Maswanhise, Slattery, Welsh etc which we all know at clubs our size is hit and miss. I'm not trying to be negative that's just the reality of clubs like ourselves. I have enjoyed this season but can't help but feel it's an opportunity to win something that's been passed up again. The only 2 other recent-ish seasons i've felt similar was the McCall 12/13 team and the Robinson 17/18 team.

[grizzlyg]

17 minutes ago, thewelllfan said:

I don't think we'll get the opportunity to build our gaffer will be off and unless your giving the job to his rookie assistant manager there's not going to be much continuity. Your also going to have to trust the recruitment to get it spot on again to replace Maswanhise, Slattery, Welsh etc which we all know at clubs our size is hit and miss. I'm not trying to be negative that's just the reality of clubs like ourselves. I have enjoyed this season but can't help but feel it's an opportunity to win something that's been passed up again. The only 2 other recent-ish seasons i've felt similar was the McCall 12/13 team and the Robinson 17/18 team.

I am not convinced Jens will be away. I think a 2nd season for him builds his CV even more.  As I said yesterday cash in on Maswanhise and use some money to build and make us even stronger. 

Hope we get good crowd in Saturday.  4th the priority so we need everyone on board. 

COYW

[weeyin]

20 minutes ago, thewelllfan said:

I don't think we'll get the opportunity to build 

Of course we can build.

JBA has been revolutionary for us, but the style he plays is very common across most European leagues with teams big and small.

The fact that it's unusual in Scotland speaks volumes about our approach to the game, but there is no reason we can't find a replacement who adopts a similar style.

As I have said before, you only need to watch the "wee" teams who regularly beat Scottish sides in the European qualifying rounds to see how common our style is.

In fact, I predict 2 or 3 other Scottish sides will be recruiting to copy us next season. 

[thewelllfan]

12 minutes ago, grizzlyg said:

I am not convinced Jens will be away. I think a 2nd season for him builds his CV even more.  As I said yesterday cash in on Maswanhise and use some money to build and make us even stronger. 

Hope we get good crowd in Saturday.  4th the priority so we need everyone on board. 

COYW

I'm going to enjoy the football on show for the rest of the season but I fully expect for the manager and the squad to get picked apart in the summer.

Slattery is OOC. Welsh goes back to Celtic. Maswanhise will be sold. Just and Watt will have suitors and I'm doubtful we'll be blocking moves for them given we market ourselves as a place where you can earn a move. I suspect we'll be another new look Motherwell team next season and we'll have to wait and see how it goes.

[texanwellfan]

I’m hoping our players can perform at the top of their game for the remainder of the season. Said and JT struggling a wee bit so be interesting to see if JBA perseveres with them or tries something different and how he deals with left back situation. 

[thewelllfan]

Anyways My team v Hibs would be

Ward

SOD McGinn Welsh Sparrow

Watt Fadinger

Maswanhise Slattery Just

Bjorgolfsson

Said needs dropped he's been poor last few games I'd of dropped Sparrow as well but he's played LB the most of the players available so he needs to play.

[grizzlyg]

3 minutes ago, thewelllfan said:

Anyways My team v Hibs would be

Ward

SOD McGinn Welsh Sparrow

Watt Fadinger

Maswanhise Slattery Just

Bjorgolfsson

Said needs dropped he's been poor last few games I'd of dropped Sparrow as well but he's played LB the most of the players available so he needs to play.

I would go same team. Sparrow only in due to longelo and Johnny K being unavailable 

[grizzlyg]

Are hibs fans allowed in cooper suite before game? One of my work colleagues coming through from Edinburgh with his daughters and friends. Was going to meet for pre match pint

[bobbybingo]

3 minutes ago, grizzlyg said:

Are hibs fans allowed in cooper suite before game? One of my work colleagues coming through from Edinburgh with his daughters and friends. Was going to meet for pre match pint

I thought Hibs fans preferred Spoons.

[grizzlyg]

11 minutes ago, bobbybingo said:

I thought Hibs fans preferred Spoons.

Ba dum tssssss

[wunderwell]

I'd make a few changes here

Ward
Sparrow
Welsh
McGinn
O'Donnell
Watt
Fadinger
Just
Maswanhise
Norwegian Guy
McFadden

Slattery and Said - I'm choosing to drop out, for a few reasons.

 

[Yassin]

2 hours ago, grizzlyg said:

Are hibs fans allowed in cooper suite before game? One of my work colleagues coming through from Edinburgh with his daughters and friends. Was going to meet for pre match pint

I don't think they're strict about away fans 

[dennyc]

2 hours ago, grizzlyg said:

Are hibs fans allowed in cooper suite before game? One of my work colleagues coming through from Edinburgh with his daughters and friends. Was going to meet for pre match pint

I took a couple of Falkirk fans in before that game. No issues whatsoever. In fact there were a good few in there. Last few games the place has been packed, with queues waiting to get in as folk leave. Probably because the place across the road shut down.

So if you go, get there early.

[Kmcalpin]

1 hour ago, Yassin said:

I don't think they're strict about away fans 

As long as they're not the Hibs psychos. 🤣