2026/27 Ins & Outs Discussion

[texanwellfan]

With some Decent draws theres a possibility of making it to conference league stage. That would bring in some decent money and some excitement to the season. But you’re right in that premier league is top priority. 

[grizzlyg]

Get the cape Verde goalie,  would make a packet on merchandise! 😜

[mio]

1 hour ago, Mccus28 said:

MJC on the other hand is a glass bone dry kinda guy 🤣

A glass bone dry, wedged in a sandal, buried in the Sahara desert …… type of guy

[grizzlyg]

2 hours ago, MJC said:

I’ve seen this movie too many times before to know not to expect anything other than disappointment. We have a great season, qualify for Europe, lose several players and by the time the games come around we just aren’t ready on or off the park. Either that or we just humiliate ourselves.

I am getting increasingly bad vibes about the upcoming season with us more or less having to build an entire team under a manger just in the door. It was always highly unlikely that we would get anywhere near last seasons levels but unless we get the recruitment spot on over the next month or so then we could be detached at the bottom of the league come the end of August.

I take it 'Good Vibrations' isn't on your Spotify playlist? 🤪🤪

[joewarkfanclub]

On the bright side, if all our good players do get sold,  Alfred has a blank slate and a shitload of dough to build his own team....

 

[wunderwell]

53 minutes ago, MJC said:

A European run was never happening, even had JBA stayed imo. We would still have lost key players and have been short of options come the tie. But as I said I’m not overly concerned about Europe, the real test comes when the league season begins and we’ve got a lot of work to do to be ready for that.

Beaten before a ball is kicked.

[Spiderpig]

2 hours ago, Mccus28 said:

MJC on the other hand is a glass bone dry kinda guy 🤣

Aye we had the same drivel last year when JBA arrived, and when Wimmer arrived etc etc. Apoarently we could be bottom of the league by the end of August, so still in contention for 4 trophies then, i can live with that.

[El Grew]

I wonder if the new gaffer had any inkling that he could lose half a team before the season gets going.

[texanwellfan]

Even not considering JT, Just and Watt, we should be able to field a team capable of beating HV

without too much thought, so, obviously, other options

Ox

JK Sods Moorman Longelo

Sparrow Priestman Fadinger

Said Thor RCC

Edit:  forgot all about Vogt

Edited 1 hour ago by texanwellfan

[star sail]

It is easy to look back with hindsight but I do remember thinking when watching the celebrations at Hibs that we were celebrating with a team that was about to disintegrate completely.

I was confident at that point that JBA was gone and being critical of his last few months with us, I think he was trying to convince us of a dream that he did not believe in himself. If you listen to his tone in his last dressing room address it is fairly obvious that he knew the team was going to look very different by the time the new season came around.

The legacy for Askou is the change in style and change in expectations at the club. The problem for Motherwell is that they are swimming against the tide and it is going to take some very talented people to ensure that legacy can be built upon.

We could be looking at losing Ward, Just, Watt, TJ and Longelo. We have already lost Slattery. In anyone's book, if that happens we are effectively building a squad from the ground again.

Askou did a fantastic job for the club but ultimately he was selling a dream that he was not prepared to see through himself so I can understand MJC's nervousness at this moment in time.

There is absolutely no doubt that Askou's time at the club has been a significant net gain but it may not feel that way if next season sees a drop off from last seasons very high standards.

[Richie]

13 minutes ago, texanwellfan said:

Even not considering JT, Just and Watt, we should be able to field a team capable of beating HV

without too much thought, so, obviously, other options

Ox

JK Sods Moorman Longelo

Sparrow Priestman Fadinger

Said Thor RCC

Particularly if we stick to the keep-ball and dominating games, rather than playing into their hands and launching it.

[David]

4 hours ago, grizzlyg said:

I agree, £800 k great business.  I fully get the distribution part but I am old fashioned and also like my keepers coming for crosses and saving shots.

The problem is, we don't play like an old fashioned team. If the new manager has been brought in based on continuity around how we play, as we've been told, then an old fashioned shot-stopper isn't going to cut the mustard. 

[grizzlyg]

6 minutes ago, David said:

The problem is, we don't play like an old fashioned team. If the new manager has been brought in based on continuity around how we play, as we've been told, then an old fashioned shot-stopper isn't going to cut the mustard. 

Very true pal.  Hopefully our scouting team will be looking for similar style of goalie.  I just was never really that sold on Ward, goes with my best wishes though

[grizzlyg]

One thing we need to do is give Alfred time and a chance to implement his style and bring in players.

Jens a very hard act to follow and at any club its always difficult to succeed someone who was so popular ( not quite a legend though 🤪🤪).

I have feeling he must have had an inkling we would lose our best players

 We already have 2 players in so lets see how things go.

COYW

[David]

21 minutes ago, grizzlyg said:

Very true pal.  Hopefully our scouting team will be looking for similar style of goalie.  I just was never really that sold on Ward, goes with my best wishes though

It'll come down to what the manager wants I guess. Maybe he'll look at Connolly and see a starter in him? I think if we're all honest, we likely never saw Ward as the clear number 1 for Jens last year at this time, and it worked out that way. 

[Jonesy]

2 hours ago, MJC said:

A European run was never happening, even had JBA stayed imo. We would still have lost key players and have been short of options come the tie. But as I said I’m not overly concerned about Europe, the real test comes when the league season begins and we’ve got a lot of work to do to be ready for that.

Know how when doing his weekly predictions on Football Focus Mark Lawrenson had Liverpool going undefeated for something like 5 years straight?

Same, but different.

[purestate]

14 minutes ago, David said:

I think if we're all honest, we likely never saw Ward as the clear number 1 for Jens last year at this time, and it worked out that way. 

After 16mins at Clyde I was all for punting him 😆 

Couldn't possibly have foreseen us getting £800k. 

I reckon Matty could easily play the European ties in required style so plenty of time to recruit another keeper if required. 
 

 

[Happyhonest]

So we need then

a goalie at least a backup 

 

centre back - lost Gordon and Welsh but replaced  one with Moorman.  Critical with the injury to McGinn and  O’donnell being another year older.  Felt our good defensive record last year was because we kept the ball so much so as we are likely to lose watt and have lost slattery.  Will Wilson develop or will he have another year out on loan?

 

 2 midfielder  to replace watt and slattery  bonus if creative.  Would like to see Ross and Whyte get more game time but if we are to make inroads in Europe numbers would help. 

 

winger seems in the building already with Vogt but likely to lose tawanda. 
a creative/ attacking midfielder will also be needed if we lose Just.

 

big years for Cook and Said

 

Striker up front with losing hendry we need cover will stama be the main man? 
think we need another striker as at least a back up.     Thor seems to be injury prone

 

so need 6 players a goalie a cb. Three midfielders and a striker. 

 

 

[weeyin]

6 minutes ago, purestate said:

After 16mins at Clyde I was all for punting him 😆 

I was more concerned about Slattery in that game.

[grizzlyg]

Just now, weeyin said:

I was more concerned about Slattery in that game.

I was more concerned about getting sunburnt that day 🤪🤪

[weeyin]

5 minutes ago, grizzlyg said:

I was more concerned about getting sunburnt that day 🤪🤪

Less of an issue for me watching it from my sofa on MFC TV.

[MJC]

1 hour ago, star sail said:

There is absolutely no doubt that Askou's time at the club has been a significant net gain but it may not feel that way if next season sees a drop off from last seasons very high standards.

It is very unlikely that we will see anywhere near the same levels of performance both by the extremely attractive football we played when at our best last season and how we finish in the table. And to be fair that is absolutely fine and reasonable to not expect a repeat because that was always going to be very difficult to repeat. If, for example, we finished bottom six after a pretty mediocre campaign but nowhere near relegation then we could probably look at that as a positive, certainly if that is what was being offered to us right now. It doesn’t work like that of course.

The key thing which will determine how our season goes will hinge on who we are able to bring in between now and the end of August and at this point we still have time to get our squad sorted.

[joewarkfanclub]

20 minutes ago, MJC said:

It is very unlikely that we will see anywhere near the same levels of performance both by the extremely attractive football we played when at our best last season and how we finish in the table. And to be fair that is absolutely fine and reasonable to not expect a repeat because that was always going to be very difficult to repeat. If, for example, we finished bottom six after a pretty mediocre campaign but nowhere near relegation then we could probably look at that as a positive, certainly if that is what was being offered to us right now. It doesn’t work like that of course.

The key thing which will determine how our season goes will hinge on who we are able to bring in between now and the end of August and at this point we still have time to get our squad sorted.

So why predict doom & gloom?

You admit there is a possibility we might not f#ck up the re-build?

[wellsince75]

24 minutes ago, MJC said:

It is very unlikely that we will see anywhere near the same levels of performance both by the extremely attractive football we played when at our best last season and how we finish in the table. And to be fair that is absolutely fine and reasonable to not expect a repeat because that was always going to be very difficult to repeat. If, for example, we finished bottom six after a pretty mediocre campaign but nowhere near relegation then we could probably look at that as a positive, certainly if that is what was being offered to us right now. It doesn’t work like that of course.

The key thing which will determine how our season goes will hinge on who we are able to bring in between now and the end of August and at this point we still have time to get our squad sorted.

completely agree with you. 

Avoid becoming the wealthiest club in the championship  - at start of last season, playing attractive football I would have early doors be happy with 8th in the league.  

Ive got similar hopes , too many variables and dependencies to expect anything more.  Albeit willing /wanting something better. 

Personally feel we should be further along in securing new players but appreciate that's easier said than done. 
 

[0Neils40yarder]

2 hours ago, El Grew said:

I wonder if the new gaffer had any inkling that he could lose half a team before the season gets going.

Be amazed if he was that wet behind the lugs