Handsome_Devil

Showed how good th decision was!

Had Bair not scored his overall performance would be judged much more harshly. But he did, with a fine finish no less, so he can certainly feel he's taken a first step on his redemption arc season. We certainly weren't brilliant but nor were we awful. That defence though, jeez...if you think our season will be defined by the 25 or so 'could go either way' games against peers, you certainly worry we'll throw in more goals than we're likely to be given. Away draws are rarely to be sniffed at so I suspect SK will be publicly happy while very aware work needs done.

With the caveat we don't have know about all knocks, that back three looks quite something... Pitching Baur straight in raises an eyebrow too. Obviously way to early to have the fear for the season but I certainly have the fear for the next few weeks.

A review of structures is vague enough to mean anything but since I'm 90 minutes from my Friday feierabend beer I'm being optimistic and saying good job they recognise something has to be done. I'll leave whether it's the right something for another time mind.

I'd rather roll the dice but if he's bottom of the depth chart because we're spending more on wing-backs, say, keeping him suddenly becomes more appealing.

Reading between the lines, I reckon we might have more to come than just a couple as I don't think SK would still be talking about getting folk out the door if he wasn't quietly confident of managing that. We need at least one if not two wing backs regardless. Ferrie will surely be loaned out and I reckon Efford is for the exit too - with Obika's injury history that means another forward is likely. If Maguire goes that leaves us with the need for another midfielder as remarkable as Miller is, we'll plan for using him carefully. So that's 3-4 easily before you consider the centre back situation.

Glad he's signed but realistically we still need another senior striker if we're looking to play two up top.

One of my favourite drums to bang is our goalie being our highest paid player and not getting a return of a transfer fee is fine. It's an exceptional approach because it's an exceptional position. Fwiw, in the last year of his contract, I expect Kelly to be impressive in the coming season. Probably needed...

I wonder what foot Maguire used to miss his penalty?

Missed that one so it didn't happen.

Off the top of my head, I remember us going to three promoted teams on the opening day and drawing from behind every time...so 1-1. Would be happy with that given where we are squad wise.

There have been guy who worked at Motherwell and didn't elsewhere, and guys who worked elsewhere but didn't with us. But I don't think I can ever remember taking a punt on someone with such s limited career who failed so spectacularly so far in Scotland. Here's hoping he proves us all wrong. I reckon we'll confirm the Arsenal guy later today or tomorrow to take the heat off...

I'd rather have kept Mandron...

Hearts, Hibs and Aberdeen have always had the potential to pull away from the rest but they finally seen to be run and monetizing in a way which makes it look more likely. The gigantic however, however, is they still face the same problems as us - they might buy or sign better players or managers but as soon as these guys prove themselves they will not want to hang around. The financial gap, big as it is, is nowhere near enough that if they're having to rebuild every two years they won't screw up occasionally. So while third currently looks miles off (and let's be honest, it always does), I think our chances of nicking fifth are pretty much unchanged. And that's ignoring that the financial difference is enough to show over 38 games but will have significantly less impact over 90 minutes.

We got mugged with a Steve Kirk equaliser wrongly disallowed too. Typical Motherwell mind, five games against a side which will finish below us that season and the only one we lost was in the cup.

One of my first memories is refusing to go to that game because I wanted to play computer games with my mate instead. Doh. I was just turned six. First game was possibly v Aberdeen in 86 or 87 but I don't remember much at all until 89/90. Cooper smashing one in off the bar v Dundee is one of the first goals I remember though I've never, ever seen it again. his masterclass with 10 men v United stands out too. Oddly I also have relatively clear memories of the 89 cup final. The biggest 'nostalgia' feeling is what kids could get away with in those days...tonnes of tig, running around all over the place when the game couldn't hold your attention which just wouldn't be on now, I suspect, even in the old style stadiums which could accommodate it. I also loved, particularly away from home, the first glimpse of floodlights towering high into the sky - the modern versions just aren't the same.

It's 18 years since we beat St Mirren in a cup tie - mixture of close losses and some absolute pumpings.

Hilarious, all that concern about being seeded and we'll get knocked out by Mandron!

Never in doubt etc.

We'll have two types of fan next week, those who panic and say so, and those who panic but keep quiet to look relaxed afterwards in case it turns out ok...

It's not the worst idea but as the point immediately above makes it seems an odd priority. I appreciate real life isn't a football manager shopping list but unless we're confident of a one-in-one-out arrangement, tinkering with the defence months down the line when we can hardly field an attack is odd. And of course all based on the rumour being true and there not being two striking superstars paraded on Monday!

And even better, if we're apparently this close to a done deal, it's not that much more of a leap to conclude we're close to getting at least one of the usual suspects out the door. Otherwise there's surely no way we'd be using up the precious budget to add yet another CB.

He certainly had a brief spell when was excellent but the issue with that pair is they arrived rough and - with a short exception for JH - got worse rather than better. And if you decide both not good enough, it's maybe easier to get the better one off the wage bill.

Other guy who knows....Bair surely not.

I for one am shocked, shocked, Obika may be injured again. This is a complete surprise. Anyway. If we don't sign a first pick striker by the end of August, I'll eat my metaphorical hat.