capt_oats

I mean, who did it better lads? Could the bold Sergio do it on a cold, wet, windy night in Dingwall...

Aye. That game pretty much finished him as a centre back option IMO, was it not around that time that he started being re-tooled as a midfielder?

Tbh, I think it's down to the balance of the three. One of the issues with Maguire IMO has been the question of "what is Barry Maguire?" is he a Louis Laing type experiment of a centre back in midfield or is he actually a secret ML1 Busquets? I think Crawford does that neat and tidy thing in the middle of the 3 quite well in Donnelly's absence whereas I'm not sure that role is Maguire's game. Like, for ages I've wondered whether he's a holding mid, a #6 or an #8...it's kind of been difficult to tell especially with Turnbull and Polworth having the #8 and Campbell having the #6 positions on lock.

I stan Polworth but there's absolutely zero argument for changing the team up just now. In fact it can't be that much of a coincidence that we've hit a tiny bit of form since Alexander has come in and has us playing a consistent shape with largely the same bodies (save "injuries" (Hi Declan) and suspensions (entirely Polworths fault)).

Following the equaliser against County last week, Long's goal last night was another where all 3 forwards were involved in the build up. I get that out front 3 has been quite fluid under both managers but it's interesting that Robinson always seemed to view Cole as someone to contribute from wide areas yet here he is chipping in with the 6 yard box finishes as a #9. He's 4 in 5 now with Alexander as manager and while that sort of rate is clearly unsustainable it's worth pointing out that he only scored 4 in his full loan spell last season. Anyway, aye...if Chrissy Long decides that he'd quite like to be good at fitba' again that would be absolutely smashing.

Tbf I didn't expect any of the new players to be starting. I see there's no Seedorf on the bench though. Anyway I take it a "muscle injury" is the new "back injury".

#Grezza

Oh...this is interesting. Moot since it didn't happen (and may be completely made up) but interesting if we were looking in this direction.

Genuinely tickled at the idea that his whole petted lip bit this season has been a huff because they gave the #9 shirt to Jordan White and didn't keep it for him.

Clearly pleased that we kb'd the Gammons of Millwall but also good to know there was some concrete "substantial" interest in Campbell from a Championship side rather than the vague kite flying sort of chat that was doing the rounds about Aberdeen and Hibs.

So from the point Robinson chucked it our squad changes have been: OUT: Callum Lang (loan recalled, Wigan), Jordan Archer (contract expired, Middlesborough), Jordan White (permanent, Ross County) IN: Liam Kelly (loan, QPR), Steven Lawleff (permanent, Burton Albion), Harry Smith (loan, Northampton), Sam Foley (permanent, St Mirren), Jordan Roberts (loan, Hearts), Eddie Nolan (loan, Crewe Alexandra), Tyler Magloire (loan, Blackburn Rovers) Loans recalled: Peter Morrison (Falkirk), Jamie Semple (Cove Rangers), Harry Robinson (Queen of the South), Ross MacIver (Morton)

Bienkowski suggesting that it was indeed Millwall who offered the "substantial" amount.

Aye, although the club can announce it whenever. Accies just announced Collar's away 20 mins ago for example.

On Roberts, there was some chat over the weekend about Seedorf being away. If that is the case then I'd say it makes a bit more sense. Overall though I think it's absolutely fair for Alexander to have looked at the starting XI and thought...fine? Then looked at the rest of the squad and baulked. Clearly not seen his press conference but Alexander saying his best business of the window is retaining players speaks to that (presumably he's talking about Campbell, Gallagher and O'Donnell rather than the bold Sherwin or Lamie).

Aye, I don't see Foley being anything other than cover in the midfield. If Cornelius is loaned out and we're not rushing Donnelly back then I'd say O'Hara's still around the starting XI - maybe not every week but most.

Haud the bus, who was saying that?

I've not seen any of the comments but I am absolutely not surprised they exist. To me it's pretty fucking mental if folk aren't able to get their head round bringing in some experienced players is a good thing. Bringing in some older heads is exactly what we should have been doing in this window. Even someone like Roberts who may (probably will) end up being pish but he has more games under his belt than Hastie and Seedorf combined. It's one of the things that stood out to me compared to a Robinson window where we'd pick up boys in their early, mid-20s then have a wee moan about us having "a young team who haven't been streetwise enough" when they lose.

I mean, yeah it is. As @Kyle was pointing out...the squad (as it stands) looks fucking massive. In a sense though it's been bloated by us seemingly recalling a bunch of players (Semple, MacIver, Robinson) and including someone like Charlie Dunne who, with the best will in the world, probably won't kick a ball for us again (this season at least). Going by the first team squad page on the official there are 34 bodies (soon to be 35 if we announce the other new guy this morning). Of those 35 - Carson, Fox and probably Dunne won't kick a ball again for us this season. Donnelly is a long term injury who hasn't played since August and is still over a month away from being able to play a game. Devine, Semple, Cornelius, Robinson and MacIver are essentially players who ordinarily would be in the Reserves. Looking at our numbers there's a fair chance most (if not all) could/should be loaned out in the next couple of weeks.

As far as I'm aware we can bounce folk out on loan to the Championship and below all through February. Folk like Semple have been training at the club through the season anyway so I'd think Alexander would be able to have had a look at all of them. Loaning Semple to a team at the other end of the country in a fucking pandemic seems fucking daft in hindsight. From that squad you could easily imagine Semple, Cornelius, Devine, MacIver, Devine (and Hussain) all being loaned out once the lower leagues start up again. In terms of winners and losers this window I don't know if there are many of the former but bringing in 2 wingers and a couple of centre backs doesn't seem like a vote of confidence for Seedorf, Hastie and Lamie (or McGinley to a lesser extent). Overall though while I'd imagine folk are quite underwhelmed by the names: Kelly = upgrade on Chapman Lawleff = upgrade on Seedorf/Hastie Smith = not Jordan White Foley = our only real cover in midfield had been Maguire and Cornelius Roberts = not Seedorf/Hastie Nolan = not Ricki Lamie If Magloire ends up signing then yeah, "also not Ricki Lamie". Either way this window has definitely been an admission that we absolutely fucked it in the summer.

Assuming we sign the boy who's faster than Mbappé this is how the squad looks including all injured outfield players and recalled #YoungMotherwell

It's the anti-Jules. "Custom built"

I've a feeling we might see a couple of announcements about mutual consents and maybe a couple loaned out to the lower leagues (we also have a bunch of injuries Carson, Fox, Donnelly are all out long term and Dunne's only really here to rehab)

SOD STAYS! I'm a bit surprised but not really but kind of am.

One more, to be announced tomorrow says Burrows to his reply guys.

Motherwell IN: Eddie Nolan (from Crewe, loan)