capt_oats

That's yer Steve Robinson finally confirmed as Oldham manager. http://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/?p=52466

I was wondering that myself however if it's the case that the club have purposely decided to be *ahem* more 'discerning' in their choice of sponsors then it limits their potential options and by extension limits the potential investment. while I'm sure the club would be aiming to maximise revenue they may be happy to balance things out with an open working relationship. in a way it might actually be beneficial to the club (though not in cash terms) if they've got a sponsorship deal that allows them to be a bit more flexible with what they can & can't do within the terms. the fact that within the space of a day they seem to have been able to act on apparent demand is a pretty good thing IMO.

The only thing I can think is that they've opted to change it up as they've had claret shorts the past 2 seasons.

In a wee update on the strip the club have indicated that they'll now be making it available with/without the sponsors logo depending on preference (a few folk had been pointing out that their kids might want the replica of what the players were wearing on the park.) Fair play to the club and Motorpoint for sorting that out.

It's such a weird thing to put on a shirt. Had they done a 130th Anniversary top as a 3rd kit then yeah, I'd have seen the point in that and could have given a bit of license to do something different but commemorating the last time we won the cup is just odd, fine release a DVD, have events and the like but to build a kit around it? Whit? It's a shame since it'd be a really nice top without the watermarking.

It is true. The online shop has the mock-ups live just now. http://www.motherwelldirect.co.uk/

Not surprisingly seeing as they've just signed Valdes. I'd have thought they'd want Ripley going to an English Championship club.

Yeah I seem to recall his name being mentioned. McManus certainly had a black eye. There was also suggestions that Robinson had been involved too. Out of curiosity can anyone remember whether it was Baraclough who brought Robinson in or the club? I think I may be misinterpreting a comment from Craigan along the lines of "the best signing the club has made is Steve Robinson"

He's already signed Nicky Law, Tom Hateley's currently on trial with Bradford and they were being linked with Erwin so who knows? Reading Burrows' comments in the Herald it looks like Robinson to Oldham is pretty likely and from reports flying around Baraclough's lined up as assistant, I wonder if that would be an option for Ainsworth? For all Baraclough's faults (and there were many) he did manage to get some decent performances out of him at times.

The Scotsman reporting Josh Law's been released for 'family reasons'. I know it's been rumoured that he'd be moving on for a while. Fair enough if that's the case and it suits all parties. Best wishes and all that. The fact that we've not only brought in Tait but also had Laing, Kennedy, Cadden, Watt and McMillan fill in at right back at various points recently is enough to suggest that it was an area McGhee was looking to address regardless. Edit: The Scotsman doesn't actually say he's been released, simply that he's been allowed to leave/speak to other clubs. Nothing to say that he has actually left.

In fairness to Kennedy for the first one...that ball from McManus! Ooooooooft!

Baraclough as his assistant is hilarious though it'd be disappointing to see Robinson go as by all accounts he's been effective in the assistant role and has been one of the genuine positives from the Baraclough era. If he fancies a shot at management then fair enough, you'd hope there would be some sort of compensation due given he extended his deal in April unless of course there's some sort of waiver in there for a management position. Interested to see who we'd bring in as a replacement. I can't see Craigan really wanting to step up from his u20s/N.Ireland u19s/pundit roles.

Just watched McGhee's post-match interview. Don't know whether it was just a turn of phrase but quite telling that he describes Tait as a "replacement" for Law.

The problem with Ainsworth is that he signed a new deal last summer and is presumably on considerably more than either Law or Chalmers. I think he definitely offers more than Law or Chalmers but it's difficult to justify having someone who's likely to be one of our higher earners sitting on the bench and it's a fair amount of budget to only be getting 20 or 30 minutes. Realistically it's becoming increasingly difficult to see where he fits in the side. McGhee tried him as part of the front 3 last season and it didn't really work, tried him in a 4231 and it was one of our worst performances of the season (though playing McDonald as a lone striker didn't really help much there). In an ideal world I'd keep him but I can't help but think that if we could move on Law, Chalmers and Ainsworth then it'd help the balance of the squad if we could re-allocate that budget and bring in one (or even two) in the centre of midfield. What I would say is that I could see us being a bit more flexible with Law and Chalmers, even if we could get them loaned out and off the wage bill it'd be a start. In Ainsworth's case he probably has a nominal value. I know you probably take McGhee's statements to the press with a pinch of salt but he seemed to confirm this the other week when he was asked about the Ross County link: "Every player is available at the right price. We run on tight budgets and have to consider every offer." http://www.motherwelltimes.co.uk/sport/local-sport/mcghee-denies-county-have-moved-for-ainsworth-1-4164918

Interesting wee snippet from McGhee in the blurb on the club website: "In terms of our recruitment, we would still like to bring in one central midfielder and we have a specific target in mind. However to do that whilst ensuring we keep a tight grip on our budget we're going to have to wheel and deal a little." So, possibly a couple out and one in?

The response from Argyle fans is absolutely spectacular. Heads gone all over the place.

Just had a quick look at McHugh's highlights video from Bradford. Quite a few headed goals there.

The official line from McGhee is that Samson will start the season as #1 but I think most people's expectation is that Brill will get his shot eventually.Watched the 'highlights' that MFC put up on their YouTube and it seems as if absolutely nothing happened in the first half. Looking at the team we put out it's not a huge surprise that it was a weird game in that bar Cadden our 'experienced' players starting were guys who were on the fringes last season ie: Ainsworth, Chalmers and to an extent Kennedy and with the subs James Scott is 15 and from the sound of things Jordan Armstrong is a similar age group. Pleased to see the likes of Turnbull and Campbell getting decent minutes though, both played yesterday and today. Also curious to know how Stachini got on at left back compared to Chalmers. The goal was a shambles defensively.

Same guy that was putting the boot into Gauld for not being in Sporting Lisbon's first team.

Interested to see how Stachini gets on seeing as we've brought him in from Sheffield Weds and left back cover for Hammell is very much a problem area.

Only going by the highlights package the club put up on YouTube (and I know we're light in midfield so needs must) but Dom Thomas seems to be adapting his game and playing a lot more centrally as an attacking midfielder rather than a winger which seemed to be his default. Again, only going by the clips, and acknowledging he's still only 16 so unlikely to be a realistic starter but I thought that Turnbull looks like he's got potential in that playmaker role that the first team has been lacking for years. He seemed to be clipping balls all over the park.

Enjoyed your periscope work sir.

From the sound of McDonald's interview there's a fair chance we could see Pearson back. The ISL only runs September - December so him coming back in January is probably a decent shout.

Delighted that McDonald's taken up his option. Of all those who could have moved he's the one player that I'd have been gutted about leaving. Will be interesting to see what midfielders we're looking at, would much prefer actual signings over loans.

From what I've seen of the 20s Turnbull and Campbell both look like they've the potential to follow in Cadden's footsteps. I know everyone goes on about Campbell on account of the cup final performance but I think Turnbull looks like he could be a really accomplished midfielder.