21maxwell

I'd put Kelly in a mid tier just ahead of George Long, who whilst at times was a bombscare, had that unreal run of saves at Ibrox in the Playoff game which elevates my opinion on him greatly, then Ripley around them.

Just noticed another reserve fixture called off tomorrow at our request. Surely it would have been perfect to get some of the new guys 45 minutes and at least relatively up to speed for saturday.

I'm not a fan of us shoehorning players out of positions, but if we could do that today to ensure no Goss and Slattery that would be perfect. Home win, wednesday killed any optimism I had going forward.

Game was done after 16 minutes, just knew we weren't scoring.

I think one thing I sympathise with Maguire is that he came through around the same time as Turnbull and Campbell, thus expectations on a youth player coming through's ability was higher than usual from a fans perspective. The change of position at senior level probably didn't help as he did his experience loan at Queen's I assume as a centre back so that may have stunted his development. He works hard as we've saw from the pre-season tests etc, but if honestly if you're coming through at Motherwell and your 22-23, you should be starting every week or you won't make it at this level. Pending how long is left on his Motherwell deal, it could be best for both parties this loan.

Badly need 2 up top at one point, KVV can't run, Spittal's trying to support but cannot run. We cannot counter because there's no pace in the team and the ball just comes back to our bombscare of a defence.

Quite happy that we're targeting attacking players, its badly needed and hopefully its players than keep the ball in the oppositions half away from our bombscare of a defence. I do feel many defences stroll it against us with Van Veen's knack of coming deep thus leaving no one in the box when Connor Shields'' cross goes out for a goal kick when he doesn't look up. I could see Crankshaw possibly starting tomorrow but likely at the expensive of Deano, with Spittal in the 10 and McKinstry on the other wing. A more 4-2-3-1 than the usual 4-3-3. It's weird KVV can do some amazing things, but his lack of movement and dragging opponents away just surrenders any chance of us to stretch the game, sometimes he just brings the game to a pedestrian pace where whilst he can make something out of nothing the rest of the team lack the technique to do something special and do something against a low block. Truthfully the last week's probably the most worried I've been about Motherwell in a good while, the Flow news added to this as I do feel he's got the clubs best interests at heart, but hopefully 2 good results can kickstart the season.

We are absolutely fucked.

The short term memory of some roasters on twitter. Guess Shane Blaney was too long ago.

Although he was probably just injured or carrying a knock today, I wouldn't be surprised if we let Ojala go.

I think a saving grace is after 16 fixtures and mid November, there's the long break of no matches for a month. That period is going to be key for getting a new managers system full integrated into the team and get them to perfect fitness for the restart. Hopefully recruitment starts early as soon as that break hits, so boys are ready to sign and be in on Jan 1st, maybe even have done some training sessions with us before officially being unveiled and straight in for Livy on the 2nd Jan. It might be a horrible first half of the season and require a good bit of patience but if we can stay within distance, the World Cup break could be the thing that saves our season from being a complete nightmare.

I feel like I'm the opposite here, it's a results driven business and if he keeps getting results he's got to be considered.

Mibby Polworth's missus was right after all?

I never want to see that midfield 3 together again in my life. Not helped by how split Alexander plays them so it's practically Barry alone. Carroll, Morris and Spittal looked like they'd never seen each other before and kept getting in each others way, but they lets just play 2 pre-season games they'll be fine. Too slow, pedestrian and as always with an Alexander team, no movement, no dragging players out of position until wee Tierney does something. I've been a bit presser of getting Slattery in the team, but that 2nd half, he hasn't learned anything and still to immature in a game he should be commanding and dictating the play if he wants to progress higher. Literally would only give slight pass marks to Kelly (minimal to do), Lamie and McGinn - both seemed at least serviceable.

I see the Woolery deal as win/win for all parties. Transfer fee for a free transfer on a player who had 1 or 2 moments, but who's output was pretty poor compared to many prior wingers we've had. He gets a move, likely a really good wage and then a move back to England in 6 months when he doesn't settle in Turkey. 6 weeks to strengthen, plenty of time for 2-3 players to still become available when least expecting.

Money talks and some Turkish clubs are known to throw money about. If the fees good take the profit and move on. The cycle continues. Best chance of biggest fee was 1st year of the 3 year deal.

0-1 White

Full list from the bbc makes some scary reading.

I despise the stay in the league patter aswell, aiming for top 10 is such a lack of ambition. Should always strive for better on and off the park.

I want to like Joe Efford, there's a lot of effort there, but his first touch is tripe and he gets constantly bullied off the ball.

Can't wait to see how Motherwell ruin my weekend this time.

It's the most pre-contract agreements in a season announced before seasons end that I can remember. 4 in Alexander's full tenure. It does give over heavy get away from Alexander vibes. We won't miss O'Hara too much, the ball misses the midfield anyway.

International break, plenty of time to get someone in and allow a week with the players.

Manager, hoofball and Tombola tae f**k.

Sadly I feel this season is going to affect us quite badly for a few years. The style of football is awful, we're a club that relies on selling players, which player bar Liam Kelly, who can thrive under this type of football? None and goalkeepers usually struggle to go for decent fees. Prospects coming through to sell on - None. Alexander said at the AGM he proud of young players coming through like Barry Maguire - I'm sorry he's 23. In our landscape we need them to be further progressed, hell maybe even sold before they're 23. Not a slant on Maguire in any way, just arguing Alexanders Point. The direct hoofball does not work, I don't mind either Efford or Woolery, but 2 of their weakest attributes is their first touch and control. So sure lets just fire it up to them, rather than giving them the ball to feet and allow them to yi know, be creativity. Van Veen, whilst he's okish in the air, you can tell he just wants the ball into his feet or chest. The small exchange with him and Tierney at the end nearly resulted in a goal. If KVV's gonna keep dropping deep, this is where you need one of the 3 pushing up to support, or one of the wide forwards being within 20-30 yards of him. When we try build up play Goss and O'Hara practically go to LM and RM basically congesting that area and it just breaks everything down. Every seems to tailored to no risk and safety first, which see's a lack of creativity and especially movement. The set pieces aswell with the long throw, like we use it all the time it never works, other teams know will have figured it out. He needs a plan B and the lack of counter attack for defending a set piece would frustrate the hell out of you. We had a real chance this year to increase the fanbase with all the free season tickets giving up, but if anything all these people won't want to come back to watch this eye-gouging football every week. Don't be surprised if attendances drop to under 4k if we're bottom 6. We have the basis of a good team, just unfortunately under an out of touch with modern football manager, he has devoid them of any confidence and creativity.