Motherwell FC - A Thread For All Seasons

[capt_oats]

1 hour ago, Ludo*1 said:

I suspect Danny Johnson has already paid for himself with today's goal seeing us net a home tie vs Aberdeen. He's a cocky lad at times. His celebration after scoring was, 'This is what I do'. He said he'd quite like to face off against you lot in the next round as it'd be 'Interesting'. And he's just constantly giving a remarkably self confident answer of give me the ball and I'll put it in the net that I've never quite saw before.

I thought your game today was a pretty accurate representation of Johnson tbh. That's what you'll get from him as he was very publicly announcing on the telly.

He got himself into good positions, the one he put over the bar was quite something and his goal was typical 'penalty box striker' stuff that he "does". I have absolutely no doubt he'll score goals for Dundee and if you keep playing him alongside either Nelson or Curran then he'll potentially be a very good player for you.

The flip of that is that when the ball was going up to him, it was coming straight back a fair amount.

There was one instance where he gave away possession, chased back for a bit then just stopped and watched. I think it was Keatings who had the shot that brought out a decent save from FlapJack. That's kind of OK when you have a front pair chasing and harrying centre backs but it's not OK when one of the main roles is to hold up the ball (which it is in our current shape).

His whole 'this is what I do' chat is quite amusing because it suggests that he's still completely oblivious as to why Robinson wasn't playing him. For Robinson him sticking the ball in the net wasn't enough he needed someone who could offer more in terms of his all round game. Johnson either didn't get that or he was just unwilling to adapt.

It's been clear since January that we've changed our style of play we binned 2 up top and switched to a shape with direct wingers with Ariyibi and Hastie, the centre forward needs to be someone who can hold the ball up, bring others into play (and score goals so cheerio Curtis Main).

Danny Johnson, much like Elliott Frear, is a bit too specialist a player. We seem to have focused our recruitment this summer on players who offer a bit of flexibility, pace and creativity. Which is nice. It also meant that Johnson became marginalised.

Our form for the post-winter break without Johnson had us 3rd behind Celtic and Rangers and the fans generally seemed on board with what we've been doing with the #SexyMotherwell brand. Unfortunately as others have said previously in the thread when Johnson did get on the park his cameos where he was trying to fit into our system were painful to watch at times.

Absolutely no hard feelings towards Johnson, he wasn't Jacob Blyth, he chipped in with goals but it was blatantly obvious that he didn't fit with the direction that we were looking to go in. It's been quite weird reading reactions from Motherwell fans on Twitter who don't seem to get that.

This article is particularly odd in so much as it completely contradicts itself:

Quote

"Johnson was easily the best natural finisher at Fir Park. Why Motherwell have decided to let him go after just over 12 months is baffling."

It's not baffling, it's answered in the next paragraph.

Quote

"Well boss Stephen Robinson likes to play with a big number nine who can press and hassle the backline with physical presence. Johnson just doesn’t suit that role, and despite being the best finisher, he never got a chance because of it."

Our current #9 Chris Long is neither particularly big nor is he a physical presence, but...OK.

Quote

"If Robinson gave him a run of games, Johnson would have thrived at Premiership level."

The article has just said that "Johnson just doesn't suit that role". It seems a stretch to then immediately suggest that he'd have thrived in a role he wasn't suited to.

Ultimately it is what it is, he was surplus to requirements at Fir Park because the team's style evolved rather than it being a reflection on him. He's been offered a chance to get first team football at a club who look like they're going to set up with a shape that will suit his game and will presumably free up a wage for us to bring in someone who fits with what we're trying to do.

Absolutely good luck to him.

Edited July 28, 2019 by capt_oats

[Ludo*1]

I've not quoted you due to the length of the post Capt, but interesting reading as per usual. The one thing I don't understand is that, yes, I get why you'd want a striker that can do a multitude of things, but if Johnson is the goal getter that everyone makes him out to be (And based on yesterday he looked like being), then it's foolish of Robinson to get rid. Who better to bring on when chasing the game and reverting to 2 up top?

Yesterday was the first I've ever saw Johnson, or at least watched and acknowledged. If his skill is putting the ball in the back of the net - Then he'd surely have his uses, and it's surprising that Robinson let him go for nothing.

[capt_oats]

19 minutes ago, Ludo*1 said:

I've not quoted you due to the length of the post Capt, but interesting reading as per usual. The one thing I don't understand is that, yes, I get why you'd want a striker that can do a multitude of things, but if Johnson is the goal getter that everyone makes him out to be (And based on yesterday he looked like being), then it's foolish of Robinson to get rid. Who better to bring on when chasing the game and reverting to 2 up top?

Yesterday was the first I've ever saw Johnson, or at least watched and acknowledged. If his skill is putting the ball in the back of the net - Then he'd surely have his uses, and it's surprising that Robinson let him go for nothing.

Tbh, I think Craigan touched on it in it on BT when he said that Robinson would have been happy to keep him around as a squad player but it wasn't really fair on the player given he had clubs giving him other options. He may just have been being polite in saying that IDK.

The upshot is that a squad player is all he'd have been. He barely got a look in off the bench from January onwards and keeping him around vs freeing up what is presumably a first team wage for a guy who would likely have been lucky to see minutes makes sense. It'd also mean that on a personal level Johnson gets to play first team football rather that be 4th possibly 5th choice here.

Robinson's been talking about bringing in another player (it has to be a "starter", "someone who's better than what we have" "not a squad player" apparently) for a couple of weeks and has previously indicated we set aside some budget in case anything comes up later in the window. I guess we'll see if Johnson's wage is added to that and who we bring in.

Edited July 28, 2019 by capt_oats

[nsr]

Guaranteed to score against us and do a Townsley-esque run the length of the East Stand.

[YassinMoutaouakil]

Feel like other people have covered Johnson's good points- and there are good points, like everyone else I think he'll get at least 15 this season. That said, he really really didn't make the most of the few opportunities he got in the latter half of the season. Hamilton at home and Hibs away come to mind as games where he was hilariously ineffective, even in comparison to Main. He honestly looked like a guy plucked from the Juniors being asked to play upfront by himself.

[Ya Bezzer!]

Hearts are absolutely stinking.

Won 4 out of 17 league matches in 2019, couldn't beat East Fife and were 1-0 down to Stenhousemuir before a centre half got two goals in the last 10 minutes.

It's not beyond us of course, but we'll have to be pretty shite to lose this tie.

[capt_oats]

The Record has us signing *checks notes* Ross Maciver...

Quote

Motherwell are set to sign freed Ross County youngster Ross Maciver on a one-year deal.

Attacking midfielder Maciver, 20, who has been training with the Steelmen, impressed Fir Park boss Stephen Robinson enough to win a contract.

Motherwell will see the youngster as a replacement for midfield starlet Reece McAlear, 17, who has now joined Premier League side Norwich.

Maciver was released after the Staggies pulled out of the reserve league.

After coming on as a sub in County’s Irn-Bru Cup win over Montrose in October, Maciver spent last term’s latter stages on loan at Elgin where he scored four goals.

 

[Swello]

2 hours ago, Ya Bezzer! said:

Hearts are absolutely stinking.

Evergreen sentiment.

[MJC]

Hearts may not be up to much but they still have the players to hurt us and I fully expect them to have re-signed Lafferty by the time this tie comes around. Man for man they are a better side than us and our last two victories over them we have needed two goalkeeping howlers - where they quite literally threw the ball into their own net - for us to get the win. It's not happening on this one, there is no way we are winning this tie.

I am absolutely scunnered with our Cup draw record.

[Dons_1988]

Hearts may not be up to much but they still have the players to hurt us and I fully expect them to have re-signed Lafferty by the time this tie comes around. Man for man they are a better side than us and our last two victories over them we have needed two goalkeeping howlers - where they quite literally threw the ball into their own net - for us to get the win. It's not happening on this one, there is no way we are winning this tie.
I am absolutely scunnered with our Cup draw record.

This feels slightly over the top

[wellinwigan]

6 minutes ago, MJC said:

Hearts may not be up to much but they still have the players to hurt us and I fully expect them to have re-signed Lafferty by the time this tie comes around. Man for man they are a better side than us and our last two victories over them we have needed two goalkeeping howlers - where they quite literally threw the ball into their own net - for us to get the win. It's not happening on this one, there is no way we are winning this tie.

I am absolutely scunnered with our Cup draw record.

You talk some pish pal.you're just becoming a parady..which players are better than ours. Do they have a better keeper ?  NO. Do they have a better central defender than Galagher? NO. Do they have a better rb than Tait?. NO.  Do they have better wingers?  No. Time you fucked off to another site 

[LIVIFOREVER]

3 minutes ago, wellinwigan said:

You talk some pish pal.you're just becoming a parady..which players are better than ours. Do they have a better keeper ?  NO. Do they have a better central defender than Galagher? NO. Do they have a better rb than Tait?. NO.  Do they have better wingers?  No. Time you fucked off to another site 

Yep, Halkett. That apart, I still think you'll beat them, esp with you playing at home.

[wellinwigan]

6 minutes ago, LIVIFOREVER said:

Yep, Halkett. That apart, I still think you'll beat them, esp with you playing at home.

I think we got the better of the 2 of them

[MP_MFC]

You're wrong, it's close, but Halkett is better.

[LIVIFOREVER]

Just now, wellinwigan said:

I think we got the better of the 2 of them

Fair enough, but you're wrong. I doubt you'd find a single Livi fan that thinks Dec is better than Halkett, and they played together since being in League One, into the Championship, and then last season in the Premiership, Halkett is Scotland bound now he's moved to a bigger team that is more high profile. As well as a superb defender, he'll also score 7 or 8 goals from set pieces.

[Savage Henry]

The Record has us signing *checks notes* Ross Maciver...

Motherwell are set to sign freed Ross County youngster Ross Maciver on a one-year deal.
Attacking midfielder Maciver, 20, who has been training with the Steelmen, impressed Fir Park boss Stephen Robinson enough to win a contract.
Motherwell will see the youngster as a replacement for midfield starlet Reece McAlear, 17, who has now joined Premier League side Norwich.
Maciver was released after the Staggies pulled out of the reserve league.
After coming on as a sub in County’s Irn-Bru Cup win over Montrose in October, Maciver spent last term’s latter stages on loan at Elgin where he scored four goals.

 


Just FYI, because, well Daily Record, MacIver was released last season, and Ross County are still in the reserve league. Other than that, spot on article and will read again.

[wellfan09]

If MJC was correct in predicting results we would 100% be playing in the Lowland league by now wouldn’t we?

[Swello]

3 minutes ago, wellfan09 said:

If MJC was correct in predicting results we would 100% be playing in the Lowland league by now wouldn’t we?

We'd be out of business, Fir Park would have been redeveloped into a mid-range supermarket and Alan Burrows would be busking in Brandon Parade using a Bontempi home organ.

[MJC]

51 minutes ago, wellinwigan said:

You talk some pish pal.you're just becoming a parady..which players are better than ours. Do they have a better keeper ?  NO. Do they have a better central defender than Galagher? NO. Do they have a better rb than Tait?. NO.  Do they have better wingers?  No. Time you fucked off to another site 

Do they have a better keeper? 50/50 in my opinion from what I've seen of that Zlamal.

Do they have a better central defender? They have Berra, Soutar and Halkett, that's fairly decent backline options.

Do they have better wingers? Well they've re-signed Jamie Walker so I'd argue yes they do. They've also got Mulraney, Clare and Harring.

Do they have better forward players who can do more damage than ours can? Undoubtedly, as Steven Naismith even at 33 is still a quality player who would walk into our team and improve it. Same goes for Ikpeazu.

Finally, I won't be fucking off anywhere, but thanks for your 'advice' all the same. 

Kisses xx

Edited July 29, 2019 by MJC

[wellinwigan]

9 minutes ago, MJC said:

Do they have a better keeper? 50/50 in my opinion from what I've seen of that Zlamal.

Do they have a better central defender? They have Berra, Soutar and Halkett, that's fairly decent backline options.

Do they have better wingers? Well they've re-signed Jamie Walker so I'd argue yes they do. They've also got Mulraney, Clare and Harring.

Do they have better forward players who can do more damage than ours can? Undoubtedly, as Steven Naismith even at 33 is still a quality player who would walk into our team and improve it. Same goes for Ikpeazu.

Finally, I won't be fucking off anywhere, but thanks for your 'advice' all the same. 

Kisses xx

Berra is finished.. soutar is calamity prone... jaimie walker hasn't kicked a ball in over a year and there is no way zlamal is a better keeper than Gillespie or Carson..SWALK x