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Presumably with Ronseal wood stain.

Don’t quite understand the comments on Wilson - from my view he had a solid game and had some good interchanges with Williams in attacking sense. Noticeable that manager kept him on the pitch for the whole game and trusted him in central role when Longelo came on. he might not be starter ahead of Longelo / Williams but nothing I saw gave me the fear.

I'm not sure why Ewan Wilson is being picked on tonight, I wasn't too impressed with him under Kettlewell, and I presume JBA didn't fancy him either, but he got forward well tonight and linked up with Williams on several occasions, and when he moved to centre half when Longello came on he looked comfortable playing the ball out. He will be third choice behind Longello and Williams on the left, and may fall further down the pecking order depending on signings, but he looked ok tonight.

I emailed the club after the Genk game to complain about the new pod seats, i subsequently received a phone call this afternoon from Brian Caldwell who explained the difficult choices the club faced in the pod to get the stand compliant for the HB game. He explained that for a host of reasons mainly the limitations of the pod in its current form it was a straight choice of either not using the seats in their old form, for the Euro games, with the resulting loss of revenue and relocation of ST holders that involved, undertaking extensive remodelling of the pod seat profile and reducing seat numbers to get new flip seats or go with the seats we have fitted now. So it seems that what we got was the only viable option open to the club, given the timescales and limitations involved. I think that the "new seats" will be with us for a while, but from what i was told i suspect that replacing the pod on the current footprint may be the preferred option, as i say thats my opinion, so i could be wrong. Having said all that it was nice to have some personal feedback on a complaint raised from the CEO, thats a good way to run a business so long may it continue.

Probably get my nose bitten off as you aren't allowed to criticise them but I hear bois are doing a walk tomorrow to stadium which will be great and well supported.....however....can you leave the flares at home? I know we have plenty cash but we cant keep paying out fines for flare displays. Get that drum and vocal chords in full flow. Thats best way to support us. COYW

Its a pre season friendly get a grip

If 'so fucking easy' is the worst behaviour from the trip then the fans have done well. All aboard the bible bus 🙏 🚌

3-0 Stenny..........I am stealing MJC's thunder 🤣🤣

Whit, they’re eating your dinner? I know we don’t pay a lot but ffs I’d have thought it would be enough for them to feed themselves.

Invest in pampers

I can understand MJCs concerns. To use an analogy - after you’ve tasted caviar and champagne, going back to soggy toast and cold tea would be let down. However, that’s a hazard all clubs of our size face. We had a progressive thinking manager (Bobby Ancell) and a fantastic young team in the early 1960’s (Ancell Babes) but again due to the draw of bigger clubs and bigger wages, it was broken-up. The most high profile players who left being, Ian St John to Liverpool, Pat Quinn to Blackpool and Bobby Roberts to Leicester City. Shortly thereafter Bobby Ancell left and that ushered in the Bobby Howitt era which for me looking back now was probably one of the poorest in our history. I didn’t think so at the time but barring our exploits in the Texaco Cup it was a pretty poor time made worse by seeing clubs of a similar size to us getting a chance to play European football - Dunfermline and Kilmarnock to name two. I just hope history doesn’t repeat itself but we need to give the new manager time to put his own stamp on things. COYW.

Must have watched that secret training video I shared with them.

Winner of most colours in a sentence isssssssss. 🤪🤪

Understandably there's been pessimism leading into this campaign. JBA goes, then Ward, Watt and Just follow Slattery out of the door- four players integral to what the club achieved last season - and a manager who gave us some of the best football we've seen as fans. Throw in injuries to the likes of McGinn, O'Donnell and Maswanhise and you can see why doubts were creeping in. No recognised striker in three competitive games so far - no problem. HB were dispatched with relative ease, but to go to Easter Road and take three points on the back of a tricky European tie away from home only three days earlier, is perhaps beyond the start we could have hoped for. First half, there was very little in it. Controlled possession and Hibs offered little. As an attacking threat, neither did we until a smart passage of play resulted in the penalty. Second half, we looked alright until the mistake gifted Hibs a way back in. After that while not quite backs to the wall, Hibs looked the more likelier to find a winner until that stunning late breakaway goal. First game I've watched in full and my initial thought is that the style looks to be similar to last season, which is pleasing. What I'm most impressed with is how quickly he's bedded in virtually a new back four (or five if you include goalkeeper). Paulsen will need to learn when he picks and chooses to come for crosses as opponents will identify this and employ tactics to block him, but his shot-stopping was decent, while he looked comfortable with the ball at his feet. Williams was, in the main, solid aside from his poor pass that lead to the Hibs penalty. However, the standouts were Moorman and Girdwood-Reich. Moorman looks a proper centre half, demonstrated perfectly by sensing the danger when twice clearing from the line. He can play a bit too. Girdwood-Reich was composed as well. To bed these two in so quickly is impressive work. The departures of Watt and Slattery have been offset by keeping Fadinger. Think once in the second half he gave the ball away. Apart from that, he was faultless. He is absolutely pivotal to what we do and how bigger clubs haven't picked up on him yet I'll never know. His partner Priestman was decent too. Needs to break the lines more, but when he does he's very effective as shown by the penalty. Further forward, Charles-Cook and Longelo flitted in and out. The Williams-Longelo partnership showed little bits of promise on the left. Charles-Cook had moments and should have scored, but I think he may have been offside. Vogt showed some neat close control at times. I'd be interested to get others thoughts, but to me he looks a little off the pace. Would have said he was the player most on the periphery yesterday. Said, as many will agree, frustrates the life out of you, none more so than in the second half yesterday where he had three Hibs players toiling to get the ball off him, only to then hit a simple 10-yard pass out for a throw. He'd absolutely be the first player at the club you'd pick for your five-a-side team. There's no doubting the talent. Johansson's job is to make it more productive and I thought he took the goal really well given it's an area he's not renowned for. Don't know if it's too much of a stretch to say with Just gone, Said can take up his mantle? Time will tell. What I did like is the transitions between the front four, making it difficult for Hibs defenders to know who to pick up. Like many, a forward (or two) is needed, but Johansson's decision to focus on building from the back is paying early dividends. Having solid foundations is key and his recruitment, at this stage, appears impressive. I think we're really up against it on Thursday. Best we can hope for is to give ourselves a fighting chance going into the second leg at Fir Park. Regardless, it's been a start with more positives than negatives. It's not been perfect, but I think we can all agree at this stage, we've got valid reason to hope for another good season.

As first games of the season go that was utterly brilliant. Not the greatest game or performance but we got it done and an excellent move and finish to clinch the win, which overall we deserved imo. After playing on Thursday night I was worried that we would perhaps run out of steam today and at times it looked like we would in the 2nd half but we picked up and did on day one what we failed to do until the last weekend of September last season.

We've had a big upheaval over the summer, new manager, great players moved on etc so a positive start to the season would be great, and give the team a confidence boost for the Helsinki game so id be very happy with a draw. No doubt if we get a poor result the usual subjects will be all over the forum tonight telling us how its bottom of the league, bottom 6, a relegation fight etc just before the Johannsen out thread gets started. Its a long season, especially if we progress in Europe, but as ive said before its where you are in May that counts, and in the scheme if things a defeat today means feck all , as we are still in contention for four competitions, so lets get behind AJ and the team.

The training facility plans were approved yesterday by North Lanarkshire Council, with a small number of routine conditions and notes attached e.g. unrecorded mine workings; tree preservation etc. The application, for which permission lasts for 3 years, did not require to go before the Planning Committee, due to its straightforward nature and small number of representations, which were all addressed satisfactorily.

First time I’ve listened to him talk to the press. Obviously speaks for himself And his thoughts but very much in the same mold as JBA. So I think MFC has done a great job and that we have the “same but different” and look to be serious about sticking to our new footballing philosophy.

He won't be able to rush anywhere because of his stauner

We have an ongoing injury problem at the club. Eating barb wire is only going to escalate the problem. They are football players, I guarantee some aren’t the brightest….. I fully expect At least one of them (Wilson) to be on the injury list having a ripped ar5ehole.

Aye! And they also had cheeky wee bastards Like you back then as well 😂😂

I can, it's my hoose.

Exactly, sadly there always seems to be one player that gets singled out. Remember the terrible stick SOD was getting a few seasons back. I think as fans we make an effort to give Ewan plenty encouragement. The lad is wearing the claret and amber jersey and trying his best and personally I thought he done just fine last night

Regardless of position on whether to stay or go, this is the most exciting part for me. I truly never thought Id ever see Motherwell Football Club do anything, other than exist hand to mouth. The turnaround in 2 years is extraordinary.

They could beat us 4 - 0 and I still wouldn't be embarrassed. You need to try and separate other people playing football from your own self-esteem.

... his big team got pumped last night

A good way to improve fitness is to play games.

I see the block e contingent are determined to get the club fined again with more idiotic pyro nonsense.

I remember as a kid being quite excited that we signed him and it was for quite a bit as far as I remember. I also remember getting a football card of him from a packet of chewing gum and being elated. He was wearing the Motherwell admiral kit with the 2 claret stripes down the front. Rest in Peace Mike.

I’m happy if I see us play decent entertaining football every week. OF course, finishing higher up the league, winning a cup would be more than welcome but when I started watching Motherwell as a wee boy it wasn't because I thought they might win the league or the cup and it’s still the same today. They are my home town team and I still get excited at the chance to watch them every week, even although that’s via streaming now. I think there may be a lot of people just like me who have found their way back to Fir Park, not because of trophies but because, once again, Motherwell are Playing football that is a joy to watch. I just hope that we can continue trend.

MJC on the other hand is a glass bone dry kinda guy 🤣

As much as I liked Ward, £800k for a keeper who isn’t that great a keeper in his final year of contract….. when we got him for nothing…… is a decent bit of business.

He'll be off to Ross County then.

No, you're not alone G & F. I agree 100% that the club should give interested fans the first bite to undertake work for the club irrespective whether its for payment or volunteering. Looking after your local community is a 2 way process. Well done to the club on that score. The club should however, have involved the supporters at a far earlier stage, as you rightly point out. The club submitted plans to the Council on 13 March and it was almost a month later that one of our own spotted, by accident I may add, the application on the planning website. Not a good look for a fan owned club. Now I'm not advocating that fans should have been consulted on the design, number of rooms, or the colour of the roof or anything so mundane. However given the substantial cost, scale of strategic investment, and the fact that the club does not even own the land on which the facility is to be erected I would have thought that the membership would have been informed, at the very least. A bit more transparency and accountability would have been sensible and justified. Thats before the issue of a POD replacement/stadium relocation is taken into account. I quite get that the need for a new training facility is pressing and won't wait 10 or 15 years or whatever. However, it would have made sense to consider this development as part of the wider issue. Maybe it has but we just haven't been told? The Society has generally improved consultation with members over minor issues, but this should also extend to major ones too.

Basically, for the avoidance of doubt, I think the SFA are a corrupt body. We all saw what happened at the end of last season, or at the very least had our suspicions for years. But hey ho. I stand by my previous statement: we should have a closed top league of two clubs who play each other 38 times a season and can riot and vandalise each other's grounds every week. I'm glad the club is appealing the fine. I don't think McInnes said anything wrong or untrue that day. I still think both Glasgow clubs' allocations at Fir Park should be restricted to the top tier only in light of the pitch invasions and other instances of "over exuberance" (if you can call it that). I don't think there's any more to be said now. I'm going to enjoy at least 30 league games this season and hope we do well. But if I never see or hear about either Glasgow club again, I'll be a happy man.

Gives us more cover in defence and certainly sounds like good pedigree. Hopefully last loan deal, like to see more permanent ones coming in now

For younger readers who wouldn't get the reference, I append this old Sportscene footage to explain:

You mean Ange?

I was not a fan of Wilson as a player and I thought we’d seen the last of him when he went off to Raith but credit where it’s due, I thought he played really well last night and looked a better player than the one that left us. The manager sees something in him and sometimes that’s all that matters to raise your game, confidence goes up and performances improves… long may his form continue

Well done to Captain Sparrow and his young crew. Off to the North Atlantic next week for the next battle. Hopefully get through that with no astro turf injuries.

Absolutely ridiculous comments from some on the lad...he may be the type of player we keep around the squad, because he will be relatively cheap and can do a job. Slating a guy after 30mins of a friendly is a new low from some of the heid-the-baws...not that I'll be forming an opinion of him after tonight's performance either but ffs give him a chance

The independent report into the OF pitch invasion is pretty damning for the SFA. It basically says that they are not using their powers consistently and I think there is an implication that they are far too lenient on the Old Firm in particular. In this particular situation, the two tier policing of Motherwell and Derek McIness could not be more blatant. McInnes comments were said in anger on live television in the immediate aftermath of a highly volatile ending to the match at FP. His comments were heard by millions. They were inflammatory and clearly called into question the integrity of the officials. Watt posts on social media to a considerably smaller audience, a comment that may question the competence of the decision but not the integrity of it and his punishment is worse. You cannot get a more direct and obvious comparison. The SFA have had time to consider this response and will know themselves the discrepancies in this decision making so you have to come to the conclusion that they simply don't care.

The glaring answer for a club our size is to employ the same advantage that other clubs of similar or smaller standing use in countries like Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Faroe Islands, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Kazakhstan and others. Summer football. Start our league between late February and early April, then finish between late September and early November. It's actually pretty interesting when you look at the teams from those summer leagues who have essentially turned that advantage they have into part of their business model. There's about 3 million Euros to be made by qualifying for the group stage of the competition we're in just now, I believe. Add on TV rights, higher attendances and prize money for performances, and you're talking about a decent chunk of change. The much-discussed Bodø/Glimt have gotten it down to a fine art. Even before they were well-known as the club they are now, they were able to regularly make a decent fist of it in Europe because in qualifiers they would catch the August/September to May teams cold. Those wins resulted in financial windfalls that they then used intelligently, of course. Rinse and repeat. It's why we see teams like them, Molde, Malmö, Djurgårdens, and even the likes of Shamrock Rovers do reasonably well in Europe. Clubs our size are never ready for these games, and we have to try to find a way through with a patched together team that involves players who might be eyeballing a move away from the club, who've just signed for the club, and a bunch of kids. Throw in the new manager effect and it can go wrong really quickly. But we'll never go down that route. Because it makes too much sense.

The overwhelming concensus so far re the "seat upgrades" in the POD seems to be that it has been a shambles and resulted in the pod now having the worst seats in the stadium. For me i hope the club are taking note and acknowloging an error has been made. The only decent response would be to admit the error and try to resolve the issue asap, if that means ripping the new seats out and replacing them with a proper fit for purpose seat then so be it. I know the ST prices were partially standardised over the 3 home stands,but now those fans in the pod are paying a premium price for the worst seats in the stadium, which is a disgrace.

That was a hangover from the previous season though, not from a standing start, and had been building from about March. He should really have been dealt with as soon season as the previous season had ended rather than prolong the agony. As shite as Ricki Lamie was the worst thing he ever did was score that goal v Livi or Alexander would never have made it to the Sligo game.

You get the sense that Motherwell have got under the skin of the SFA last season. What should have been a real positive for the game in Scotland with one of the smaller teams genuinely competing (and often outplaying) with the 4 big city clubs now has more of a sense of reprisal than celebration about it. Is it possible that the authorities felt genuinely threatened by what Motherwell were trying to do? It seems far fetched in the extreme to think that is possible and yet for the authorities to come down on Motherwell not once but twice with punishments that don't really fit the crime seems more than just a coincidence. I can see no positive motive in actively targeting Motherwell in this way and yet as fans of the club and for the club itself there is a palpable sense that we have indeed been targeted. I have found myself drifting away from football in recent times largely because of the governance of the game both nationally and globally ( look at FIFA in the WC). Motherwell were pulling me back in last year. They were a breath of fresh air and yet the powers that be seem determined to drain the life out of any flicker of hope that things can be better. There is an inconsistency about the SFA response to many of these matters. When there is so much to fix in the game in this country (Old Firm pitch invasions being one) it seems a little like booking someone for parking over two carparking spaces whilst a riot is kicking off all around. It's all a bit weird.

I’m not complaining, but it’s Interesting that after all the hype about Rangers and Celtic wanting to sign Elliott, Just and Maswanise, they’re both prepared to dole out transfer fees on players from abroad of the level that was suggested they may need to pay us for these players. Not prepared to pay Scottish clubs proper transfer fees for their players but hoping they will jump at the first number THEY decide they WANT to pay. They don’t want other clubs to become financially independent and/or stronger. 😡

It's cute that you think 1990 is the "modern era"

Whit ? Softy's pen hit your bus ? I thought it crashed off the bar !!

It's our first game of season......... Ay ay....calm down calm down