Leaderboard

Presumably with Ronseal wood stain.

Self entitled fannies.

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.

Zinger! .... you've not lost your touch yet quite a pivot from the points I was making Your response is almost entirely conjecture. You've ignored the substance of my post and substituted a series of "what if's". That's your prerogative, but at least acknowledge that you're no longer arguing whether the Major Votes policy applies, you've moved on to speculating about how a future project might be delivered. Is that a sidestep or a stepover? It's certainly not a rebuttal. My post wasn't asking whether you prefer Dalziel Park or Ravenscraig, we're at either end of what is, a distinctly separate debate on this. You have came out supporting upgrading Dalziel Park as the more sensible and financially frugal option, and that's a perfectly valid poistion. The point I raised was about governance. If the club commits to a multi-million-pound project, does the Major Votes policy apply? That is the question you haven't answered. Instead, you've moved the discussion towards hypothetical costs, contaminated land and construction difficulties. Those are legitimate considerations, but they don't address whether the process that was introduced last summer should be followed or the major question marks over ownership and residual value of anything we do at Dalziel Park. As for the research point, there's a difference between evidence and speculation. I've looked at comparable projects, the wording of the policy, publicly available information and the wider context. Your response is largely built around "could", "might" and "possibly". Again, nothing wrong with raising risks, but let's not pretend that is the same thing as researching the issue. Ravenscraig was a steelworks during one of the least regulated industrial periods in this country's history. Of course there are areas where ground conditions may need assessed and have been. There are also thirty three former mine entrances around the Jeviston end. That's actual research. Equally, there are now housing developments on parts of the site, so the suggestion that the area is some unusable contaminated wasteland doesn't stand up. If there are areas unsuitable for buildings, then grass pitches are hardly the most challenging use of land and a good remedy. The reason Ravenscraig has stalled is far more complicated than your "contaminated" assertion. The 2008 financial crisis, the pandemic, political posturing and obstruction, delays around infrastructure, North Lanarkshire Council's handling of the site and the wider lack of investment in the area have all played their part. Halfords and Evans Halshaw were demolished a couple of years ago. The bridge under the railway was built. Where are the roads and roundabout it was supposed to facilitate? So yes, I've researched this considerably more than you have demonstrated. On the point about expertise, I actually agree with you. Motherwell FC does not have a construction team sitting on the payroll capable of delivering a project of this scale. Our chairman used to try and create a buzz about jeans and t-shirts yet he's knocking the football figurehead thing out of the park, I've seen nothing to suggest he won't gen up or delegate to more knowledgeable heads on the matter. That's why construction projects aren't run by football clubs. They employ architects, quantity surveyors, project managers, engineers and specialist contractors for the duration fo the project. No different to when the football department needs expertise, it goes to the market and recruits it. And nobody is suggesting cost pressures don't exist. Inflaton and supply chain issues are real. But projects are still being delivered. Glasgow has cranes everywhere. Developers, councils and businesses haven't stopped building; they have adapted, adjusted scope and found innovative ways to make projects work. I hope you appreciate that we recieve £33 for every adult OF ticket sold at present. We purchase materials at today's prices but in 20 years time with inflation running at 3.1% we receive a significant increase in revenues yet if we seek finance, its based on today's build cost. In 2046 following the past 20 years we're be charging £61. My post was about whether the club is following its own governance policy. Your response is about whether you think Ravenscraig is the right option. Those are two different discussions and by all means ignore the parts of my post you don't have an answer for, but at least acknowledge them for the benefit of the wider audience. Otherwise it gives the impression that you're engaging selectively with the bits that you find easiest to challenge rather than addressing the actual point being made. Although I think this is all moot, the desire to get a training ground complex green lit is to facilitate the demolition of the POD with little things liek the equalisation of season ticket prices throughout the home stands as minor tells. However, as a fan owned club we're doing this in reverse and being told what's happening rather than help mould it.

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.

1) terrible pitch 2) 6-7 out injured with 2 more off injured 3) 3 youngsters on at end and Maswanhise playing full game after injury lay off 4) proud as feck, great result

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

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.

I think a lot of our fans are comparing what we look like right now to how Jens team was playing October to March. This time last year we had drawn with Clyde, put questionable performances in against Peterhead and Stenny, beat Morton and drew away to St Mirren with barely a shot on target. I actually think we are a bit further along the journey with this squad than we were this time last year. Our horizons have just lifted a little, so we no longer view things the same way as we did post Kettleball. Nothing wrong with that, we should always be striving for better, but we should maintain some realism at the same time.

we weren't lucky to get a draw. Falkirk created absolutely fuck all. We hit the woodwork twice and both Maswanhise and Koutrombis skyed efforts that should have been goals. We didnt deserve to win but by no stretch of the imagination were Falkirk unlucky not to win.

Not to put a downer on a good night and 500 top class fans but the 100 that piled onto the park and bust an advertisement board need a boot in the baws. Thats a fine/potential ban coming!! We can’t be acting holier than thou when other certain fans do it when we are doing the same thing.

If their whole team were denied visas, would we be awarded a 3-0 win by default? Because I might know someone who works in that department...

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.

First time in the new seats in POD. They are terrible. Most uncomfortable seating i have sat in. Obvious this was the cheapest option. Too close , bad design, flimsy and dig into your back. Did they actually do a test with the new seats before installing them . Strip out a few seats and a few rows in a block n see how it went testing under matchday conditions with folk sitting in them.Trying to get past each other when there is folk sitting in the row in front . The back of the seat moves into the passage space behind making it even narrower. With hot food and drinks in their hands people can't pass in front of you . Its a fukin shambles. Wonder how long til someone gets a couple of cups of roasting hot bovril spilt over their head. Seen it almost happen today. Tall guys knees protrude over the back of back rest in front. Folk arriving late and leaving early cause chaos . Some one(probably an older person) is bound to get hurt over the season. This must be classed as an unacceptable risk , if there was ever a fire or a panic it would be chaos . I would love to see the risk assessment for this and access for those with restricted movement. No way there is the same space between the rows as before when occupied. Two skeletons couldn't pass each other safely never mind your average Scottish football fans. Who is responsible for this shambles. Get them to sit in the middle of the centre block for 3 games and then give us an honest opinion. The POD center block has gone from one of the most comfortable seats in the league to one of the worst to watch a game from. Not enough thought went into this before it was carried out. Still to see what happens to my knees when we sc0ore a goal Official line seems to be if you don't like it then move. Fair enough ????

I actually like them, I think they bring a great atmosphere and I love the TIFOs ( or attention seeking knobbery lol) I think it’d be a sh1ttier atmosphere without them. I just draw the line at pitch invasions and battering advertising boards. High emosions or not, stay off the fkn park.

Oh No, my AI prediction system, The Match Judge Computer, or MJC for short) has actually predicted a win for us over two legs with Thursday being 1-1 and the return leg seeing us win 2-0. I should point out it hasn't been right yet. Predicted a 1-1 draw against HB away and a 2-1 loss to Hibs. Like with the forum MJC, I prefer to see predicted defeats 🙂

I don't know what was more pleasing. Scoring that excellent, one touch passing, winning goal or listening to the commentator calling it "classic Motherwell".

My AI prediction system (which predicted a draw on Thursday night). Has predicted a 2-1 win for Hibs. Based on its last two predictions, I'm going to call it the MATCH JUDGING COMPUTER. Or MJC for short.........

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.

That 3% chance is all it takes for MJC to go rushing to the bookies

You mean Ange?

Setting aside how uncomfortable and cramped the seats are, the health and safety implications are a major issue.. Seriously, until you have actually been in the seat and attempted to let someone limbo past as the rear of the seat collapses under you, it is difficult to appreciate how much of a mistake they have made....no matter how many good intentions came into play. Heaven forbid, but the thought of needing a quick Stand evacuation is frightening. And that is a factor the issuing of a Safety Licence must take intro account. I've been to most grounds in Scotland and I'm struggling to come with one that is worse than what we have been landed with. Next time you are back home I'll happily let you try it out.

For me Greatest Ever Signing isnt about financial recompense. Its who had the greatest impact at your club. For all the reasons listed above it has to be Davy Cooper. Quite simply, without him, we dont win the 91 Scottish Cup and dont have the 2 nearly title winning teams (allow me licence) of my generation. Some of the older guys might point to other players outwith my memory base and guys like Graham, Wark, Marinello, Davidson etc will always have a special place in my heart, but Cooper is still the best Ive ever seen in Claret & Amber.

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.

Financially we are doing very well, no argument from me on that score. You can also add on a modest 5/6 figure fee for the Ox. We also have the relocation of the stadium / replacement of the POD stand to factor in. However, healthy balance sheets don't increase attendances. On the playing side, I was not surprised that JBA left at the end of the season. Despite his positive words I never thought he'd stay with us very long. I'm sure the directors would also have been well aware of his intention to move months ago. Kyrk Macmillan is doing a good job as far as I can tell, but it was a mistake to tell the fans that everything was ticking over nicely during the search for a new manager when it clearly wasn't. It was also naive of the directors to tell the fans that all our best assets wouldn't be sold at the same time. That raised unrealistic expectations.

Totslly agree with you on that one uncomfy cheap shoddy crap, basic plastic sests screwed to an unfinished plank. I know there was limited time to replace them but for me they have made a complete mess of them. Every other stand now has better seats than the pod, i know the options are limited with it but for me they have opted for the cheap crappy option and it shows, we should be getting a reduction in our ST prices for having to sit in them.

A spirited defence of your big club as usual, but both of them are two cheeks of the same arse, ie equally culpable of everything that is wrong with scottish football.