capt_oats

Ahhh, looking at that the shape of the pop button panel would tally with what I thought looked like a Velcro strip in the photo with Tait.

Given that Oldham seem to be dragging this Robinson thing out forever it could be that he's heading that way? As steelboy says though as long as he's still officially contracted to the club they need to adhere to those terms. Essentially he's at the club until he's not.

Claret shorts definitely my preference, then amber. I just can't deal with white shorts.

Agreed. Good work from the club (and Motorpoint from the sound of things).

if you zoom in on the mock up on the Motherwell Direct pre-order it looks like there's a button there but looking at the images released with Tait wearing the shirt it definitely looks like velcro.

I see what you mean but given that they're running the pre-sale using the mock-up without the logo I'd say that 1st team means the match-day kit.

They have literally said that they will be sold without sponsors. "We can confirm that the sponsors logo will only appear on the 1st team kit, retail kit will have no sponsors logo." https://twitter.com/thewellshop/status/751353563343949825

Both are nice looking shirts. If I'm being picky the only issue I have is with the trim on the home top, would have much preferred a solid band of claret rather than the claret, amber & white. Other than that it's basically the 89-90 Matchwinner top, car retailer sponsor and all.

Seems he got a goal as well.

The Scotsman are running the story in their 'rumour mill' as well though again it simply says he's been allowed to leave (for 'family reasons') not that he has actually left which is a fairly key distinction. Either way McGhee's stated that Tait's a replacement for Law and the fact that he's tried Laing, Kennedy, Cadden, Watt and McMillan at right back at various points recently is enough to suggest that it's an area that he was looking to address regardless. If it is indeed the case that he's leaving then best wishes and all that. Edit: Just noticed this bit tagged on to the end of the Herald's piece about Robinson: "Meanwhile, Josh Law also looks to be on his way out of the club after manager Mark McGhee let slip in a post-match interview that new signing Richard Tait had been brought in to replace him at right back. Law brother of former Motherwell and Rangers midfielder Nicky, has made 63 appearances for the Fir Park side in a two-year spell at the club. HeraldSport understands that Motherwell have reluctantly given him permission to look for a new club due to personal issues." http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/14602582.Motherwell_assistant_Robinson_to_step_out_on_his_own_at_Oldham/?ref=twtrec

Nah, you were right the first time. It's the 3rd tier. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FK_Viktoria_%C5%BDi%C5%BEkov

I noticed new Castle Water and Motorpoint branding around Fir Park when I was there the other week.

That is superb.

It's fair to say McGhee seems to have a bit of time for Laing. He's talked him up and tried him in a few different positions. Notably he indicated he was in his plans in his post-match at the weekend when he said that that Laing, Kennedy and Heneghan would be competing for a centre half spot. I'd be surprised if we were actively trying to move him on though equally if another team were interested I doubt we'd be difficult to deal with. McGhee's an intelligent man and has a vocabulary, the fact he described Tait as a replacement for Josh Law rather than an alternative to or competition for is telling. It doesn't necessarily mean Law has left the club as I type but it's fairly clear that he's expected to be leaving.

Compensation is only due up to the age of 23. As it stands he's over 23 (his birthday is Feb 5th ie: last season was the season he turned 23). The player was out of contract and as Superward says their statement only indicates that the player had expressed an intention to sign not that he had actually signed. Basically Plymouth are on to plums. Edit: http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/administration/regulations_on_the_status_and_transfer_of_players_en_33410.pdf TRAINING COMPENSATION Article 1 Objective 1. A player’s training and education takes place between the ages of 12 and 23. Training compensation shall be payable, as a general rule, up to the age of 23 for training incurred up to the age of 21, unless it is evident that a player has already terminated his training period before the age of 21. In the latter case, training compensation shall be payable until the end of the season in which the player reaches the age of 23, but the calculation of the amount payable shall be based on the years between the age of 12 and the age when it is established that the player actually completed his training. Article 20 Training compensation Training compensation shall be paid to a player’s training club(s): (1) when a player signs his fi rst contract as a professional and (2) each time a professional is transferred until the end of the season of his 23rd birthday. The obligation to pay training compensation arises whether the transfer takes place during or at the end of the player’s contract. The provisions concerning training compensation are set out in Annexe 4 of these regulations.

He discusses it in the press conference that's just been uploaded to the club YouTube

Not really, in context that quote was in response to him being asked about Neil Alexander. Who's 38. "But, contrary to speculation, that new signing between the sticks WON’T be freed Hearts star Neil Alexander (38), as McGhee said he was looking for a more youthful keeper." Last time I checked Brill was 30 a whole 8 years younger than Alexander...

Johnson was most effective for us last season playing as part of a 3 alongside McDonald and Moult. McGhee's stated that we're not likely to be looking for a striker: "Now that Scott's signed I don't think we need another striker" http://stv.tv/sport/football/1359331-mcghee-delighted-with-summer-business-but-wants-more-at-motherwell/

From the sound of McDonald's press conference it seems as if there's a fair chance of Pearson coming back. Also he clarifies the option/contract situation, says that to all intents he had never "left".

McGhee's already stated that it was one or the other with McDonald and El Bakhtaoui so with Skippy taking up his option that should be that put to bed. I doubt we're in the market for another striker now, it'll be 3 from; McDonald, Moult, Johnson, Blyth and Moore. Again in line with McGhee's comments midfield is probably our priority from now.

Agreed. It wouldn't surprise me if the press have been conflating McDonald's situation with the other out of contract players. McGhee said himself that McDonald was "effectively" under contract because of the option which to me suggests that the option should he take it up is per the original agreement.

Nah. It's up to 23. F3: Compensation shall be payable to the former Club of a Player only where the Player concerned is Registered with his new Club at or before the end of the first Season in which the Player concerned reaches, will reach or shall have reached the age of 23. http://spfl.co.uk/docs/067_324__therulesofthescottishprofessionalfootballleagueasat1december2015_1450456828.pdf

It's not that there hasn't been a big announcement, more that there has been no announcement at all by either MFC, Burnley or more pertinently Leitch himself. You'd normally get a wee "thanks to MFC, all the best to the club" then his pals from the 20s pile on etc. The fact that hasn't happened yet is enough to suggest that rather than MFC trying to keep it quiet they're simply working to an agreed timeline. Which isn't to say they're due compensation or that they've not been caught out on the 60 day issue but equally it hardly means they're trying to cover the deal up. Given the window officially opens in England tomorrow I'd imagine you'd probably see some sort of confirmation then.

^^^ This. There's been no announcement by any of the 3 parties involved. IIRC in Hall's case it was Brighton who announced first, not MFC. Even the player himself hasn't updated his socials.

That said, as far as I'm aware it hasn't been announced he's signed by the other party so I wouldn't expect MFC to announce anything officially until the signing club and/or the player have done so first.