capt_oats

Hall's been playing the last few weeks as well tbf.

Absolutely. In a way that's kind of my point. He's not really had the same sort of hype or exposure that those players have or even someone like Erwin had, regardless of whether the hype is artificial as a result of the profile of the club he's playing for or not. In turn you'd think that would have something of an impact on demand or at the very least would affect the leverage for an agent to up wages from other clubs. Having said that I'm sure clubs are aware of him and a few will even be monitoring his situation. As I said he's presumably got until the end of the season (or even a couple of weeks after) to weigh up his options and make a decision either way.

Agreed. I like Hall and hope that he stays on but in truth unless he's totally certain and comfortable with signing another deal, as appeared to be the case with Cadden from his interviews after extending, then I don't blame either Hall or his advisor for holding off and waiting until the end of the season and seeing what his options are. I'd imagine we're keen to get him signed up however assuming that our offer is still on the table then just because he hasn't signed yet doesn't necessarily mean he's knocked us back nor does it mean that he won't sign. At the moment he's still under contract and presumably doesn't need to make a decision one way or another until the end of the season when it expires. You'd like to think he's sensible enough to see the benefit of what's being offered to him at Motherwell, particularly with McGhee having given him the opportunity to play and Craigan and Robinson's involvement with his international set-up. Also, without wanting to talk down his ability, while he's clearly had an impact on our back 4 this season his breakthrough hasn't exactly been a high profile one in the same way that say Tierney has at Celtic or Souttar was at United before his move to Hearts both of whom are a comparable age to him.

Ah I stand corrected. Was literally the other side of the ground from where I was I'd thought the Hearts player had picked it up.

Another note on the ref. The Hearts player picking the ball up before it went out of play. It's clearly not a drop ball.

He explains it in his post-match. Says he wanted to get a better view of how the team were dealing with the shape with a few players playing in relatively unfamiliar positions. Points out that he's often taken to sitting in the stand on Scotland duty to do the same thing and report back to Strachan.

Aye, Law was right in front of me where I was sat in the main stand. I counted 3 times where Robinson asked him and each time he indicated he wanted more time despite limping heavily and seemingly struggling more. Then when he finally said he was done no one would put the ball out to make the sub. Not having a go at the player for wanting to try and play on but FFS sit down at a break in play and let the physio have a look & if you've not run it off after 5 mins just make the sub.

McDonald all day. Honourable nod to McManus though.

That was quite unexpected. I had the fear when I saw the team but we were well worth the win and it should have been at least 2 or 3. McDonald's miss was quite remarkable and for all it was a good save from Alexander you'd have expected Moult to bury his chance. Thought McDonald was outstanding in the centre of the park, Ainsworth took his goal really well and McManus was excellent. The only point of concern for me was why it took Josh Law about 10 mins of limping around the park to realise he couldn't continue. Expected a lot more from Hearts but meh, the 3 points are more than welcome.

Nor do I but I could easily see him being happy to be on Boro's bench, playing in their cup games and being around their first team squad next season.

I just read the interview and he seemed a bit more non-committal than the headline suggested. He's not ruling it out and seems positive about it but at the same time he clearly fancies getting a shot at the Riverside and he's said he'd prefer to stay in England to be closer to his family. Which is fair enough. It all depends on what Boro are thinking I suppose. If he does come back for another season it'd be good to have assurances about the term as it'd be fairly pish to find ourselves in a situation like Aberdeen this season when Klopp recalled Ward back to Liverpool. http://www.clyde1.com/sport/news/keeper-connor-ripley-would-consider-motherwell-loan-return/

To be honest I think I'm just quite sold on having someone in the centre of the park who could offer a bit of height and presence. He reads the game pretty well, keeps things pretty simple and I could see him fitting in with Pearson and Cadden doing the box to box stuff. The fact he's experienced (and out of contract) would be a bonus too. In truth even if it wasn't him then someone who fitted that sort of profile would be a worthwhile addition.

Absolutely agree on Alston though I get the impression he's waiting to see how Falkirk go in the play-offs. We'd be mental not to have enquired though. Also with Thistle bottom 6 and not having Osman tied up he's another one who's out of contract.

You'd like to think he would be. A goalkeeper (clearly), a couple of central midfielders and a full back would be the obvious areas. After that I'd imagine it'd be a case of whether we get any offers in for our "sellable assets".

^^^^ This

In fairness (I've mentioned before in this thread) I've not had any issue with any of the Macron kits or Puma for that matter. That's with them getting outings at 5s and 7s maybe 3 or 4 times a week. The only Motherwell top I've had a problem with was the old harlequin Pony one where the felt manufacturer logo fell off after a few years. Beyond that as far as printing goes the kits I've had issues with that have oddly almost always been Adidas. My DC United shirt started cracking after 1 wash, the print on my LA Galaxy away shirt has completely washed off and the sponsors logo on my Deportivo La Coruna top is an absolute state (though that's an iron on felt Sega logo). I take the point about the badge but in honesty it's not something I could say I've noticed or even paid attention to until it was mentioned here.

Given we were scudded 6-0 the last time we went out with a changed side against Hearts I'd be surprised if we changed much for this one. If Laing's fit then it'd be good to see him get another run at right back but beyond that the only other change I'd really like to see is Jack Leitch for Gomis. If Pearson's fit then giving him some time off the bench would be a positive as well. I noted that Hall started for the 20s yesterday so with their cup final next week I'd imagine that Kennedy will be keeping his starting place (which I'm fine with). Ripley Laing Kennedy McManus Hammell Cadden Lasley Leitch Johnson McDonald Moult

He signed on a 1 year deal with a 1 year option so it's a case of whether we take it up or not. "the Scouser signed his one-year contract, with an option for a second year" http://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2015/06/27/wes-fletcher-signs-on-at-fir-park/

I believe there was an indication that our budget has been based on finishing 10th with no cup run. I think I took that from Les' interview in the Daily Heil and it may also have been mentioned when Douglas Dickie was speaking on the podcast (I could be totally wrong on that one though). Edit: this is the bit that seems relevant, though in hindsight it's not clear as to whether it has been implemented this season or whether it's a future aim: "we need to be what's termed cash neutral based on a worst case scenario effectively budgeting on the provision that we finish 10th in the league, with no cup run or player sales." http://www.thewellsociety.co.uk/2016/03/23/well-society-statement-ownership-negotiations-2/ Having said that almost everything I've read recently seems to indicate that the budgets have been reduced this season. I think the phrase was that they've been "conservative" with their budgets.

He's still under contract until the end of next season and he seemed fairly positive about staying the other week: ""I have another year left on my contract," he explained. "I like to think I'm a big part of the team. The manager has told me I need to take my chance. "I have that year and this is my third season here and I absolutely love the club. I'm looking beyond that and looking forward to next season."" http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/14391178.It_was_tears_for_fears__now_Lionel_Ainsworth_is_happy_to_be_striking_right_chord_at_Motherwell/?ref=rss

Cheers. I was just curious as I definitely couldn't remember any announcements having been made about it but given it's almost a year since Owers left and how much the club (and Les) have talked up the scouting system/network/focus on recruitment it seemed unlikely that they wouldn't have brought someone in. Though at the same time they were making announcements about non-playing staff recruitment left, right and centre last year so I was wondering if I just hadn't been paying attention (which is entirely possible). I had also thought about it the other week when McGhee was talking about us paying fees for the likes of Moult, Johnson etc and his mention of scouting and recruitment in that context.

On that point, out of curiosity, did we ever replace Gary Owers or was there just a reshuffle of staff? Looking back at the announcement about him leaving the statement suggested they're be looking to appoint someone: "Looking towards the 2015/16 season, the Club will now begin the process of finding a replacement for Gary to start as soon as possible." http://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2015/06/23/owers-leaves-for-gateshead/

I don't remember that much about it but it turns out my first game was a 2-1 defeat against St Mirren in December '86. Until I did a bit of digging about and looked out my old programmes my only real memory of it was that we were playing against a team in black and white, it was baltic and we lost to a late goal. From looking it up online we scored first with Frank McGarvey equalising for them in the 46th minute with Ian Ferguson scoring in the 84th minute.

According to the programme I've got here for that season the attendance for that United game was 8184. Home gates up to the Hibs game on 16th December were: 19/08/89 Aberdeen - 6491 26/08/89 St Mirren - 4703 16/09/89 Hearts - 8948 30/09/89 Dundee - 4463 03/10/89 Rangers - 17,667 21/10/89 Dundee United - 8184 08/11/89 Dunfermline- 9138 25/11/89 Celtic - 16,029

From the sound of Mixu's response he's not injured either. https://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/2016/04/13/gavin-gunning-still-player-says-dundee-united-boss/