dennyc

Livi in a play off a possibility. Nightmare. Let's hope we can all feel a bit more secure after tomorrow.

Like you I have seen us relegated a few times, and seen us escape on a technicality a few times as well. But those last games under Kettlewell were has bad as I can remember suffering and I think it speaks volumes that not one fan I know was surprised at how poor we were. The signs have been there for months. The lack of a regular goal scorer combined with the year on year drop in quality has finally come home to roost. Kettlewell's speculative signings hastened the decline and if Wimmer gets us out of the mess we are in he should be Manager of the Year. I hope you you are spot on with your positive forecast but I think 8th or 9th is a reach. Wellgirl is right to be worried.

At our level they usually can't. And certainly not when denied support to help them out. Casey on the right of a back three, Wilson in midfield, Blaney on the left of a back three as examples.

Kettlewell was the master at playing players out of position. Hung several out to dry when they were clearly struggling, seldom providing them with any support. I fear Frail was part of whatever thinking was behind that nonsense being repeated time after time. Only my opinion of course, but I believe that led to a lot of the frustration and dissent we saw from players prior to Kettlewell manuevering his way out.

Good point. Also helps when the possession is in the opponents half of the field.

According to the BBC, he switched his formation around to counter Falkirk in this match. Audition passed.

Been mulling the interview over for a wee while to give me time to clear my head. Mainly because I found myself with more questions than answers. And a few things that I struggled to make sense of. Firstly, for me, there is no doubt that Brian Caldwell was at a low ebb and was shocked by the whole turn of events. He clearly feels empathy for his employee and is supporting him as best he can. It was a difficult and disturbing watch. I also get his unease at how quickly folk were applying to fill Stuart Kettlewell's shoes. But I find it strange that given the close working relationship we are told the two had........meeting or talking nearly every day and almost certainly more so in January given our downturn in form, injury situation and the need for action in the transfer window.....that our CEO had no inkling whatsoever of the mental anguish Stuart Kettlewell and his family were going through. To a lesser extent that also applies to other Board Members. Also we are told that the abuse situation heightened during the home victory against Aberdeen. Initially I thought it must have been during the cup loss to St Johnstone. I sit directly behind the home dugout and have witnessed fans screaming at SK to sort things out. At the Aberdeen game and at others throughout this season and last. So it does happen but not to any greater a degree than Alexander, Hammell and others before them had to endure. Not excusing or justifying it but just trying to get things into perspective in my own head. Given that I and others were aware of it, I find hard to accept that those sitting in the Directors' Box a few rows behind me did not see or hear what was a fairly regular occurrence. Or did they see it and disregard it as something that happens at matches the length and breadth of the country? Either way it makes no sense. It also struck me that there appears to have been no serious attempt to persuade SK to hang on a bit longer. possibly following a Club Statement asking for calm and informing fans that such abuse would not be tolerated. If I was to take a cynical view I might think that Caldwell was in part relieved at Stuart's decision as it might have avoided him having to take action if the performance on the pitch continued to spiral downwards. I don't do Facebook or Twitter so apologies if more details of the abuse Kettlewell suffered was revealed on those platforms. But I have witnessed nothing first hand that merits the all out assault on what feels like ALL Motherwell fans by the media,. And which sadly seemed to be supported by the statements initially released by MFC and the Well Society. I am not in any way playing down the abuse that most definitely takes in football be it aimed at players, Managers, Officials or even fans. But this whole situation makes less and less sense to me the more I try to understand it. For me, there are far too many contradictions. Hopefully Stuart Kettlewell and his family are now in a much better place. Time for everybody to move on.

Hearing a rumour of Allan Campbell to Dundee Utd. Anybody know if any truth in it, I know they tried for him last year.

Several Hibs fans I know would have Lennon back in a heartbeat. Don't know much about previous issues but the fact the fans still back him must mean something. As we have seen this week a Club's fans know more about what is going on at their Club than the gutter press. Much easier to write headlines than facts.

I wrote off the Tynecastle performance as a lesson to be learned. I then gratefully accepted the point at Rugby Park despite another woeful performance. We might even have stolen it at the end. Then came Easter Road followed by McDiarmid Park twice. Each game worse than the game before and against teams that ought to have been as fragile as us. We lost those three games and each time the margin of the loss flattered us. That is our current form and I saw nothing from SK to say he had any answers. We can revisit this at season end when hopefully your optimism will have been proven well placed with us sitting well away from and relegation battle.

What are we saying is actually abuse? Within a match/football environment as opposed to normal life. Does it include fans voicing their opinion on team selection, tactics, application, performance? Does it include those fans who choose to boo a team and players off the pitch following an insipid, toothless and passive performance? Does it include shouting at opposition Managers and players? Does it include criticism and frustration vented online? Does it include fans demanding a player be dropped or a Manager dismissed? Does it include charming ditties from the Stands defaming opposition players? All very easy to be offended by but is it abuse in the world of football? And sadly all of that regularly occurs within sport. Particularly in open debate. Not saying it is palatable at times. But it is reality. If the above is abuse, Goodwin and then Thelin at Aberdeen, Naismith when at Hearts, Clement at Rangers, Montgomery when at Hibs, Rodgers upon his return to Celtic, Adams when at County were all subject to abuse. Neil Lennon and Dougie Imrie everywhere. And numerous others. Possibly greater than SK experienced. But I heard little from the media regarding those situations and the Boards involved were also pretty silent. I also suspect those I listed would have been upset but saw it as part of modern day sport. Not great, but again reality. So what exactly is the abuse that Stuart Kettlewell was subjected to? If it was unlawful or threatening or even occurring when out and about with family and friends etc then that is disgusting and anybody in their right mind would condemn it. And action against those responsible would be support by most. Is it vile and offensive behaviour during matches in which case the authorities have the power to intervene and MFC could ask for restraint. I did not witness anything of that nature either Saturday in Perth. Others may have? I suppose I am asking for evidence that convinces me the media in response to the Resignation Statement are not blowing everything out of proportion. I feel sorry for Kettlewell and wish him well. But the cynic in me does wonder about the timing and the Club Statement. Whatever, I hope he can now get on with his chosen career.

Current form. In 2025 we have played six matches, all but one against teams sitting below us in the League. We have won one match, against an Aberdeen time that has not won in over a dozen league games. We have lost four games and stolen a very fortunate point at Kilmarnock. We are out of the Cup at the first hurdle. With Celtic to come followed immediately by games against teams with us in their sights. Good on you for not being concerned about current form and performance and for setting aside the narrowing gap between us and the play off spot. Nobody in their right mind believes abuse of any kind is acceptable but all the talk of what or was not aimed at SK should not deflect from the woeful performances he oversaw of late. As recently as November being drawn into the relegation zone was not a consideration. It is now. And he shares responsibility for that. I'm truly sorry it ended this way for Kettlewell but I think it was time for change. Having supported him throughout last year's run, I had hoped the SF defeat would have proven to him that a passive approach was not the way to go week in week out. Had he not walked, I'm not convinced he would have lasted much longer. Has anybody seen anything in recent matches to suggest he had the ability to turn things round? Or seen a willingness to try something a wee bit different? That might just have been enough for many of those fans keen to see him succeed.

Very much my own thoughts. Spot on and in fact I thought he might walk after the Cup game having seen his reaction at the end. You mentioned the two Perth games in a previous post and again your experience mirrors exactly what I saw and heard. All I would add was that at the League match most fans were that disgusted they just wanted to get out of the Stadium as quickly as possible. A good number had left before the team made the tunnel. Possibly due to much reduced numbers I thought the discontent at that game was not as loud as it was after the previous shambles. Anyway, time to all get behind the team and whoever is in charge. Other teams will have us in their sights and the priority now must be avoiding the relegation places. The County game needs to see us back on track. Anything from the Celtic game will be a bonus but hopefully we will at least see a more determined set of players.

I think that is out of date. 12 Month Rolling Contract agreed August 2024. Whatever that means in reality I haven't a clue.

I have been a season ticket holder for decades but I cannot remember feeling as low as I feel now. And I have seen us relegated and survived Malpas, Kampman and Hynd. Maybe it comes with age, but I sat there today thinking ' What is the point?'. No doubt I will buy a Season Ticket next season because I enjoy going along to the games with my mates. And it is better than shopping....usually. But these last few months have been challenging......much more than the unbeaten run last season......because I am losing belief and more than a little concerned at the decline I am witnessing week on week.

My honest opinion. And that of the folk sitting beside me. Maybe Balcombe was nervous but his punched clearances under no real pressure caused issues. And I did give him credit for some top saves and did not blame him for the goals. I find it much harder to find anything to give Kettlewell credit for. And again, that's my honest opinion on todays offering. And that of anyone I spoke to at the game. I actually wish I had stuck to my guns and not gone along today. But Perth is fairly local and hope got the better of me. I will be at no more away games until the situation changes and will be selective regards home games, despite having a Season Ticket. It's just not worth the hurt any more.

He was far from the worst player today. Does not say a lot admittedly.

Sat through that entire mind numbing rot today and this for me sums up why SK's time is up. Time and time again he shoe horns players in so as to stick to a preferred set up that is clearly failing to deliver. Thus exposing player weaknesses and hanging them out to dry. Same reason I suspect Kaleta was kept on after he was clearly injured. Yet again his substitutions did nothing to alter the pattern of the game. Like for like. Re Balcombe. He certainly does not like catching a ball and he did not inspire confidence. That said, but for a couple of outstanding saves the game would have been lost much earlier. Just about passable performance first half after being handed a goal of a start through no effort of our own. Second half was pathetic. We still cannot defend corners. Thought Blaney did ok and Sparrow battled away as best he could. St Johnstone were even poorer than they were last week. Anybody who believes we are not in trouble is deluded.

I think he was still reeling from the fan reaction at Perth when he sat for that interview.. You could see right away on Saturday that he was shaken. I agree he has always spoken positively about the fans and I suspect if he had his time again he would have phrased some of his answers differently. Just my take on it

I was not referring to you, But my reading is that some are pretty adept at focusing away from what we currently see by focusing on issues that SK cannot really influence. I am looking for him to influence those areas he can control.

We will at least have seen evidence of a Manager that is willing to change things up after some woeful performances. Not one or two woeful performances but too many over the season, including that pathetic cup SF. For some that willingness to change will be a step forward. Might even be enough for those that want to support Kettlewell but currently have serious doubts. Like me. Despite what is promoted on here by some, although a few have been irrationally anti Kettlewell from day one, not everybody wants SK out as of now. But what the false narrative does is deflect from what has been evident for some time and came to a head in Perth. Throw in the injury situation, league position, the youth of some players, officiating, even Graeme Alexander to the discussion and the current issues that are concerning folk are pushed aside. Deliberately or otherwise. History is history and cannot be changed. Where we are headed is the point. On Saturday, yet again, we saw a passive beginning handing the initiative to our opponents. Yet again we saw a formation and approach that exposed the weaknesses of certain players as they are asked to play roles for which they are not suited. Yet again we saw substitutions that had no effect and we saw little leadership on and off the pitch. Even more worrying, for the first time this season we saw numerous players arguing with each other, questioning Managerial decisions, showing less than 100% commitment, hiding when teammates needed a get out ball, and a bunch of players being told to F@@@ Off when they approached fans at the end of the game. Fans who have supported them through good and bad, Bois included. And not in small numbers. So in response to your question, I do not know what happens if we change and lose. That could well happen. I do know for sure that if we witness no change and lose, then things will become even more toxic. What fans are desperate to see is a willingness by SK to adapt our approach, send out a team in a formation that at the very least gives us the hope of a win. The players for their part need to show the unity, energy and belief that has been evident in some recent home matches. I was shocked....but not really that surprised.....by the reaction at full time in Perth. SK, his coaching staff and the players also looked stunned. Hopefully that will have opened a few eyes within the Club and we reset our season starting Saturday. Surely we cannot continue as we are? It's not too late and we can still have a good season. But fans need to regain hope and belief. SK has a huge part to play in that. It won't be easy

Spot on. Sums up my feelings exactly. Current performance is the worry. Focusing on an early season SF and our current league position would be a lot more meaningful if the current signs were also positive. But they are far from positive. It speaks volumes that many fans who were fully supportive of SK throughout last season’s bad run, myself included, are now expressing serious doubts. It is not just those that took an irrational immediate dislike to him that are voicing their concerns on here and at games. Saturday is huge. Result aside, SK and the players need to show that they have it within them to get back on track. Give us something to believe in. Please!

No probs. I think I am beyond angry now. Disbelief and dismay more like…. Although I should know better by now.

I did say "And at other times during the season". And I agree with your list.

I think the majority of the 2000 or so Motherwell fans who were there today would support Casey if he did actually have a go at Kettlewell. in doing so they would not be excusing Casey's own abysmal performance but holding a Manager to account for what has now been dished up in four consecutive away performances. And at other times earlier in the season. As to the future if Kettlewell does leave, any new Manager will also be called out if fans are expected to suffer what we have seen in those four matches and others....... having had two years to build his own squad.. And why shouldn't he be? Like you, like many on here and in the stands I was supportive of Kettlewell when others were not so keen. As you have said, he earned leeway. Injuries, VAR decisions, the youthfulness of some players and our league position have been touted in his defence. Valid to a degree. But enough is enough. Tynecastle was bad. Rugby Park was worse. Easter Road even worse. And then today. And by the way, every team has to deal with injuries and sometimes those injuries can appear overwhelming. That's why teams have a squad and why Boards support Managers in bringing in players as cover. Nobody can deny that SK has been supported in that manner. Again that maybe brings the focus onto the nature of players recruited. I keep hoping he will try something different in an effort to pick us up. Agreed, he does change the line up from time to time but nothing changes tactically or approach wise. If the squad is incapable of changing formation then that is down to the Management team that constructed the squad. Today straight from kick off we handed the initiative to a team adrift at the bottom of the league. A team you would think more fragile than us. I had hoped he would do things differently for once. Something that would encourage me to support him a bit longer. More fool me. Does anybody really think it will be any different next week?