dennyc

We don't know what his personal situation is or what his ties to the Newcastle area are. Maybe there are other, possibly external, factors which explain his acceptance of being fourth choice. Maybe he is simply looking to his long term future and getting heavily involved in coaching, gaining Uefa coaching badges, supported by Newcastle FC. Maybe he needs to be close to home for personal reasons. Maybe he is just enjoying football life in whatever role he has. We simply don't know. Whatever, he has chosen to sign on on for another year. I have no doubt he could easily be a first choice at some other team if that was a route he wanted to go down.

Not checked further back than last season but Matchday One for all Divisions, including ours, was July 30. So no such advantage as you suggest for lower league clubs. We can see what dates are scheduled for Match Day One this season. In fairness, last season we did start our League campaign after the lower league clubs....by one day.

Timing really only becomes an issue if there is a large turnover within the first choice fourteen or so and lots of new recruits need bedded in. There is no excuse whatsoever for fitness levels being an issue. And our opponents are in the same situation. We are a Premiership, full time club with better players so it is up to us to perform like it. No excuses or dropping of standards. We had enough of that last season.

Cornelius as at the stage in his career where he needs and probably wants a more or less guaranteed first team place.... as opposed to being a squad player. He is a decent enough player but I honestly don't see him as a first pick. Particularly if Kettlewell strengthens his squad over the summer. So in all the circumstances it is probably better that he moves on. I wish him all the best and thank him for his efforts whilst at Motherwell. Maybe he can return at a later date which will have the added benefit of winding a few folk up! As for training compensation, we will be due something but Hibs might get the greater share as he progressed through their youth programme and only joined us at age 17 I think. That said, to qualify for compensation I believe the parent club must have a contract offer turned down by the player. In Hibs case I think they released Cornelius without such an offer so they might actually be due nothing. Whatever, we will not receive that much and it might be beneficial to negotiate with his next club, looking to possibly a greater return down the line rather than a small fee up front. If we accept the standard training compensation then that is a once and for all payment.

If Queens Park are the second seeds I think we are guaranteed to play them at Fir Park. At least that's how it worked in previous years.

And I believe funds received at season end from Uefa relating to the performance of Scottish Clubs are also ringfenced. The consolidation funds that, to receive, a Club must evidence a recognised Academy on which any such funds can be invested. So they cannot be used to purchase camper Vans either..........although I guess we could argue they were for youngsters' accommodation or travel to away games.

If it is not a disgrace then it is negligent and exhibits a total lack of forward planning. At the very least the standby goalies should have been blooded in any one of numerous friendlies or meaningless ties. Just in case the number one choice got injured during an important qualifying fixture resulting in an untested keeper being thrown in at the deep end.. As a result we have witnessed an embarrassing plea for Marshall to reverse his international retiral. Followed by an approach to Gunn, a player who had previously refused a call up in the belief he was destined for better things. Now those better options have disappeared he is unsurprisingly available. I don't think anyone is denying Gunn is a better option then Kelly or Clark but the manner in which we have arrived at the present situation says a lot about Steve Clarke. Loyal beyond reason to some and so disrespectful to others.

Luton move into their new ground season after next. All agreed. Now will have to spend a good few million ( ten is the rumour) on existing ground to be allowed into Premier League. Just shows the amount of money washing around the Premier League. Also became the first team to go all the way down from top division to non league....and then all the way back up again. And wee AC looked happy enough despite not featuring today. Probably relieved that he was not faced with having to take a pen.

Might have been deflected for a corner but he blew for half time anyway. The referee was chronic. I've seen him in a few games, not always involving Motherwell, and he often abdicates decisions...relying on VAR to intervene if need be. Several of his non decisions have been highlighted on Sportscene. And he is not the only referee guilty of that. Been happening all season. Ironic that the big decision he did have the balls to make was totally wrong in so many aspects. Trying so hard not to issue a second yellow to the guy who was determined to get sent off just highlighted his reluctance to make a decision.

It looked like Butcher won the ball. Quite clear on the replay McKay did not have an issue with the overrule. He did complain that the referee blew his whistle immediately. As a result he believes that the player who then had a shot did not really strike the ball as he would have, because he heard the whistle. So Kelly tipped it over the bar. Apparently the referee apologised for calling the penalty so quickly but he was certain it was a clear foul. He was wrong. The referee is supposed to let the play finish before calling it, just in case the ball ends up in the net. As soon as he whistles, the play is dead and nothing else comes into play. At the time I wondered why it was a drop ball and not a corner. But the drop ball was correct because play was dead before the Kelly save. Basically the referee got it all wrong.

That’s fair enough. Each to their own. My point was that it is possible to do both. If you want to opt out of most or all the European games then that is a choice you are more than entitled to make. And I respect that. It is also a fact though that if we had finished third last season rather then several years ago, then funds such as the £5m that Hearts brought in for merely qualifying would have increased our likelihood of a higher League placing or that exciting Cup run you crave. Not been at them all, but every away game I have attended in Europe has had a great atmosphere. As has several of the home legs, although admittedly not all. And results at times have had an effect on that home atmosphere. But way more than 5 in total have had an atmosphere to be remembered. In my opinion that is. Anyway, moving on.

Almost everyone.

Cannot help yourself can you? just another one in a long line of players who can do no right in your eyes. Spittal is another. Whether you are prepared to accept it or not, Spittal and SOD have contributed to the revival under Kettlewell. Not just players or football of course. Dare I mention Burrows or Sturgeon. I expect players to be criticised for a poor performance, and I support that criticism when it is justified. Where most fans differ from you is that they will praise those same players when they perform well. You on the other hand just go silent. And anyway, if SOD were to leave, you would have to find someone else to obsess over.

Just out of curiosity. Are you willing to accept he was one of our better players at Perth, even winning a penalty. In fact, a very able deputy for Max. Arguably better defensively. I maybe missed you saying that in the match thread.

I’m not so sure he isn’t rated by Kettlewell. I would like to have seen him given more game time, yes, but I can understand why it has not happened so far. Kettlewell had a job to do and devised a structure that suited the players at his disposal AND got us out of the mire. Until Saturday we were not mathematically safe and we were not coasting in many of the games we did win. So I can understand why Kettlewell stuck to a tried and tested formula. When he got the job Kettlewell stated that he had to work with the squad he had and that might mean a formation/ style of play that was not entirely his first choice moving forward. Playing Butcher at Centre Back was not his preferred option either, but it worked so he stuck with it. As for playing McKinstry rather than Spittal during that spell. Not for me. But maybe Kettlewell could find a formation that would get the best out of both players. Given a pre season and without the need for a rescue act from game one. With a different squad it might open up other options that would better suit McKinstry. If not, he moves on with my best wishes and thanks.

I have enjoyed every overseas tie I have been at whether we have won or lost. Possibly because it is about the entire experience and not just the 90 minutes or so on the pitch. And that applies to whether it was Stjarnan or Dortmund, Levante or MyPa. And despite the result, I wish I had been lucky enough to visit Sligo. But you never answered my question. How did you feel in the build up to the games I mentioned, watching the game/highlights and reading the after match reviews? I find it difficult to believe that you did not enjoy any of it despite the inevitable outcomes. And all of that is without taking into account the financial rewards on offer at present, which you appear to dismiss as unimportant or irrelevant.

Nobody is saying that. But why can't we enjoy both? One is not exclusive of the other. May I ask, how did you feel watching us play in Dortmund all those years back, and at Nancy? Both games where we performed well and received plaudits despite playing teams that you would rate as out of our league and who we had no business playing. Games where our fans were lauded for the support they gave their team. Defeat probably inevitable but incredible occasions all the same. Would you deny us those moments? I'll take a match in Iceland any day over a trip to Annan. But as I said, why can't we enjoy both?

So if we were to finish third next season we should just refuse to take part in any European competition and tell Uefa to hand our guaranteed millions to some other more deserving cause? All because we will undoubtedly get well beaten at some stage and you would feel humiliated. Perhaps we should just refuse to play Rangers and Celtic as well just in case we get trounced and you get embarrassed. Or maybe Celtic should refuse to play in the Champions League to avoid getting their regular thrashing by the likes of Barcelona. You seem to have a strange take on what supporting a football team is likely to entail. For me the "lows" only serve to make the "highs" even more enjoyable. Looking forward to the European draw, speculating where we might end up and lapping up the excitement within Fir Park all rank as highs. Given the celebrations at Livi a year or so back when our European Tour looked to be a possibility I suspect most fans feel the same

Well said. And don't forget the fall back of a guaranteed Group place in the Conference if you fail to make the Europa Groups. As I said earlier, that route brought in over £5m for Hearts this season and Aberdeen will likely make even more next season when they finish third this time round. Yes, of course many of our fans look forward to to the away trips. Why shouldn't they? But for MJC to suggest that the majority of the fans are unaware or don't care about the potential financial rewards for our Club is insulting. Third place in this League.....and the European experience and income that entails....is possible. Or perhaps MJC wants to take even that ambition away from us. Football is meant to be fun, an escape from the crap that life can be at times, and a chance to dream. At least it is for most of us.

Thanks for bringing some reality to the European finance discussion. Hearts made £5 Million last year after dropping into the Conference Group stages following a loss in the Europa Cup at the first hurdle. And we made £450k as a direct result of qualifying at all. I'm also sure the £650k pay out Dundee Utd received for qualifying helped to lighten the embarrassment of losing 7-0 in the Netherlands. And that guaranteed £5m or so for finishing third without having to win any meaningful game once in Europe is why they sacked Nielson after a string of terrible results allowed Aberdeen to overtake them in the League.. So anyone saying we lose money by qualifying for Europe is talking nonsense. That might have been the case years ago. But not now, The embarrassment we endure on occasion is another matter.

Agree 100% with what you say. However I understand the proposal requires 51% agreement for it to pass, based on one Club one Vote. So it is unlike Premiership votes where two Clubs can join together and block change. So Rangers, Celtic, Hearts and Aberdeen require the support of another 18 Clubs to force the proposal through (if my arithmetic is correct). Unless the Spfl somehow manage to change the rules which I would not put past them. So this is one instance where Clubs have the chance to stand up and be counted. Whether they will is open to question. If the disadvantaged teams in the Premiership and Championship stick together then the change will require 18 of the Clubs in the two lowest two Divisions to vote Yes. Sadly, there is a chance that could be achieved if the financial incentives (bribery) and lessening chance of relegation (self interest) hold sway. I suspect phone calls are already being made and favours called in. Let's see how the vote works out and which way Motherwell go. Meantime, fans should let the Club know their views, whether for or against

I don't think Highland (SHFL) and Lowland (SLFL) League Clubs are Members of the SPFL But stand to be corrected. They are members of the SFA so can take part in the Scottish Cup which is managed by that body. But do not participate in the SPFL run League Cup. I read weeks ago that Highland and Lowland Clubs had objected to not being consulted or having a vote in a process that would lead to their progression to League Two being more challenging. Again, I stand to be corrected. However, if they were allowed to vote the proposal would almost certainly fail given their objections. The powers that be want to appease the big City Clubs, so that is likely what will happen unless enough Clubs like Motherwell stand together and vote it down. Don't hold your breath.

Oh I don't think it is about being overly competitive in the Conference for any of the chosen few. It is about giving them somewhere to play a number of players that would be sitting on their arses if nothing else was arranged before the Lowland League deal runs out. And don't forget there already is a Reserve league that certain Clubs declined to take part in. And it will not just be Youth players sitting on that bus. When details are revealed I doubt there will be any restriction on who the B Sides can field. Eg. 5 payers must be under 21. Will also be interesting to see if players can switch back and forward between B and Premiership squads outside of the transfer windows. The whole set up is open to abuse if restrictions are not put in place. Also, given the authority given for Conference League to generate commercial deals outwith any SPFL arrangements, it opens up lots of new opportunities for the rich to get richer and so widen that financial gap. BBC will be drooling at the possibility of televising certain B team games. Last few weeks it has been almost impossible to escape Rangers Celtic coverage. Premiership, Scottish Cup. Girlies, Youths. Championship clubs should be wary of a reduction in their coverage given other options that would open up elsewhere. " Shall we show Thistle v Morton or Rangers B v Aberdeen B?" kind of thing. Lots of questions our Board should be seeking clarification on before voting. And if any aspect threatens our own situation competitively or financially then we must oppose the plan. But I suspect we won't. Only enjoyable aspect would be the possibility of Hearts being relegated to the extent that they ended up playing their B side in the Conference. Or any sort of Rangers like demotion for any of the four that would have the same effect. Sadly, finances will ensure otherwise. Given we were asked our views about the Rangers demotion (or not) it will be interesting to discover if our fan owned Club seeks our views before coming to a decision. Hopefully Morton have shown the way.

Don't think the Highland and Lower League get to vote. If they did the proposal would never pass. SPFL Clubs only. Unless anybody can confirm otherwise. Division Two Clubs (possibly some Division One as well) will be tempted to vote for the proposal to put a safety net between themselves and Highland/Lower League oblivion. Plus they will get to play the big four at home at least twice a season in the Conference, which might provide a nice wee financial boost after relegation. Also in the small print the Conference are allowed to negotiate commercial deals separate from SPFL. Again a sop to Rangers and Celtic who I bet will broadcast the games to their stay at home fans as part of an increased monthly fee. And BBC Scotland will jump on board to broadcast anything Rangers v Celtic. So get prepared for TV coverage of Rangers and Celtic B teams. Essentially it is about bribing enough lower league clubs to support the proposal, thus outvoting the Premiership and Championship Clubs that will be weakened and so vote No. Whatever happens, it will be revealing to discover how our Board decide to vote.

Agree with all that has been said. No way should Motherwell support a proposal that has the potential to damage us financially and competitively. The Board have an obligation to act in the best interests of the Club and should not be bullied into backing a proposal that will undoubtedly strengthen four Clubs and weaken everybody else. Sadly I suspect it is a fait accompli and also that fans will have no say in what happens. This structure has been planned ever since Rangers, Celtic and then Hearts were allowed to enter B sides in the Lowland League. The financial gap that limits competition is about to get even wider. And more broadly, so much for Project Brave spreading talent across a much larger range of Clubs. I guess that ambition of establishing a more competitive balance has been abandoned.