dennyc

Agree we are not comparable to Wales. We have more quality players than them. Especially coming through where they really only have James. And if Adams gets 95 caps he might not get 33 goals but he will come close. And if Turnbull gets 66 caps he should get 17 goals. Comparing senior players with over 160 caps to two players with under a dozen is hardly a decent comparison either. And McGinn has ten goals in thirty six, which is similar to and possibly better than Ramsay. I am looking to the future not the past. But if you must, how much success did Wales have in Bale's first 40 games? And I also think we have the potential for way above your 2/3rds success measure, particularly as Wales achieved success with 2/11ths (maybe 3/11ths at times)

Nobody is saying it is perfect and I agree with you regards Goalkeeper and Centre Back needing upgraded. But no vital wins with 2/3rds of a good team? What about Wales? What do they have? TWO decent ageing players in Bale and Ramsay but their qualifying and tournament record is superb of late despite the rest of the team being way below that level. And those two players have hardly played all season for their clubs. And some of that national success under a caretaker Manager. Northern Ireland also had some praiseworthy success. We have four players currently starring at huge clubs in England in Tierney Robertson McGinn and McTominey, Players who could argueably have a case for featuring in an EPL select squad. Add to that Gilmour Turnbull Adams Patterson Nisbet as younger newcomers who are an upgrade on where we were 6 months ago. All of them will improve given the correct support. I would add Kerr of St Johnstone and maybe Doig at Hibs as options worth trying. And whether we like to admit it or not the Scottish players at Rangers and Celtic are of a decent standard. So we are far from starved of talent and quality. Tactics and formation are another matter and Clarke has to construct a formation that plays to the strengths of his squad and stop being focused on setting up a team not to lose, rather than setting up a team to win. He is not in charge of Kilmarnock any more. The Czech game is a prime example of that approach. That game cost us qualification, not the Croatia game. But some are using last night to once again rip into SOD, who was far from being our worst player. And those same folk never uttered a word after his outstanding performance against England. Seems to me they have an agenda and last night's result simply played into their hands. Sadly some of them are Motherwell fans. Not at international level clearly, but the same thing happened all the time with Dunne, and more recently with Lamie, Mugabi and McGinley. Deafening silence when they play well but jump on for every error. I get it that fans play favourites, but how about some credit where credit is due rather than using every slight error to try and prove a point. Having said all that, Scotland need to find a goalkeeper who can take over for the next 10 years.

An unfashionable Club such as Motherwell have two players and a former Academy player in the first Scottish squad to reach a final in decades. And yet all that some on here want to do is decry the performance of one of our players that played in every match, bemoan the level we are at as a Club and talk down the level of Scottish football in general. Sad. In fact, pathetic. The future of the national side is rosier than it has been for years, if Clarke is brave and determined enough to trust the youth coming through to support established players like Tierney, Robertson, McGinn and McTominey. And as a Club we were better represented than clubs with much better resources than us. Something to be proud of.

But they are not limiting it to 2000. Any club can apply to increase that limit on a match by match basis from the outset. So if Motherwell want to increase that number they should be able to do so. Accommodating all Season Ticket Holders should not be that challenging. Rangers, Celtic Aberdeen Hearts are probably drawing up their applications right now. It is up do us to put forward a safe proposal. "From 19 July, seated outdoor stadiums would be able to host 2,000 fans, and standing venues could accommodate 1000. Applications could be made on a case-by-case basis to swell that, as was done for Hampden's Euro 2020 matches."

Bollocks. But if it makes you happy.

And maybe the away stand for the visiting team/officials? I think the 2k minimum phrasing is because applications can be made to increase that figure on a game by game basis. So it is up to Clubs to come up with a layout to support an increase above the minimum. So the 2k is what we can do without referral to anybody. ......and 1k for the grounds that are not all seated.

Agent at work again I guess. But at least SOD did the decent thing and signed on again which means we get Euro money and whatever any release fee is. Was always going to be a possibility given a good showing for Scotland. Highlights again that our Club do the right thing by their players looking to their careers and that SOME players respect that approach. A potential win for both player and Club. Given all the shite he has taken, and not only from the Shelley Kerrs of this world, I hope he gets the move that gives him the long term financial security he deserves. Be sad to see him leave though. I was looking forward to applauding him onto the park first chance we get to attend matches. And I would not be at all surprised to see Celtic knocking on our door if the release clause thing is accurate.

And it'll be a relief there is no Welsh in the mix.

I think Clarke handed the initiative to the Czechs before they even kicked off. With his team selection and defensive mindset. . At that level you need goal scorers but he goes with two out of form players in Dykes (who was shite) and Christie ( Who was even worse). Meantime two in form (and recent) goal scorers are left sitting on the bench. Adams should have started and there is even a case for Nisbet alongside him in a front two. With that midfield supporting two penalty box strikers I think the Czechs would have been under pressure. Clarke is too cautious and too loyal to under performing players. Although don't say that to Gallagher who has done nothing wrong in Scotland's colours. He might not be my favourite player following his contract nonsense, but to not have him on the bench was poor. Did we really need two reserve Goalies? Just watching Slovakia beating Poland and appreciating what can happen when the underdog actually tries to win the match as opposed to being set up not to lose.

Shocked by this. Did not know him personally but always looked forward to his balanced posts. He will be missed by all of us . Condolences to his family and friends. RIP.

I think Burton is fairly close to Stoke which is his home town. So good for the family, including his In-Laws. Also having a former top striker as Manager might have played a part. Newish Stadium sponsored by Pirelli and a club with ambitions to climb the Leagues. He could well have held out for a higher ranked club, but for rebuilding his career after injury it ticks a lot of boxes. And if he manages a season with a few goals who is to say he cannot move on. All the best to him.

According to the Club's own records his Contract Date end was extended by one month, a month in which Motherwell did not have a game. So that appears to be a fact and certainly points to the duck being a duck.

The Clubs should now vote out those plastic pitches in top Division. That result now has 11-1 playing on grass. So if they vote along those lines, job done. If Dundee get their vote delivered on time that is.

So its not the principle then? If it was Motherwell, all well and good. And I'm sure Motherwell would jump at the chance if it fell their way. But one of those two and it's wrong. Certainly answers my question though. .

The plan as it stands is for one year only. Beyond that, who knows. If an agreement is reached, fair and reasonable terms can be worked out. The Leagues below Lowland League level opted to "Nul and Void" last season and chose not to nominate a team for promotion. I think 3 sixth tier clubs usually play off for the Lowland League promotion. So neither Celtic or Rangers are denying any deserving team a move up via the pyramid system next season. In addition The Lowland League Board have emphasised that promotion and relegation will continue to be a feature of their League, whether or not the Old Firm colts are included. And there is also a guarantee that the OF Colts cannot be promoted into the level above Lowland League. If the total number of teams in that League were increased by two for future seasons it would have no effect whatsoever on the Pyramid System. I don't particularly agree with their Colts coming in at that level, but I don't blame either Club for looking after their interests in a way that also benefits those other clubs in the League. I do wonder though if your objection is because of who is involved. Would your feelings be so strong if it was Motherwell and Hibs Colts?

The proposal is that they cannot be promoted.....or relegated. And if our youngsters were able to play in such a competitive League on the same basis it would be far better than them sitting on a bench purely to make up numbers, and getting no or very limited game time. In fact it would be £25k well invested.

So another one off South as he approaches age 17? I'm guessing by "BIG" you might be hinting at Liverpool as they already have shown a keen interest in our youngsters.

For those wishing their donation to go straight to the Club, another option is simply to buy a second Season Ticket or a Junior ST if that cost suits better. I wonder if the preferred Club options are registered as Charities so any donations might not be taxed whereas MFC income will form part of overall taxable income. Whatever, it is a fantastic gesture by our Club. Great to see promises honoured.

Or he might fancy winning trophies, European football, staying close to home and trebling his wages. Wherever he ends up I wish him nothing but success.

I think the Development Fee only applies if a cross border move is involved. So it applies if he heads to Millwall, But it is sometimes better for the Clubs to agree terms independent of the Development Fee thing, so that add ons such as future transfer % can be included. If AC goes to Hibs, the Clubs either agree terms or it heads to an SFA Tribunal as happened with Ferguson to Aberdeen. And that's a one off, no add ons, no appeal fee. We did a deal with Rangers over Hastie rather than risk that Lottery. Also when a few of our youngsters moved to England, Motherwell and Clubs such as Leeds and Norwich agreed terms rather than stick to the Development Fee guidelines. . When Hibs signed John McGinn after his St Mirren contract expired they agreed a reduced Development Fee but agreed a 30% share for Saints on any transfer fee if he left Hibs. That worked out pretty well for Saint Mirren and far better than the Development Fee terms would have brought in. I guess it's a gamble but if a Club believes a player is likely to increase in value then a % of future transfers may be the best long term option. Again looking at McGinn, Hibs will rake in a 25% share if /when he gets his big move away from Villa. I don't know if Saints are due any of that, but they might be if that was agreed way back. Over to you Mr Burrows.

I don’t really think it will happen either. Just accepting that it is a possibility and it’s a good football debate. To join the elite, the OF might be happy to have that extra expense. If they wanted to be represented up here. That is not a given. And they could always pull the plug on it if needs be. Re games clashing. It is fairly straight forward to ensure that does not happen. If that was a condition of the OF agreeing to field a team up here, I believe our Administrators would fall over backwards to accommodate them. And in the example quoted, how many Celtic fans would be able to get tickets or travel to Manchester or the like week after week? Away fans in a British League could well be restricted in numbers. Back to PPV again. Friday night games anyone? Players switching teams was also an issue raised. I think EPL Clubs currently have to declare a list of 25? players who are the only ones allowed to play throughout the season. Same could well apply. And as far as Europe is concerned, no way will Scottish teams be anywhere near the top ranking Tournament the British League representatives would feature in, if allowed. We would be in with teams from Latvia, Poland and Sweden .The also rans. But if it did happen, the wee team does not enter and the place goes to next in line. There is no doubt Clubs from one Country can play in another. Swansea Cardiff Monaco. The only question is whether they can still field teams in their home base. I suspect UEFA would not care. It would be left to the home Associations.

I would love that to be the case. But the income from the “British” team would easily fund the running of a “Scottish” version. With change left over. Look at the income of the EPL teams just now compared to up here, so there is a massive financial boost right away. And that income would be greater in a British set up. Otherwise why bother? Then add in PPV worldwide which is the only reason a British League would need Rangers and Celtic. The market in the US and Australia/NZ where there are a huge number of ex pats being an example. England has Asia covered. I suspect many OF fans would jump at the chance of a ST covering home matches for both teams (or a cheaper option covering one version) with Away matches covered by Celtic/Rangers/ PPV TV as add ons. Probably work out cheaper than I pay for Sky plus BT at present. The European Super League shambles this week showed that fans in grounds are only regarded as “top up” cash where the bigger clubs are concerned. My only hope would be that the game’s Governing bodies in Europe would create a rule that a Club cannot field teams in two separate countries, but given that the likes of Barca can field two teams in the Spanish Leagues I have my doubts. At best they might dictate that players cannot switch from team to team outside transfer windows. Within a few years the game in Scotland would be where it is just now, OF dominating but likely less quality or cash on offer. In the unlikely situation that there was a pyramid system allowing promotion to a British League, you might get somebody like Aberdeen or Hearts bankrupting themselves in the hope of getting promoted. A pyramid system does beg the question as to what would happen if either OF team were relegated. Back to Scotland? But then what happens to their “Scottish” version? Of course who is to say that they would want to run two teams? I suspect it would more Scottish football that would want them than the other way round.

Can we make sure Llanelli are included.

With the support of member clubs...including ours... the buffoons that run the game up here would welcome the OF second string teams into the Scottish Premiership. No doubt quoting sponsorship and TV income as the prime reasons for their inclusion. And most of that income would end up going where it does now. I could even see games up here being arranged to ensure that games involving the OF do not clash with their British League fixtures. Cant damage PPV income after all. Given the income that Rangers and Celtic would get from a British Super League they could easily fund teams strong enough to continue to dominate up here. Effectively feeder teams where squad players could be brought up to a level for promotion to their top sides. Might take a couple of seasons but I have no doubt we would end up with the exact same situation we have now. Except that we would have two Rangers and two Celtics to wind us up. The media would love it though.

If your dancing watch out you don’t injure yourself on their artificial pitch. Has to be better than what Accies and Killie have at present though.