Happy Dosser

Some thoughts: 1. Thistle were awful. 2. I loved Laing's mad breenges up the right: if he doesn't know what he's going to do, how are the opposition going to? 3. Great pass from Skippy for the second. 4. Moult also excellent. 5. Sounds like Ripley can be absolved of blame for their goal. 6. I thought Pearson was poor and missed quite a few tackles. Is he carrying an injury? Or is he done? 7. Cadden and Hall are making progress. The former is showing more confidence and tricks on the ball. I'm sure alert readers will have noticed I predicted the 3-1 score line and the Moult double. Accordingly, I am going to open a PayPal account (details to follow) for you all to send me your pounds for Tuesday's Euromillions draw. Two scouts "from the Leeds area" sat down beside me in the POD with their note pads and laptop and quizzed me about Moult: seemed to have done their HW on him but were surprised at Bournemouth's supposed interest in Marvellous Marvin. Favourite quote: "We've heard about Motherwell down south but Partick Thistle?" Quite. Onwards to Panathonaccies and their plastic cowp.

Fear not me hearties, I predict a 3-1 victory for the 'Well, with goals from Moult (2) and McDonald and McManus o.g. Wow, this wallpaper stripper sure packs a punch! Of course, MMcG might be working on a 2-1-2-3-1-1 formation to bamboozle the Harold Wraggs. Pass the Brasso.

"Fail to win here and the dream of mid-table obscurity is very unlikely." As Homer would say, "Dream of mid-table obscurity, mmmmmmmmm......" If only. Since Partick have four games in hand because they play on a cowp, they at worst could have a four point or so advantage on us by the time they catch up with their games. Therefore, I think the Tattie-Howkers and Panathonaccies are our main rivals for the play-off spot and that's presuming there is no continued improvement by Dundee Utd. I also remember John Sutton saying when he got relegated with Dundee that they had a twelve point cushion (?) on the bottom club at the split but still managed to go down. It's not much fun walking up Edward Street with that vague feeling of dread on a Saturday but I suspect it's going to be a long three months for us all. May The Force be with us.

These last-minute goals are damaging and incredibly frustrating but they would not be such a problem if we scored more goals. One reason we don't is that we are not very creative: we can't risk playing both Johnson and Ainsworth in the same team because that leaves us short in midfield and McFadden is in his mid-thirties (although he has assists in his last two games). Where is the creativity from central midfield? Oh for a Jackson Irvine. We're just not getting the best out of Moult and McDonald at the moment. What concerns me more is that teams like ITC, Ross County, St Johnstone seem much better organised and close teams down much better than we do: we are poor without the ball and bring pressure upon ourselves. This is surely a tactics/coaching issue but it's one which we seem unable to address. Also: when did we last score direct from a free-kick? Why are we like headless chickens at shies? These are long-standing weaknesses we seem incapable of dealing with but seem pretty basic. Which leads me to the question which often passes through my mind when watching us: what coaching is going on at the club through the week? Our next three games are incredibly important but there is a worrying lack of spirit about the team just now, as well as organisation.

"Given the very audible frustration (bordering on the venomous at times) at Fir Park in the last couple of weeks, it may be no bad thing we are playing away in midweek without the "pressure" of a crowd who if not exactly ready to turn on them are increasingly lacking in patience before voicing their opinions." Quite. It was alarming to see the normally diehard supporters around me leaving with ten minutes to go. I don't know if he's lost the dressing room but McGhee seems to be alienating long-time supporters with his selection and tactics. If he thinks Ainsworth and Johnson can play at the same time then the fans' dismay is justified. Going by his interview we seem to be playing for the draw already, which is an alarming idea, given the lack of fight and organisation on display yesterday. Worrying times: as the joker said, it's déja vu all over again, and I don't think my nerves can face another playoff situation.

Ally Mauchlen: that's who we need. Unfortunately he's about 56.

fergi4: please, don't even joke about it, I'm struggling with a Dry January already.

Fair enough in isolation, UBH. I just find the criticisms of our club and the national game continually negative. I struggle to think of what more a club like ourselves, with such a small core support, could do. You either believe in our national game or you don't. We are up against enormous financial forces beyond our control and a history of mismanagement of our national game from the unimaginative blazer mentality. The feeble media coverage of our game reinforces the "We are crap" idea which I just don't accept. I don't parade my political convictions in an avatar because in the first instance I don't think them relevant. However, unremitting negativity in that context does suggest an agenda.

"Stopped reading after this you utter cock." Yes, that's what to do: come on to a forum and not read the post. But thanks for your contribution anyway.

Going by Lord Tanamo's wee flag and its associations, I would surmise he is happy to do down the Scottish game. If he doesn't like his experience, he could perhaps explain how he thinks a club like ours can do more, as weeyin perceptively asked. We've tried everything, from millionaire to fan ownership. I buy a season ticket; I go to every home game; I enjoy either a mutton or steak pie and a bovril; I meet my pals in the stand and support my team. What's not to like? The English Premier League is obscenely rich, and getting richer, and we are holding on for grim life, like all Scottish clubs, with the exception of the Old Firm, who still desperately try to hawk themselves to the English leagues, and would sell the rest of us out in an instant. I have seen poorer 'Well teams in the past, i.e since 1962. We have always struggled beside the twin black holes of the Ugly Sisters and inadequate/patronising BBC/STV coverage, which recently has become even more embarrassing. Maybe you should go off and support Chelsea or someone who can meet your unrealistic expectations?

"To be fair shitting up a wall is a talent in itself... The lure of the filthy luchre is a path well trodden and it will always be so, I'm afraid If you're looking for the Corinthian spirit then the Spiders is your best bet" Wise (and funny) words, BWD. Players are discarded ruthlessly by clubs whenever it suits them and you can hardly blame someone for taking the money and running in a precarious profession. It's only hopeless romantics like ourselves who demand unswerving loyalty. Of course we would never leave a job for five times our salary. We have principles.

If there are some on here who feel aggrieved about the "penalty", they should take a look at the one Real Madrid got last week. The opposing defender slid in low to block the Real cross, with his arm on the grass in front of his leg. The ball was smashed off his arm and the referee immediately gave a penalty. Of course, Barça and Real get all the decisions in La Ligua. Familiar, anyone? I had some respect for Accies under Alex Neil but their time-wasting and deep-sea diving on Saturday really cheesed me off. Of course, you could argue that they simply took advantage of a weak and ineffectual referee (as Pretzel suggested) but over three minutes when their goalie had a terminal dislocated eyelash really took the biscuit. And then only one minute was added for all that nonsense. McGhee has made quite a difference already but if he'd brought on Clarkson or Faddy instead of Robinson we would have retained possession much better and I don't think we'd be on here moaning. Lessons learned, I hope.

Much to enjoy today. I don't normally froth at the mouth about referees but today's one was hopeless. Accies' diving and time-wasting went unpunished (only a minute extra at the end of the first half?). Then, after booking Crawford, the player committed a professional foul on Lasley as we were about to break upfield and he simply gave a foul. Crawford should have been off. I could go on but won't. He'll soon be in the Gollum-Craig Thomson Club and be given a top rating by The Powers, no doubt. I thought Moult and Skippy were great and Johnson was back to his bull in a china shop best, although for me Pearson missed too many tackles today, although he gave plenty of effort. Onwards to Tyney. Much more optimistic.

Interesting listening to BBC Scotlandshire (know your place, peasants, home of shit football coverage) tonight discussing relegation: no mention of the Mighty 'Well. Only The Picts and Tattie-Howkers in the frame, once you discount Keith Jackson's delusional and self-serving ravings. I feel we'll win on Saturday anyway but in the long run it won't matter either way. McGhee now knows his front two and defensive set up and the momentum is with us. Accies under Canning seem to be vulnerable too and it should be onward and upward. Wearing my Willie Pettigrew SE lounging pyjamas so all is right with the world. Sure we benefited from Celtic without Griffiths, Brown and Mulgrew but DU are a shadow of their former selves and we can take them on the break. COYW.

I feel this match is tailor-made for our counter-attacking style: they need to force the game and we have the pace on the wings to pick them off. I'm sure the manager will ding it into them that there's no point in going to CP and beating the top team if we go to Tannadice and lose to the bottom one. We should have won it about 4-1 really. I can't see us losing this but I have to go 'cos me and my friend Harvey are sorting my MFC programmes. Rabbits are good at that sort of thing. Onwards, Mighty 'Well. May The Force (The Moultoid) be with you.

Alan Irvine struck me as a decent guy who was given no time at WBA but I feel we need a nasty piece of work in the chair. Amid all this talk of barrack-room lawyers in the dressing-room, can't we just get Vlad The Impaler as manager? After all, there's a lot at stake.

I last saw Joe at the Cup Final, a few rows behind me. He gave me a week wave back. He was incredibly modest and a complete gentlemen. I will never forget those India-rubber legs and how he could snaffle the ball away from his opponent with a tackle from the side or back. Great to see that photo further up of his tackle on Ian Hair of Aberdeen (he was an EK lad and schoolmate). Joe and Willie Hunter are two of my absolute favourites. Good Old Joe: never forgotten. My thoughts are with his family.

CurvaNord: non è vero! È solo un sogno per noi.

Bumped into Tom English in Crieff today. He surprised me by offering the opinion that Crags was a real contender, because of his personal abilities and because it would make financial sense for the club. Personally I think it's too soon for Stephen and I don't think it helps that he has played with some of the squad. If there is a problem with some players undermining the management, I feel an outsider and an experienced manager is necessary. As regards Holloway, I wanted him to succeed at Blackpool but his tactics were far too positive and they were relegated because they lost too many games by the odd goal. A bit more pragmatism and they would have survived. He's very entertaining but I can't see him louping the dyke, or the club gambling on him.

Gadgey mentioned Billy Davies. He was in the stand before El Baro was installed, glad-handing old pals and generally looking keen. He didn't leave the club on good terms, of course, but I can't imagine the Wee Napoleon would tolerate any dressing-room mutiny. I think he's still between clubs. Too incendiary? Or should we just let Crags hoist us to second place by Easter? Gosh, this medication's kicking in rather well.....

That was a dire match, but I think last year we would have lost it. The only consolation is that the equaliser was well worked and we kept going right to the end. My concerns are really about simple things which seem obvious. 1) We can't play with two wingers because it leaves dangerous gaps in midfield. I don't think even with Pearo back this will work because if the wingers don't work hard enough by tracking back we bring pressure on our defence. I spoke to Mr P on the way out and he said two weeks anyway before he's back. 2) The lone striker tactic simply isn't working. Moult slogs his guts out but is often too isolated. He shows an excellent attitude, though. 3) Why don't we know what to do at shies? Painful to watch. The ball is usually lost. 4) Ditto with throw outs. Gannon may have been mad but he was right that kick outs should be a last resort. And when we play one up, the same result. My impression of the manager is that he is too reasonable, even cerebral. Sometimes a right good boot up the jacksy is required but I don't think this is his style. This may be his downfall. And now we have our plastic pitch game coming up....... No more excuses, please. Surely 442 is the most secure option at the moment? Oh, and getting right stovied in to them on Saturday.

The only sour note about the Spurs fixture was Martin Peters' comment that "Motherwell were all muck and nettles" (!). I think they stayed at The Bruce Hotel in EK and there were reports of some of their players signing daft names in kids' autograph books like "Mickey Mouse". If true, it was a bit of a PR disaster. So glad we whacked them. We seem to have strayed a bit from the thread topic, so I shall simply say, as an oldster: All Power to The Bois. Keep up The Noise.

"Not just the DJ dive outside the box but John Grieg nearly halved Willie Pettigrew in the box at the other end and nothing was given. Never forgave the ref for that night." As I recall WP was hacked down at the h*n End just before the "penalty" award by JRP Gordon, which made it all the worse. Never a penalty in a million years. I met Stewart MacLaren in a pub in Larky about 15 years later and he was still hacked off about it. Wasn't Gordon done for taking a bung from Roma in a European tie? Then the hail storm after the game; I'd never felt pain like it. I agree with UBH: you get toughened by it all. And to beat Spurs was quite an achievement. Who would have thought we would have got a 2-2 draw down there with the team they had?

BWD. Amen to that. But problems at Methil as we speak.

I have a solution to our problems at RB. Had an amazing dream last night and awoke with the answer. Is Willie Watson still on the go? Those tackles. That perm.