Yorkyred

It sort of has everything to do with the relative size of the clubs when you talk of Europe and competing regularly with the top sides in the league.

To be fair Robinson has made it very plain he’s bringing in a replacement, just a case of how quickly that happens, I would still not rule out a return for Aldred despite everything that’s been said, stranger things have happened and he would be in a better position to be a starter even with Hartley fit. Yes he’s not as quick as Kipre but not many are.

But how many clubs outside the big guns have actually done that season after season, St Johnstone ?

I would say it’s going to be avoiding relegation every season with anything else a bonus, so no real surprise. When the debt is paid off maybe a slightly bigger investment in the playing budget. With our crowds and playing budget we will never be challenging for top four with all the big guns back in the top flight.

Surely getting the debt paid off as quickly as possible is also good news for the club moving forward ? I understand there is a level of risk regarding retaining our place in the top flight but all clubs sell their best players at some stage. I would not see this as a “half arsed offer” if the figures quoted are correct. He’s been with us one season and in my view still has some way to go in his development. The top end of the Championship is very tough and he will not even be a nailed on starter. A good percentage of players moving from Scotland don’t make the step up even at Championship level, Moult and Hennegan are hardly setting it on fire and as such comparison with transfer fees down south for established players can’t be compared.

If Kipre goes as it seems he will we are going to need to bring in another centre half fairy quickly in my view. Hartley is not fit and Dunne is out for weeks.I’d be very surprised if Robinson is not already putting a deal in place.

If it’s a million it’s fantastic business for the club for a player still to develop. Get Aldred back and permanently signed as a replacement if possible if this goes through.

League - 9th place. League Cup - Quarter Final Scottish Cup - Quarter Final Player of the Year - Peter Hartley Young Player of the Year - Allan Campbell  Top Goalscorer - Curtis Main Season wishes - To avoid relegation and retain as many of our better players as possible.

To be fair although we’ve hardly been impressive in the four cup games we’ve won three and drawn one, it is job done.

The area we were in took around 1200 when full. I’m guessing around 1000

Frears for me.

I’m not sure why Bigi is even on the bench, if he could not get on today after the first half why is he even there ?

Campbell was the worst of a dreadful midfield today but no one came out with any credit. An utterly woeful performance with very little football against let’s remember a league two team. Nothing in midfield with the defence all over the place, Hartley is simply not fit, that’s obvious to everyone. Donnelly looked shaky but it is early days for him and he could well improve, Kipre well below his usual standard. I’m still not a fan of Sammon i’m afraid. It was a windy day and and artificial pitch and i’m rarely this negative but came away today feeling pretty despondent.

I’m a bit surprised they are not opening the other stand but as you say they maybe don’t expect a big Motherwell following.

Regarding the parking I attended I think four games last season and each time we parked in the car park in front of the main stand with no problems at all, never saw a single driver being questioned. Maybe it’s changed for this season but they certainly did not direct everyone to behind the west stand.

The car park in front of the home stand is open for football fans now free of charge. They may only open the main stand with Motherwell fans in the left side of the stand

I wonder if we are sharing the main stand at Clyde on Saturday as they tend to do these days. I would have thought there will be a very healthy away following.

He’s not slow, but he can be extremely half arsed when not in the mood and never get up to speed. I don’t think it’s a lack of ability with him just attitude at times.

To be fair Edinburgh never troubled us and we’ve been without two of our first choice back three in two of the three games with Hartley and Kipre not fully fit. With all three back and up to speed they are more than capable with Carson behind them.

Just what was needed to settle some nerves and we should be through comfortably now.

Yep, Robinson thinks it’s the best use of a small budget and frankly I probably agree. When we are at our best we can beat just about anyone in the league, if we drop the energy levels we struggle. We don’t have the budget to go for technically gifted players and would be taking a real risk of being relegated if we went down that route in my view. Saying that I know many don’t agree and feel we could strike some form of middle ground.

Personally i’m not convinced he’s as good as many think he is, he’s come on and made a difference at times but i’ve never thought wow this guy is good. However I can understand the call for him given he does have a higher level of creativity than most at the club. Sadly it was obvious a good six months ago he was never going to nail down a starting place with Robinson. A baffling signing to be sure given he’s not close to being a Robinson type of player.

Robinson likes big, strong players and plays direct football, that’s not going to change as he seems to think that’s the most effective use of a limited budget. We won’t be signing creative players and playing pretty passing football with him in charge and this season will be exactly the same as last season style wise so we might as well accept it until he’s either offered another position or is sacked. Not saying people need to like it but that’s just the way it is.

I’d be amazed if we fail to progress. I’m expecting us to win the next two games.

So the benchmark we have to meet is winning the league or a cup, get ready to be very dissapointed just about every season for the next 30 years.