Gadgey

Does anyone know when the announcement will be made regarding when the final will be? Will it definitely be the Sunday? I want to get travel plans sorted pronto

As physical as they were, there was a fair amount of talent in that Hearts team of the 80s. All the while we get dismissed as being nothing more than a bunch of hammer throwers by those who dont watch us much, wee Robbo will continue to perpetuate that myth with chat like that whilst quietly getting that team clicking and diligently going about its business.

Would winning the final heal that wound? How sweet would it be to end the unbeaten run whilst we're at it? Maybe I'm getting a wee bit carried away but a cup win that beats the top 3 which includes both sets of cavemen would be amongst our greatest ever achievements.

I didn't know him, but I'll have one for Iain RIP

Truly fuckin magical!!!!

They're the result of our problems in Scottish society

Well, cannae really disagree wi that!!

I hate the old firm and pretty much everything they represent, but when their success outside of our shores benefits us and Scottish football, why not encourage them?

I see Oldham have just appointed a successor to Robbo's successor. I know many believe his time there to be a car crash but all things in context. John Sheriden took over immediately from Robinson in January, but won only 10 of his 33 games in charge. A statement on the Oldham website said the board had "not seen the progression we hoped with what was felt to be the nucleus of a good squad". Was that the nucleus that Robbo put together? Robbo had to work under financial pressures at Oldham as he started pre-season with only seven contracted players due to the club being under a transfer embargo since November prior to his appointment. Robinson won seven, drew 11 and lost 15 of his 33 games in charge of Oldham. Comparing apples for apples, against an experienced manager like Sheriden (three terms in the Oldham hot seat), I think he was on a hiding to nothing and in context, didn't do that bad at all. What a difference when in a steadier place and with a board who believe in him.

That's a reasonable assessment. Given that the current team is better than say the past 2/3 seasons during one of which, we achieved top six, how much of an indication is that of an improvement in quality of the SPL overall?

Agreed..... Fully paid up member of the happy clappy club

Not upset with that in the slightest and no desire to cause upset to others. We all look at fixtures ahead of course we do. Some see hope some see despair. Personally, I like to choose hope. I have no reasoning for this other than I'm a glass is half full sort of guy. I have no football qualifications so don't sweat the small stuff. The club pay people with the appropriate skills to do that. I do however find it tiresome reading the same warnings week in week out. This is the second week in a row we have been reminded of our apparent failure to beat those above us. In truth, I'm well happy with being in that split between the two halves of the league. It's an obvious sign of progress. I do think though, that based upon the obvious spirit around the team at this moment, we fans have reason to be optimistic about the upcoming fixtures. I for one am confident that this current Motherwell team will not confine beating the big teams this season to just cup games. We may not finish in the top 6, we may not maintain this momentum but we will acquire some great memories from this season. And when those memorable moments come, it's really tiresome when the usual glass is half empty folk piss on those chips with their precautionary messages using stats that can be manipulated. Carpe diem !!!!

Talk about stating the obvious and hammering the shit out of it !!! Are you a health and safety inspector for your day job??? Here's a novel idea. Why don't we just enjoy this fabulous spell of supporting our team for what it is and let the management team who actually know about football do the worrying about the next round of games.

I am absolutely gutted that I won't be able to get to the game as I'm out the country. Had it been the Saturday, I could've flown up and back to London to fly out Sunday. WHEN we get to the final, it'll be a very different story. I've already booked the 27th November as annual leave to allow for the celebratory pimms.

I don't think Robbo can be questioned for that. When I saw the bench before ko I was impressed by its strength and attacking capability. It was a bold and positive move to bring two forward players at a time when things needed changing. The manager can't be faulted if the players don't make the impact the manager and every one of us expected them to. Although we lost, yesterday was a milestone in that we forced the supposed free playing all conquering Aberdeen to change how they play in respond to the threat we posed. But for a bit of luck, we would have taken points from them. That is all due to the manager.

No intention to piss on anyone's parade, these are exciting times but I don't think it's fair to determine this teams "real deal" status on the outcome of today's match. They're a young team and are still shaping. All things in context, they have collectively exceeded all expectations up to this point. We will inevitably experience some lows in the future and in many respects, and IMO, it's how they respond to those lows that will determine whether they're the real deal or not. All that said, I'd be made up with a draw today, keep our unbeaten run going and beating the sheep on aggregate over two legs.

I wonder, is the honeymoon coming to an end?

I watched a very subdued Chris Humphrey playing right back today for Bury. He looked slow and languid. A shadow of the speed merchant we were used to.

It's nights like tonight that give me the sickener for living so far away. That was one of those matches that will live in the memory for many moons to come. A fabulous result from a phenomenal team performance and I envy everyone who was there. I know it's still early in the season and some are quite justifiably curbing their enthusiasm over the Robinson revolution until the end of the first round of matches. But for me, even if this just a run, a streak, a flash in the pan .... then at least we'll have a long awaited cup run and tonight to remember.

Great post.

Neil Lennon is in many respects, a Colin O'Neil type of character. Total commitment to the teams he played for, a face you'd never tire punching and was totally hated by opposition fans for both those very things. I should imagine that besides those who are never happy with anything the club does, there wouldn't be many grumbling if he had been our manager. He's made some good signings at Hibs and has managed to make them stronger than they have been in many years. He seems to have them playing as a unit and whilst they may be inconsistent over the piece, they will be very difficult to beat on their own patch on Saturday. I would be most content with a draw.

One mans balance is another mans miserable pish.

Aye....I've never been good in a bookies. If this new team spirit we're hearing about is for real, it's a well win by the odd goal

Agreed. It's gonna be a really interesting test for this new squad of ours. How they respond to a battling (I agree with you fizoxy) team desperate for points after a forced good form breaking lay off will be an interesting test of the teams character. Is it on alba tonight?