Gadgey

Wholeheartedly agree with the above. As it goes, what are the rumours doing the rounds with regards arrivals and departures?

I don't think anyone would disagree with you that Motherwells transfer policy has been nothing short of woeful during recent years but during the vast majority of that time, we've enjoyed the longest run of highest top league finishes in the clubs modern history. So on that basis, I wouldn't necessarily agree that our recent standard of import quality (January cull excluded of course) has been useless. I for one WOULD be surprised if we saw Moult and Johnson leave at the ends of their contracts for nothing and the reason I say that is that the club has talked up that import, skill up, export business model and has spent quite a lot of money on building the infrastructure to resource that. Has all of this bypassed you? But of course, you can never rule out the individual will of a young talented player who perhaps has had his head turned. If the rumours are true, there will be nothing to stop Ben Hall refusing a new contract and swanning off chasing the big time after a few breakthrough games in our first team. So yeah, IT IS man management time because for every Theo Robinson or Franny Jeffers I'll raise you a Paul Slane or Lee Erwin. i sincerely hope McGhee keeps our young talent grounded and picks the best available team to have a cracking battle for that fourth spot

I honestly don't know what planet you've just been beamed down from mate. Let's explore your example of the young Rangers player. I suspect all of the Motherwell u20s squad will be just like the 17 year old boy you describe. They too should be like a "dog with a bone" doing what they can to get into the first team. Such is the nature of forging a career in such a competitive industry. It's been the way of the footballing world since Christ left Patrick. Do you HONESTLY think that Warburton will just put this lad in because he's been trying really hard? Young players should break into first teams when they're ready to fight for a place in that first team. To suggest otherwise is idealistic nonsense. The u20s reward will be a trophy. It is not a first team berth!!! If the first team achieve 4th, there will be more money to secure the longevity of our homegrown talent and to source talent from elsewhere such as Johnson and Moult. It's a simple matter of business. But hey, it's man management time. I'd hate for a potential cup winning youth team to feel "deflated" because they didn't walk straight into a premiership first team.

Ssshhh!!!

Ripley kept us in the game, whether he was "average" in doing so is subject to conjecture, but the fact remains, had it not been for him, we wouldn't have been able to have a go at clawing anything back. I fucking hate Golum with a passion but in general, he didn't have a bad game. He called it as his linesman saw it (who is employed to see it better than him) and quite simply, the linesman got it wrong. On the plus side, to not play particularly well yet still worry a Celtic team who were pushing on for a league title and to still feel slightly robbed come full time....I think is sufficient to give me at least some belief that we can still finish 4th (cos we will be in the top 6).

I don't think I've ever been so nervous watching other teams scores

I would agree with pretty much all of that. The English lower league fixture card is gruelling and I'd go as far to say that all three leagues demand high levels of athleticism and stamina. Someone said earlier that Jamie Murphy had to do two years in league 1 to get ready for championship and they're bang on. In fact, I recently read an interview where he said as much. Obviously, being an exile I don't get to see as much of players as many of you do, but from what I've seen of him, big Marv could be a good league 1 player and in time possibly lower championship, but would need greater consistency to cope with the heavy fixture list whilst maintaining a starting berth in either league.

LOL it certainly is !!! The combined Medway towns of gillingham, Chatham and Rochester make Motherwell and wishaw seem like bearsden and milngavie

An interesting debate regarding the comparison between SPFL and English lower leagues. Having been to lots of English league games over recent years, I think it's fair to say that the gulf between the clubs in either side of the border is getting greater. 10-15 years ago when I was regularly going to watch gillingham in the championship, I would say Scottish teams of the time would have comfortably lived in that environment. A little later, I used to regularly watch Brentford (brother in law lived there) and Gillingham (my local club) when they were both in league 1 during the back end of the last decade and then latterly Exeter and 'the gills' when they were in league 2 (now latterly gillingham riding high in league 1) during the last six years or so. I now through work, get to see West Ham and Charlton fairly often and I think it's fair to say that during that 10 years or so, there's been a sizeable shift in standard between the English leagues. It's been all to do with money of course and for that reason alone, by default, the standard of the Scottish game has fallen behind also. But to say that Motherwell would be a lower league 1 side at best, is a little unfair. It is in itself an unlevel playing field in that clubs even at that level, have more to spend than us. But all things considered, the majority of Scottish teams would, if thrown in and given acclimatising time, would comfortably survive in league 1. Some would be able to push on to championship.

Wooaaahh!!!! You're a brave man putting that one out there. Personally, I have no issue with that as hearts have seen success from doing the same with Levein. I'm sure there will be many who will not agree or agree without McGhees involvement. Thinking it through logically though, there is that potential succession plan of Robinson and Craigan stepping up with Lasley and potentially Faddy coming through the youth system.

We won't be relegated and we will be in the top six. The big question is can we finish fourth and in a more general sense, who will be in the playoffs? At this rate, hibs might have to wait another year!!!

It's not very often that my optimism actually becomes a reality but what a result that we've been the team to put that run together!!??!! This post was way back in early/mid February and on the topic of relegation....can Utd pull it off? Are killie in free fall? Will those lucky accie bastards survive???

I would agree with much of what you say Andy but I'm with Ya bezzer. Swansea City are a cracking example of that. Managers come and go but if the infrastructure is there, then it'll be easier and more attractive to deliver their required job description and deliver the footballing side of business plan. That in itself will attract other clubs and potential talent to nurture, be it footballers or managers. Mark McGhee, Ian Baraclough or Mickey Mouse it doesn't matter, make it work and they'll look to push on for a "better" job. Also, I don't get this whole "McGhee left us in a mess" stuff. If I remember it correctly, McGhees playing budget was reduced considerably whilst with us and the majority of that squad was allowed to walk away by the then board/owner. Such decision making does not sit entirely with a manager and again (happy to be proven wrong as it was some years ago now) Gannon was recruited to source cheaper, raw talent from England and develop the youngsters. Again, I'm not entirely sure why McGhee should get the blame for that. Yes, next season will be more of a challenge than this one, it'll be stronger and we will lose talent. But none the less, the signs are promising that McGhee will can maintain our SPFL status, which should be the realists objective.

Wasn't meaning third ... But there is justifiable cause for excitement about coming fourth and Celtic winning the cup. Bloody awesome!!!

Todays win must be the one to confirm beyond all reasonable doubt that the decision to appoint Mark McGhee was absolutely the right call and that there is real justification for a sense of optimism. He's managed to turn a squad who looked clueless and heartless into a side that can fight back from behind to win and on an off day like today, grind out a vital result. What a contrast from this time last year !!??!! I sincerely hope there aren't Motherwell fans out there who are hating this present run and the security from relegation and the excitement of a potential Euro spot that it brings. But if there are, at least they're not coming coming on here and spouting their pish.

Beaten to the punch!!! I honestly don't understand why we need to celebrate the 130th anniversary via a kit or any other means.

I really really hope you're right. He's been pretty much invaluable to us and deserves much credit for his contribution towards the development of Erwin and Moult.

There's also the fact that McDonalds contract is up in the summer aswell. It's definitely not beyond the realms of possibility that neither he nor Moult will be at the club for the start of next season.

So how do you know he played as a right back as alfreton town? McCall certainly seemed to think otherwise from the outset. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/motherwell-win-race-sign-midfielder-3582155#gWA1TtQpdzPJJPAg.97

I think quite simply, ainsworth has lost his mojo. It seems to me that he's either lost all self confidence or he's simply downed tools. Either way, he's not responding to McGhees style of management and I don't expect to see him at the club next season. I actually like him, but as has been typical of the old fashioned winger, inconsistency has plagued his career, the long list of former clubs corroborates that and any potential suitor may be reluctant to be paying a fee for him. Expect a termination of contract by mutual agreement or a swap for a young lower leaguer. With regards Josh Law, I think folk need to remember that he is not a right back to trade. He was converted because McCall didn't sign one and has been a stop gap ever since. I don't see a place for him in our team in midfield so it'll be an interesting battle between him and Laing (also not a natural right back) for the no2 shirt next season. But what can't be taken away from him is he's a grafter and despite being asked to play out of his natural position, does so with conviction.

I absolutely love both of them and would drive the 864 mile round trip to buy them. How long does the present macron contract have left? Is next season the last one?

On a completely different note, if accies go down, they'll need to cut the wage bill. We will have necessity for a keeper for next season....would Michael McGovern be someone we would want to see at fir park?

Yeah Lasley and Jennings did play a lot together but that was in a different formation, with a different squad and a Keith Lasley who was five years younger. Sorry mate but not really the same thing. I like Las, he's Motherwell through and through but it's been the absence of someone who can consistently fill that now clichéd 'makelele' role that has cost us dearly in the past two seasons. Las naturally is not that player, his age dictates that he plays that role however. As pointed out, Gomis is more suited to that role and is good cover for Las, nothing more and nothing less. A sensible short term signing that, based upon the last two games alone, has justified itself without deliberation. I wouldn't fall out with signing him long term if he were to rotate with Las, but given his age and Lasleys status at the club, he neither fits the business plan targets nor is adaptable enough (like Grimshaw was) to play in the same team as Keith Lasley.

I think this thread can go to bed for another year Mon the well!!!!!

A massive massive well done to McGhee and the patched up team for taking it to them and battling a tremendous result. I think we're safe to say that we will not be relegated and we genuinely have a chance of finishing fourth...totally mental, but I love it!!!!