Gadgey

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!!!!

None are so blind as those who choose not to see

As Tommy McLean proved before McGhee, you don't have to be likeable to be a decent Motherwell manager. McLean used to get fucking dogs abuse throughout his tenure...even when challenging for the league title. I never quite understood it myself but fickle are the mob!!! Given the predicament we were in, I was pleased to see McGhee back at the club and will be pleased to see him lead us into a new season in the SPFL. I know that it's based on 'what if' but had we not lost those points to late goals (much of which were out with his control by the way), we wouldn't have been talking about relegation for some time now and this forum would've seen discussion around top 6 and the outside chance of Europe. I think at his age, he knows his career isn't going to see the dizzy heights that he had once previously hoped. This may well work to our benefit and he may just stay on and build a squad that can give some top flight longevity. It will be a stronger league next season and even the McGhee haters must question whether we'd be stronger next season with him or without him.

McDonald knew what he was doing and despite it being a half hearted attempt, he would have known he was running the risk of attracting a red card. It was a very niggly game and the officials (plural because the linesmen are there to witness and report wrongdoing also) failed to nip it in the bud early. Had some early yellows gone out for the cynical digs on the likes of Johnson and Cadden, Utd would've had little choice but wind the neck in. The fella that rugby tackled Cadden was lucky to stay on and perhaps he was the refs compensation for the McDonald decision. But Paton? That was a straight red and if I recall, he was on a yellow already? I have no issue with Utd as a football club and I don't want them gone off the back of one hammer throwing performance. The manager who sent them out to behave like that and the players responsible for that thuggery have no rightful place At a club that prides itself on playing attractive football.

First and foremost, I'm really glad that of the two, the club chose McGhee over Mixu. I dread to think where we'd be right now with Mixu at the helm. He's had a lot more financial resource than McGhee and still can't find a solid 11. To the game, Utd are a team fighting for their lives and were always gonna have a period of dominance and kitchen sink and typically of them, it came early and collapsed with a sucker punch defensive lapse. Whilst we weren't really at it in the first half, we could easily have scored twice through McDonald and Marvin. By the same measure, Ripley deserves some kudos for some vital saves in the first half and kept us in the game. As an exile, this was my first opportunity to see Gomis and once playing in his natural position, he did a good job of breaking up play and starting some good counter attacking moves. The teams work rate in the second half cannot be faulted but the front three in particular, just by their work rate, tracking back and rotation throughout, they really did drag Utds defence all over the place. Moults goal typifies this. The ref had a bit of a shocker but how often can we say that his shocker was in our favour? We were due some fortune, I just hope the three injuries aren't the counter balance to that. And finally, BT.....I dunno about anyone else, but the constant focus on the 'was it a red? Was it a foul?' Was really fuckin tiresome !!! Not one replay of the many good pieces of play or goal opportunities by either team. How Chris Sutton got that gig is an absolute puzzle and after many years of not seeing nor hearing from him, my opinion that Darren Jackson is a greeting weasel faced wee bastard bastard that makes my skin itch has once again been reinforced.

McManus wants to stay...but do we want him to? http://m.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/14325080.Stephen_McManus_eyes_new_deal_as_Motherwell_win_derby/

Yep, they're all out celebrating!!!

A massive well done to the players and coaching staff!!! I said at the start of this thread that this game would be won or lost on psychology. Accies were true to form and the team stood up to them, refusing to be bullied. A fantastic win that I believe will be pivotal in securing our place in the top flight for another year. Accies on the other hand are really in the thick stuff. A very pleasing Saturday

Three accies players booked in first ten minutes. I wonder what their game plan is? Shower of bastards!!!

Again, my memory isn't always the best but didn't Eddie May spend a lot of time at right back too? And yeah, Didn't Craggs only serve as a filler at that stage and was behind Greig Denham(?) in the pecking order? What I do remember though is that those were dark days. A bit reminiscent of now really, we had previously enjoyed a period of success and were now suffering the hang over. Fan backlash was similar to now, the east stand (my usual haunt of the time) was not a happy place and would often empty with lots of game time left on the clock. The players often looked disengaged (the only Motherwell team I have ever questioned the commitment of) and whilst the sequences are a bit out, you could swap Harri Kampman for Ian Barraclough (in terms of sheer ineptitude) and dare I say McGhee for McLiesh (in terms of dividing opinion).

Aye, you're right on both counts. It was Paul Baker and I'm confusing him with McNair. Good memory skills Yabba's turd

I don't remember him referring to any particular game. My first thought was Joe McLeod or Paul Kinnaird but it could've been any one of the multitude of McLean signings throughout his tenure who came and went such as Mark Caughey, Jamie Fairlie or Davie (armitage) Shanks. I seem to remember a big guy who came up from England (maybe Doncaster), had a bit of skinhead and built like a brick shithouse and looked more at home stood wi the ss at the cage than on the pitch. He had a rocket shot on him but little else and just sort of ran about pissing people off. There was some scandal about him either twatting somebody in training or in the pub and then disappeared?

I know a bit off cup final topic but watching that win against rangers brings back some mixed memories. An absolutely fabulous win from a team that given the money spent putting it together, should never have been in the league position that they were. There were some great players in that side, Tommy Coyne and the invaluable Owen Coyle (a player that I'd loved to hate before he came to us but was definitely McLeish's only truly decent signing) and if I recall big buff and Craggs at the back. But of course, we also had Shaun McSkimming, Willie Faulkner, Kevin Christie and John Hendry to counter that balance. It was also great to hear kirkie and fergie reminiscing the cup run and fergie was right, our name was on the cup all along. I just knew that after the Falkirk game, we were away. I wonder who kirkie was referring to when he said about the striker that was just signed and got a start in his first game prompting kirkie to say to fergie "there he'll start the day and then he'll (wee tam) need to call on the professionals to come dig him out the hole and save his job". Any guesses????

I think Accies time is up. We can expect lots of blood guts and petulance from our inferior neighbours but if Motherwell have the right psychology (which I think is half the battle), we may see a repeat of the gubbing we dished out at fir park towards end of last season. If Motherwells heads aren't right, they'll allow themselves to be bullied. Depending upon midweek results, it may be a golden opportunity for us to give some clear space between us and the trap door whilst shoving Accies ever closer. It all depends on which Motherwell turns up.

Don't always agree with you mate but you're absolutely bang on there!....well said !!! I've said it on other threads on here that there are a lot of opinions voiced within forums or hurled at club employees and officials during games that are based solely upon ignorance (without knowledge or understanding of the facts). Unfortunately, I was sceptical of whether the club could achieve its promise to LH and after speaking to people who have previously had dealings with him in the steel industry, it appeared that there would be little likelihood of him releasing the club from its financial and contractual obligations if we don't fulfill our end of the bargain. But we are only 18 months in and there is lots of time for things to improve, bring fan ownership, or indeed, source tangible alternatives that may sustain the clubs future. People tend to forget that when LH assumed control, the club were short on alternatives and I personally have little to criticise the board or indeed the presen general manager for......largely because I am ignorant to the facts.

mate, your response just exposes your ignorance. But if it helps this needless tittle tattle then you win. G'on yersel big man!

Aye Graham, that must make you the oracle.....please feel free to enlighten