wellfan

Two dud teams with something to play for today but neither turned up. No surprises there. A draw was a fair result in the end and neither team deserved to finish in the top 6. 8 league wins in 33. Crap.

I thoroughly enjoy reading this thread every day, but I’ll be waiting for actual details to be released before offering any comment or my hot take. Others should keep it up, however, as it's exactly why this forum is often fun and nippy.

Print news has been in a terminal decline for a long time, and the Daily Record died when it published ‘The Vow’.

For whatever reason, I thought he was out of contract, but it makes sense that he was sent to us after extending his deal.

Yeah, that's fair to say, as I've always remained a little unclear as to what the WS actually is, how it functions within itself and with the Club, and what ‘powers’ it has. I've paid my monthly DD for years regardless.

I see the society as a member organisation, such as a trade union. Therefore, as a member of a trade union at work, I would expect them to put a position to me (and other members) on important workplace issues.

Given our defence is leakier than Downing Street, I'll focus my comments on those players now. SOD will be 32 in May and should have a few years left in him, but probably not as a marauding RWB for much longer. He's local, so I'm sure he'd accept a new deal if offered, but it's anyone's guess what those terms would/should be. McGinn will be 34 in October and probably has another season at least left at this level, so we may offer him a 1-year deal as he's versatile and reliable, and his experience will help the younger boys. However, I can see another SPL club offering him a 2-year contract with, likely, improved wages, which he would be wise to take. Bevis is a bit of an unknown. He's been here for what feels like a long time, and he's now an international captain, which is incredible for him. This new status will likely have his agent's ears pricked up, meaning he'll be getting touted for a higher wage to other clubs, although this could be something we accept and offer him a new deal anyway. Butcher appears to be finished at this level and shouldn't be offered a new deal. He's an Obika, unfortunately. Blaney is under contract, has found his way into the team lately, and may decide to see out his deal, but that all depends on what conversations Kettlewell has had with him. Casey. Let's hope he continues to improve and learn. His strengths and passion are there for all to see, as well as his weaknesses. He'll get a proper pre-season this year. Elliot. Does he exist? Why was he signed? Gent's loan will end, and he's out of contract at Blackburn, meaning he's likely out of our price range, although I would love to sign him. He's been fantastic and seems to be flourishing. He can even play as an inside forward. Monty is already back at Celtic, recovering from an injury, although we may see him come off the bench for us in May. Good luck to the lad, whatever happens, as his cameo was impressive. Devine. Back to Rangers. He would benefit from going out on loan to a lower league for a spell. Wilson. He'll return to us from Beith, and his contract expires in May. I'm not sure what will happen next. I've no clue about the other young lads and won't comment.

Maybe it's time to return to this thread, perhaps? Also, remember this development, which seems to suggest Daws - the glorified scout down south - is here to stay, unfortunately. https://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2024/02/13/partnership-with-off-the-pitch/

We could get a goalie who would consistently make the same mistakes as Kelly but be on half his wages, and that would be about right for our level. However, we've been paying a premium for an average product for a while now, and it's likely prevented us from being able to strengthen the squad elsewhere. He's also been undroppable because of his high wage and captaincy. He needs to move on or be moved on at the end of his contract because I don't see him accepting a pay cut.

Miller will be sold soon enough, and I don't see any BIG enough offers coming in for Bair yet. Much like Miller's extension, we should be offering Bair a one-year extension to protect our asset in the hope that he continues to improve next season and doesn't leave for bugger all at the end of season 2024/25.

Having just seen the highlights for both goals conceded, I am not in the least bit surprised at the two free headers for their 1st goal or Kelly's flapping at their 2nd goal. Poor central defence and weak goalkeeping have been our main Achilles' heel all season, and the former could've been addressed in January, but it wasn't, and that still pisses me off. Had it been, and given how the season has played out for us and the teams around us, we would likely already have a top 6 place confirmed. Two great goals from Theo and Moses, however.

6-6 again.

The bogmonsters were smashed 👍

Exactly. We’ve had to put ourselves at a disadvantage today due to them getting away with having a ploughed bog for a pitch.

I envy your optimism 🍻

If we walk off, the abandonment will be on us and Dundee can claim it wasn't their fault. Don't give the bogmonsters the satisfaction and smash them instead.

Watch the rangers dictate and get exactly what they want on Wednesday, as that pitch will be even more unplayable after today.

Shots fired from Caldwell already. I like it. It's clear that we’ve not agreed with the referee’s assessment of the pitch being playable. https://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2024/04/06/dundee-match-called-on/

I am in no doubt that the game would've been called off weren't it for the fact of the looming split. Utterly ridiculous decision-making from the SPFL / SFA as usual.

No, and it'll be even worse on Wednesday for the visit of the rangers. That game will likely get moved to a neutral venue and the fans of both sides given plenty of notice.

If it's unplayable at 11 am, that won't change by 1 pm. Delaying the inevitable cancellation is an appalling treatment of fans by the authorities, and I hope Caldwell raises hell if that is the case.

You're right, although I have a feeling he’d make them regret the decision should they force us into a closed-door game. He seems strong-minded and capable, and taking such a stance would immediately get him on the side of the fans.

My quick summary: I enjoyed his brutally honest initial assessment of everything being a bit disjointed in terms of the Club, staff, fans, and Well Society. It was interesting to hear his comments on not interfering in recruitment, but disappointing to learn that Daws is still kicking around. I guess it was sensible that he was asked to contact the US-based investor once he was identified as the preferred candidate and before he took the post. It was also good to hear that the investor has spoken to the Well Society. I like that he's stood his ground and told the SPFL they cannot dictate what happens should the Dundee game be called off. TL;DR - it's Dundee's fault, and Motherwell shouldn't suffer.

6 quid is a bargain!

There's no way the Club should be agreeing to anything that puts its players or fans at a disadvantage in the event of Dundee's ongoing failure to fulfil fixtures at their ground. It's either played at Dens Park in front of fans or not at all this Saturday. Having it played on plastic (potentially) and behind closed doors would be utter bollox and is a reward for their failure. It's about time they're held to account for the impact that their shite pitch is causing; it's 2024 for fucks sake.