Jay

Aye, "a good team performance" was pretty much how I described it after the game. Certainly not the most attractive or thrilling game of football, but we did what we had to do, looked organised, and got a great result. As well as Moult and Skippy, I thought Cadden had a great game - positive and looking to make something happen every time he got the ball, and he roasted the County left-back a decent number of times. Some fantastic footwork too, looked like he was really enjoying going at the County defence. For their goal, I don't think Samson can be held too responsible. He could perhaps have been a wee bit stronger but I think it's more just a freak goal and a bout of bad luck rather than any seriously poor play from our keeper. In fact, when you factor in his saves, County will be very disappointed they didn't take at least a point and Samson should get a lot of credit for that.

Given it was the end of January and payday hadn't yet arrived (for me anyway!), we ended up with some free time to record this week's podcast just a couple of hours after the game on Saturday. Andy Paterson joined us to discuss the game, County Away, the latest transfer dealings, and Mark McGhee: http://www.mfc1886.com/mfc-podcast-2016-17-episode-23/

MOTHERWELL have landed Scotland Under-21 centre-half Zak Jules on loan for the rest of the season. Reading boss Jaap Stam has approved the youngster heading to Fir Park on a short-term deal to gain first-team experience. Jules could come into contention for a debut in tomorrow's televised Premiership clash at home to Rangers. He is the third player to arrive at Well in the last 24 hours after the signing of Elliot Frear and Russell Griffiths. But manager Mark McGhee is keen to land one more target before the transfer window closes on Tuesday night.

Fingers crossed!

I'd like to think so but I can't help feeling that backup will be his role while he's here. McGhee has already shown himself to be completely against dropping Samson this season, not to mention that, last time round, he seemed to favour having young, backup goalkeepers on loan from English clubs sitting on the bench (Daniels, Nielsen, Krysiak). I still have zero faith in Samson though, so hopefully Griffiths can indeed challenge him for a starting berth.

NEW PODCAST: http://www.mfc1886.com/mfc-podcast-2016-17-episode-22/ Sparra, Busta & Jay discuss the cup defeat at Ibrox, Mark’s McGhee post-match comments, the U20s bid to retain the Youth Cup, and upcoming fixtures against Rangers and Ross County. All before Sparra goes missing (please Tweet any sightings to @MFCPodcast86).

Cheers for the posts folks. As I said on the previous page, I don't know any more at this stage than any one else but moving forward I certainly have no intention to stop being as active on social media, the podcast, blogs, and on here as before (I'll need to actually be more active on here again - don't post as much these days but read daily!) - so any issues or comments or questions or whatever it is, fire them my way.

I hope we'll be providing a communal porcelain jug for them to drink whisky from.

Cheers folks. Once I've actually joined officially and been to next month's board meeting, I'll be keen to discuss any issues or criticism about the Society with folk - either on here, by e-mail (jay.henderson@outlook.com) or via Twitter (@jay_mfc). Communication remains a particular bug bear of mine so I'm keen to be available to any 'Well fan who is looking to ask questions, get involved, or just vent about the Society (which I've made a habit of myself). That's probably something for the coming months though, given I know just as much as anyone else looking from the outside in at the moment, but feel free to get in touch with anything Society related from pretty much now onwards. In the meantime, if anyone is bored at work and wants to read some thoughts on fan-ownership that I wrote for the MFC Podcast book last year (which true to form has a go at the Well Society), feel free: https://tookadeflection.wordpress.com/2016/10/04/the-future-can-still-be-ours/

You'd have thought so, but nope. I'd forgotten about this getting shown at half-time. Utterly bizarre. Tend to agree with Busta, should have told them to keep their creepy traditions to themselves.

Cheers mate, we'll see how it pans out. Certainly a few impressive candidates standing, a number of whom tick the boxes I think are required at this stage, so the main thing IMO is getting someone on there that'll rock the boat a bit, offer some real creativity and enthusiasm, and hopefully make attempts to seriously improve the communications side of things. A couple there that I'd have considered voting for if I hadn't vote for myself!

I don't think there's anywhere to get it other than on your membership card, if you got one. You don't need it to vote though, they accept date of birth instead (probably because they realise a lot of folk have no idea what their number is).

Absolutely, although the voting form itself still just says you can deliver the form to the Society via e-mail. It's on the webpage with information about the ballot which states you can e-mail if you have problems with the form by including WS membership number or DOB. Not that it's too relevant now anyway, I'm sure anyone who actually wants to vote will know that they can do so by e-mail now - it was just something that came up a few times yesterday so thought it best to highlight!

Just a wee heads up on this - was speaking to a couple of folk yesterday who were completely unaware you can vote by e-mail, simply by sending the name of who you want to vote for (and presumably your date of birth or Society number) to the Society. Unfortunately, there seems to have been folk put off by what appeared to be a bit of a hassle involving either posting a voting form or printing it off, filling it out, and scanning it in before sending it by e-mail. I can see why that would be the perception because it's exactly what I thought before the Society corrected me on Twitter. So aye, if anyone is considering voting before tomorrow's midnight deadline, then you can thankfully do so by e-mail - it just seems to be something that the Society haven't really explained very well...

Andrew Paterson joins Sparra, Busta & Jay to look back on the 0-0 draw with Kilmarnock, preview the upcoming matches at Pittodrie and McDiarmid Park, consider the future of Dom Thomas at Fir Park, and reflect on Saturday's successful Christmas Toy Drive. http://www.mfc1886.com/mfc-podcast-2016-17-episode-19/

NEW PODCAST: http://www.mfc1886.com/mfc-podcast-2016-17-episode-16/ In a rare occurrence, Sparra, Busta & Jay recorded in the same room, complete with beers, hangovers and a brief cameo from a very quiet and seemingly sleepy Martyn Venables. The agenda included the 2-0 win over Partick Thistle, Chris Cadden, Mark McGhee, players doing media work, the Well Society, and Hearts Away.

NEW PODCAST: Along with Sparra and Jay, Motherwell Ladies striker Suzanne Grant and ‘Well fan Craig Holmes (Desp on Steelmen Online) feature on this week’s podcast. Topics of discussion include the fantastic 4-1 win over Ross County, Mark McGhee, Lee Lucas, Motherwell Ladies’ league title win, the new era of fan-ownership at Fir Park, and Dundee Away on Saturday. http://www.mfc1886.com/mfc-podcast-2016-17-episode-14/

NEW PODCAST: Sparra, Busta & Jay discuss the Hearts game before being joined by Celtic blogger & podcaster Paul Thomson to discuss the trip to Celtic Park, safe standing & fixture lists. Due to sound problems with the original recording, a back-up was used so apologies for any audible background noise! http://www.mfc1886.com/mfc-podcast-2016-17-episode-11/

NEW PODCAST: With Sparra failing a last minute fitness test, it was up to Jay, Busta & Joe McKelvie to navigate through an unplanned chat about the draw at Thistle, the Scotland U21s, Friday’s Hearts game, and whatever else sprang to mind! http://www.mfc1886.com/mfc-podcast-2016-17-episode-10/

"Joe McKelvie is back again, joining Sparra and Jay to discuss the St Johnstone defeat, Craig Samson, Joe Chalmers, Scott McDonald, Dom Thomas, the upcoming trip to Ibrox, the U20s cup tie at home to Airdrie, and much more. Busta even makes a brief cameo from poolside in Vegas!" http://www.mfc1886.com/mfc-podcast-2016-17-episode-5/

Sparra wasn't about so I got landed with hosting, joined by Busta and Crazy Legs McKelvie. Here's how it panned out... "Joe McKelvie joins Jay and Busta for the fourth podcast of the season. On the agenda - a good opening day victory at Rugby Park, a crushing exit from the League Cup, a new signing in the form of Craig Clay, the ongoing Marvin Johnson transfer saga, St Johnstone at home on Saturday, and much more..." http://www.mfc1886.com/mfc-podcast-2016-17-episode-4/

Busta and Sparra were joined by Andrew Paterson and Annan Athletic chairman, Henry McClelland to discuss the League Cup, preview this weekend’s clash at Galabank, fan ownership and a great deal more. http://www.mfc1886.com/mfc-podcast-2016-17-episode-2/

I understand completely why the natural assumption with these kinds of things is that those who offer up their expertise, skills and time voluntarily will automatically be utilised - you'd probably think it would be crazy for the Well Society to do otherwise, so it's a completely fair assumption to make. But as I've already said, it's a completely inaccurate assumption. I can think of five individuals off the top of my head who have either been requested to actually do something specifically by and for the Society only to be completely messed about, or have actively offered up suggestions or professional expertise and experience to the Society only to be either ignored or made to feel completely unwanted or, again, just messed about. Everyone is entitled to make up their own minds on this but for me, based on the experiences I have had and those of people I know, this is pretty clear cut. People have offered up their time to the Society but the Society has either been completely uninterested or is just absolutely incapable of treating people in an acceptable way. There are 1,300 adult members of the Well Society - the majority of whom, I would imagine, are passionate 'Well fans. Is the suggestion here seriously that of that number, only the very few who have been involved with the Society actually came forward to help out or give a couple of ideas? That's simply not true. We're talking about an organisation that, as of last week, had never even considered making the minutes of their AGMs available to the wider membership. The idea that they are completely incapable of utilising and treating correctly the people who have offered to help out is hardly a great leap. As I said previously in the thread, fan ownership remains an exciting and interesting prospect but until the Society actually start engaging Motherwell fans and make them believe that, the whole thing will just continue to be the uninspiring shambles it has been for years. I have been in contact with the Society many times over the last couple of years, particularly since starting the podcast, including e-mails (I concur with the above that Craig Hughes is very good at responding) as well as meetings and telephone calls with Board members (not to mention having Society reps on the actual podcast itself) - so it's not like ranting about the Society is just something that gives me kicks without, according to some on here, the required attempts to make suggestions etc. I genuinely want to see it succeed but the only thing the Society seems consistent in is mediocrity and until those involved see that, it's knackered.

Unfortunately I know of a few "competent, professional people willing to put in the necessary hours" who, over the last couple of years, have made attempts to be involved or to provide expertise and suggestions and have ended up either being made to feel unwanted, completely messed about, or just completely ignored. The bottom line is, from the actual experiences folk have had, the idea that availability would lead to involvement is largely nonsense.