milo

It's not as if the team is loaded with youngsters though! Cadden, Heneghan and lately McMillan. That's it!

If, and it's a big if, everyone is fit then there are really strong arguments for it being the same starting 11 as v Ross County. If it's the same starting 11 as Dens then we're taking nothing from this game. It's only 1 of many issues but a centre mid pairing of Lasley and Clay isn't working.

According to the Mark McGhee press conference (of which 9 of the 11 minutes was regarding Scotland!!) everyone is fit for Saturday so it will be interesting to see who starts.

Apparently Laing had to gaul to stand up to McManus over something so after that outburst he was sent to Coventry, or in this case Notts County. Whether there's any truth in that I don't know.

3 or 4 points from 4 games (3 of which were at home) v Inverness, Ross County, Dundee and Thistle is an absolute disaster. 6 points isn't great either. Unless anyone disagrees? And that's on the back of the performances and results that went before.

Must win. Quite simple. Fail to do so and McGhee should go.

Double post

That's an excellent summary, I'd agree with all of that. I'm glad someone else has noticed the summer signings who aren't contributing. How much are they costing the club per month? Doubt we'll ever find out as no one seems bothered enough.

Yes the league is very tight, it's out only saving grace, and as Dundee have shown, as long as you're not completely cut adrift, a couple of results can change everything. I don't think we are losing by small margins. We were comprehensively outplayed and outfought in the second half yesterday, by a team that hadn't won at home or kept a clean sheet there all season, despite the score only being 1-0 for the majority of it. It was as comfortable a home win as you're every likely to see all season. Our shape, passing, movement and workrate in the second half was embarrassing. Let's not forget our "goal" was a suspect cross. Not some blistering shot! Yes it was a shocking decision but it happened after 20 minutes and there are enough experienced players in our team who should know more than most that these things happen, not cling to the injustice and go in the huff. 3 "senior" players all at fault in the first goal yesterday. The decision to play a half fit Hammell and Lasley was a disaster and deserves more critisism.

Folk reckon the possible return of Pearson is going to save us? In the same way Moult coming back was going to turn it around? The plan seems to be to hover round about 10/11th spot and everyone to tel themselves we'll be fine cos there are teams worse than us. Who are these teams?

I take it you weren't there today because if you had witnessed that second half you wouldn't be saying any of that.

Plenty ammo after that today. His summer signings (if they are even playing) do not stand up well to any scutiny. Poor signings in an ageing, one paced, injury prone team. What could possibly go wrong?!?!

Normal service resumed then. Last week was clearly a case of papering over the cracks. Yes the disallowed goal was a shocking decision but from then on in it was as shapeless and insipid display as you are ever likely to see. We appear to deal terribly with adversity. Subbing Hammell at ht looks like he wasn't fit. 1 sub down. Lasley going off after ht also looks like he wasn't fit. Another wasted sub, Don Thomas and the other young boy that came on were hung out to dry by McGhee in my opinion. They were asked to go on and save the game. Terrible result and a performance to match. Completely outplayed in the second half. Completely outplayed by Dundee. A team who had been abject all season. McGhee will no doubt point to the young subs and say that's the only options he had. Perhaps if he hadn't signed 6? 7? players who have either contributed very little or fuck all. I'm struggling to think of any player who would get pass marks today. 3 points from 9 v Inverness, Ross County and Dundee?!?! Deary me. Now McGhee gets to swan off with Scotland. He should stay away to be honest.

That's a big disappointment and blow. A player that can't play 2 games in a row is nae use though.

Where's Lucas?!?!

The consensus in here and among my friends and family is the starting 11 today should be the same as last Saturday. If it's the same and we don't win I think most people will still feel it was the right thing to do and if we do win there will have never been any doubt! If McGhee changes it and we win I think most people will still feel it was the wrong decision but it will be pushed to the one side and we got the win, If he changes it and we lose McGhee is going to take pelters, and with a degree of justification in the eyes of many.

Quite surprised to hear that. Is he injured? Absolutely loved Big Higdon. He played in one of my all time favourite Motherwell teams also. Would swap him for Bowman and Blyth in a heartbeat!

I would class this game as "must not lose" but if we do indeed draw, then really then need to beat Thistle in the next game. Otherwise Saturdays result/performance merely papers over the cracks and we're back to square 1. Someone said on here on Saturday that with the league being so tight (at our end) a win every now and then isn't much use. We need to put a bit of a run together. Surely it'll be the same team as v Ross County? No-one deserves to be dropped after that. Regardless of who may be fit again. I'm a bit nervous about this game.

The crowds have been very very poor ever since things started to go south in the play off season.

This. 100%. And for the record, I absolutely love Lasley.

Credit where credits due. I swithered about making the 200 mile round trip today after I made it on Wednesday but I'm glad I did. Great reaction from the players with some excellent individual performances thrown in. It's amazing what a good work ethic, attitude and the correct players being played in positions that allow them to play to their strengths can do eh? That has to be the starting 11 for Dens? Surely? After being enormously critical of Clay after Wednesday I thought he was excellent today, possibly because Lucas is a better fit than Lasley? The midfield retained possession well and allowed Cadden and Ainsworth to get forward. That's the first time I've seen Lucas and was very impressed. Good range of passing and I can't remember him wasting a ball. Was very unlucky with his shot at the end. On the evidence of that today Lasley may have to be content with a spot on the bench. McDonald, Moult and Ainsworth were brilliant, McDonald in particular showing when he is in the mood and/or on form what a great player he is. I absolutely slaughtered everyone after Wednesday's debacle so it's only fair I heap praise on them today. We're not out the woods though, I'm still concerned and anxious about the season ahead and I just hope today hasn't just papered over the cracks as someone said on the way out! If we leave Dens with nothing then today was for nothing! Results elsewhere weren't really kind to us were they?!?!

Night and day from Wednesday. That should be the formation/starting 11 for next Saturday.

Samson has been directly culpable for so many of the goals we've conceded this season. It is beyond a joke. Hollis and Neilsen didn't make that many mistakes between them! The longer he stays in goals the more lost our cause is, partially because of his ineptitude and partially because of McGhee's arrogance and ego which refuses to change it for the greater good.

With the budget being as tight as it is why are we wasting money on Blyth, Bowman, Belic and Lucas?!?! 4 players contributing absolutely zero and from the limited minutes we've seen of 3 of them, looking less than capable to say the least! One decent left sided midfielder or attaching midfielder is what is required. Not 4 donkeys that won't bring anything to the team. As fans we're probably more aware of budgets than we ever were and what are the above costing us a week in wages to contribute nothing. It's money down the drain.

Does anyone know the length of deals all the summer signings are on?