Andy_P

Has it has not been suggested that's for the formal introduction of Stephen McManus to the media though?

I remember there was a guy at college who used to come into the lectures with a Rangers top, with the arms cut off and worn as a vest. Three seasons after Rangers had stopped wearing the said shirt. Oh how we laughed.

Had a wee look at the Newcastle site to see the reaction on last night. Talk of a "top drawer" display by Pardew and "no disrespect to Motherwell but we made them look ordinary at times".

I think McCall has played it pretty well with the keepers. When Hollis was here himself he said all the right things about having faith in him if he proved to be number one this season. When Nielsen came he stuck to the line about the position being up for grabs and hasn't yet stated who is number one is. He's given both a chance and even if he fully intended Nielsen to be his first choice from day one he has effectively allowed the decision to be made by naturally by virtue of things like the third goal last night, without actually having to state a preferred first choice . He can simply say he is going by current form - leaving little room for argument.

Hmm....Yes and no for me. It looks the part having someone barking orders but there is more to leadership than that. A quiet word, inspiring by deed or action or even purposely choosing not to speak because you retain a confidence in your team mates abilities can be equally powerful. There will be a time and place for a clenched fist or raised voice of course but we've finished third and second in the last two seasons. Last year off the top of my head I think of half a dozen games we've recovered from losing positions to draw or win. Which given we've done so without a grizzly general style character which for me suggests the impact of a player like that can sometimes be overstated. His experience I would certainly hope we can draw upon however.

The McFadden absence is a concern although McCall seemed fairly relaxed on MFC TV yesterday. I would hope it's simply a case that given previous injuries he has elected not to play before a deal has been signed, just in case and not anything more sinister.

Ended up tuning into Radio Sheffield after all. They are doing occasional updates with "What a shitey home support" clearly audible in the last one.

Appears not. No commentary on MFCTV according to an earlier tweet today, although presumably they will be tweeting throughout the game. Had a quick scan of Doncaster radio stations, sad sack that I am, and there is a BBC Radio Sheffield Sports programme on from 1400 but their headline feature of the day appears to be... Fuck me, exciting or what!!!

Or the utter delight that was the 72p a minute or whatever it was cash cow (if you were daft enough) that was Motherwell Clubcall. "This is Motherwell Clubcall....." music blares for a few seconds "Welcome to Motherwell Clubcall with all the latest news and views from Fir Park....." more music "Stay tuned for all the breaking stories from Motherwell FC" even more music "In this bulletin we'll have all the news as Spanish giants Real Sociedad visit Motherwell for a glamour pre-season friendly. What an evening it proved to be 'Well fans... "But first find out how Tam Forsyth keeps busy by tending his tomatoes in the close season......"

I suppose it depends upon the importance of the fixture ofcourse but the Scotland v Italy game at Hampden was something like a 5pm or 5:30pm kick off. I can barely remember being in a crowd as smashed out their faces as I was that evening. Those extra two or three hours were deadly for many!

Whilst I might have some slight reservations about this years designs I think over the piece the arrangement between Motherwell and Puma via Genesis has been excellent. In terms of designs, opinions vary of course, but generally I think we have made a great deal of their templates and over and above that they produced a classic kit for the 125th anniversary of the club. From a club shop buyers perspective I think its been good too. When browsing in the club shop when looking for a Father's Day gift for example I was surprised to see just the volume of sizing options the replica kits came in with what appeared to be ample levels of stock too. Gone the days when, once it was gone, it was gone. And when you think that they managed to have next season's kit unveiled and on sale for supporters before the end of last season. If not unprecedented its still bloody good going nonetheless. No, I'd be perfectly happy if the club extended their relationship with Genesis.

Bob's situation is quite an odd one. When you think of everything that's happened at the club since he was rather nonchalantly tucking the ball home for our eighth against Flamurtari nearly four years ago, really he isn't that much further forward in nailing a regular place than he was then. I think managers believe they get more from him as impact sub. and for the sake of his own career that's something he has to shake off sooner rather later. Either that or get out and get regular starts elsewhere. He has been quite unfortunate when he has produced from the bench the reward of a start in the next game has rarely been forthcoming. Understandable of course in most cases given the goalscorers we've had over the period. Think we've been saying it for the last few seasons but.......big season this one for Boab!

I thought it was significant on two counts when I saw the photo on Twitter. There's the fact he's there in the first place whilst other players whose contracts have expired are not. Secondly whoever at the club posted the image to Twitter would surely have been well aware that it would be seized upon by supporters. If he was simply there to join in training I might have imagined that there would be a line in the article that accompanies the first images from Spain that he was there training to dampen down any excitement, but to actually draw attention to his presence as they've done has certainly raised hopes.

Still consider the away top to be fairly non-descript. The home shirt has grown on me. Still a bit too much going on, on it, but it has grown on me. Quite like the shorts too and really like the socks. Just when you put the three of them together it looks a total mish-mash and reminds me of being a laddie and you just threw on any strip, any shorts, and any pair of socks to play fitba up the park with your pals.

In fairness that was probably just DEWELL saying it quite a lot. That and pants.

That's a pretty special collection of programmes in that photograph Ecosse1991! Wonderful stuff.

At the Well Society meeting last night each of the amendments to the existing rules were passed. The main talking point was the change to allow monies to be loaned to the club from the WS leaving them with the option now of both buying shares and loaning money to MFC when the occasion arose. After a brief run through by the WS board as to why they wanted to do that, Derek Weir spoke at much greater length as to why it was important to be able to do both and attempted to clear up a couple of points along the way. Still quite complicated in parts all the same. For example the original understanding I and I think many had from the early days was that the WS would build up a growing kitty upon which the club could request to access as a virtual interest free overdraft and that John Boyle's shares would be gifted to the WS in stages upon that kitty reaching a certain "target" until full ownership was achieved. Not so. "What was meant by that was........" A quite different scenario in reality where if the WS buy shares in MFC, as they did recently they get whatever percentage of Boyle's shares (6% was quoted for the recent purchase) and things like WS board members being appointed to the MFC board alllowing the WS more influence on the club. When shares are bought it seems the WS investment still remains ring-fenced within the club to use for cash flow problems. Whilst it can't ever be returned to the WS it would effectively be a fund - tucked away for MFC to turn to when required. If however the WS wish to loan money to the club, they would get this money back, but would not be in a position to take advantage of any of the 'perks' that come with the purchase of shares. Weir stated the club's preference would be not to borrow from the WS if at all possible. A fair bit of other stuff was said which if it hasn't been posted later by anyone else I'll try to add in later when I have more time.

And you weren't wrong judging by the snippet on Radio Scotland News which was wholly devoted to his time with and exit from Hearts.

True, but at the same time more than once has that same course of action appeared sufficient enough for some in the media to claim they have "covered" a Motherwell story. I'm still a little surprised if we do have a presser just to unveil Sutton again but the more that keeps our name in a positive limelight the better as far as I'm concerned can only be a good thing.

Surely that was already done and dusted on last week? Plenty of articles, interviews and photographs on the go from that. Can't see what more the media could hope to glean from a further unveiling of Sutton. The stuff hinting at a permanent deal for Kerr would seem the more likely explanation to me. Suppose we'll find out soon enough though.

And Bully's special prize?

The two OG's game was the week before the Cup game was it not?

I would imagine that given the heights we've hit in recent seasons with the recent crop we were always going to be looking at a regression in the overall quality of the squad. But our squad can't be viewed in isolation in my mind. We aren't alone in losing players in the league. We certainly won't have the calibre of the 12'13 vintage but whose to say we won't have a very competitive team, relative to the other SPL teams, by the time the season actually kicks off.

Tenner sent across as promised. Hope to send another tenner in a couple of weeks.

fatcalf has, I recall from posts on here and articles in One Step Beyond, a long time friendship with a Doncaster fan but links beyond that not as far as I'm aware. But as for the desire for such a game? It could be Doncaster, York, Carlisle or PNE etc . For most it doesn't really matter. A pre-season game at any northern English team is one to whet the appetite for the merriment it can deliver. There have been some cracking trips to places such as Carlisle, Hartlepool, Darlington, Ashington and Spennymoor/Durham to name but a few over the years. Think along the lines of Llanelli down in Wales and you'll get the idea. Almost always well received (Carlisle has been known to be slightly different on occasion), great days out, friendships made, good swally and a chance to see your team play somewhere the chances are you'll never be back at.