LadywellToi

With respect to your first post Dee there are elements of truth, however on balance everyone knows there is an element of banter involved in anything posted on here. Yes some take it too far and some ignore the thread title and go off in tangents. At least three people are guilty of that here. What's important is we don't take anything to heart or personally as for most of us, most of the vitriolic stuff that is posted would never be said face to face, or at least if it was it would be more diplomatically put. The internet offers a certain degree of anonymity and consequently leads to a cyber-swagger. I really hope the first poster thought he'd achieve a bit more credibility with his post and language used, unfortunately not all on here are 14 year old delinquents who find intelligence something to ridicule and not highlight in themselves. Not that intelligence is conveyed in being able or wanting to write in a legible way. On examining his post, the beach ball incident was using a sledgehammer to crack a nut, it was out of proportion. You maybe surprised that I understand it is echoed by senior employees of the club. However look at it in context, we've had the fuzz breathing down the clubs neck due to the behaviour of some of those who sit at the South end of the East Stand. Flares and interlocking arms and facing away from the pitch gets the cops jumpy, that permeates down to the club and finally the stewards. Think back over the past year .... items thrown onto the pitch from the East - ying, stewards patting down supporters at the turnstiles for 2-3 games afterwards - yang. Flares set off by an element of the Motherwell support - ying, zero tolerance behaviour of some stewards in the aftermath - yang. You'll always get at least one jobsworth in a group that gets a power-trip from wearing a high-vis vest, that goes for blokes building motorways, cops, binmen or stewards. best not give them an easy excuse to go on that aforementioned power-trip Ask yourself one question if you sit in that area ... do you want the MD spending a fair bit of her time fending off fines, placating the league and police or out trying to maximise commercial revenue that ultimately will be passed onto and invested in on-field talent? Don't be surprised if initiatives are implemented in the months ahead to encourage atmosphere with an emphasis on that particular area of the East, but only if safety isn't compromised and the inhabitants don't take a mile when you give them an inch.

+1 and Hateley's our for another 2 and a half years. Better get used to seeing him in some capacity, if not right back if/when Salim arrives from Algeria then in midfield.

Just out of interest, were you slagging off the Duke in Autumn 2009 or did you give him a chance? Can't comment on Goldenballs, I'm still caught up in the bubble of his hype. The Cypriot I understand he was bought primarily for the under 19's initially, the first team would be a long way off, perhaps its testament to him he was on the bench on Saturday. Fitzy at least deserved to be used in some capacity as a 2nd half sub on Saturday. It would appear Gow didn't do a pre-season and came here about 8 or 10 games into the season. I've seen glimpses of ability, don't think he's being played in the right position to realise his potential. he was unfit and mentally trying to rebuild his career. Brian Kerr can either sling his hook or wash Cragain's Kaisers.

Fair point - He's been on the fringes all season however some expect him to come into the starting line up and eclipse Lasley, if that was the case, he'd be a starter.

Craig needs to take things by the scruff of the neck tomorrow morning and also shoulder some of the blame. This season when we've played decent sides, we've capitalised on a counter attacking style of play. That's because they do have a degree of class and push us back or have home advantage, however with the pace and ability of our forward line we've capitalised. Games against the turge at the foot of the table (St. Mirren/Accies) have been woeful because when we are playing a worse team they sit in, however we are unable and inept when it comes to breaking them down, we're devoid of ideas. It's also why our away form is better, because the home team generally come at us. Yesterday's game was set up for Sutton up front against their gorillas with Gow sitting behind him and Blackman. If Craigan insists on missing out the midfield then ditch Forbes, stick Fitzpatrick on the left wing. When it comes to a free-kick, then have who is taking it from certain zones already worked out, it was embarrassing to watch professional footballers bicker and stand over the ball like peacocks. That is definitely something that should be worked out on the training pitch well in advance. Oh ... and don't get me started on the Keystone Cops display that is a Motherwell shy. Subs - it looked to me as if they was going to be a change on 65 mins, however it was another 10-15 minutes before it happened. Something needed to happen tactically and maybe it did, I just didn't notice it with my limited football knowledge. Humphrey has been used on both wings earlier this season, why not something like that to mix it up and mess up their gameplan. Ref was woeful and allowed Accies to drag it down to base levels. It would have been a ideal time for Craigan to have a word and remind him of his position and duty to the spectacle. Our players were too honest yesterday and as much as it pains me to write this, sometimes it pays to be as cynical as the other team to get ahead. Blackman could have earned another few yellow cards or a red for their defence if he mimicked Malony or Goodwillie yesterday. Not in the spirit of the game, but Accies have made it clear that entertainment and playing the "beautiful game" is not on their agenda. Long and short, for the last while, we've played and won ugly, there have been glimmers here and there but lets face it we've rode our luck on a couple of occasions and weren't punished. Since Hearts away I don't think we've performed to the same level. yeah we had our moments at Ibrox and in the SPL against Dundee Utd, however lets not forget the flattering 3-1 against St. Mirren, the dire that is the Hamilton and Aberdeen games. I also hate Billy Reid - everything that is wrong with Scottish football.

Blackman, 100% commitment and fight throughout, testament to his character that he tried to stay on his feet when many other forwards would have went to ground. Maybe he was embarrassed by his colleagues arguing over who should take the free kicks. Humphrey gets a mention, however not utilised enough.

Is the draw on Sky Sports News or a web stream? Hampden is its either of the OF Tynecastle would be preferred for atmosphere Easter Road as best alternative Probably Tannadice as Aberdeen have the larger support, 50 miles up the road and they would likely get more backsides on seats, full stadium looks better on telly.

BBC are reporting Rangers have puled out of the Kerkar deal as his former club wanted £300,000 in development money despite him being a free agent. Looking at him in the picture, I don't think there is any doubting that he is the winger and not the diminutive right back in the Well vs. Well bounce game.

I saw the first shoots of some good interplay and 1-2's between Blackman and Gow, Sutton's not convincing me that he can make the switch to midfield in times of need. Won't happen but I'd be inclined to go with: -------------------- Randolph ------------------ - Saunders -- Craigan -- Reynolds -- Page - ---------- Jennings ------- Forbes ------------- - Humphrey (switching) ----------------------- -------------------- Gow ------------------------ ------------- Sutton --- Blackman ------------- Gow as the creator, Sutton offering the aerial threat, Blackman to chase the headed flick-on's and the pace to keep up with Humphrey who I'd give a free role to switch wings so they find it hard to combat him and he can go where he has greatest impact. In a quandary over Fitz or Forbes in midfield due to work-rate but opted for Forbes as he has much more match fitness and could get hooked if its not working out. That is if any of the regular starters can't make it of course.

almost as gay as watching that sooped-up karoke competition x-factor

Aberdeen and United management will understand we are the form team outside the OF and duly respect us and what we can do. They won't relish the thought of us coming. Their fans may ignore our league position and regard us with historical precedent as one of the smaller teams in the league compared to them. Aberdeen's performance last night again didn't cover them in glory and it appears if you take Hartley and Vernon out the game then they are toothless. Utd are a shadow of their former ability. Hamilton away is effectively a home tie, just show up 15 minutes earlier than normal for the bus ride. Imrie is a bogeyman for us but we should tuck them away. Boxing day will be like a cup tie, full house and majority of the crowd jaked on mulled wine and egg-nog, its a 50-50. Celtic away in our current form is the only one we should worry about. 'mon the Well

So pretty much the same as last year except the 2nd placed team doesn't get into the Champions League qualifying stages but goes directly into the Europa league. Hopefully this season we won't have to win a game against Hibs at home to secure 4th. I feel confident one of the OF will be in the Scottish Cup final, reckon 2011 has at least a domestic double in it for Watty as its his swansong.

What areas of the team, if any, need strengthening/bolstering/cover heading into the winter as the January window approaches? We'd be on 21 points if we'd beaten Hibs on day 1 (a game we should have won easily) and kept our heads for the game against Aberdeen. We'd be 3 points behind the OF having played them both would haven been a remarkable start to the season.

Bugger it! Even though he is much maligned on here of late, if you watch Hateley's contribution in midfield before passing the ball to Humphrey on Saturday, I reckon he's on his way back to some of the performances that got him Young Player of the Year last season.

Goodwillie will be rubbing his hands with glee at the thought

At present no, having blistering pace doesn't guarantee a blue jersey in my eyes. I also tend to advocate that you should have more than a tenuous/removed tie to being available for selection. You have to have other feathers to your footballing bow to be an Internationalist and at present I don't think he has them. I do think in time he will as he has came on leaps and bounds from where he was 6 months ago. There's not much he can do to improve his pace which is the major part of his game, its inherited and he's won the genetic lottery on that one. His touch, skill and decision making can be learned and worked on and to be fair, the other side to his game has improved over the past few weeks. Long and short is you don't understand how to conduct a debate, it involves reading what the other person has written, if it doesn't tie in with what you do then don't spit the dummy and type your reply when the red mist sets in. Also it helps if you read things in context, get all the facts before compiling your response. I'm being objective and being even handed, which is different from you seeing no wrong in the guy and fawning over his every move. You seem oblivious to the fact I do actually rate Humphrey, I wasn't wanting him subbed on Saturday because he was poor, it was because I value him and would prefer to have him play in as many games as possible. Continuing to play when labouring doesn't tend to ensure longevity and consistency in being in the starting eleven. If its a constant/minor cramping problem that comes up all the time in training and is manageable then I understand why Brown kept him on the park as he would have been aware of it in advance.

Minority of what? 46% of people thought he was our best player yesterday, there is no link to them also thinking he should remain on the park regardless of his physical condition. Pish. Going on that assumption then leaving Craigan on the bench would have resulted in a 1-0 win. Well were able to score and win games before Humphrey found his purple patch. Seriously, do you want £50 so you can get a room at the Moorings and have your way with him you sycophant?

By the time he got to the tunnel he was walking fine. His substitution was definitely a precautionary measure. More concerned with Humphrey, that's two games now where he has been labouring with 30 minutes to go and Brown hasn't hooked him, not as if we were short of cover on the bench.

Great result all round, Lasley showed how much of a contribution he was making when he left the park. It took us ages to get back into the game after that, however we should have been 3-0 up by the time of his foul if we had more ruthless finishing. Jamie Murphy again looked a world beater in the first half and went on an around the world trip in the 2nd. Blackman really impressed too and his strong powerful runs were contrasted with neat footwork which was highlighted when he left Kenneth/Dillon looking like a schoolboy. Let's not forget the track record of a certain Lukas Jutkiewicz when we look at Gow, yes he looked lethargic in places and made the wrong decisions with respect to passing or retaining the ball a few times however that will come with time. The things that you don't get over time is touch and skill, both of which I seen glimpses of yesterday. I live in hope that by the end of November he will be as highly regarded. Humphrey, again his pace was such a factor, should be encouraged to test the keeper more often from 20+ yards. Crossing still needs work, inclined to go for Hateley on corners but understand his pace is required if there is a counter attack. For the second time at FP this season I witnessed him looking goosed from 65 minutes onward, first noticed it when he was holding his head during a Utd corner or throw deep in our half. After that he jogged gingerly, he looked in pain and a number of people around me were calling on Brown to sub him. Jennings had a tough job and played against probably the 3rd best midfield in the league. Did well considering. Craigan's penalty, what was he thinking, other than that he covered for Reynolds when he made a few dodgy decisions and mistimed attempts. I'm in a minority now but I still believe that I witnessed Hateley playing at his best in midfield. Granted this was under Gannon under a different philosophy, tactics and formation. We may need him in midfield next season if Jennings goes because there is nobody else in the squad that can step into a central midfield role.

Controversial but I'm opting for Lasley as to me MotM defines someone who makes the defining impact on a game. For me it wasn't fully evident until Lasley went off that he was the person running the show and despite his 25-30 minutes on the pitch he get my vote. It took us another 40 minutes to get back into the game.

No hat-trick for Humphrey? .... did he stand you up last week under the clock in Central Station, you standing there in your high-vis vest with a rose in the lapel. Saturday - Draw, 2-2 - Penalty so Hateley and Gow Wednesday - We'll just edge it after ET. Sutton getting the winner coming off the bench.

Definitely, unless PSV or someone else enters a bidding war for him, otherwise the option is punt him or get bugger all. Let's not rule out a pre-contract agreement for a higher weekly wedge, granted Reynolds has stated he wanted to get as much as possible for Well but let's not ignore the lack of morals and greed of an agent. If the Algerian Salim Lazreg who is listed as a defender that was touted last week is a definite then it would appear that either Page, Hutchison or Saunders will move into Reynolds role come August for good. Hateley may play right back otherwise I can't see him holding down a regular first team start unless Lasley or Jenno are injured.

I think that's achievable if our games lasted 45 mins and not 90.

Based on past performances I thought the 1-0 lead at half time and Craigie's batten down the hatches cautious approach we wouldn't leak anything like 4 goals in the 2nd half. Everything I've seen so far in 10 games or so seems to point towards a stamina or bottle issue in the second half. As Kmcalpin pointed out there have been a number of games this season that we've been ripe to get pumped in the 2nd 45 because players have went AWOL and not stepped up to the plate. Rangers and Celtic do appear stronger than last season and do on paper have a stronger starting line up than us, but any team on their day can achieve a result if they believe and don't give up. I just don't think we have that winning mentality yet, possibly some of the younger players were in awe of the occasion/venue and some of the older players have been there before and kinda expect a negative result.

Just watched the replay there, Murphy jinked by the right back and dinked a cross into the far post to a leaping Blackman who's header went in off the crossbar. Love it.