weeyin

The club has gone through a massive transition since Boyle handed over the reins. Les took over, overhauled the structure from top to bottom, and ultimately transitioned the ownership of the club to the Well Society (who have also restructured the governance structure). During that period we have abandoned the financial structure that led to annual losses (even when we were successful on the pitch), to a club that should be able to break even each season. Is it perfect? Of course not. Is it better than it was? I think so. Flow, and everyone involved, have played a huge part in that. By it's very nature it has been a huge learning curve as who has experience of fan ownership? As for results, as I posted in another thread a few months ago, the position we have finished in most often since the SPL was created is 8th. The burst of success we had was an amazing run, but never likely to be sustained due to the resources of our peers. This season was poor to say the least, but in my time as a 'Well fan I can think of a fair number that were worse. The fact that we stayed up was vital financially as the rewards next season have increased. The fans now own the club and we are paying off our debts to JB and Les. If Les hadn't stepped in, I imagine we were pretty close to going out of business. Instead we are still here and still in the top flight. We certainly need to improve things, but we are in a better position than a couple of years ago. Remember all those posters on here that wished we had the same model as Dundee Utd? I was looking at the Scottish and English League tables the other day - it's amazing and scary how many successful teams from the last decade or two are now scrabbling around in the lower divisions. I'll gladly take what we have now in comparison. Oh, and the pitch has been a revelation.

He's also be an ideal candidate for a spot on the telly (or radio).

Motherwell are European too.

Exactly what I've been saying all season. He might be a bit of a one trick pony, but if you give him a chance it can be a good trick.

Mathematically possible, but if ICT have a chance to make the play-off spot and we rest our injured players, less than likely.

It might not have been our greatest season, but at the end of it, I'm the (part) owner of an SPFL football club. That's not too shabby.

On a separate note, expect to see a lot of extra stewards this evening to make sure there are no pitch invasions. Also, first 3 rows of Cooper and Hunter are cordoned off. http://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2017/05/16/fan-notice-vs-kilmarnock/

Did not know that! In which case, based on the TV footage, it's worth a shot.

I don't think you can appeal bookings can you?

Yes, he's on a development loan there.

BBC Alba coverage gives a pretty clear view of the incident. The Accies defender left his foot in which, in this day and age, counts as a foul. I don't care what the pundits think, however. Skippy is one of those players you're delighted to have on your team, but would hurl abuse at when he's on an opponent's team. A talented, niggly wee pain in the arse that likes to try and referee games

I'd be amazed if any manager, who relies on results to keep their job, signed any player due to sympathy. I'd be much more likely to believe that Samson got his chance because he was cheap and deemed "likely good enough" while we spent money elsewhere.

Even worse!

While Clay doesn't look better than Campbell, Campbell isn't going to play every week - or if he does, he'll no doubt have the inconsistency of youth and we'll need cover. The bottom line for a club like us is that we can only afford top quality in some of our key positions whereas in others we need to go with "good enough" or a "utility player" and hope some of youngsters can also shine.

If we win on Tuesday, we also go above Dundee pulling them right back into the mix and, hopefully, adding more pressure to them before they play on Wednesday.

I actually like the contract option idea as it allows us to extend the contract of somebody we plan to sell and bump up their price. Pity this one is with Blyth and not Moult, right enough.

As usual, it will all be about recruitment + blooding youngsters next season. It's easy to forget, however, that our typical season involves hovering around mid-table or just below. Gannon was probably the best recruiter we had - I wonder if we can borrow his notebook.

Not sure if it's accurate, but I heard one of the conditions was that we need something like 5 full time people currently dedicated to coaching the youngsters.

- More important to get 3 points than to play well. - Motherwell grind out a priceless 3 points with only 8 fully fit players, 4 of whom have to play out of position. - Flood of complaints on here complaining how bad we were.

Threads like this one remind me that fans are idiots (and I'm happy to include myself in that).

It's impossible to play any kind of football on that plastic monstrosity and I'll be delighted if the pitch is relegated and never returns. Every pass needs a second, waist high touch to bring it under control and any kind of long pass just skids away from players. The wind played a big part too and was no coincidence we did better when it was behind us. Not kidding myself we are a good side, but I would never judge any player on that surface. We got the win we needed, and that is all that matters at this stage of the season.

What vintage was the wine?

An early goal gives me more stress that doesn't dissipate until we go at least 3 (preferably 4) clear.

I hope he is. I just hope he's reasonably fit or it could end up costing us.

I bet he's beelin' that we spelled his name wrong in the thread title.