weeyin

The world will end and there will be no more European football.

Some pass for the first goal. Ainsworth running at full speed didn't even have to break his stride.

I don't think they are hiding anything. The month estimate was before they operated and could see the extent of the damage. Since then, McCall has given fairly regular updates that the injury was more serious than they originally thought and Ramsden would be out for longer that first hoped.

Any game Motherwell game I have seen, if the opposition puts it in their own net, it means we have scored.

So you are saying that in the last 20 years, we have had no teams with character?

That's generally the best way to win a game.

It would hurt even more if Albion Rovers picked up the other trophy.

I think we used up all our luck avoiding relegation/liquidation in the last 20 years.

I waited a long time to see us win a Cup and, to be honest, when I did see it, one the reasons I was so happy was because I wasn't sure I'd be lucky enough to see it again. (Not because I'm an auld fart, but because I experienced so many disappointments in the 21 seasons prior to 91).

Seems like the answer is to return to being dross.

471

He's a kid and he makes the mistakes of an inexperienced keeper (that cost goals). The problem is, unlike outfield players, you can't really bring him on for 10 minutes here and 20 minutes there during a game to build up experience. Having seen him (albeit from highlights of the U20s) I'm not convinced he's ready for the step up yet. Not my call though, and whoever ends up between the sticks will get my support - even if it's the fans' favourite Neilsen ("the best option", "get him in now instead of Hollis", etc. etc.) Hopefully, we will have more first team regulars back in the defence, as I think that will make a big difference too.

The other factor are our fans. They have been brutal in their support (or lack of) for both our keepers. If the youngster makes the same kind of mistake he made against Falkirk, there are plenty that would rip him a new one.

It could ruin his confidence, set his progress back months and cost us points. That's the risk. The management team has to decide if the return is worth it.

A couple of points to note. Even by U20s standards, he is a youngster - just turned 18 if the official site is accurate. The management may not think he's quite ready for the step up. JJ mentioned last night that he has had a dip in form recently and the Falkirk game was the first time in a while he was playing at his best. I'd imagine that has also influenced his promotion. I expect both parties entered the contract situation aware of the payments required to Celtic and the potential consequences, so you would hope that wouldn't be a factor.

He's normally been OK from the U20 highlights I have seen, but he literally dropped a clanger in the Falkirk game last night. Put his name on a cross, and then floppy hands took over for Falkirk's 3rd.

We have one first team keeper and backup U20 (who was on the bench last week). Typically, you get an emergency loan when you have no first team keepers.

It's a finger. Strap the broken finger to the one beside it, take an aspirin and get back out there.

We have enough fit keepers to rule out an emergency loan this time around.

Exactly this.

To be fair, you are still wrong. The points we won have put us in a good position in the league and we will pick up more wins after the split. I'd be very surprised if we only take 3 points post-split, and I say that as a very long suffering supporter who is rarely surprised by anything our mob does on the park.

This. Plus we won't know if the Kuban tie made a loss until the end of the season when UEFA doles out the last slice of Euro cash to each competing country. Celtic will get the biggest share, but as far as I recall we have received a nice wee chunk of change in the past.

He's only 17, so it might be that once he turns 18 or something the fee doesn't apply. However, I'm just guessing at that and have completely made it up! It could be just as likely that, at 17, the gaffer doesn't feel he's quite ready to make the step up yet.

Times says we expect to have Kerr, ZFA, Hammell and Anier back for this game - but not Ramsden. So hopefully, that will help tighten up our defence a bit.

McCall in his MFCTV interview after the match also said it was distracting the players and asked that they whistles be left at home in future.