one m in motherwell

As I said in one of the other threads, I wouldn't be surprised if Clarkson was a bit of an insurance signing in the event that McDonald didn't re-sign (similar situation to Kallum Higginbotham and Faddy I suppose), in terms of a more experienced head upfront. Ultimately, as much as this signing appears (more than a bit) random, if he can do a job then I'm all for it. I just hope this doesn't mean that we won't see another centre mid or right back. Unless Pearo's injury is progressing better than expected and the feeling is that another midfielder isn't necessary...I've still got huge concerns about running with an ageing Lasley, an (unfortunately) injury prone Pearo, a relatively untested quantity in Leitch, and the enigma that is Jake Taylor however.

Unless he can also play in centre mid and can tackle like Steve Jennings, then no.

Unless Fletcher's injury is particularly serious (which we don't know/haven't been told yet), there's no point in signing another striker after a handful of games. Skippy and Moult could, if played in the right way, form a fairly effective partnership, with Clarkson as backup. Another RB and a solid midfielder are far more pressing than a striker.

I'd probably keep Moult in all honesty, and Taylor is suspended. Probably go with: Ripley Watt Laing McManus Chalmers Ainsworth Leitch Lasley Thomas Skippy Moult With Thomas pushing forward slightly more/Skippy dropping back as required.

As I say, I don't have anything against him, or even think that he's not trying. You can see the guy just doesn't have it at this level.

I wonder if Clarkson was signed as a bit of an insurance policy if Skippy didn't come back. Fits the 'experienced head' role quite well.

Surely the reason East Fife had numbers on Law was more because he's an awful full back, prone to fairly basic errors, and its therefore a bit of a given that with a little pressure the opposition could win the ball? I doubt their approach was something that they just dreamed up during the game. I've nothing against the guy, but Law is definitely the weakest link in our team. Everyone else on the park, when on form, can be a pretty impressive proposition, but I've yet to see a game where Law offers anything, or even suggests that he's playing within himself. The problem is that his poor performance has knock on impacts on others - his lack of quality either leaves Laing having to track across and leave McManus (hardly the most mobile of players) to cover two positions. Likewise, without support from the full back its difficult for Ainsworth to contribute anything more than being a target for a hopeful hoof up the park (see the example last night, when the overlap of Law with Ainsworth worked on a couple of occasions). Watt, raw as he might be, looks to be a far more natural full back than Law ever has. I just hope that Bara opens his eyes and realises this sooner rather than later.

(Not that I disagree at all!)

We've fallen far if we get posts like that for early season cup games against East Fife.

I think this is pretty much spot on. I'd previously thought - after the draw - that this would be a good chance to give the likes of Clarkson, Kennedy and Thomas some game time. However I wasn't anticipating us having such a poor start as we have, we could do with a bit of a confidence booster so as close to full strength as possible would make sense. Everywhere apart from right back and up front picks itself really - Law seems to be the only option at the moment unless Kennedy is any cop - not even sure if he's featured in the U-20 games so far so still a bit of an unknown quantity. By far the most frustrating element in the team just now is Skippy - he's being asked to play so far out of position he's almost completely ineffectual. It's a waste of time playing him as a midfielder, he had his best games last season when he sat just behind Erwin - no reason to change that role now. Moult and Fletcher both look like they could offer something but perhaps could do with a bit of support - if we've learned anything from the last few games, punting aimless balls up to a lone striker with nobody in a C&A shirt near him is just daft.

We'll be looking for a resp onse to Wednesday's shocking performance. I'd like to see us with two up top, either Moult and Fletcher (if the latter is fit) or Clarkson coming in. Clarkson may offer a bit more in terms of linking the play from the centre of the park - the role we've been wanting Skippy to play but he's too off the pace to be effective at present. He could be a useful impact sub though when Clarkson tires. No reason to play anyone other than Hammell on the left and Law at RB - until Watt comes back Law is really the only option we have, and even then Watt will need to earn his place. Through the centre, Lasley is really a must for me - by all accounts he was naff the other night but I'd rather not have too relatively inexperienced players in Leitch and Taylor - either one of those with Las however. The wings pick themselves, although there's perhaps a shout for sticking Chalmers on the left to counter Aberdeen's attacking threat (a bit, anyway). I think ultimately we need to find some kind of stand in for Lasley as our final signing - a Jennings-esque player would be ideal. Can see an improved performance from us but can't see us winning, 2-2 draw.

£1.75 million being touted yesterday. Even the sell on clause was round the 10% mark (which seems much more likely than 25%) it's a reasonable return whichever figure he actually went for.

A fair point - it's easy to forget just how bad we were last year. There have obviously been a number of changes behind the scenes at the club that won't have instant impacts (this stretches back to last season), but there is improvement. Once the new players bed in I've no doubt we'll be fine.

Only picked up bits and pieces, but tonight aside it seems we've at least looked half decent in the other two games.

I hadn't really given much thought to the lack of pre-season for McDonald until now. When fit he can offer a huge amount, but as things stand he simply can't fulfil what's being asked of him. Scope for Clarkson to step in (at least he's had a bit of prep) as that link between the midfield and attack, with Skippy coming off the bench? Or...Moult and Fletcher up front together?

Aside from anything else, his facial hair is exquisite. Dan doesn't look like he has had to shave yet, so for that reason alone Ripley should be shoe-in.

I'd imagine the majority of English teams would be waiting until later on in the window before deciding on which of their younger players to loan out, if not until the last minute.

That's not a bad starting XI. Not sure how much we'll see of Clarkson in terms of a starting role, we would possibly see him more as an option from the bench like Sutton was towards the end of the season. If McDonald signs on too, I reckon it would be a Moult and McDonald pairing up front with Clarkson and Fletcher as backup - wouldn't be surprised if that saw Craig Moore off on loan for a bit. Elsewhere, we need a new goalie and a backup on the right - more of a winger through than just a right-footed midfielder. Bara seems to be setting us up with a lot of pace down the flank so we need adequate back up if that's going to be our philosophy from now on.

TAKE MY MONEY! Bit of a bummer that the sponsor logo isn't as we thought, but they look fucking tremendous.

I reckon we're putting the finishing touches to some Kingsley-busting mascot. Perhaps a giant replica of the East Stand, complete with pish soaked steps.

Oh aye, forgot him!

Only three newbies by my count: Fletcher, Moult and Chalmers. Laing and Ainsworth as re-signings, and an extension for Marv. I suppose Laing is technically a new signing come to think of it.

Good to see that the incorrect spelling of names has well and truly taken hold, even with guys who have been at the club for all of five minutes! Keen to hear Dewell's take on this...

And out of all the January folk who came in, I would have said that Laing and Grant were standouts (aside from Marvin of course). For me this season is a completely clean slate even though we're seeing some of the same faces. There's definitely scope for these guys to hit the ground running in that they will be familiar with the club, Bara's coaching methods and the way he wants us to play. It's daft saying that we're no better than we were before when the folk we're looking at are almost completely unknown to us, and will have been signed to align with a totally different philosophy than that which the likes of Sutton/Carswell etc. were asked to play in. As with any summer window, there's an understandable sense of trepidation with the number of new players we're seeing, but I'm feeling pretty positive about how we're shaping up.

Perhaps we're just waiting for enough new signings to justify the hire of the tractor?