SteelEdge

We let him go back down to Birmingham weeks ago. If I recall correctly he'd picked up an injury.

That's bang out of order, Haggischomper! I'm 29 and I want a hoop god dammit!!!

Aye, well said, Busta. I was dreading coming on here after being away the weekend cos I knew folk would be crawling out the woodwork and posting near hysterical rants about McGhee and the players. Funny how the board is never as busy when we're doing well. I guess quite a few people would rather save up their posts and then go hell for leather when we don't do as well. Also bet a few of the anti-McGhee mob are delighted to have a wee chance to moan about the guy. Saturday was the first home game I've missed this season, so I can't comment on Saturday's tactics specifically. However, all managers make tactical mistakes (Alex Ferguson made a mistake playing younger guys in an FA Cup semi-final for example, not tactical per se, but a mistake none the less) and so does Mark McGhee. They're only human for crying out loud. Nobody is perfect. Personally I think McGhee's probably the best manager we've had in the 25 years I've been going to see Motherwell. As I said, he's made mistakes like any other manager, we've had a disappointment at the weekend, but that's what supporting Motherwell is all about - you take the good with the bad. Some folk seemed to have got a bit carried away with last season, maybe it's kind of understandable, but we've lost important players so this season was always going to be tougher.

I see Preston North End are also getting Canterbury kits and have been doing similar previews: http://www.pnefc.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10...1627842,00.html They've released 3 previews this week on Tuesday, Wednesday and today with their new home and away kits being unveiled on Saturday. Bit of a contrast to our teasers being spread over a period of weeks before the big reveal!!! Their kits should be on sale at the end of May incidentally.

It was on Radio Scotland there that he's out. He failed a late fitness test while Hammell passed one.

RIP Coop. I can still remember finding out about it in school at break time off the janitor and then me and a couple of mates standing listening to a news report about it in the jannie's office.

The hoop can be printed on the same material as the amber body. That's what the mid-nineties Pony shirt was like. And that's what all the teams' shirts are like who have hooped or striped designs (Celtic, Partick Thistle and so on). They don't have individual bits of material all stitched together to make stripes or hoops. I think our kit manufacturers have been quite cheap when it came to the hoop or band.

I've still got that shirt. In fact I was wearing it the other day. Definitely my favourite 'Well shirt.

Ah well... I work with a Jambo so I'm looking forward to work in the morning even less than usual.

Just need to listen to the Celtic fans gloating then...

gav212, why is Rangers getting beat any consolation to us as Motherwell fans? Disappointing result for us tonight, no doubt. Still, a win against United on Saturday and I reckon that we're right back in the hunt for 4th!

Bring back the match commander from the Hibs game then!

I had visions of big Maros getting sent off today, but thankfully that didn't happen! I thought he played ok, certainly he wasn't bad, but not his best game either. Definitely my favourite player at the moment mind! I wonder if some folk still don't rate O'Brien? The guy looked dangerous yet again today and I'm delighted for him. What a turnaround from him! Definitely think we merited the draw. We may not have created many chances, but we certainly weren't outplayed. I would have been gutted to get beat today, especially for Craggo after the way we lost the goal. One of those slow motion moments when Quinn hit the equaliser as I saw Boruc rooted to the spot but couldn't tell if it was going in (thought it may have been sneaking by), then saw the ball was on the right side of the net as it went by the keeper... cue wild celebrations! Good to get into the top 6. Hopefully we can start hunting down Aberdeen now, stating with a victory over ICT next. Mon the 'Well!!!

I'd be interested to hear comments from the club on why those Hibs boys had their Irish tri-colour took off them, but the Celtic fans don't.

Aye, they've had that all season.

That's minted! If we move it's something like that we should be trying to build.

I reckon Fraser's a pretty competent keeper, so I reckon he'll do.

I thought Michael Fraser was their first choice keeper? I suppose that may have changed recently... I've always thought he was a decent enough keeper to be honest. Although it does raise questions about Buzz given that we only ever have loan keepers as back-up.

I used to go to Ian St John's soccer camps when I was younger. One year it was over at Pollock Park and I got a run over each morning with a guy that stayed next to my uncle (he was a referee but went over to do his trainer/physio). Anyway, on the way there we would pick up Denis Law from the Wickets hotel in Partick as he was one of the coaches. Looking back it was pretty cool!!! That time I done the keeper coaching instead of the outfield just for a change and Denis put one of his famous bullet headers by me. I had nae chance!!! The first year I went he practically knocked me out with a shot which cannoned off my napper! The one I went to was at Scotstoun the first time, then it was at Pollock Park and then Jordanhill University. I think they still run the schools, cos in recent years I've seen banners up for them at the playing grounds at Anniesland near where I stay. Used to love going to them.

That's me voted. 86 votes now (52% of the vote).

I was tempted to vote for O'Brien as I thought he was great. Brilliant to see him come onto a good game! I voted for Craggo in the end though, thought he was solid tonight in defence. We badly missed him when he was injured.

If fit I'd have Fitzy in for Lasley moving O'Brien back to midfield to give the team better balance and width. I suppose Lasley playing instead of Hughes is an option too, but I think I'd leave Stef in for now. Gonna be a tough game, but I think we've got a decent chance of a point, maybe even all 3.

I don't have anything to really contribute to this thread, aside from commenting that it's a ridiculously early start for the teams taking part. I've really just posted to say that I'm in the Stade Marcel Picot picture in biggayal0's signature. I'm wearing the 'Well bucket hat directly below the flag with the Motherwell badge on it. I was on my way to the bog...

Can't agree with your comments about O'Brien. The guy has really came on in the last 2 games and is starting to look like a threat to opposition defences, which is more than he showed in his brief substitute appearances. I'd certainly have him in the side to play Hearts. Maybe McGhee only made one sub cos he thought what he could bring on wasn't going to improve the way the team was playing? Murphy for O'Brien was fair enough I thought, but we were by far the better side in the second half, so it wasn't really necessary to make changes, especially when they could adversely affect the team. The subs not used were: Krysiak - not going to change Buzz unlesss he's injured. Malcolm - not going to put him on for Klimpl cos Klimpl was playing really well. Sutton - not going to put him on for Porter cos Ports was a threat to their defence, and you can't take Clarky off for him in my opinion cos Sutton & Porter upfront together doesn't work. Darren Smith - I wouldn't play him anyway as I'm not a fan, but I can't think who he could have replaced. Lasley was playing right mid, but if you put on Darren Smith in his place you leave the team badly exposed on that side. The only other was O'Brien, but he was replaced with Murphy. McGarry - Not sure who you'd want him to replace. Lasley maybe? Hughes? I think it was the right decision to leave him on the bench though. Saunders - He could only really replace Coach, but that would have been an unusual substitution unless Coach was injured or was having an absolute shocker, which he wasn't. Oh and Klimpl was motm for me.

That'll sort it now!