joewarkfanclub

Excellent! Looking forward to seeing the results!

Do we have a broad range of nominations through the ages?

Good window for the club. Think the squad is in good shape going forward and certainly much stronger than last year. If we can keep everyone fit and healthy and settle on a formation / style of play that allows everyone to gel we could be in for a decent season. Not sure if Louis will be minded to sign an extension but hopefully we have some spare cash to improve the one on the table and give him something to think about.

Its not the only consideration though..... "HANDLING THE BALL Handling the ball involves a deliberate act of a player making contact with the ball with the hand or arm. The following must be considered: the movement of the hand towards the ball (not the ball towards the hand) the distance between the opponent and the ball (unexpected ball) the position of the hand does not necessarily mean that there is an offence" For me the ball is fired towards goal. The defender turns his back to avoid being hit with the ball. It strikes his hand. Hard to call that deliberate. As others have said, just because we've had them given against us doesnt make it right. Usual lack of consistency from our referees though.

What is the stonewall penalty that keeps getting referred to? Surely not the handball in the first half? The defenders arm may not be in a natural position and the ball clearly strikes it, but with him turning his body away from the ball it would be harsh to call that deliverate?

Moult. Back to his best today. Cedric played well but Louis won it. Always believe in......

Campbell and Bowman definitely both deserve to keep their places.

Its a fair point. He would probably have got a yellow as long as it looked like a genuine attempt to win the ball. Shows how ridiculous the rules are at times.

Buff was a player. Never forget his 30 yarder to give us the lead at Ibrox. Some strike. Was easily the best CB in Scotland for 2 seasons. Was criminal he never got picked for the national team until his form had started to fade.

I think Dunnes red card will get rescinded, but the trade off will be Carson. Given the tv evidence available its hard to argue that he didnt deliberately handle it. They will therefore argue he has denied a clear goal scoring opportunity, albeit that with Kipre and Carson both in attendance, its not that clear. I agree with those raising concerns re over reliance on wing play and cross balls. Despite Fishers aerial prowess its not been that successful. I had thought Bigirimana would give us the option to play passes through the middle, but that hasnt really happened yet (Queens Park game aside). Still early days.

Not sure Cedric deserves it today. Shows O'Halloran inside to get the shot away for 3rd and is at least part culpable for the Carson incident. If he sticks it in Row Z there is no issue and no decision for Thomson to make. Of our defenders, I thought Heneghan was probably the best. No real stand outs for me today but for work rate and his goal I went for Rose. Also forced Mannus into a couple of decent saves second half.

A striker with pace..... I probably have a blind spot for Henrik, but Id love to see him back, and I think he would do well in this team....

Think McLean deserves a start as a reward for Wednesday night. Got to gove our youngsters some encouragement when they do well. Stick and carrot.....

See post in response to OTF. I have no issue with Bowman. Adequate squad player imho. Probably wont ever be prolific but hard worker who will do job when called upon.

I get it fine. But we've shipped plenty of players out the door this window without giving them game time. I was alluding to the fact that maybe Bowmans days arent as numbered as some think. I have no insider knowledge though. If others do, maybe they should spill.....

If Robinson really wants Bowman out the door, why keep picking him for the matchday squad and then playing him? Not saying you are wrong btw. Just a curious way to force someone out the door.

I like the idea of Hobbitses/Dossers fae the Shire entering the bowels of Mordor on a quest to save all middle earth from the nasty Orcs!

Is Bigi injured or is it purely tactical? Havent seen much of Rose in a footballing sense but he does seem to be able to get around the park and close space down, so maybe in there to combat Dorrans and Jack?

He is the best striker we have had since Tommy Coyne. Although I would love to see how Moult would have got on in that team as Higdon had much better service than Louis has had to feed off.

Robinson is certainly making all the right noises pre-season and in the build up to this one. He didnt waste any time moving on players that werent cutting it. I guess we will soon see whether the replacements are the upgrade we are hoping for!

Step aside Iron Man! There's a new super hero in town and ours don't rust!

Peter's no THAT auld!

Its a really difficult one. You want the greatest players to be the greatest, but most of us arent old enough to have seen the team that won the Scottish Cup and League Cup in the 50s or the Ancell Babes. But by all accounts players like Andy Paton, Charlie Aitken, Wilson Humphries, Willie Redpath, Pat Quinn and Iain St John were great players. My first Motherwell included Joe Wark, Bobby Watson, Bobby Graham and Wullie P, who were all fantastic, but they never won anything. Johnny Gahagan was a childhood hero of mine through the harder times of the early to mid 80s. The 91 team had Cooper, Phil, Stevie Kirk, Dougie Arnott and dare I say Tom Boyd. All worthy candidates. Tommy Coyne has to rate a mention. His partnership with Doogie was amazing and those 2 seasons challenging for the league were right up there with the best of times. Paul Lambert also rates a mention, but was he with us long enough to be considered "great"? Big Brian Martin was also a standout in that team. More recently, Faddy, Hammell, Lasley helped us through administration with Hammell making the most post war appearances. Keith racking up over 400 appearances and captaining us in the Champions League. But were they good enough players to be considered great? Higdon beating Wullie P's scoring record to become player of the year? Much to ponder over. I will probably change my mind several times before I submit my 10!

Picking your top 10 post war Motherwell players is gonna be a tall order and could take some time! So many variables! Do you just go with the ones you've seen? Do you throw in a few you havent as they are generally recognised as greats? Does it matter if they won or achieved anything? Really looking forward to seeing the results. Now where is that History of the Steelmen I had......

If we win the midfield battle we wont have to worry about our defence so much. Conceed it before we start and it could be a long afternoon. McHugh must start at centre mid.