joewarkfanclub

Upgrades are compared with players who have gone out the door though, whilst at the same time shrinking the squad for non covid times. Out - Grimshaw, Niernnold, O'Connor In - McGinn Out - Donnelly, O"Hara, Shaw In - Spittal, Morris Out - Roberts, Amaluzor In - ??? Folk were complaining how little football was in the midfield last season, which perhaps contributed to us playing it long a lot of the time. So the introduction of Spittal and Morris has to help in that regard. Looks like we will be relying on Maguire and Cornelius together with Slattery to be the workhorses in midfield. Tierney should be getting close to a regular first team start and will feel like a new signing, so already there "appears" to be more creativity in the side. I dont see us signing any more defenders, I think we will be trying to get more out of what we have. Up front is the concern. Morris isnt a striker and we really need someone that will get us goals and can lead the line if KVV is out, or heaven forbid gets sold.

On the players that were being moaned about last season for being shite......

All the discussion last season argued for a smaller squad of better quality. We may be a couple short in important areas, but surely we are headed in the right direction? Spittall, Morris and McGinn are surely upgrades? Some folk are never happy....

Im just delighted it never transpired.......

This makes me very happy! The thought of him turning out for the other blue mob was pretty depressing.

Morris is a left sided midfielder. Woolery was deployed on the right of a 3. Struggling to see how Morris is a replacement. Totally different kind of player.

As stated previously, be sorry to see him go, as I hadnt given up on him, but if there is a fee involved and we can get someone else in, its a no brainer for the club.

Id agree with that. If we can get the formation and the mix right, we might just be able to keep the ball on the ground a bit this season!

I get the impression that Alexander is very aware of the criticisms of last season and has gone for a player he knows and thinks he can trust to have an immediate impact and buy him a bit of time whilst he puts the other pieces of the jigsaw together. I could be be totally wrong, but if he has anywhere near the quality KVV has with a little bit more consistency, I will be quite happy. Given the input from Captain Oats though, it may be an admission that Goss isnt good enough and is likely to be a squad player this season.......

Aye fair doos. I didnt know that. Probably a load of shite then.

Unless we have given up on him and are actively trying to move him on? If be disappointed if that were the case, but Id be surprised if they paid a fee for him on last seasons limited performances.

Surprised there hasnt been more comment on this story. Anyone got any idea whether there is any truth in it? I was hoping we would have been working hard on Woolery to get more out of him this season and that he might get an extended run in the team to show what he can do. I think he has ability and all the physical attributes to be succesful in the SPL, its whats between the ears thats holding him back imho. I was hoping that could be fixed by some good coaching. I suppose if he is moved on, at least it frees up a wage to get someone else in. I cant imagine the club in question would be paying a fee for him, even if he is under contract.

So many games to recall over the years, but the ones that immediately stand out are...... 1991 Scottish Cup Semi Final v Celtic. You normally dont get a 2nd chance to turnover one of the big 2, especially at Hampden, and the expectation levels were pretty low, especially after going behind so early in the game. The euphoria of wee Psycho's 30 yarder hitting the net and the 4th goal from Kirky to seal our first Cup Final appearance of my lifetime. Much more enjoyable experience than the final as I was just too nercous to enjoy that. Our first European appearance at Fir Park under the lights wearing the "floodlight white" kit. Fabulous atmosphere at an absolutely rammed Fir Park and a very good performance. Cooper and Russell were in their pomp. Caught by the inevitible breakaway goal to end our chances, but not before we replied with 3 of our own only to go out on away goals. Dortmund away. Probably one of the best performances by a Motherwell team that I can recall, given the standard of the opposition. We gave them a real fright and if Tommy Coyne had just converted that chance at the end, who knows what might have happened?

Just imagine that under the floodlights on a big European night! Worth a goal of a start surely!

Tempted to say anywhere across the front 3! But I belive he is a wide midfielder / winger.

Mind that guy?

I would certainly be nice to see him actually play in our first team. I know the club couldnt turn down the money at the time and that we would never hold a young player back, but you cant help but feeling robbed a little of the opportunity to see an emerging talent play for us at least a little while before moving on.

I think that seems like a solid signing. Nothing flashy, buy someone experienced and proven at our level.

I really like our new kit. But that Bradford one is a belter. I would even accept wearing black shorts if we were being true to history.

Fair doo's!

Thats just not true. Ojala has looked good in spells but is clearly very injury prone and that has effected his performances for us. Probably why we had the chance of signing someone of his calibre. Solholm started very well then tailed off badly. Whether that was as a result of going straight from a Norwegian season into ours without a break or whether he has been carrying an injury is hard to say, but he is not a duffer. Lets wait and see how both respond to a proper close season and good pre season before we right both of them off.

Your not in a minority, I think a lot of our support dont rate either of them. Personally, I dont think either are great. But they are a long way from the worst we have ever had. McGinley is a better defender, but cant cross the ball. Carroll has much better delivery but consistently gets caught out of position and cant block a cross. In short, roll the 2 into one and you might have a player. Unfortunately that player would be off to pastures new within a season of their arrival. Its where we are as a club in the modern game and why context is always required when assessing our players. I dont think GA will be looking for another left back, but I wouldnt be averse to someone coming in if one of the above can be moved on.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion on a player. But it does help when there is actual meat put on the bones to allow debate. I dont necesarily agree with your opinion but at least youve stated why you feel the way you do. I wouldnt say Slattery was lazy. There may have been questions over his fitness last season, but Im sure that can be worked on. I also like the fact that he isnt afraid to commit a dirty foul if its what is required at the time. With better quality around him Im pretty sure we will get more out of him this season.

Constructive as ever......

For me we need a midfielder of some quality to partner Slattery. If you can be solid in the engine room and keep the ball better than we did last season it gives you a platform to play from and we might get more from our forward players than we have been doing. I dont know if Spittal is viewed as that player, but if he is I'd want another to give us some options. I still think Cornelius would flourish with some better quality alongside him.