joewarkfanclub

I think Archer is probably the better goalie and I think will probably get in a some point, but Chapman really hasnt had anything to deal with that would lead me to agree with you there......

Hard to chose today with it being such a disciplined team performance. Everyone did their job well but no one really standing out on their own. The defence all did very well and really liking the look of the OHara, Gallagher partnership. However, I thought Polworth was the one player who showed touches of class and composure in an otherwise hardworking display.

Wasnt the most enjoyable game to watch, but then, a game against Livvy on plastic in that wind was never going to be. We did what we needed to do. Very disciplined performance, defended well and took our chances when they arrived. Very good 3 points and keeps the current run (Rangers game excluded) going. Like others, I dont think our performances are miles apart from where we were earlier in the season, but the fine margins have turned in our favour. I think the current formation suits us better, but thats entirely because of Devante Cole. You could see yesterday that White just isnt at the same level. The fact that the 3 are also playing more centrally has helped as we now have more targets to hit. O'Hara has been a surprising find at centre half and its clear for all to see Gallagher is much better in a 4 than a 3/5. The midfield balance also seems to be better with Campbell Polworth and Maguire all having clearly defined jobs. All little tweaks, but they have changed the odds in our favour. Long may it continue.

Are you Grizzly G in disguise?

Archer certainly has pedigree. Not the best goalkeeper Ive ever seen play for Scotland, but you would think if he is fit he should have more than enough to see him by in the SPL. Certainly enough to keep Chapman on his toes....

I actually dont mind the mini leagues. But I agree that the regionalisation will get tiresome before very long. We have already played the same teams a number of times in a fairly short period. Part of the initial attraction was away days to places we hadnt been before. I think they need to get rid of the regionalisation and find some way to compensate the smaller clubs for their travel. Id love an away day to Brora, Cove, Peterhead, Forfar, Montrose or any number of the clubs up north. Lots of grounds Ive never seen Motherwell play.

Seems Big Trev just cant catch a break. This will be devestating news for him. Here's hoping that its not as serious as it sounds and he will be back as soon as possible. From a supporters perspective its very disappointing to lose one of our best players (again) just when it looks as if we may have stumbled onto a formation that might work for us. Hopefully Aaron Chapman will be up to the task. We certainly havent had our problems to seek this season.

And the assist for Coles goal. Only realised it was his flick on when I watched it back later. All in all a really good days work for the boy. The complete performance you could say. I really hope this is his "new normal"

Very good team performance today and everyone got pass marks. Thought O'Hara did very well at the back, Campbell was his usual 7/10, Devante Cole led the line very well. However, pretty easy choice today, Tony Watt was absolutely outstanding. Linked the play well, scored a great goal and great assist for the penalty. Hopefully we will get that level of performance out of him every week now!

McKenna and Tierney wouldve started in front of Dec and on this seasons form he couldnt have argued. Stevie Clark has a big decision to make now in November though. If Tierney is fit and turns up you have to think he will play either left CB or at RB just due to his quality. But you have to think Dec has played himself into the central role. Obviously not a Motherwell player, but I think big Considine has given himself a right good chance as well. Ive always thought he was better than McKenna. Also though O'Donnell gained a lot of credit last night after a ropey first game and improving 2nd game. Should make the squad and will get game time in Slovakia or Israel but might be vulnerable for the Serbia game.

You have to put it in context though. For Scotland he is playing the centre of a 3 with 2 decent players either side. For us he is being played the right of a 3 with 2 fairly inexperienced/lesser players. Id like to see him in the centre for us with Mugabi and McGinley either side. Regardless, I think this week will have done wonders for his confidence, and we should see an improvement in his performances.

Considine looked more assured than McKenna. But then, Ive always thought that when we have played Aberdeen, let alone for Scotland....

Gallagher has been excellent both games. O'Donnell didnt have the best of games on Thursday night but grew into it as the game went on. Same again tonight and had a pretty decent 2nd half. Great assist and seemed to take confidence from that. We should defo be looking at moving Gallagher into the centre of the 3 on those performances.

If we are going to trial letting fans into games we should be going to the lower leagues which have much smaller, more easily distanced crowds which are far nearer there normal operating level. Top level clubs can get by on tv revenue for now, despite how shite a spectacle it is, but the lower league clubs need punters through the door just to make it viable.

Wullie P was my first Motherwell hero. Bobby Graham certainly complimented him perfectly, but to suggest Wullie was nothing without him is miles out. So lucky to have him and Joe Wark in such a talented team. Obviously Wullie left and I developed a hugr respect for Joe, his consistency and his loyalty. Oh for such riches today!

Who is their favoured team in your opinion?

Campbell could easily play the Brown role for Celtic. I dont know why we never employed him like that. He is perfect for it and any perceived lack of pace would be less of an issue.

I cant see Alan Campbell going to Hibs or Aberdeen right now. Given we still get a development fee for him in the summer they would need to come up with in the region of £1m plus add ons to make it worth our while selling him now. I dont see either having that kinda cash in the current climate. More likely his agent trying to stimulate interest.

O'Donnell is surely a certain starter? He knows the pitch and opposition well. And anyway, dont ex-players always score against their former team?

PS. Gannon gave us a terrific start to the season and had us going toe to toe with Steua Bucharest. His methods were up for question and ultimately his mental attitudes got him canned. Barraclough gave us a magnificent play off victory v the dead club. Malpas.......sorry, cant defend that.

No guarantees. But we have a decent board who all have the best interests of the club at heart, so no agendas, just all trying to get the best person for the job....

Im not sure any genuine Motherwell fan would welcome being described as "staunch"

When it comes to the whole happy clapper/pantwetter debate, I dont think it needs to be "either/or". We should be able to constructively criticise the team when necessary without being overly dramatic about it and maintaining an element of realism about the size of our club and the budget available. I just find certain posters are almost always entirely negative and that becomes tiresome after a while. That doesnt mean we shouldnt expect the management team to spend any money we make wisely for the betterment of the squad/club. Robbo has his faults, but we are not gonna get a manager who doesnt. So while I am in no hurry to have him sacked, if he got a better offer and left, it wouldnt leave me devestated either as Im sure we would replace him with someone of similar stature. I would like to see a more balanced recruitment policy, and potentially use any spare monies to improve the standard of the squad rather than just numbers. That is difficult without increasing our pay structures. Overall I think the club get more right than they get wrong and Robbo does a fairly decent job, whilst still having plenty room for improvement. I guess its where your expectations lie dictate whether your glass is either half empty or half full......

Was between Campbell and Watt for me. Watt led the line and held the ball up very well, particularly in the first half. He was also very cute in drawing some of the fouls that got their players yellow carded. If more of our players were so streetwise we could have taken advantage of the increasing pressure. Went for Campbell though. Led by example once again and only really ran out of steam 2nd half when we were down to 10 men and chasing it. Of the others I thought Grimmy did reasonably well and Polworth kept probing away and played some really nice forward passes. Most disappointed in - Long for a stupid petulant tackle at the end of the 2nd half. We should defend the free kick better, but if he keeps his discipline its a non issue. Gallagher, putting a guy in a headlock seconds after taking a yellow for the team is geoss stupidity. To complain about it on the way off just compounded the situation.

Thank goodness you are on this message board Andy. I was beginning to think I had watched a different game from some of the suicidal posters venting their spleens once again. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but to suggest there was nothing good in last nights performance and that everyone is shite bar Campbell and Watt is raising the doom mongering to new levels. Compared to where we were 3/4weeks ago, we have improved dramatically, and while we beat ourselves last night through naivity and indiscipline, there was plenty in that performance to show that we will be ok this season.