joewarkfanclub

I thought first half we looked ok. Shape was better and we controlled the play much like we did 2nd half against Ross County. The disappointing thing is that we didnt create any clear cut chances and it seems we are entirely too predictible playing against teams that sit in and play us on the break. We really need to find a formation and a way of playing to counter that. With the pace we have in the team, maybe we should be inviting teams onto us to leave more space for the likes of Hastie, Seedorf and Long to exploit? 2nd half we became increasingly frustrated and none of the changes made by the manager seemed to improve things. Like others, I thought Watt for Hastie seemed a very strange thing to do without apparently changing formation. Hylton was the obvious choice for a straight swap, which was proved correct when he actually came on and Watt moved inside to support White, who despite his critics at least seems to engage opposition defenders and make them work a little harder. Desperately disappointing result, not helped by the injuries illness and suspension. But we need to find a settled formation that works soon before confidence starts to erode and effect performances further. With no actual full backs available for the forseeable, it might be worth just playing 3-5-2 until we have a full complinent to choose from. It would allow Grimmy some respite by allowing him to play further up the park a little, get Hastie over on his natural side, allow us to retain 3 in centre midfield and give long a partner up front. Maybe not a long term solution, but in the interim could be the way to go. Carson Maguire Gallagher Lamie Grimmy OHara Turnbull Campbell Hastie Long White/Watt

I thought the picture was fine. No sound first half and sound lag second half up until about last 10 mins. I understand the cost implications re any features pre and post match and half time. However, surely there cant be that much cost attached to someone from the media team discussing things with a player that is suspended or injured like they did with MFC radio or the little pre match youtube features they used to do? The staff and players are all working on matchday anyway so even 5 mins before, at half time and 5 mins after as a round up would create a massively improved experience. Early days. Lots of room for improvement, but the potential for something really good is there.

The team that "was like watching Brazil!"

Off the players that completed 90 mins, McGinley was the best by a distance. However, given how much I criticised him last season for being an imposter, I have to doff my cap and give my MOTM to Sherwin Seedorf, purely for the impact he made when he came on. Much more of the same please!

Lots to digest. Robbo clearly got the starting selection wrong. We looked unbalanced from the off and it cost us the first 20 mins. I get that we have so many options now in midfield and up front, but not one of us would have David Turnbull anywhere other than in the middle controlling the game. He is our best player. Play him where he is most effective. To be fair to Robbo, he did change it around and we looked much better 2nd half. I dont agree with those that say DT and Polworth cant play together. They are both good footballers and if both played centrally they will easily find ways to break teams down. Against better teams though we may have to drop one for a more defensive player. Those criticising the defence. Other than the penalty and the shot that hit the bar, Im struggling to think of any clear cut chances Ross County created? Certainly 2nd half there was next to nothing. I share everyones concerns re Grimmy, much as he is a great guy, he will cost us at right back and we do need to try someone else in there. Donnelly, OHara? The manager does aslo leave himself open for criticism for not getting in a replacement after Tait chose to leave. However, the rest of the defence looked fairly solid to me. Lamie looks an upgrade on Hartley. He is certainly more mobile and his distribution is better. Positioning needs a little work but thats to be expected in a new team. McGinley for me did great after a shaky start and grew into the game. At 23, he has time on his side to improve. Midfield/Upfront, surprised to see no Campbell. Hopefully he is not offski as we will need him going forward. But Donnelly and OHara are good defensive midfielders. Whether we need them both on the park against Ross County is another matter. OHara was unlucky to be subbed as he had been the better of the 2 in the first half. Donnelly is a player I like. His athleticism is suited to the Scottish game but he needs to stick to what he is good at. He should never be on pens when David Turnbull is on the pitch. That decision alone cost us a point. Similarly corners. Polworth needs told no floaty pish! Get the ball driven in for our defenders to attack or stand aside for someone that will. To be fair to the players both decisions should sit with the manager who needs to get that sorted out pronto. Lang looks a decent addition on that brief cameo. Certainly has enough pace and trickery to trouble teams at our level. Bad miss and terrible judgement for the red card, albeit it should only have been a yellow. Hastie either needs played on the left, or given considerable work in training to go past his man and cross with his right foot. Far too predictible at the moment, as he was before he left for the dark side. Long needs to get sharper quickly. We have competition for places now, so if he cant hit the net, he might be out the team. Makes some really good runs, but if he is played as a loan striker we need to forget wingers and play thru the middle. The pass from DT to him when he hit the post was sublime and thats how to get the best from him. Formation wise we could certainly go with 2 up top, but that may weaken us further back the pitch. Finally, the surprise package of the night, Sherwin Seedorf! Where was that guy all last season? Other than his goal v Hearts he offered little. Here's hoping it wasnt a flash in the pan last night. Giving Jake Hastie some competition for his place could be very beneficial to us. Overall, very disappointing result last night which was mostly self inflicted. However, there were lots of positives and if we can learn our lessons and find a settled formation, there is still much to be positive about.

I think we should be comfortably top 6. Im gonna say we will finish 4th. League Cup semi finalists Scottish Cup Quarter Finalists Europa League - lose in the play off round narrowly failing to get into group stages. Davy Turnbull to confound everyone by staying until Xmas before going south for £4.5m. Robbo takes the Bournemouth job and Lasley and Mo Ross get co-manager status!

I think the keeper and back 4 picks itself. Other than that I have absolutely no idea what the lineup will be! Changed days!

Brilliant! You will do for me! Have fun with Steelboy! (Sorry Steelboy, couldnt resist!)

All you need to know is.... "Its magic, you know, Davy Turnbull and Campbell...." Enjoy! #coyw #siwy

I quite like Steven Thomson (and Mikey Stewart) as pundits. They are a very good double act. But Tommo is honking as a presenter. I truly hope he is only covering whilst Johnathon Wotsisname is on holiday, otherwise it could be a desperately long season!

One of the legends of my dads first Motherwell. RIP Willie.....

Welcome Blue3! I too applaud your choice of Scottish club! We have a rich history, not only in Scotland, but also in the world game. Not sure there have been too many links between the 2 clubs over the years. Off the top of my head only Jamie Murphy, Mark McGhee and Ben Hall spring to mind. Obviously you will be aware we are a community based, fan owned club so I trust these ideals blend in with your opening gambit about moving here! Hope you enjoy your time on the forum, but before we go any further, you need to answer the most important question on here..... Are you a happy clapper or a doom monger?

Quite excited about the Lang signing. Not had a "cult hero" at Fir Park as such since King Louis and Cedric left (DT exclude). Have a feeling this fella could be the one. Just need to get a proper right back now and we are looking pretty strong. On paper at least!

We continue to lose goals due to not stopping delivery from wide areas. It was a weakness last season and continues to be so. Our full backs really need to get out quicker and stop these balls coming in, or at the very least put pressure on the player crossing to make their life more difficult. If the quality of ball in is allowed to be good, its obvious its going to hurt us.

This place is so predictible..... 1. You dont prepare for European football by playing lower league teams. 2. Rangers are ahead of us in terms of preparation. 3. They generally have better players than us anyway. 4. We are bedding in some new players which will take time. 5. Some of our existing flaws and weaknesses were once again exposed. The management team arent stupid. They see these things too. Lets all just chill out and accept last night for the lesson that it ultimately was. We still have much work to do to be ready for the start of the season.

Not yet....

I agree with all of that. But the club stood by DT as well, so loyalty works both ways. We have done very well by injured players in the last few seasons. That wont go un-noticed by any prospective new signings.

Given that it was Motherwell that took care of the boys rehab, I would hope that Celtic have absolutely no guarantees in place to get first bite at the cherry. Like others I would love us to get at least to the New Year out of DT just to enjoy him a little longer. If he is to go, it would be better for all concerned if he went south. With both Newcastle and Leeds now interested Im sure the chances of Celtic getting him on the cheap are diminishing rapidly.

Im actually getting quite excited about this season. Its a big if, but IF we can keep Turnbull we have the makings of a really good team. Long coming back is great. He is a really hard working player and continually offers himself and makes very intelligent runs which Turnbull will find with his passing ability. Turnbull will also take a lot of pressure off of Polworth to he the only creative player in the midfield. We should also be able to mix up our formations with all the options we have now, we can just about play any system we like. Puts Stephen Robinson in a very good position, although the other edge to that sword is that his tactical awareness will come under more scrutiny as he will have no limitations placed on how he would like to play!

This is getting really boring now.....

If Jake Hastie plays well and scores goals this season all will be forgotten. If he doesnt then the boo's will amplify and build. He really needs to hit the ground running. I wish him well.....

Sorry, but neither Hylton nor Seedorf have come close to producing what Hastie has already achieved in his so called purple patch, so the evidence is there.....

Fairplay to Gillespie. Great move for him. Really hope he can nail down a first team place. He seems like a good guy and it would be another feather in our cap when trying to attract aspiring talent.

Anyone who says Hastie isnt better than what we already have needs have a think again. He may only have had a purple patch before, but neither Hylton or Seedorf have produced anything near the quality Hastie did during that time and they had nearly a whole season to do it. Im very much on the fence with the signing. I didnt like the way he left or who he left for, but he is back now and the management clearly think he can improve the squad as they would not brought him back knowing the furore it was going to cause. Its a bold move, and the lad will need a thick skin for the first few weeks, maybe longer. But he seems to know whats coming his way and appears up for it, so good luck to him.