Onthefringes

Kind of epitomises most things for me yesterday Add in the group of mates old and new and the wee fella who I travelled with (I'm sure the Lesmahagow lads would join us again) and awaydays don't get much better. Like my old man said when I finally spoke to him last night "one of those games where you just had to be there". Bit surreal, as we travelled the A90, sensed we were onto something as personal needs breaks were met with sounding horns as we passed or were passed by most vehicles waving claret and amber. Earliest I've been in a match in a long, long time and the site of our away support was something to behold. That and the backing pre/during/post match will live long.

Spat my porridge out at that

Requires to be hastily arranged, but, I'd open the gates up again and have the team roared over the line. An end of season party similar to last season from the Bois faithful and the players joining in? Fire it up!

Let's see how stringent their... Ahem... Medicals are... Ahem

From somebody else's research... At the moment (and this can all change considering teams - including Scotland - have not yet been confirmed). Presuming whoever is in Qualifying round one wins their tie, meaning all three Scottish teams are in qualifying round 2, then... Motherwell will be ranked 22nd, and are therefore in the top 40 and SEEDED Dundee United would be 34th, and seeded. St Johnstone would be 50th, and unseeded. Aberdeen would be 55th, so unseeded too. Aberdeen are currently ranked 289th in Europe - That'll be the most famous 289th team in Europe, though, according to the deluded. It's worked out on the likely 80 teams in qualifying round 2, which is based on teams currently occupying the qualifying spots in their respective countires, and the likely winners of the qualifying round 1 ties.A lot of football still to be played yet. The domestic cup finals are a big one, as obviously the Scottish Cup could see a seeded team in United not qualifying, and instead an unseeded St Johnstone. That would be a boost to another country who would move up a place, and likewise a few "upsets" in other cup finals could be a big boost to us, as the list below is only showing the favourites to win each domestic cup. Listed in order from 1-81 (should be 1-80 but obviously added both United and St Johnstone). PSV Eindhoven Anderlecht Spartak Hapoel Tel Aviv Austria Wien Lech Slovan Liberec Partizan Dinamo Bucureşti Esbjerg fB Sturm Rosenborg Elfsborg Omonia Hajduk Split Molde Luzern ZSKA Sofia Rijeka Asteras Tromsö Motherwell Zorya Lugansk Videoton Mladá Boleslav Eskisehirspor AIK Stockholm Litex Neftchi Ekranas Petrolul Vojvodina Dinamo Minsk Dundee United Zestafoni Hafnarfjördur Ruch Chorzow Göteborg Sarajevo Zeljeznicar ---------------------------------- Shakhter Karagandy Hapoel Beer Sheva Shakhtyor Soligorsk Spartak Trnava Dacia Düdelingen Differdingen Split Győri ETO St Johnstone Linfield Valletta FK Baku Inter Baku Pyunik Aberdeen Siroki Brijeg Botev Liepajas Metalurgs Honka Zawisza Sligo Rovers Neman Grodno Budućnost Kosice Vaduz Luka Koper Brommapojkarna Trencin Gorica Myllykosken Pallo Haugesund Nomme Kalju Cukaricki Újpest Daugava Daugavpils Jeunesse Esch Rudar Velenje Kukesi Metalurg Skopje RoPS

Hoping for similar scenes to that Ross County match. The epitomy of everything that was good about that season and a particular highlight for me.

From someone who was highly critical of mistakes made in the past... credit where credit is due. Given the rainfall mentioned, our pitch hasn't broken up and whilst not the lush green hybrid pitches we see every waking hour on skysports - our pitch is fairing better than most in the country. Interesting to note, the main problem area is towards the South East corner - as the gradient goes, it's the highest part of the pitch

Most of their current squad tied up for next year at least are they not?

For all the Daily Record 'exclusive' slant... Believe there are more to go, but, ALL CHARGES NOW DROPPED for what was their profile case. Let's welcome the kid back into the fold

Got ye. Wasn't making much progress in an erm, 'progress' meeting so playing about with the new phone

Pardon my ignorance, who or what is getting drip fed our way?

Imagine if Fashanu played for them then...

Engage. typing. brain. before? We'll have ballsed up in defence, yet, by your logic 'This one has score draw written all over it'

Highlights don't highlight the lead up to Hibs corner kick award for their equaliser either. So far out the ball boy nearly took a touch! Game changing decisions...

Bang on the money. Contender for post of the year

Is boycotting away games not the de rigueur? Away attendance has dwindled for a long time and for varying reasons. Shit polls and the thinking behind them? Think we're losing focus on the term 'support'...

Eh? 'you're money' 'your money' I know Bob Malcolm used to, but, does James McFadden play the drum? It's the team I go to see... No hiding the fact, poor decision from Hibs with even poorer reasoning behind it. The drum adds to the experience, but, it's not the be all and end all for some. Just feel the Bois creativity can rise above this and do what they do best.

Admirable stance, but, not attending because of a 'ridiculous decision' made by Hibs is a little ridiculous in itself no? They are trying to silence the away support, this big group you speak of, can drive the team on in other ways... Act up, play up, take the piss even?

Agree with your point, although not to piss on your parade, Craig Bryson followed a path from Clyde to starring at Derby via Kilmarnock and Scotland recognition on his release from our club.

Now, just a thought... Given the current clamour to give some of our younger players game time - why then some notable posters on this very thread bemoaned the fact youngsters were introduced as certain favourites and senior members of the squad couldn't cut it under the fabled Jim Gannon? Man was a visionary I tells thee

Understand and can empathise with the viewpoint, my point was made from opinion of parents who's kids are involved at opposing teams rather than those attached to Motherwell and, as I said, I'll reserve judgement till I see for myself. Got the impression under the car salesman that too many kids thought they had made the big time by just being involved at academy level and/or securing places in a flawed elite system. If Scott Leitch is imposing a harder edge, that's his prerogative. Leading to better prepared prospects? I'm all for it and kudos to him. He certainly hasn't offered an attitude not becoming his position anytime I've spoken to him.

Understood. We're on the same wavelength.

Various moves at differing levels will have affected stability, latest changes will again take time to bear fruit. Had heard Stuart Ogilvie has returned to the club in a scouting role, decent pedigree by all accounts and highly rated in those circles, perhaps Noah Dosser can confirm? Worryingly, Scott Leitch doesn't seem to be covering himself in glory given behaviour from leadership positions to players and parents in recent months. All be it, information was offered by parents who were on the receiving end of defeat, I'll reserve judgement till I see the nephew play against Motherwell in the coming weeks.

Ooh! The irony... lost on you.