gullane

Regarding the comment made last August - "the pitch should be fine, so long as we don't have a bad winter." Although we are all amateur turf consultants now, it appears the pitch has deteriorated due to a combiation of the cold weather, undersoil heating and pitch covers. If the turf consultants knew this beforehand, should they not have advised groundstaff not to overuse the undersoil heating? Although we have properly installed heating, we could have approached the SFA with a note from our "pitch doctor" saying we can't play cos our new grass seedlings will get damaged. If the SFA orders are we must use all means at our disposal to make the pitch playable, then the club can not be penalised. However, if club staff failed to adhere to consultant's recommendations, then we are to blame.

Jennings is the combative midfield general we have longed for for years. A future captain. I take it the match sponsor is one of the two votes for Humphrey. Does he get out much?

Given the SFA pitch investigation, now is the time to shed as much light as possible on artificial alternatives. What gen do you have on Salzburg's pitch? What makes it so good?

I share what appears to be the majority view on this thread - and Firparkcorner. An SFA investigation should be welcomed. A fine or points deduction should be imposed if the club have indeed failed to maintain a suitable playing surface. However, it would appear we have done everything we can. Also, as has been pointed out, each referee who has officiated at Fir Park over the last 2 months has passed the surface playable. The state of the pitch comes down to our geographical situation and appalling weather over December and January. We can't be penalised for natural causes. I know it's awful and frustrating, but I don't see any good can come out of looking for someone to blame. So I propose we all get off the backs of the groundsmen, John Boyle, Gretna and the SFA and see what occurs. Let's see what the investigation concludes. It shouldn't bring any big surprise since the SFA have been consulted throughout the pitch renovations in 2009. The question is what now? Is Fir Park in such a predicament that the only options are to either lay an artificial surface, or move away altogether?

I think we would have won more comfortably against Hibs with Jutkiewicz. A ouple of crosses had his name on them. Hope he's back against Killie - so he can grab a brace.

I know artificial surfaces have their drawbacks, but were the likes of Douglas Park and East End Park really worse than the current Fir Park pitch is now?

Just found this - Leiceter City I know Motherwell have used covers before. But have they tried a baloon like this? One thing's for sure - the undersoil heating doesn't work.

Driving home from the Hibs match, a gardening enthusiast from the Borders came on the phone in to discuss the Fir Park pitch. He suggested the only proper way to guard against frost was to build protection a few feet above the ground. That's why so many gardeners grow their plants under cloches - mini greenhouses. His question was - why don't football clubs invest in covers that sit a few feet off the ground. They would retain a minimum amount of warm air and prevent the grass from dying. This jogged my memory back to the 70s. Does anyone else remember Leiceter City putting up a giant balloon over their pitch? They pumped in hot air between the pitch and the balloon to create a roof 12-15 feet off the ground. The players even trained under it. I'm no gardener but even I can see how a layer of warm air above the ground would prevent the grass from dying. I'm sure I didn't just imagine this. Does anyone know more?

I hope Hately and Jennings will extend their contracts. O'Brien may need some convincing since he attracts interest from elsewhere. This is a good test of Brown's managerial skills. Gannon certainly knew where to go looking for good, available talent. I remember him saying there was a plentiful supply of players down south, good enough for the SPL. If this is the case, I can't see how it can be a big secret. Are Brown and Knox not just as capable of finding more of the likes of Hately and Coke?

I suspect O'Brien will get the popular vote but I'd like to praise Stephen Craigan for putting in a faultless performance against Rangers. What a difference a change in management can do for self confidence. And to think only a few weeks ago, many of us thought he was finished.

Stephen Pearson. Where is the great ginger hope now?

This topic comes up roughly every 6 months on here - and apart from some obscure names that only ever played a couple of times, Andy Roddie and John Davies usually come out on top.

We are better than Aberdeen and Hearts are due to combust any day. Barring a dramatic turn around, the other five teams look bottom six material.

Even though none of us are agents, this appears to make financial sense. I think Jimbo could increase his wages by c.50% at Hearts or Aberdeen now - or triple them in 12 months time in the Championship. He's still not the finished article yet, so why not stay at Fir Park, being nurtured by Brown and Knox?

Like YirElder, I'd only want him back if he had sufficient form and skill to offer The Well something special. Otherwise, keep fond memories intact. Another ex-player with apparent love for the club is Lee McCulloch. Would you welcome him back for a season or two?

It would be good business to insert a sell on clause in the deal then.

Las offered bags of guts and determination - qualities sadly lacking from everyone under Gannon's regime.

Yes, because Jack and Victor brng stability, experience and confidence to the club. I thought the Gannon appointment was an ambitious one - promising but unknown. Having seen the damage caused by that one I opt for security now. Could this double act eventually evolve into a supporting role for a less experienced coach that developed young talent - like chris McCart?

I thought appointing Brown and Knox within 24 hours of sacking Gannon was pretty effective management on Boyle's part. The players are responding favourably to the new management duo and Brown is working on the transfer market and promising at least a couple of signings. I'd say a bit of patience is all that's needed.

I think we appoint far better candidates than Leitch. Prior to Gannon's appointment, there were numerous characters throwing their hats in the ring.

Like many, I don't personally like Jeffries or Calderwood, but then what good football managers are likeable? Jeffries certainly has all the skills and experience to keep a club like Motherwell going - but I question his motivation now. Will he ever offer another club 8 years service? I personally would like to bring in someone like Gannon again - ie. youth developer, skillful football - but with a bit more savvy on people management.

Glad it's postponed well in advance. It's better to cope with the frustration of a pitch being playable but not going ahead than a round trip of 300 miles for a late call off.

I think it's an awful draw. It's away and to one of two SPL teams we know well. Neither ground is a great haunt for Well. If we can't be at home, at least let's travel to somewhere new and exotic - like Dingwall!

On a lighter note - "Midfielder Steven McGarry says sacking manager Jim Gannon came too late to prevent him leaving Motherwell for a trial with Perth Glory in Australia. (The Sun)" I'm gutted

Let's hope young, undecided Paul isn't reading this thread to help him make up his mind. Freedom of speech is one thing - personal abuse is another. Hope you stay Paul. Fir Park offers a great platform to launch your career.