gullane

McNamara knows all about fuds. So if even he doesnae fancy Straker? I struggle to remember a player with less understanding of the game. Andy Roddie perhaps.

Will Watt feature anytime soon? Potentially our obvious 2nd choice RB

Both are prone at concentration lapses/bad decisions. I remember several fans on here pre-season, talking up the potential of Laing to be our next Hutchison. My how times have changed. I think many of us would have put either or both Laing and Kennedy in the squad for Tynecastle. But then, none of us watch them in training or assess how they respond to our coaching instructions. If you were either of these two, how would you respond to McGhee's management?

From Scottish Football Fans Without the Old Firm https://www.facebook.com/groups/235089846519193/?fref=nf Motherwell have been alerted to a 400k bid from Bournemouth for winger Marvin Johnson.

For those of you who weren't at Tynecastle, the biggest factor that contributed to the scoreline was Hearts. This was the wrong time to go to Tynecastle. OK, our team selection didn't help and we are short in midfield. But in all honesty, if we had kept Grimshaw, and Lasley hadn't been suspended, we would still have lost. I'm not too downhearted about losing 6-0. From Saint Johnstone downwards, I think we have enough talent to compete.

Does MM's squad selection at Tynecastle indicate who is heading out the door? When it was known beforehand we had limited options in central midfield, and we would be defending against a strong, physical side, McGhee ignored Jack Leith, Craig Reid, Keiran Kennedy and Luke Watt. All have their limitations, but given the circumstances, could have offered something against Hearts.

Enough of McNamara and Arabs - back to our own managerial vacancy. Who would be a genuine popular candidate? Mixu? VDG? Simo?

I'd prefer to back our manager to the hilt and am generally Mr Positive - but I too am starting to doubt Barra's capacity to select a strong side, bind them with sufficent tactical savvy to work as a unit and motivate them to compete. Today I felt I was watching some good players in claret and amber, playing beneath their potential. Moult and Robinson look good signings, but had to play off scraps. Barra sees these players all week. I find it hard to believe he can't spot Josh Law is out of his depth. Kennedy, Watt and Reid all offer more at right back. Carswell was released because he couldn't make the grade. He has now been replaced by a clone in Taylor. I can't believe he has shown enough in training to merit a start. In 5 minutes, Grimshaw showed more creativity than Taylor did in 90. Why are the likes of MacDonald and Johnston not sparking? Why does McManus play every minute? Why praise Kennedy then drop him? Nice pleasant manner and soundbites at press conferences are all fine, but don't make a good manager. Over the next few weeks, Barra has to show his true worth. I hope he is up to the challenge.

https://twitter.com/MotherwellFC/status/638843071992623106/photo/1

From Facebook forum - "A couple of signing rumours doing the rounds tonight are. Thistle signing Sam Stanton from Hibs on loan and . Motherwell signing Ian Black." Hope this is guff

Robinson comes with a better pedigree than Moult and Fletcher. He looked the part yesterday. I hope Watt gets a chance to show his potential soon. If we can move on Reid, it will be good to bring in an experienced right back. Central midfield is clearly our weak area. Lasley cannot play every week. Perhaps alternate with Pearo.

Getting a bit tired of the bullshit bingo press conferences, Barra offers each week. I wonder if the players feel the same. Against Killie, there were some good players performing far beneath their potential. We lacked confidence and cohesion. During the international break, Barra needs to step up to the mark, show some character, work on the areas we are weak, knuckle down and show everybody what he has in his locker. Hell, I could script his interviews.

I am normally an optimist and it was good walking out with 3 points but I'm concerned. We now have both pace and skill at the club. But today showed we have players but not a team. There was a lack of unity, cohesion, self belief and confidence. The longer the game went, the more the players shrunk into themselves. I think we won simply because Killie were the worst side to show up at Fir Park in ages. If they are this season's St Mirren, then Motherwell could easily be this season's Motherwell. So regardless of who we may sign over the next 3 days, Barra needs to step up and show he has the ability to manage and motivate players into a confident and tactically astute unit. For me, the jury is now out. PS. Waldo should maybe do the team talks - sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, apart from when it's done well. Cheers Man

In January, we tried to sign James Dayton in exchange for Vigurs. Now he has been freed by St Mirren, is he worth signing? What if Ainsworth doesn't accept his offer?

But Chalmers has never been at a club with yoga regularly on the fitness menu. Here's hoping. Notice the press rumours picking up on Louis Laing signing. With clubs clambering to sign up players early in the transfer window, it's silly season for rumours already. So keep the "my missus was chatting to" and "guess who I had in the back of my taxi" stories coming. Bloody love em!

I can see how Laing appears to fit the bill for a developing centre back. He's a tall, strong lad who can tackle. But a lot depends how smart he is. His decision making has been awful in every game he's played. He would be getting far fewer plaudits here if Chris Boyd had taken the chance gifted to him on Sunday. He needs to cut out the mistakes.

Sadly, we add McHugh and Carswell to a list of unrealised promise - Marc Fitzpatrick, Paul Slane, Ross Forbes.... I hope the new management help Jack Leith and Craig Moore make the grade.

What's the contract situation with Johnston? Isn't he staying? He is the sort of signing IB needs to be making. We also need an on field leader - preferably an experienced centre back who can command those around him.

Erwin is raw potential - but that is as good as I rate him. I'm surprised at the enthusiasm for Laing. His mistakes and decision making have been really poor every time he's played - especially yesterday. I don't rate Laing or O'Brien. In contrast, young Peter Grant at Falkirk looks a good, no nonsense defender. Great tackles made in the cup final. I can see Ainsworth staying - this is the longest he's stayed anywhere. Sutton has been a great club servant but I think it's time to let him go and get a stronger, younger striker in. Someone in the mould of ICT's Ofere is what we need, especially if IB favours fast wing play. For me, the crucial priority is an experienced keeper, and a commanding centre back who's not afraid to boss his team mates. We need a leader at the back to cut out all the mistakes.

I know Accies turned round a 2 goal deficit away last year, but - Access were better than Rangers We are better than Hibs McCulloch will be in central defence. All the comments coming from the team is the job is only half done. I don't think they are complacent. I'm still nervous though.

Off to Kille with hope rather than expectation. They looked good a few weeks ago at FP. Should we lose, then Ross Co take something from Tannadice, mathematically, we can still pull ourselves up, but we will start to look likely candidates for the play offs. I'm crap at predictions so don't get upset at my thoughts.

Bara said he used to go watch him take training sessions - and was impressed. His successful, track record in youth development is a further indication the club have a progressive plan - and are implementing it. If you list all the issues forum members have moaned about in recent months, it seems the board and management have responded and taken positive steps to rectify them. All we need now is to see the plan evolve into a winning team. COYW

On a different subject - I notice there have been no loan signings out of the club since we signed 7 players in January. Does this mean nobody wants Nielson, ZFA, Cummins, Cadden, Ferguson, Carswell or Ainsworth? Given the players who have come in, I can't see any of this 7 featuring in the first team now. Lawson and Vigurs are injured so are with us till end of season.

Some interesting reading on Accies youth development. They did have the luxury of substantial financial investment through the sale of McCarthy and McArthur. This has subsequently been bolstered by seven figure transfers recently. However, Accies appear to have also recruited development staff who know what they are doing and have a clear strategy. Motherwell are unlikely to have the funds to invest in a comparable programme at present but with Mr Hutchison's talk of developing a community club, perhaps we will see some changes to the youth structure. I agree with what has been posted already - we are competing with other Scottish clubs for the best of Scottish youth. We have to make Motherwell an attractive proposition too.

Bringing in so many will be a kick in the knackers to many players but I don't think we should just field all the new faces at once. Eleven strangers do not make a team. I think Erwin, Moore and D Thomas should continue to be encouraged. Nielson, ZFA, Cummins, Ainsworth and Carswell can all go on loan if possible. McHugh, Vigurs and Lawson are injured so unless we release them, are there till end of season.