Lobey_Dosser

If we are to surpass the achievement of 91, then it’s by beating the champions. Attacking options are a worry though. For those of you that watch the u20s, is Alfie ready to step up? If not, we might need to explore the possibility of MacLean playing as a 2nd striker should something happen to Main or Bowman. As good as Celtic tend to be on the big occasion, there defence remains a weakness and they don’t like getting pressed. Hopefully we maintain a clean bill of health.

So £30-40 a head after expenses? At £27 a ticket, we must be doing very well with hospitality.

Well that is welcome news.

Seemingly all Scottish entrants, including cup winners, go into the 1st qualifying round of the Europa league. We might need to pull Campbell and Cadden out the trip to Peru and Mexico.

I recall Robinson saying him and McIntyre were on holiday together targeting some of the same players. The club are doing a good job at nailing down the players we want, even if it’s at a 2nd or 3rd attempt. i suspect the mystery striker we missed out on at the 11th hour in January will arrive this summer.

I love Charles Dunne but how closely are you watching him? He is a clear your lines style defender, not a wingback.

I’m all for taking a close interest in club finances but seriously as a football fan, days like yesterday don’t come around often. Enjoy the moment! On your point, you’ve significantly overestimated the income from 5,000 Rangers/Celtic fans minus policing and possibly underestimated the Marvin transfer. Also, Robinson has mentioned a hundred time that Trevor Carson cost £10k. As for cup revenues (publicly available), worth bearing in mind a fair whack will rightly go on player/staff bonuses.

Fair chance Rangers will be 4th.

What a wonderful day. Full credit to everyone involved on and off the park who have transformed Motherwell into a club that fears nobody and relishes the big occasion. The spine of our team in Carson, Aldred, Campbell and Main epitomises everything that is good at Motherwell. Main will rightly make the headlines but special mention to Grimshaw and Rose who despite their injury layoffs, put in a helluva shift alongside the ever-impressive Allan Campbell. If we can steer clear of injury, I’m confident we will win the cup. I’ve never said that since I was a naive 7 year old in 91.

40/1 on paddy power. Cedric 30/1. I’ll now spend my lunchtime doubling them up with Grand National horses for a proper return.

Who will be our captain on Sat? Tait or Carson?

20 home games including 4 visits from the Glasgow duo. Can’t complain.

The general vibe would suggest 5,700 might be about right. While appreciating the impact of BBC coverage and Easter holidays, I struggle to fathom why we would take significantly less numbers to a Scottish Cup semi than a diddy cup semi against Rangers. As has been mentioned repeatedly, it’s a real shame our modest support has to be spread across 3 stands.

Hibs looks like one of the more likelier destinations for Crawford, particularly if both McGeough and McGinn move on this summer as rumoured. Think O’Hara remains a decent shout for us, certainly a Robinson type player. Polworth may be another one on the radar. Whatever happens this summer, we need to leave room in midfield for Turnbull to get an opportunity.

Fingers crossed Dunne and Campbell shake off their knocks. Assuming they do, I’d go with the usual back 3 and have a midfield of Bigi, Rose and Campbell with Cadden and Tait the wingbacks. As much as I like Frear he isn’t suited to the wingback role, particularly when you look at Aberdeen’s strength in the wide areas. Given our lack of quality attacking options however, I’d consider playing Frear off Main if Ciftci doesn’t make it. I’m afraid Bowman wouldn’t be near my starting lineup.

I also thought Moult looked lost when he came on against Derby. The return to England was never going to be straightforward given his lack of pace and strength. One thing we know though is that’s he’s a determined character and if he gets a run, he’ll more than likely score goals. I hope he sticks it out at Preston but Rangers has always looked the perfect move for him.

I wouldn’t be averse go giving Maguire, Turnbull and Scott some game time in the coming weeks, most likely from the bench. Surely however Bigi and Grimshaw have to play on Saturday as they’ve barely kicked a ball and at least one will be starting at Hampden.

We all have our own opinions of player ability and formations but there are some ridiculous shouts here.

Fingers crossed Campbell was taken off as a precaution. I don’t like the idea of going to Hampden without McHugh, Tanner, Rose and Campbell. Putting preparation for the semi to one side, I don’t understand why we went with the strongest team available tonight. It’s been proven numerous times this season that a high intensity performance can’t be replicated 3/4 days later. Having said that, we do have a severe lack of options. As Steelboy suggests, we only have 1 fit striker on our books that is of adequate quality. Hence why we win so few games.

Maybe I’m too obsessed with the semi but I can’t understand why we aren’t starting Bigi or Grimshaw tonight. Fingers crossed Campbell stays clear of injury or we’ll be going to Hampden with no midfield.

Is it not the case that half the West is yet to open? Aberdeen fans I work with think anything above 12k would exceed expectations.

We’re going to have between 6-8000 in a stadium that is almost 2/3s empty. No need for the club to bang on about ticket sales. Having said that, I don’t quite get the sense of apathy/complacency suggested by one or two. I’ve not put so much thought into a Motherwell game since the playoff at Ibrox.

Full focus on Hampden. I’d be inclined to rest the likes of Campbell and anyone else carrying a knock. Given that at least one of Bigi and Grimshaw will surely start the semi, both need to play on Tuesday. I wouldn’t be averse to keeping Main under wraps either with a view to playing our semi team at Perth on Saturday.

Outstanding performance from Curtis Main.

Craig Moore nets a late winner for Ayr, 25th of season.