Lobey_Dosser

What a chance that was for Tanner. Well be doing well to finish with 11 tonight, living up to our reputation with a few questionable challenges.

Kipre is going to get absolute pelters.

Weve been careful with Campbell since he started playing for Scotland u21s, need to guard against burnout! Id love him in instead of Rose though.

Loanbank quadrant just off Helen Street is where I tend to go. No bother getting a space if you arrive 45 mins before ko. Decent getaway too.

Shame this game isnt on Boxing Day, unnecessary break from tradition imo. From what Ive seen of Rangers in recent weeks, including 90 mins at Easter Road and Rugby park, they remain utterly diabolical. Unfortunately our lack of attacking options limit our chances but I take hope from the fact St Johnstone won comfortably with a 2nd string frontline. IIRC, all 3 scorers notched their first of the season at Ibrox. If Fisher is fit, Id start with him rather than Bowman and flood the midfield. While Fisher hasnt had a great start, he is capable of leading the line. Hopefully Carson and Hartley make it.

Am I right in saying we have a honking record against Dundee at Fir Park? Having been out the country when we won 3-1 under McGhee, the only victory that really springs to mind is the 4-2 with Faddy and Elliott. Can remember a few more doings though.

Not for the first time this season, I thought Dundee looked pretty decent from the highlights at the weekend. A team that is committed to passing and moving with a couple of in-form players in OHara and Moussa. Anything is possible when you play the percentage game like us but if we dont have Cadden and Hartley back (I assume Carson is definitely out) then Id say Dundee are favourites given our severe lack of cutting edge.

Listened to 2nd half on BBC. Sounded like we had a good go but ultimately a lack of quality in front of goal is going to cost us more often than not. A very disappointing week but far from surprising. The absence of Moult, Cadden, Carson, Hartley and now Frear is too much to deal with. Thankfully, we got plenty points in the bag early doors but if we fail to pick up a win before January, the threat of relegation will return yet again.

Csmpbell and Dimi on for Bowman and Dunne.

Michael Stewart, seriously? I think hes one of the best around. Enjoy listening to him and Tom English more often than not.

That would be my team, with Fisher ahead of Bowman. On paper, Grimshaw, Campbell and Bigi bring a balance in midfield that weve rarely seen this season. Whatever the lineup, I hope we can go with a consistent team for a few weeks so that players know they have more than 45mins to prove themselves.

Carson, Cadden and Hartley all still out. Late fitness test for Frear.

I always thought he was quality but lightweight during his time at Easter Road. From what Ive seen, Moult and Doyle have similar intelligence when it comes to movement in the box.

Could well be a loan deal? Murphy would jump at the chance.

Is Eoin Doyle too wild a call? On loan at Oldham from Preston due back on 1st Jan. Likely to be on very decent money though.

I mind nipping away from work to see Motherwell get pumped by Bradford at Grangemouth. The one highlight was Moults substitute appearance as he just looked like a proper striker. The memories and celebrations generated since (Parkhead a personal fav) in conjunction with his willingness to embrace the community spirit ensure he will be fondly remembered for a long time to come. I wish him all the best. From a Motherwell perspective, this deal has been in the mix for some time. I imagine when discussions started we were in a decent run of form and we would have therefore envisaged concluding the deal with a few more points in the bag. To therefore agree a deal in mid December with 1 win in 8, a deal that will see most of the money go to Wrexham/Boyle/Les, suggests we are very confident with the replacement(s) lined up.

McGarry in the Herald running with Moult to Preston for £450k done deal. That will be that.

Moult replacement and a proper left back would be ideal. Then its up to Robinson to utilise a relatively big squad to the best of its ability.

Agree with all that. He has signed a few tidy footballers so surely the intention was to come away from the percentage stuff at some point.

We expecting Hartley back? We have a very good record against Killie in recent times but Steve Clark has had the impact his reputation promised. For me, this is potentially our hardest fixture of the week but that doesnt mean we can pick up a result. Hopefully, Robinson is learning from his mistakes and we strike the right balance between destroyers/grafters and naturally gifted footballers.

From what Ive seen, McHugh is a slight cause for concern. Regardless of his position on the park, he somehow looks far less a captain that he did without the armband last year. Hopefully its just a loss of confidence.

Thanks for digging this out. While we all like a manager that implements change quickly, this stat doesnt reflect on Robinson. Really disappointing result tonight. December was always going to be a tough month and thats been compounded by the injury situation. However, if we fail to win a couple of games prior to Jan, we may not be able to risk selling Moult as the playoff position will close in on us.

Predicted this before kick off. Does anyone have a note of how many substitutions weve made at ht this season. For all the talk of meticulous preparation, the manager doesnt often get his starting lineup right.

Sounds a bit like Ross County away. Patrick Thistle arent as bad as the table suggests but when their renowned weakness is central midfield, similar to Hearts, its dispiriting to see Robbo select such a negative midfield.

If Bigi and Tanner cant get a start in our current predicament, you wonder when they will. Having said that, at least one will probably come on at ht.