Lobey_Dosser

Number 9 shirt making all the difference for Christopher Long. We’re playing very well here.

My mind must be playing tricks. I’m sure he spent much of his time during the Dykes season out on the right, turning in on his left foot. Prior to that in his early days at Thistle, I vaguely recall him playing in front of O’Donnell.

Lawless predominately plays on the right does he not? This was never going to be a transfer window to get the juices flowing. The club will have done the best they can from the limited options available. The lack of activity in England underlines how uncertain the future is. Hopefully we’ve done enough to scrape through this season then we can take stock in the summer while O’Donnell and Gallagher are earning us a good few quid at the Euros.

It makes sense though on the back of wee Billy staying at Chelsea.

I really enjoyed that last night. Our heads dropped after conceding a poor goal and the game could easily have drifted away from us. Credit to Alexander and the players, we sorted things out at half time and put in a very spirited, determined and savvy 2nd half performance on a poor pitch. A vital three points. The test now is to carry this into the United game. Win that and we can maybe start to look up the table.

Shouts for Mugabi and Maguire but the amount of work Tony Watt puts in is incredible. He’s well on track to being our poty.

Long has obviously offered little this season but unless he wants to leave, it would be extremely risky to offload our only proven goalscorer. There’s every chance he’ll prove his worth when it really matters, like Ainsworth used to do.

We have four centre forwards in the frame for a start, none of whom are at their best out wide. Can we try playing 2 through the middle? Any word on Lawless injury? We are in desperate need of his wee bit of composure and quality on the ball.

Kelly player well and looks like a bit of a leader, however I can’t recall him making too many saves you wouldn’t expect a competent keeper to make. I thought Campbell looked like his old self in the first half and carried the midfield in the 2nd half after Polworths’ indiscipline, motm for me.

Aberdeen would be as well playing for corners the way we are defending them.

Early days but Alexander’s willingness to take off Watt worries me a bit, particularly when his performance, commitment and fitness levels don’t appear to have dipped in the slightest.

Individuals letting us down today. Seedorf has not developed a jot since his arrival and Polworth has looked determined to get sent off today.

Having to announce a 2nd positive case mid press conference while going full gammon was something special.

Credit to the management team and players for gaining an unexpected point today. Robinsons shift to 433 coincided with some very expansive, naive and ultimately inept performances against Rangers and Celtic at Fir Park. Today, we resorted to basics and got our rewards with organisation, effort and determination. It was great to watch. The much maligned Mugabi was outstanding for the 2nd week in a row, pipping the impressive Cole and tireless Watt to motm. Ultimately though, the lack of quality on the bench prevented us having a right good go for the win in the last 20 mins but we held out for a fairly comfortable point. One or two decent additions middle to front and/or the return of a motivated Long could make the world of difference for the remainder of the season.

Slap in the face for clubs and their staff that have been going the extra mile to comply with regulations and keep everyone safe. There’s no point in us complaining too much though as we’ll gain little sympathy. Just go out and pump them both 4-0. Then next time we are involved in a relatively high profile game pull out an hour or two before kickoff.

Great strike from Turnbull, hopefully he can keep fit and well for the summer. The player that caught my eye tonight though was Jamie Murphy, thought he was excellent playing as the 2nd striker.

Last week I thought we had no chance of reclaiming the 6 points but the fall out of Celtic’s irresponsible and tone deaf trip to Dubai has surely played in our favour. On a related note, no surprise to see the Scottish cup and there’s lower leagues have been suspended. Unless they can afford regular testing, I don’t think they’ll be back in the next 12 weeks.

Very encouraging first half and it was refreshing to see us carry a genuine goal threat with all three forwards getting into goal scoring positions. St Mirren had the upper hand in the 2nd half and while it was never a pen, I can’t grumble at a point. Baffled by some of the digs at Mugabi, I thought he was very good today and looked to have regained some confidence. O’Hara also impressed despite his early booking. And while Hastie still has some way to go, it was nice to see him make a positive contribution.

Agreed, that was my biggest gripe with Robinson who always favoured quantity over quality with a view to creating a competitive spirit. Ultimately, he got himself in a pickle not being able to settle on a first 11 and the players couldn’t find a rhythm. It’s mental to think we can cater for around 25 players in the current financial climate.

He was excellent that night in Paris and he also started the 1-0 at Hampden. A very solid Scotland performer over the years.

This would be welcome news, I can’t take to Mo Ross at all and suspect he’s had his part to play in our downfall. Lasley as reserve team manager makes sense for now.

Timing and personality. I have no qualms over Wright’s record, he did an excellent job at St Johnstone. However, I don’t think when he left a provincial club where he’s considered a legend, he envisaged turning up at Fir Park the next season. It’s often said that manager’s have a shelf life at a club, I think in some instances that can be extended to a level or league. For me, the prospect of managing Motherwell isn’t going to fill Wright with excitement but if there are no better offers around he’ll take it. Now Hughes has obviously been around the block a few times with some great success but having taken a few knocks and been out the game for a while, I think he’d have been well up for the opportunity. As for personality, Wright strikes me as having similar character and values to Robinson. That’s no bad thing but at a time when the squad hasn’t been responding to Robinson, I’d be concerned that Wright would offer more of the same and not provide the fresh approach required (not that the players should get off the hook, I’d try and punt anyone that isn’t giving it their all but that’s easier said than done). Hughes for all his flaws and cringeworthy patter meanwhile, would imo have had a better chance of lifting the spirits of the squad and in time, playing better football. Just to be clear, I’m not saying I’d want Hughes as manager if he were available but he’s certainly no worse than the options being presented.

The four suggested candidates fill me with no confidence or enthusiasm for a variety of reasons revolving around how tough a job this is shaping up to be with the current squad. I’m far from a huge fan of John Hughes but if he were still available I’d probably take him over the four mentioned - that says it all.

This is the first we’ve heard about the trigger for a contract extension for Gallagher eh? Scotland heroics aside, I’ve not been convinced by him this season and I don’t think his earlier comments on Robinson’s mental health, while admitting the players weren’t giving it their all, was befitting of a club captain. I’d punt him if he’s one of the players that doesn’t give a fuck about Motherwell. If Celtic want Gallagher though, they’ll need Hartley too to talk him through a game.

Regardless of who comes in we appear to have a number of players who are unwilling to give their all for the club. That puts us in a really worrying position. I feel for Lasley, this opportunity couldn’t have arose at a worse time for him.