Lobey_Dosser

If the story is true, few options spring to mind: a) Motherwell resigned McDonald with a view to netting a transfer fee b) McDonald not happy (possibly with strength of squad) c) our precarious financial position is deteriorating d) opportunity to go to Sydney has came out the blue.

Trying not to be knee-jerk but what the fuck is going on?

If he can get a move to Blackburn good luck to him. However it was mentioned on radio tonight that Dunfermline still hold a glimmer of hope that he'll return.

Given that we did offer El Bakhtaoui a contract a few months ago, I wouldn't be surprised if we are still monitoring his situation. Presumably though, there would be other outgoings lined up to accommodate El Bakhtaoui and a midfielder.

Suspect this was the plan along. Slightly surprised with the timing though given our league cup specialty and the absence of Moult. Hopefully Ayr are picking up the bulk of his wage.

Before the signing of McHugh, McGhee stated than an attacking midfielder was his priority. He indicated that he had targets in mind. This will still be the case. Despite the income from Pearson however, I suspect he may have to 'wheel and deal' a wee bit more than originally anticipated. Digressing a little, do we know if Lucas is still on trial?

If we don't sell Marvin, I think a loan move for Thomas would be wise. It worked out relatively well for Erwin. It's hard to judge him on substitute appearances but from what I've seen he goes from being an absolute standout at u20 level to struggling to impose his style against more experienced and stronger opposition at first team level. Gifted footballer there if we are patient with him.

Is this a plastic pitch? If so we may leave the likes of Hammell and Blyth out. I hope to see Thomas and Moore get some game time, it's a big month for them. Will be interesting to see how we play in a game where we are expected to dominate possession.

Commentator said that Moult will be going for minor surgery. Also said Blyth is carrying an Achilles injury.

I was thinking we may have took some time to readdress the budget, particularly when there was talk of us and Thistle chasing compensation. Anyway, having just watched McGhee's interview I sense he's just putting a wee bit of pressure on the Board to squeeze every penny possible.

If we genuinely have no money left, then the budget must have been altered during the summer, possibly due to the fixture misunderstanding. Blyth, Tait and Heneghan were all brought in early doors with the intention of bringing in a midfielder. Then we lose Pearson for a rumoured £100k and McGhee says an attacking midfielder is a priority. Hopefully an admin fuck up isn't going to hamper our chances.

No sure what to make of it. Defensively, Rangers were terrible but we failed to capitalise time after time in the first half. On the ball, Rangers were miles ahead but other teams in the league would have taken more than 2 off us. Way too early to judge how we will do this season but we desperately need a replacement for Pearson and an alternative to a half fit Hammell. Overall, glad I stayed in the house. Roll on Killie away.

One of our key targets last summer, Jackson Irvine has left County after Burton activated his release clause. He'll be a loss to the league but nice return for County with the transfer fee possibly in excess of £500k.

White shorts would have finished the kit off nice, like it did with the petrol blue effort. IIRC, there was discussion around Fifa's one colour kit 'rule' before the 2014 WC, which seen the likes of Spain and Germany coming away from decades of tradition. This will have contributed to the current trend. Anyway, I think I like the denim effort. No idea why we needed 3 kits mind you.

I don't mind us taking a risk with an away kit and I like this. Out of the 3 efforts, this is the one I'm most likely to buy.

McGhee is no doubt playing the media and possibly, the Board. As soon as Pearson was out the door, McGhee said an attacking midfielder was a priority. He then pointed out that the player(s) he's interested in are waiting to find out if the are in first team plans of existing clubs. Would still like to think Henderson and/or Scougall are on the radar.

I've always been an advocate of Skippy playing in midfield when we are toiling for options. My concern would be a potential lack of fitness. The odds are stacked against Motherwell on Saturday with a number of events going against us this summer. We've lost our physio, assistant manager and Pearson at a time when preparation is key. Our woes will be exacerbated by the absence of Lasley, Laing and Moult. Meanwhile all of our new signings are all stepping up a few levels and will need time to get up to speed. So it's a far from ideal time to be playing a premier league club. I've no idea what state Rangers are in but if I recall Warburton's preperation last season, they put 6 past Hibs in July. So full credit to McGhee and the squad if we can get a result here. The priority though is to be competitive and hope that a few young/new players benefit from a confidence boosting performance.

The thing with Johnson is he's developed into a proper athlete, which is an added attraction for clubs down South.

Lasley has confirmed he is suspended.

McGhee quotes on Moult here. His form undoubtedly tapered off towards the end of the season but I had hoped it was down to fatigue. http://www.deadlinenews.co.uk/2016/07/11/motherwell-manager-mark-mcghee-admits-louis-moult-facing-tests-groin-complaint/

Given the amount of money going into English football this year (£30mil bids for Troy Deeney FFS) hopefully Scottish clubs as a whole hold out for better deals.

That'll be the debt to Les cleared...

3/1 to beat Rangers with the bookies. Looking at the coupon actually, in all 16 LC games this weekend, the away team is odds on i.e. All higher seed teams with the exception of Motherwell seem to be playing away.

QPR interested in Johnson according to Daily Mail.

McCall bemoaned it, wrongly in my eyes. A European qualifier carries far more prestige and financial reward than a League cup group game, as I imagine will be reflected in the home crowd on Saturday. If McGhee doesn't have us up to speed by August then he'll have a few questions to answer. It's not been an easy summer though losing our assistant manager and physio with little notice.