star sail

'..... Classic album? I think it's overrated myself. Bunch of self obsessed 1970's hippies taking it in turns to have nervous breakdowns. Not my cup of tea. Like that Grand prix tune. That's about it......'

I remember listening to Craig Levein on the eve of our Euro game against Odense last season on Radio Scotland and he could not have beem more positive about the club, the young players, the way well try to play football and the contribution the club makes to the SPL. He was knowledgable about the players and spoke about Motherwell with what seemed like a real affection. I was very surprised at the time but pleasantly so.

Can someone explan to me why a point away from home is seen as an achievement and so much harder than a point at home? I can understand the problems with playing away from home if a) the home crowd is massive b) it is a long journey prior to the game for players c) playing in Europe but when it's a one hour bus trip down the road to Kilmarnock playing in front of a tiny home support, I don't see why it should be any harder than a game at Fir Park. It sounds to me like another excuse in the long line of excuses that teams and supporters drag out to explain an average performance. It's too early in the season/ It's been a long hard season/ the team have played three games in a week/ etc all come into that catagory as well for me. I am not complaining about the result yesterday because that would be doing a diservice to a decent Killie side but I would like to see us as a support have more ambition than accepting an away point in these types of matches.

1. Celtic 2. Rangers 3. Hearts 4. D Utd 5. Hibs 6. Aberdeen 7. ICT 8. Killie 9. Motherwell 10. Dunfermline 11. St Mirren 12. St Johnstone. Only definite prediction from me is that we are in for another SPL season of mediocre (at best) football and crowds continuing to fall.

Seems to be mixed emotions about getting Hughes back but I would be delighted if he was to come back. Summer to Christmas of McGhee's first season was one of the most enjoyable times I have had as a Well fan. The football they played was a joy to watch and was as good as I have seen in the SPL from any team for some time. Hughes was the man pulling the strings. Admittedly he had Uncle Phil along side him and an interested Mark McGhee motivating the team but on that basis alone he would have to be a good shout surely?

I could not agree more. There was almost a sense of relief at the end that it was only 3-0. The supporters did not believe, the players did not believe and the manager did not believe. You could not look at even a 5 minute section in that game when Motherwell looked as if they might get something from the game. To make matters worse, I just could not understand how relaxed the players and fans were post split about the form the team was showing. Two points out of five matches (one of those against Killie who were also being pumped by everyone else) and 17 goals against was pish poor under any circumstances. It was the lack of pride that suggested to me that we were never going to win the cup final. On the tiredness front, I happen to know a couple of guys who are talanted triathletes. They train 6 days a week, often 4 to 5 hrs a day ( some 20 hrs a week) and race every weekend from March to late September. What is more, they are amateurs. You just have to look at the pro cyclists as well to see that footballers get it fairly easy on the training front. I am not trying to say that pro football is easy but when it is perfectly acceptable to down tools five games out from a couple final to rest, someone is taking the piss.

Not surprised about Jeffers. I did not get the impression that he was ever that keen on being up here. Jenno would be a real blow, particularly if it was to Aberdeen. Would hate to see him play against Well, particularly with his style of play. He would turn from hero to villian very quickly. The reality however is that money talks and a players career is short so if Aberdeen can offer more than Well, then he will go. I have a feeling that McCall may offer him Captaincy to stay however with Hartley gone at the Dons Brown may be offering him the same up there.

Did not think of it in that way but you are spot on. A scene that would make the North Koreans proud.

Comedy gold that is!! It is like a caricature of a Celtic message board. It is actually slightly scary that it is for real and we have to share a planet with these people.

This will be my last time on the site before Saturday. Been spending the evening reading all the interviews by the players, watching the BBC videos and ofcourse listening to the farewell from our Chairman and have had a fair few shivers run down my spine. I hope every Well fan enjoys the day regardless of the result. Take in the whole day and be thankful for it because there are thousands of supporters up and down Scotland who will wish it was them. Having been at the Cup Final in 91, I know the impression it leaves. It is truely a magical day. Yes that day we won but we might not have. The build up, our team coming out onto the pitch, 16000 Well fans, some home from far off lands singing and cheering the team, that all happens before a ball is kicked and can't be taken away regardless of the final result. Hope to see you back here on Sunday hungover and happy but if it does not work out that way then we can console ourselves with the fact that we will always be Well Fans. I was born under a Well flag. All the best!

I had a couple of Rangers fans behind me in the 91 Cup Final. They spent the second half commenting on how for all Ally Maxwell was producing some heroics he was no Chris Woods. Slightly boring to listen to for one half and the whole of extra time but apart from that no harm done. To balance the books I had a couple of friends who were Celtic fans come along with me to the Borussia Dortmund Euro game. If they are genuine football fans I don't see a problem.

No flaws. Hit the nail on the head. My guess is that the game will start as Option 2 and that Jeffers will be brought on 2nd half.

Cup Finals are not about reality. It's all about dreams. It's why we buy the ticket.

Before the Semi I would have had Gunning, Hutchison but having watched Gunning throw the dummy out the pram twice now, most notebly second half against rangers then it has to be Craigan, Hutch. Last thing we need is a defender who is going to jack it if we go 2-0 down. I think Brazilian made the point that Hutch has been made to look bad in recent weeks due to Gunnings mistakes/ lack of effort. I want to see a Well team out there. No imposters. Ross, Gunning and I have to say Jeffers as well just have not shown the desire to fight for the jersey for me. Jeffers has that touch of class but he does not show it nearly enough. Saunders over Ross, Hateley over Jeffers and Crags/ Hutch over Gunning. Those are the boys that have put in the hard work over the course of a full season.

I have resigned myself to a defeat today and will be happy with that if Rangers lose/ draw and we get the Euro spot but I don't think there will be the sweeping changes suggested by some. A defeat is one thing but a heavy defeat (5 +) not only potentially knocks the confidence for next weekend but could also set back some of the young players in the team. Putting young lads like Carswell to the slaughter is not a good move regardless of circumstance. I agree with Saunders and Humphrey playing but I still think we need a few experienced heads in the team. I think Jenno needs match sharpness so expect him to play and I would not be surprised if one of Lasley/ Craigan also plays despite the desire to rest them. If we get away with a 1-0, 2-0 defeat that will do.

I hope we don't go down the road off the anti-Lennon stuff. Talk about this and others talking about Union Jacks in the Well end etc would be my worst nightmare to be honest. All that happens then is that the press and any nuetral observer lumps us in with the like of Rangers and Hearts and Lennon becomes more of a martyr. Motherwell are a family club with it's own identity, an identity that should be strong enough to rise abve this pish. One of the great things about 91 was that Hampden was a bigot free zone. That is not going to be possible this time round but lets ensure that it is that way amongst the 16000 Well fans at least.

At least you have not changed your view from last weekend Kmc but I still don't get it. Forgetting about the Cup Final for a minute, 5th place in the league would be worth some £90,000(so I believe anyway). Surely this is not money a team like Motherwell can afford to write off without a fight? That would be a decent players yearly wage. Secondly, how often do we hear managers bemoan the lack of match fitness of players at the start of a new campaign or after a player has been out for a few weeks. The cup final will come 5 weeks after the Semi- Final and the way things are going our squad will not have kicked a ball in earnest in that space of time. It is a very dangerous and niaive strategy in my opinion. Anybody who has played football at any level will tell you that you cannot turn top end sharpness on and off at will. I think this current tactic is a real concern.

Great memories. I really miss the days of a truely packed Fir Park standing in the Shed. It is a real shame that we don't get this anymore. Add floodlights to that vision and it was pretty much heaven. When you look at that Well side it was a cracking team. I think it is those types of games with Bobby Russell and then Davie Cooper that spawned the pish about h**s without the bus pass. What these bams forget is that that team was just as capable of giving Rangers a doing. Happy Days!!

I don't buy this argument about a fear over injuries. If it is the case then we will not pick up another point between now and the end of the season. Also if this is the case we will have a squad of players who come the final will not be match fit. How many times have we heard managers bemoan the fact that you can play as many pre season friendlies as you like but it does not prepare you for that first competitive game of the season. Yesterday was worse than that though. There was at least three players in that team yesterday that could not even be bothered to track back in the second half. Gunning and Jones were the worst culprits an Jeffers was not too far behind. If there is a fear of injury then rest the key players untill the final and get them on a fitness regime that maintains that top end sharpness because going through the motions like yesterday does no good to anyone. This idea that there was nothing to play for yesterday is total bullshit. A European place and 5th place in the league (worth some £90000 I think?) is not nothing. Also do players not play for pride anymore?

Were you watching Gunning when he was moved to LB? Spent the last half hour looking at his boots and kicking the grass, in the huff that he had been moved. If he was MOTM then it shows just how bad the rest were. First time I have done this but Null vote for me.

Can't even begin to understand that mentality I'm afraid. A 5-0 horsing at home should leave the players upset any day of the week and that any Well fan can be relaxed about their team capitulating like that is an emotion that I can't relate to. You may be right about the players not being to upset but if you are it explains to me why the Rangers players play for Rangers and the Motherwell players play for Motherwell. I would like to think however that the Well players will be totally gutted tonight.

Well if the Celtic fans had reason to suspect that Motherwell lie down to Rangers then they have better reason this evening. That performance was inexplicable today. A couple of really strange performances for me. Jeffers. To put in a performance like that and then shake hands with the Rangers management team on his exit. Why oes he ever think that's ok? Gunning. Took the huff when moved to left back and did not raise himself from a walk in the last half hour. I counted eight times in the last 15 mins when he let Naismith run past him without even pretending to track him. Why was Hutchison not playing from the start? Why are some on here relatively relaxed about a 5-0 humiliation at home? More questions than answers. Have to take things in context I suppose but there are a few concerns. Lost 3 to Killie, 3 to Inverness, 3 to Hearts, 5 to Rangers today. I am not a fan of Craigan but at least he showed some sense of concern and emotion today. In the grand scheme of things the season is still a good one but I feel gutted this eve. Pleased to see however that the Rangers fans took heed of Smith's wise words about the Sectarian chanting.

A really enjoyable read. McCall has turned the ship around as in December there was definetly a cloud hanging over the club. He has picked the players up, the support are getting behind him and the future looks good. Very impressed by his approach. One comment about the players however. That is three out of the last four managers (mcGhee, Brown and now McCall) who have commented on what an excellent squad of players we have. The professional attitude and commitment does not come about by accident. The club deserve praise for creating the right atmosphere and I don't think we should underestimate the influence of the senior players Craigan. Lasley, Hammill leading by example. It is all the more satisfying given that two of the above managers jumped ship to join the biggest bunch of wasters in the SPL. On the 'Forever Claret and Amber', I am pleased he has dropped it. McCall has been very honest and direct so far and that he will know as much as anyone that the FCaA statement just simply is not the case. He is a Bradford man and was very much a Rangers man when in Scotland. If he is successful with us he will move on. The important point is that he is showing total commitment to the Well just now, is building a genuine affection for the club and a good relationship with the fans. Lets just enjoy it for what it is. Loved the badge kissing comment. Are you listening Craigy Brown.

Harry Rednapp has expressed concern about a similar situation in England with Man City v Stoke. If Man City qualify for the Champions League in the league Stoke will get the Europa Cup place. A victory against Stoke in the league would help them in their quest possibly at the expense of Tottenham. Rednapp is asking for the date of the league fixture to be changed to avoid a conflict of interests.

Can understand your dilemma but it's a huge day to be a Well fan and it would be a shame to miss the occasion. Think of it this way, you could just as easily be at work when your wife goes into labour. If you have a car (and your missus is happy to let you go), take it so that you can make a quick exit if needs be. Could be a big week for you if the Well can grab a victory and you welcome a new arrival to the world. Best wishes whatever you decide to do.