CoF

He had a tough 45 minutes by being asked to play so deep which I don't think is his normal game. He was more or less a left back for the last 20. He rarely saw the ball in their half however the rare times he did, he looked like he was willing to have a go at them. You are right about his deliveries though - looked pretty consistent. Hopefully he gets more game time and we can see what he's really got to offer.

Simple. McHugh. Although, Frear deserves a mention for his 1.5 assists (don't think that's how they actually record it). Also Bowman - he should now be starting every week I reckon. The much maligned Samson also had a solid game, some very good saves and deserves a pat on the back for his antics at the end. Absolute quality. Fair play to big Jules too - goal aside, that performance against a strong Killie front line took a bit of bottle after a very tough few weeks.

We brought that on ourselves by putting 11 behind the ball with absolutely no out-ball. We rode our luck at times and I'm not convinced we should have started playing for time so early - on another day we'd have been bitten on the arse for it. I couldn't believe we didn't at least try to capitalise on the free-kick Bowman won right at the edge of the box down at the by-line - to not even try and get a 3rd from such a dangerous position seemed like insanity particularly when our set pieces had been the one thing causing them problems. I don't mean to put a negative spin on a great afternoon, I'm just not sure Robinson called it right to revert to those tactics with so long still to go.

Just stared with a big daft grin then made a fatty gesture. It was a good laugh.

That was fucking excellent. I've never seen a whole team so pleased for a team-mate than when Jules scored. A few stand-outs - McHugh was brilliant. Bowman again made a difference up top. Looks strong, fast and a surprisingly sharp passer of the ball. Given a bit more time on the pitch he'll be a real contributor. Frear didn't see much of the ball, yet he was instrumental in both goals. Another player I think will grow into a game. Samson - solid game with some excellent saves, but an extra special menshy for his antics before the penalty. Great stuff. Also fair play to Boyd, I did chuckle at his celebration. Chuckled even more at the end mind you.

Definite 352

If we get Stubbs I'll be boycotting MFCTV. I find his interviews absolutely excruciating and have absolutely no idea how he gets chosen as a pundit. He sounds like he's got to delve into the abyss of his brain to haul out even the simplest of words. No idea how he gets any meaningful message across to his players. Not saying he'll be a bad manager or anything. But fuck watching that every week.

Couldn't disagree more. Yes, to have 3 out of our regular back 4 was unlucky however our lack of CB cover was the problem. At RB and LB McMillan and Chalmers have 'done a job' at times throughout the season (McMillan more so), however we've been putting all our eggs in two lanky baskets in the centre of defence. Where was the contingency for a long term injury to Heneghen or Mcmanus? The contingency (Laing) was released along with his 30 odd games experience at centre back for us, and replaced with a guy with no first team experience - anywhere. That's just bad planning from McGhee.

Well played - I can usually remember incidents about 2 games back then it all mashes into one big decade long game of fitba.

I had never made that connection. Robinson was still on the scene for long enough after McGhee's arrival (when Ainsworth was still getting plenty of game time) so I'm not sure that's not a factor. If he's frozen out completely on Saturday then that's nothing short of an absolute waste of talent. His ability isn't in doubt so it can only mean one of three things: McGhee has failed to manage one of our best assets and get the best out of him He simply doesn't fit into McGhee's plans (that's fitba folks) Ainsworth's head has gone (or went a long time ago)

No Ainsworth in the 20s tonight. Made made wonder if he'll even make the bench on Saturday Injured? Or simply out the picture all together?

I have no idea what that means. He's been playing better than he actually play?

Strong opinion on someone who is largely off the ordinary fans radar. Care to expand?

I think we can put Coyle to bed right now. There is no way we could afford any manager who has managed in the EPL in the last few years. He'll probably still be raking in more money just now doing... eh, whatever ex-premiership managers do, than he could at Motherwell. Mcleish is in the same bracket, and Davies isn't far behind. I dare say all three with have an eye on eventually landing another big job and need to choose their 'stepping stone' club very carefully. Unfortunately, I'm not sure how appealing Motherwell is in that sense.

I still see McLeish and Davies as well out of our price range. While Mcleish's reputation has deteriorated over the years, his reputation in Scotland is still good so I imagine he'll be waiting for a bigger club than ours. Davies did go off the deep-end at the end of his 2nd spell at Forest so his stock may be very low. If we get a stable Davies it could be a coup, however it would be a gamble given his previous behaviour.

I'd like to see Bowman given some time. I wasn't too hopeful after his early season performances however he made a huge difference at Parkhead and from reports at Pittodrie had an impact too. Looks sharp in his passing, has been winning plenty in the air, has a good turn of pace for a big guy, good awareness of where his team-mates are. All attributes that will probably see him sit on the bench for another 90 minutes.

Not something I am enjoying typing as I always think it's bad taste to talk about a new manager when we still have someone in charge, however message boards are an equivalent of a chat down the pub** in which this very question would come up so I think it's fair to be asked. It looks like most the fanbase have run out of patience with Mcghee, so in the unlikely event he goes this week or more likely at the end of the season, who do you think should come in? For the record, I do actually think McGhee is a capable manager. There simply comes a point where, for a whole variety of reasons, a managers influence and respect is eroded in a dressing room. McDonald's plea to the dugout after the 4th goal went in (he was gesturing as if to say "what are you going to do about this?") strongly suggests we are now at that stage. Personally, I've been very impressed with Craigan with the u20's and would happily see him step up until the end of the season. Granted, managing a group of teenagers with a focus on development is nothing like a squad of senior players avoiding relegation, however he captained the club for years and still commands respect around the club. His performance with the 20s indicates he's not devoid of tactical nous. I'm not actually convinced he would want the job as he seems to enjoy his u20 work + BT stint and I'm sure has said he's not interested in a full time senior manager role. Outside of Craigan, I honestly have no idea.... and therein lies the problem. Jimmy Calderwood anyone? **a very loud and public chat down the pub, with the players and manager probably within earshot.

Second half was certainly a massive improvement, however I'm fairly certain if it was 0-0 we wouldn't have got it anywhere as easy as we did.

I'm fairly certain we need a certain ratio of stewards to fans so I'm not sure taping them all into a corner would make much difference (I might be wrong). Your second point about dwindling attendances - I'm afraid McGhee hasn't got much to do with that. Attendances have been on the slide for years despite the club going through the most successful decade in it's history. League success doesn't bring the fans back. Not sure what a good cup run would do as it's been so long since we've had one.

https://vid.me/iAjL Goals for your viewing pleasure. Jules and/or Chalmers at fault for 4 out of 5 (can't make out whose at the back post for the 5th - Heneghan?) however I don't actually blame them. The blame lies firmly at McGhee's door. We've got 5 first team centre mids to choose from yet only 2 first team centre halves. Yes, we've lost 3 of our back 4 however surely we should have enough depth in the squad to still have at least one of those positions filled with someone with a bit of experience. McMillan and Heneghan have coped well - Chalmers and Jules need to play alongside more experience to see them through the game.

McCall doing well at Bradford. Up to 5th and getting regular crowds of 18 - 20k. Chuffed for him.

Yes, that's a positive however why didn't McGhee pick that up on the training pitch instead of opting chuck a 20 year old with zero first team experience in at the deep end?

I've always liked McGhee and I've long thought calls for his head were premature, but the last few weeks have seen my opinion of him fall off a cliff for a few reasons: The lack of viable options at the back is a debacle that falls directly at his door. Yes we've been unlucky with the three injuries, but we've been playing with fire for a while with the lack of competition at the back and it's come back to bite us on the arse. To release Laing (who was an able deputy) and sign a 20 year old with zero first team experience and expect him to replace Heneghan or McManus is bonkers beyond belief. Jules has been hung out to dry and I worry that his experience at Motherwell will do more than damage than good. Cadden hasn't been performing for months, yet his McGhee's treatment of Ainsworth has seen him fall so far out of the first team squad that Cadden can't get the time out he may need. His perseverance with Joe Chalmers. Need I say more. This is within the context of actually being able to pay for players, having wages leftover in the January window and no financial pressure to sell a player. "I wasn't bothered about being 4 down" at Pittodrie and his repetitive rants about red cards simply seemed like someone who wasn't coping with pressure.

I'm sure I heared (maybe on the mfc podcast?) that he was desperate to stay. That was a few months ago though. Unlike the fans, Mcghee hasnt had the benefit of seeing him perform week in week out so I dare say to Mcghee it might feel like Ainsworth's abilities are something of an ancient myth. That said, Mcghee has said often enough that he performs well in training. The issue appears to be translating training ground form onto he pitch.

We slipped to 11th last season then won 7 out of 9, including wins against 2nd and 3rd placed Aberdeen and Hearts and eventually finished 5th. I'd call that rising to the occasion.