CoF

Knowetop Avenue most likely.

Good question. Blackman, Murphy and Hateley all ayes. I reckon Reynolds could do the job, and Hammeltoe.

There ye go. Spot on.

I agree 100% with everything you've said there apart from the bit in bold. I don't think we need press statements to clear things up. 99% of the time it's obvious why refs make decisions (from their view it looked like a pentalty), they just happen to be wrong sometimes. If a ref is going to come out and admit they made a mistake then I think that will cause far more trouble than is caused just now. As for the ref strike, fair play to them. It's clearly not about getting criticism as that's being going on since fitba started, it's about the aftermath that creeps into their and their families daily lives.

The season ticket thread got me thinking.... I'm not from Motherwell so might have missed something but it doesn't seem like the club do much to advertise locally? I mean in papers, billboards, shop windows, flyering etc. It seems like most deals, incentives etc rely on the website and word of mouth to spread. In some ways this is a bit like preaching to the converted as I'd take a guess that it's usually attenders to games that check the website regularly and word of mouth is likely to be confined to the same circles of fans. The reason I'm thinking about this is because I wonder how many people actually know you can buy half season tickets? Seems like a great Christmas present for a 'well fan who is out of the habit of going to games, how many folk do we know that "used to go to games" that would be delighted to get this. It could be a good way to get them back in the habit. Obviously I'm oblivious to costs here but surely a big billboard advertisement for half season tickets as you come into Motherwell would get the club right back into the consciousness of the town and swing a few more our way?

That's a great idea. As is the eBay profile. I think it makes to just use eBay as it means more exposure and it's likely that most people have access to an eBay and paypal account anyway.

I think the best way to address the subject in an interview is to acknowledge the fact that refs are doing an difficult job and mistakes will be made unless they are given more assistance. I know he's mentioned it a few times in interviews but he seems to be shying away from it all together these days. It's a good way to raise the point, recognise that they've fucked up, but without attacking them directly. To me, answering like that is about an honest answer as you can get. I personally don't think refs are biased, they are clearly in over their heads. Whether it's because refs are getting shiter or the games are getting harder to referee I don't know. Doesn't matter anyway, it'll achieve nothing no matter how it's addressed.

I think Browns got the right idea, he clearly thinks taking the fear out of refereeing is the only way to improve the quality and he's sticking by that by refusing to criticise. That only works however if the rest of the managers take this approach too, otherwise it's just one man being nice. I really don't know how much difference Browns attitude makes to the decisions though, it's no as if we're getting done over week after week with dodgy decisions. No more than other teams anyway. Yesterday was just a shiter for the Ref and the team.

Dissapointed with the result yesterday but not too disheartened. The effort was there from everyone but a combination of hibs tactics nullifying blackman and humphrey, a few below par performances and some dodgy refereeing meant it just wasn't our day.

Maybe it's an optimism thing. I'm always looking at who's above us in the league, don't give a fuck what happens below us because I always like to think we're strong enough to hold our position. Might not have happened this week but for the sake of Scottish football, Wednesday was great and we've plenty of time yet to regain 3rd place.

True that. I might be wrong but I think the make-up of the crowds are very different too. I get the impression the majority of the crowds over there are young guys who are happy to lose half their faces in the name of futbol.

Fuck sake. Do they get together through the week to practice? Here's some prespective on "a flare in the east stand"

Am dead excited. Not looked forward to a game this much since sliced bread.

Check Blackmans celebration after his second. Great to see it means something to him.

He was clearly giving it all last night. Got stuck in and it was obvious he was trying to take some responsiblity to create things rather than just passing to the nearest man. I think a run of games and supporters holding back for a bit and he'll do well for us. We've not got the depth of squad to knock any players confidence (not there is ever an excuse) but I think most people last night took into account that he hadn't played for a while and wouldny be 100% sharp. Hope he can build from last night and put in a solid performance on Saturday, for his sake and the teams.

Hibs are gonnay get a heroes welcome on Saturday are will be fired up. Lining up to be a great game and I don't think it will be as easy as some on here think. I wasn't too sure about going but last nights results have made it a relal appealing game. Hopefully we can take a decent crowd! 1-0 Blackman.

Highlights

Canny argue with that. Without wanting to take the topic off on a tangent, it just shows that winning games doesn't neccessarily bring the crowds back.

Anyone know how many goals he's set up this season?

I thought it was at least that. Didn't think we saw much of the ball at all and there were a couple of very long spells (10 - 15 mins) where we only soaked up pressure. What a difference having concise point of attack is though. Blackman, Murphy and Humphrey were outstanding going forward. Murphy's ball retention was excellent however St Johnstone closed him down in numbers very quickly. Not really got much to add beyond what everyone else has said. I was pleasantly surprised at Casagolda, thought his passing was concise and split the defence a couple of times. Great night all in! Shame more weren't there to see it.

Yer right there. Lying is accepted and encouraged in football. The fact that a ref shat it under the pressure and media created atmosphere in order to protect himself is pretty insignificant compared to the lies and slander that gets flung around on and off the field.

Can't find much online, wouldny mind seeing more photos or videos maself.

I'm more concerned about what made a professional referee feel that he had to lie. The media and some clubs/managers have made a completely intolerable atmosphere for these guys to get on with their jobs and make honest mistakes. Not the slightest bit concerned about him refereeing our match, he'll do no worse/better than any other ref.

Maybe the VHS is still on it's way down from inverness. Pish economy and aw that.

Think I'm right in saying this - yesterdays victory has made it our best ever SPL start by 1 point (we had 16 after 11 games during McGhees first year, 18 last year). It's been a good few years for the club so I hope folk aren't blasé about that fact, especially when you think about what could be just around the corner. It's even more remarkable when you consider how far down we are in the resources pecking order. In some ways it's also pretty exciting that we haven't been outstanding in every game and Craig Brown will be the first to admit that. Unlike McGhees first season when we played some amazing fitba, we've been winning ugly but showing glimpses of something really special. If it starts clicking the way Craig Brown seems to think it has the potential to do then we're in for a great season! As I said, who knows what's round the corner. This season could be a fond memory when we get relegated in the 2014/15 season.