Kmcalpin

John Sutton is a guy who needs good service in the box and until recently he simply hasn't had it. He's not the most mobile of players but will do the business in the box if given the correct ammunition.

I didn't think Hearts were that bad during the week, at least not as bad as folk are making out. In fairness maybe many were expecting a top class performance from them. They were a big, solid side who gave little away. We didn't score more than 1 goal and didn't force their keeper into a series of world class saves. In the second half they had us pinned back for protracted spells albeit they used the long ball a lot. Worryingly, their midfield did bulldoze ours in the last 45. Where they did fall down badly was a complete lack of creativity and threat in front of goals. We'll witness poorer performances from visiting sides at FP.

We did play some decent stuff in spells but lacked the killer final ball. Hearts were well what they always are: big, physical and fast but not much else. Overall a valuable win which we deserved. Maros Klimpl is making a big difference in adding bite to the midfield. Our big failing last night was that Hearts bulldozed our midfield for much of the second half. The midfield combination just didn't work. Klimpl and O'Brien were fine but Keith Lasley and Stephen Hughes were too often asked to play out of position. We definitely lacked someone to play to play wide left in Fitzy's absence. I must comment on the referee who was one sided and abysmal from start to finish. Very pernickety and was happy to watch Hearts' players steal yards and yards at throw ins.

Chris went off last night holding his groin. It looked bad but that might mean nothing in itself.

I think work on the new sports facility will commence this year, as will the BRE housng development.

Well I think it would give Mark McGhee the opportunity to rest him, should that be required. If that isn't the case then almost certainly he'd move to left back. Steve Hammell could then move to wide left midfield, where he could battle it out with Marc Fitzpatrick for a starting slot.

Totally agree. Yes it'll be a wrench leaving Fir Park but its the only way ahead. It s a no brainer. The only two flies in the ointment for me are the economic recession and the design of the new stadium. As others are saying the new design would have to be of high standard though.

Its ok - we've managed to get our hands on the extra ticket we needed for next week.

One of our Group is looking for a ticket. Please PM me if anyone has one or is likley to obtain one. Thanks.

Its not unreasonable to expect that a club might close down for a day or two at New Year, agreed. However, in the past no-one from MFC has publicly said what was going on in this kind of situation. This has led some posters to start lambasting MFC for not doing enough..."Why isn't MFC trying to get more tickets...anything MFC is involved in is a shambles." As a result the club has taken stick unfairly for situations outwith its contol (as we all know of course there's also occasions when it has deserved criticism). More openness can only be a good thing.

Where was this quote taken from?

Great to see some openness Flow. In the past this is just the sort of situation that some would have got torn into MFC for. Yes, we've suffered from poor communication but its not all one way. Running a football club isn't easy.

Totally agree big man. The Inverurie ticketing arrangements were a good example. The club showed some initiative in holding back tickets until last Saturday morning. That allowed some of our group from Fife to travel through early for 08.15 to queue for tickets. The only downside was that they had to hang around for over 6 hours until KO. Thats all we've ever asked for - a fair chance of securing tickets. You're right that no arrangement could ever be 100% satisfactory.

An excellent point and one which I was thinking about earlier today. Its not a case of weaning these characters away from Ibrox or Parkhead but out of their armchairs. We must improve the matchday experience to attract them. The club is doing alot through schools initiatives and this must continue. However, this should be extended to those who live outside of Lanarkshire. I know of several families who would bring their youngsters along if the package was right. Other points in brief: * A winning team increases attendances * Prices need to be reduced dramatically especially for non OF games * Better treatment of season ticket holders * Improved admin & ticketing arrangements * Fans need to be encouraged to spend more of their cash at FP as opposed to other local establishments * A real effort needs to be made to attract back lapsed fans * Return the Cooper Stand to Well fans (I've changed my view on this) * Market the club more aggressively to incomers to the area A lot of ideas there many of which others have mentioned. As a first step the club needs to get together with the fans starting with a clean slate. In some ways if it gets the basics right then the rest might follow. Not an easy task but it can be done.

As Andy P rightly says we should always try to improve the club and take it onto a further level. I think its wrong just to focus on the tight boundaries of Motherwell itself, which has a population I'd guess of around 30,000/35,000. We should also include Wishaw, Craigneuk, Holytown, Carfin, Newarthill, Cambusnethan, Overtown and Newmains. This takes us above other settlements such as Hamilton, Ayr, Kirkcaldy and Kilmarnock. You can then add in other towns like Allanton, Shotts, Bellshill, Uddingston, Lanark, Carluke. In short we should have a catchment area of around 180,000 which isn't far off the population of the former Motherwell District Council. Traditionally we've also drawn support from other places like Hamilton, Larkhall, East Ayrshire and West Lothian. In short the population base is there to support a top six club. Of course you then have to factor in the ever growing influence of the dreaded OF and make no mistake it is growing. That said the draw of English Premiership clubs is beginning to impinge on their potential support but that is of little consolation to MFC. How do we grow the fanbase? That's the subject of another post but its very complex.

Sure, I don't like the phrase Flow, but you're right of course. Just a point though about Hearts' wage levels. If true, they're a good bit above what I'd heard, but they'd be way above what even Aberdeen or Hibs could fork out. They'd be on a par with lesser lights with the OF. In one word - unsustainable.

The fact that the Trust owns shares in no way compromises its position. If anything it strengthens it. Shareholders do not have to agree with any company and quite often disagree. If you've ever been to AGMs at FP you'd know what I mean. Martin Rose was a personal appointment of John Boyle to the Board and does not represent the Trust on it and in fairness he has never claimed this. Your quote about the Trust was taken from the Official MFC website and not that of the Trust. The club cannot speak on behalf of the Trust and likewise the Trust cannot speak on behalf the club.

Thats a very tall order indeed, and we'd have trouble in finding an individual who could represent all the fans' views. As a support we're very diverse and you'd always find at least a few who wouldn't agree with the majority. I know quite a few Well fans, as we all do of course and I can't think of any one without some kind of agenda.

For someone whose interest in the Dossers has been "nominal" Emmjay, you are remarkably perceptive and many will no doubt think you've a very keen understanding of what is going on. A good thought provoking post.

Quote from the Official Site "In addition to the fresh faces, Vice-captain Keith Lasley was kept out of the side by Maros Klimpl."

I can't agree. IF, Klimpl proves to be a solution for midfield, and its a big if IMHO, then Keith would be the one to drop out. He (Keith) is an excellent man marker - maybe the best we've seen at FP for many, many years but no more no less. He lacks pace and has never ever been a box to box player. In most games Hughes would be the natural partner for Klimpl given that he's faster and more creative than Keith. You might change that if its a backs to the wall job though. Unless Keith was unfit yesterday, and given MMcG's comments that doesn't seem to be the case, then he was dropped in favour of Klimpl.

Charlie Richmond got this key decision totally and utterly wrong. Adam Rooney committed not 1, not 2 but 3 clear fouls in the lead up. Richmond ignored all 3 but chose to give the last, albeit blatant, one committed by Stephen Craigan.

Good to get a win today especially over a close rival. We played some decent football too, especially in the first half. That said its the first time in months we've been able to (Craigan back, Clarkson up front, O'Brien playing wider tight, more pace in midfield). The big difference today was a pacier, more mobile and wider engine room. We were never going to hold Inverness to a solitary goal and so it turned out. I felt desperately sorry for the lads at the penalty. There were 4 fouls on the trot in the lead up to the penalty and Charlie Richmond, in his infinite wisdom, chose only to give the last one. He saw fit to ignore the first three by Adam Rooney. ICT proved once again proved that we need to add much more physical presence to our squad as they bullied and knoocked us about for 90 minutes.

He had a good first half but faded badly in the second. Granted his crossing was nothing to write home about. However I'd make three points. Firstly he wasn't match fit - how many 90 minutes has he put in so far? Usually he's come on as a sub with 15 minutes to go. Secondly he added much needed width and pace to the team. Thirdly, is this the first time he's been played in his correct position of wide right midfield?

Coach has had a bad year and a large measure of bad luck but maybe hasn't helped his own cause at times. However he's paid the price and its time to move on and look forward to 2009. He can and will play a lot better in his proper position at right back. He was also badly handled by Mark McGhee in the summer. I agree we should restore the captaincy to him. Go on Paul!