Kmcalpin

Only one contender for me - Georgie Gent.

I'll see what I can dig out. No doubt quite a few posters will be familiar with Tom Johnstone's 1938 book entitled "Motherwell Memories". Some good photos in that interesting book. Also, as part of the Images of Scotland series, "Motherwell" compiled by Helen Moir published in 1999, might be of interest. As an aside, anyone interested in the history of coal mining in the area could do worse than check this map out https://mapapps2.bgs.ac.uk/coalauthority/home.html This shows the abundance of mine entries and coal workings in the area, including Fir Park. I suspect that many posters will have ancestors who worked in the pits in the area. The nearest recorded mine shaft lies between Dalzell Drive and the East Stand. Another interesting historical map can be found on the National Library for Scotland website https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=17.6&lat=55.78179&lon=-3.98716&layers=6&b=1&o=0 This shows the nearest mines to have been around what is now Primrose Crecent (Parkhead Colliery Pit No 7); and what is now John Murray Court (Dalzell and Broomhouse Collieries, which most of you will know as the Doctors Pit). The line of the present day Knowetop Avenue follows what was the old mineral railway which ran between the Parkhead pit and the West Coast main line.

If we can score a goal tomorrow that would be an achievement in itself, as we've failed to score in all 3 meetings so far this season. Go for it.

How fit will Bevis be after his international travels?

Any update on Lennon Miller's injury?

Agreed Allan. Like us, perhaps Hearts are finding the English market, in which they fish, too expensive money wise, and are having to scale back their ambitions. If they sign more Premiership players, that will confirm this theory.

Good news. That should help our off the field activities

Out of respect. There would have been no great disadvantage in Hearts keeping quiet. I don't buy the line that the announcement was to pacify their fans. To some extent its hung Spittal out to dry, although you could argue that he was hoisted by his own petard. That said, I would say to our club that they don't need to treat Hearts with great respect in future. They'll reap what they sow.

St Johnstone has also written to the SFA to complain about VAR. More grist to the mill as they say.

Some substance in that, but having the money certainly helps. A lot though, is to do with final league placings. Hearts and St Mirren both kow they won't be relegated whereas we don't yet know for certain. This uncertainty will colour negotiations.

No harm to the lad but its best for both parties if he moves on. Too lightweight I'm afraid.

Would we die in a ditch over any of the 5? Only Paul McGinn and Sam Nicholson possibly?

My feelings exactly. We can now move on. This would have been best kept quiet though.

The latest VAR controversy is only serving to highlight long standing problems with the SFA. Its up to the clubs themselves to sort this out. The SFA officials are servants of the clubs and should only be carrying our their wishes and administering, not managing, the game itself. I get the respect employees, including referees, bit and have no problem with that. It should be a bit like a local authority. The officials are there to carry out the will of the constituents through elected members. There is a problem with VAR, but in my view its only about unnecessary lengthy delays and technical camera issues. I agree with those who say that if its not obvious within say 30 or 45 seconds then let the goal or whatever stand. What is the problem, is the standard of decision making, as someone on P & B said. Thats what the SFA needs to iron out but it has shown no desire or ability whatsoever to do so. I'm pretty sure that if they were to analyse the lead up to most goals, they would find some kind of technical infringement, especially at set pieces. The problem is that these incidents are being viewed inconsistently. The handball rule is a complete farce. The fans are the lifeblood of the game and football is an entertainment industry and so the SFA should remember that. In the case of our letter, and indeed any letter, the SFA should publicly acknowledge that its a genuine grievance; investigate it; take any appropriate action to raise refereeing standards; avoid future occurrences; and make their findings public. Referees should be respected and protected but not at the complete expense of the game. In that respect, on the field dissent needs to be punished more severely but thats another issue. All we're likely to hear from the clubs' servants is some kind of slap down for daring to criticise referees.

So, our goal was ruled out for deliberate handball! What a farcical decision. 100% behind the club in writing to the SFA. Maxwell needs to remember he is a servant of the clubs as he is a paid official. We'll await developments with bated breath.

If something sounds too good to be true it probably is. I must admit to being very suspicious about Hibs' deal. I just don't believe that the philanthropists have appeared and are giving Hibs money with no strings attached. Dundee United and their philanthropists come to mind.

There was indeed. One that was mentioned was a decision to rule out a Hearts goal at Tynecastle. Its also important to note that the scope of the "review" was limited to decisions made, not those that were missed. The list was a sample and as such "hand picked". There was no mention, for example, of the last minute penalty claim against Aberdeen which was missed because the cameras were switched off before the end of the game. I would take that list with a spoonful of salt.

I think we're more than capable of drawing with St Mirren and Hibs. Can't see Ross County beating Aberdeen. Don't forget St Johnstone too as they don't have an easy run in.

Killie/Bill Bowie are running out of time. £6K per week for no goals so far and only 8 games to go.

In principle, VAR is a great idea and I fully support it but not the way in which its being implemented. I didn't know for example for there are more cameras in some stadia than others...thats simply not fair. VAR is throwing up many issues, that have been identified and discussed on here. What hasn't changed and is now being thrust into the spotlight, is refereeing inconsistencies. One specific example is the handball decisions in the Ross County and Aberdeen games. Now which is it? If the ball hits another player's hand/arm (i.e. not the scorers) on its path into the net - is that a legitimate goal or not? Yes or no? In this particular case, I see no reason whatever why the SFA, this morning, cannot accept and acknowledge that this was an issue on Saturday (I pick my words carefully so as not to criticise officials) and issue a simple statement to clubs, fans and the media to clarify its position. All it needs to say is whether such an incident should be classed as a foul or not. That being the case, was their guidance on this followed in games by officials? As its stands, everyone is confused by this particular issue. Will it happen - NO!

Just watched the TV highlights and agree about the VAR calls. VAR would work fine its the officiating and inconsistencies that are ruining it. From admittedly limited highlights, our defending looked horrendous yesterday and not just at the goal. The common theme is Aberdeen players being allowed time and space to do pretty much what they wanted in and around our box. From what I saw, Aberdeen did look better organised defensively than us and made us work hard for any effort on goal. In the coming close season, our defence needs an overhaul. Against my better judgement, I watched about 15 minutes of the Wolves V Coventry game and the contrast with our defending was immense. The game was faster and far more physical with both teams working damned hard off the ball to close opponents down and deny them any space.

Some good discussion about SK on P & B. Like a few others, I don't know what to make of him. He's clearly got something about him as he's a good man manager. Even during our long winless run he never lost the dressing room. He's also a good coach as we've seen with his nurturing and development of Theo Bair. However, he does overthink things at times and overcomplicates matters. At times his personnel selections are baffling, such as yesterday. He's not the greatest tactician in the world either. I just don't know what to make of him!

You can also this blunder to the list...our first home game against Aberdeen, when a clear penalty was missed because it was very late in the game and it was switched off. Was that decision ever reviewed?

Its high time the SFA made public to all and sundry, its interpretation of the rules and VAR and how they're passed to officials. I'm thinking here of handball, "clear and obvious error", added time. In terms of added time for example, what is the SFA's stance? Has time wasting got to be clear cheating? Persistent? How many warnings do culprits get? How much time is added on for substitutions? How much time for goals and VAR checks? I get that injuries are different. All this shouldn't be beyond them. It would also take the heat off them and their officials

Top 6 is beyond us and even before yesterday was always going to be a huge ask. 7th spot will also be very ambitious and I think 8th is a more realistic target. Thats about our average historical perch. I think Aberdeen will have just too much about them and will claim that though. In their last 2 games they've tightened up considerably at the back as we've seen. I can see us scrambling 2 points from our next 3 games. St Mirren will be a tough one - don't expect them to come to Fir Park and play open exciting football. They'll sit back and fight for supremacy in the midfield. As we saw yesterday, thats not our type of game. If we score first though, that might help us considerably.