David

It's a bit unfair to compare Fraser to Ruddy, as he's one of the best 'keepers in the league at the moment, but he's definately not the best. Judging by what Brown has said in the aftermath of the United game, i'd say that a new man between the sticks is a priority in his eyes, especially if Ruddy goes, which he probably will.

Perhaps it would be worth looking at the idea of a Lanarkshire sports centre in the Ravenscraig area, which would provide some public money towards the building of a new stadium if we were to incorporate the centre with a new stadium? I also don't think we would need a stadium that holds the same amount of fans as Fir Park currently does, as we rarely get close to filling it. We were on an unbeaten 12 game run and only managed to pull in under 4,000 fans for a game with Hearts, who we are competing with for a European spot. A 7 or 8 thousand seater would do us just fine.

Once Ruddy comes back i'm certain we'll get what we need to finish 5th at least.

If we get something from Tynecastle, and United win the Scottish Cup, then it looks pretty good for us, doesn't it? Hearts haven't got the easiest run-in either, with a derby match and United and Celtic to come as well.

If this Fraser lad is still in goals come next week I can see our European dream ending sharpish.

The defending has been a shambles since Craigan was taken off. Fraser certainly isn't having a good game by any stretch of the imagination, but the lad must be low on confidence, and our so-called support isn't doing anything to help that. I certainly don't envy any Motherwell players that put a foot wrong when were playing at Fir Park.

Aye, it looks like it. He's been good at the back as well. Fuck.

Pay for ESPN or get to the game or the pub then!

Are the people sitting in the Motherwell end actually supporters? All i've heard so far is heckling.

At the end of the day, the only opinion that really matters is Craig Browns, and i'd like to think he knows more about the game than you do. The fact that he's still giving him the odd game here & there tells me that he already knows how to deal with bringing young players through properly. I'd also wager that anything that the fans have spotted will have been spotted by Brown as well, and he'll be dealing with it.

Exactly. There's sometimes I wonder exactly what sport were watching here, with all these rules and regulations about not abusing opposing players, goal celebrations being regulated and the like.

Source: Official Site

I don't think anyone can really argue with that point.

I was thinking more about what your thoughts were at the time, how close we were to going under, what you thought about the players we kept and the ones we let go etc

With a few English teams looking at a bleak future, it brought to mind the situation that we faced almost eight years ago. What are your memories of the era? Players were getting let go, and things were looking far from rosy. What were the causes of the situation, and how have we recovered since?

Ach, I thought this thread was going to give me the news that Hateley had signed a new deal

Can you point out where I refer to the "majority" as not supporting the team enough? I'm simply pointing out that there are some who are blasting the team, and certain players, when it's really not due.

Fair enough mate, whatever floats your boat. I'd have credited you with more sense than that though.

You think Reynolds was poor in general last night?

So, because Craigan and Fitzpatrick get stick, you think that dishing it out to Reynolds is more acceptable? Neither Craigan nor Fitzy deserve half the shit they get on here. That's why my original post referred to the team in general. Don't get me wrong, if a player looks as though he isn't giving 100% and just isn't interested, then the criticism will be warranted, but I just don't see the point in bashing lads who are trying their best, and for the most part are doing well. We aren't bottom of the league, we aren't getting beaten easily by the teams around us, and the team is playing well, as was evident last night. Every player in a Motherwell shirt last night deserves credit for such a performance.

I have to say, we have a cheek to question the likes of Paul Slane leaving us when we are constantly on the backs of our young players. Lads like Reynolds(22), Forbes(20) and Murphy(20) are all still youngsters learning the game and developing physically, which will bring a lot of ups and downs in their performances initially. The very fact that we have such talented youngsters on the books is excellent, and to see them get panned and jeered by so-called fans is a disgrace. The thread about Reynolds simply wasn't needed, and the fact that it was started by someone who should know better makes it even worse. The lad is only 22 years old and has been a mainstay in the side for a good few years already, displaying some excellent qualities in the process. Both he & Craigan managed to hold Rangers off with relative ease for the majority of that game, and have played a part in a defence that went something like 500 minutes without conceding a goal. How about starting a topic to recognise that? The bottom line is, were playing some good football, and were getting some good results, all with a team that contains a good few promising youngsters who should be encouraged to progress by the supporters, not heckled or badmouthed in the stands or on this forum. It's the kind of behaviour you expect from the part-time fan who has a few pints and decides to wander into Fir Park because the Rangers/Celtic game isn't on ESPN in the pub that day, not from people who consider themselves passionate enough supporters to not only attend games, but to spend their days posting about the club on the internet. In short, get a fucking grip.

I'm assuming you're at the wind-up with that statement I thought he did okay, but he's still a young lad who will improve with games.

In most instances I would agree, but that disallowed goal was just plain ridiculous. There's no way he could have missed that.

Too right! He was first to every ball, nipping in and stealing it from Rangers players, and doing his thing down the wing!