MelvinBragg

Hammell injured, Chalmers on at half time...

Also means we'll be facing a new manager or a managerless side next week...

Craig Moore scored early today for Ayr...

@Absolutebollocks..?

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results" - Albert Einstein...

Not our concern...

Do I think that Stevie Hammell is without flaws in his game? No, he wouldn't be playing for Motherwell otherwise. But (takes a breath) Billy Davies, Eric Black, Terry Butcher, Mark McGhee, Craig Brown, Stuart McCall and Ian Baraclough have all thought him good enough to play SPL football. Don't think they all think that because he's "one of our own". Stevie Hammell will have poor games from time to time, and is not getting any younger but to suggest as some on here are that he's never been good enough is frankly nonsense...

Still haven't replaced him though. Tom Hateley was the closest we've come. I have high hopes for Luke Watt...

Lasley off for Leitch. An admission that tonight is gone...

And sounds like poor goalkeeping for the second goal. Not promising...

McDonald's not having the best of luck with penalties this season, is he? Doesn't sound good at all tonight. But probably not a game we would be looking to win. But a decent showing in defeat like Saturday would be less disheartening...

I'd get used to seeing McDonald playing deeper. Seems to be the role that Baraclough has in mind for him, someone to link the play by dropping deep and supplying Ainsworth, Johnson and Fletcher/Moult. Also gives us an extra body in the middle of the park to occupy the opposition's defensive midfielder. I think what will change is that McDonald's fitness will improve (bear in mind, he missed a fair bit of preseason) and so his ability to get from those deeper positions and join in the attack will get better...

So after 2 starts, you're writing off Fletcher? And after 50 minutes for Moult? How does someone become a proven striker if they're not given a chance to prove themselves? Fletcher has started two competitive games and scored one goal? I'd reckon that buys him a bit of time before we start talking about needing a "proven striker". All strikers miss chances, even McDonald. Do I wish we'd taken more of our chances against Inverness or even one of our chances against Dundee United? Absolutely, but it seems a bit early to be saying that our two new strikers aren't fit for purpose...

I agree but given most people's stated opinion on Saturday's match, it would appear we're in the minority...

Defensive shape was fine until Leitch went off. If the concern was Leitch picking up a second booking then bringing on Cadden in his place or bringing Kennedy on at right back and moving Law into midfield might have been better options...

An Aberdeen fan contacted the BBC yesterday saying the same thing. He didn't know a game against Kilmarnock would be all ticket and queue at ticket office meant he'd miss a fair chunk of the first half. Just another example of Scottish clubs costing themselves money by putting customers off going...

They doubled up on Johnson, although he should have scored his one on one. Moult didn't click as well with McDonald as Fletcher had but I think showed some nice touches (a pass almost putting Thomas in springs to mind). We lost but I don't think there's any real need for doom and gloom or to look for problems. We looked dangerous at times and for the first 80 minutes, the defensive shape looked pretty good. How often could you have said that last season? Obviously if we keep having these hard luck stories then it becomes a problem but pretty confident that we're moving in the right direction...

Don't think another centre mid was the problem today. All our attacking threat coming down one wing was a bigger problem. Having Ainsworth and Johnson working in tandem will make a bigger difference than another centre midfielder...

Oh, and I agree with Spiderpig, Madden was atrocious today...

We'll be fine this season. A lot of good stuff, final ball lacking on occasions but a lot of positives. Johnson missed a one on one with the keeper, Chalmers missed a chance at the back post. Only complaint would be that we lost the game by going for it. Took Leitch (who had a decent game) off and put Clarkson on. Shape went to pieces after that. Second goal came after keeper went up for a corner. Think we'll be alright with Leitch in the middle of the park. I think Ainsworth being back will make a huge difference as Utd were able to give Johnson too much attention today. No points, but plenty to be positive about. Couldn't say that about most of our defeats last season...

United tend to play five in midfield so today will be one of those days we'll be relying on McDonald dropping back to stop us getting overrun...

St Mirren bound was the rumour I heard...

I noticed this too. Luke Watt is another that has come through looking physically ready for first team action. Craigan's interview was also very encouraging in terms of joined up thinking at the club...

Trying to remind myself that the squad is pretty similar to the one that ended last season. And while we scudded Hamilton, St Mirren and some championship side at home, we also lost to Accies away and failed to beat Ross County in the run in. The preparation seems better this season, the manager has had more time to get his ideas across to the players. He seems to have got Ainsworth in the mood. Weighing it up, not excited. Cautiously optimistic...

Interesting to see that it looks like Thomas played as a second striker for the U20s today. Maybe why we're looking at another winger? Maybe a chance that the coaching staff see Thomas playing the McDonald role in the future?