MelvinBragg

You have to hope that Thomas and Cadden will be breathing down his neck next season and hopefully that will keep him focused, knowing that they're ready to take his place if his form dips. Fit, focused and on form, he can terrify full backs...

Now if we can just get him to play like he played in the playoffs every week...

Laing reminds me of Hutchinson in a lot of ways. Has all the tools but once (or sometimes twice) a match makes a poor decision. Often his pace gets him out of it. His decision making is something he can improve upon. He would be an excellent signing if we could get him on a two or three year deal...

Nutmegged Dougie Imrie. Motherwell legend...

Thing is, as fans we can bask in the afterglow as long as we like. As long as the players don't. For me, that's the disappointing thing about the lack of early transfer activity (and lack of new strip). Motherwell fans were feeling so positive after the playoffs, it would have been good to keep that buzz going with some good early news or sell a truckload of new kits on the back of such a good win...

The Long situation could be complicated by the change of manager at Sheffield United...

Would not be a bad signing but I suspect there would be a queue of SPL clubs lined up if he were available...

Funniest thing I've read on here in some time...

Everyone needs a plan B...

Who is re-signing?

Apparently a very good pro and a leader in the dressing room. A loss on that front. As others have said, the last six months have probably made it clear to him that he was unlikely to be a starter under Baraclough so probably best for him he moved on. Approximately 170 games for Motherwell, around 70 goals. Not too shabby..

I wasn't saying Sutton was mobile. Most people seem to want us to replace him with someone more mobile. Just think that whoever that striker is might struggle to provide the goals Sutton does. We've been spoiled striker wise at our club. How many seasons have Kilmarnock, St Mirren or Partick Thistle had a 10+ goals a season striker? These clubs occasionally have one (Boyd, Higdon) but think of the strikers we've had. Porter, McDonald, McCormack, Clarkson, Murphy, Higdon, Sutton... All 10 goals or more in a season. The phrase "embarrassment of riches" springs to mind...

Those who don't rate Sutton (and we all know the weaknesses in his game) seem to be ignoring the fact that at SPL level he pretty much guaranteed 10-15 goals a season. Not easy to replace. Strikers that are mobile, good in the air and provide that kind of goal return are hard to come by on our budget...

If Sutton is choosing to sign for another SPL club like St Johnstone, I figure first team football is a factor. Even with Erwin away, can anyone see Sutton being first pick the way Baraclough wants us to play? If he goes, he goes with nothing but my best wishes...

Chris Porter...

An unpopular view, I know, but the problem with the "jester" strip was the shorts. The top in itself wasn't that bad. Feyenoord and Blackburn show that a "halfs" top can work. The shorts just made it ridiculous...

Laing reminds me of Hutchinson. Looks to have raw potential but there's an error in him once a game...

Funny thing was, I was saying to someone after the game on Sunday that Motherwell without Stevie Hammell would be strange but an idea we'll need to get used to. Clearly the club also realises it too...

Sutton is the difficult one. Over two periods with us, he has averaged a goal every three games. Seems insane to even consider not offering a new contract. Does he have limitations? Sure. But 13 goals this season in a poor team while not starting every week can't be ignored and isn't easy to replace. He's only 31 so have to figure he'll want first team football. I'd like him to stay but reckon we'll see him scoring goals (probably against us) for another SPL side next season...

I know the season is just finished but tomorrow is 1st June. How many players do we have under contract for next season? By my calculation it's Twardzik Watt Reid McManus Law Angol Hammell Pearson Lasley Johnson Leitch (?) D Thomas Moore (?) Not much to work with there but suppose it gives the manager a blank canvas to start with...

This. I think no matter the best of intentions, if you've been playing in the SPL and suddenly find yourself (with the greatest respect) playing the likes of Alloa, Forfar and Stenhousemuir, somewhere in the back of your mind you tell yourself "80% will be enough today". A season or so of that and suddenly you can't reach what was your 100% any more...

Didn't expect Rangers to be fantastic and thought if we got them back to Fir Park still in the tie, we'd have a shot. What did surprise me is the resorting to long ball football. Generally at Fir Park, McCall always tried to play good football. Throwing McCulloch up front clearly showed that principle had been abandoned...

No complacency. Get Hammell and Pearson fit. You've got all summer to rest so go for it...

Long was superb but Pearson was the difference. When he went off, we struggled to get out. Physios working night and day on Hammell and him between now and Sunday...

That late goal guards against complacency...