MelvinBragg

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...

Worst case scenario? Fir Park running out of pies??

I think maxywell summed it up best. Make them beat us, don't give it to them...

Nervous about tonight but not because I think we'll get hammered. As long as we don't freeze and we give it our all, doesn't matter the result, I'll be happy. I'm more nervous that it won't be the case that we're at our best...

To be fair, under McCall during the good times, we did play 4231 with McFadden, Ojaama and Humphrey behind Higdon in what was his best six months. Regards whether things have got better or worse under Baraclough, fitness has certainly improved. No longer do we seem to have players struggling after 60 minutes of games. Strikes me that under Baraclough, we're either great or dreadful. We tend not to lose or win games by the odd goal but by wider margins. What that points to, I'm not sure...

Heading down to Fir Park today to pick up tickets for Sunday. Only thing I'm looking for from tonight is for us still to be in the tie on Sunday...

Funny thing is, how many of us would want to sit in the away end if Motherwell are playing another team? If Motherwell allocation sells out, I accept I won't see the game...

Will nip down and pick up tickets for the home leg on Thursday. Good job season ticket seats are held until then as it's the first I'll be able to get to Fir Park...

Previously having some of their lot in our end wouldn't have bothered me that much. Far from ideal but part and parcel of living in the West of Scotland. Problem now is that my eight year old has been to around 60 games in the last four seasons and is now really getting into it. And now I'm wary of taking him to the game on Sunday (our biggest for god knows how long) for fear of there being bother in the East Stand. Try explaining that to an eight year old...

Checked bet365 yesterday. Rangers to win over two games 8/11, Motherwell 13/8...

For me, Ruddy was more likely to pull out a world class save but also more prone to the odd howler (losing the ball at Tannadice, throwing a free kick into the net vs Hibs). Randolph wouldn't make the same jaw dropping saves but was a bit more reliable in that he made fewer howlers. Both cracking keepers who have made a rod for the back of every keeper that's followed them...

Moore looks to have a decent football brain in terms of decision making but not physically up to carrying it out. Like LD said, hopefully a good preseason will make a difference. Watt looks pretty promising to me. A full back who realises his primary role is to defend. Can work on other aspects of his game. Other than that, the game was ninety minutes of my life I won't get back...

Three or four potential starters risked. If he wants to go with Laing next week, had to play him today...

Aberdeen apparently looking at taking Bryan Gunn's son Angus on loan for the goalkeeping position..

Why should you not pay £24 for Motherwell vs Falkirk and pay £24 for Motherwell vs Ross County? See what I did there? Other than a couple of teams, most of the teams in the Championship could be SPL sides. Most have been at some point. Is there that much difference between St Johnstone and Raith Rovers? Falkirk and Ross County? St Mirren and Partick Thistle..?

I understand those saying 451 is the way to go for the away leg but it's important to remember that most of the teams we've visited recently play 451. Rangers and Hibs both play 442 (albeit Hibs play with a diamond). Slightly lessens the chances of us getting overrun if we play 442...

James Keatings told by Hearts he is free to leave even although he has a year left on his contract. The sort of player we should be looking at?

I'd say yay but doubt he'd come here after being kicked out when we went into administration...