MelvinBragg

A right footed left winger among them. Johnson could easily play on the right. Would have preferred Watt at left back but happy enough to see it's not Straker. Sutton, I agree on. Bring in a guy who looks the ideal partner for him and then bench him. Baffling...

Interesting lineup. Ramsden or Law left back? Long Ramsden Laing McManus Law Johnson Lasley Grant Pearson Erwin McDonald

Need to wait and see if it comes to pass. Certainly seem to be throwing a lot of money at trying to stay up...

According to..?

Robinson may have a good reputation but prior to joining Motherwell, he had only really worked with Northern Ireland U16s and U17s. Coaching kids is a different kettle of fish to coaching adults. Kids are probably more receptive to new ideas...

Doesn't surprise me. Disappointing as he's looked as competent as anyone else at centre back this season, and unlike Ramsden and McManus he has potential to get better...

Regards the new signings, I think Straker looks out of his depth. I think it was Frazzle at the game on Saturday that said he looked like he'd been bundled into the back of a van, driven 100 miles and then just been chucked out onto the park. Looked lost and confused. Laing looks rash and no better than what we had. On several occasions on Saturday, got himself dragged totally out of position leaving a massive gap in behind him. Grant, you can see has good technique but our midfield was getting totally overrun on Saturday so he didn't have time or space to use it. Johnson and Nathan Thomas. Johnson, I'd prefer to see on the right wing. He was picking up the ball and trying to make things happen but kept cutting inside on to his right foot, into a crowded area of the park. Like to see him use his pace to get to the byeline and get crosses in. Also fair to mention that he didn't track his man at the goal but not the first winger you can point the finger at for that. Nathan Thomas, with the exception of the horrendous occasion when he trod on the ball, actually looked not bad on the ball and again was at least trying to be positive. Long, there's not much to say about. Didn't do much wrong but wasn't required to do anything that Twardzik wouldn't have coped with. For me, two defenders don't look good enough. Jury's still out on the others...

Am I the only one thinking that if it's a Saturday night after a game that I'm not that bothered? And that though it seems to be our young players getting it in the neck for their choice of Saturday night activities, these seem to be guys whose fitness in the following games you can't call into question?

I do not have a clue how we'll line up on Saturday. And I think that points at part of the problem. Is our squad, and I can't believe I'm saying this, too big? McCall with his smaller squad, pretty much knew his strongest eleven in previous seasons. With four wingers, five centre backs and forty right backs, I fear the problem may be that Baraclough doesn't know his strongest eleven yet. Surely that's what he should be addressing Monday to Friday. A settled lineup would surely help the players get to know each other's games better. For me, left back has to be Hammell if fit, if not Watt. Kerr has to play. Carswell and Lasley in front of the back four. With Pearson, Grant and Johnson behind Sutton with instructions to get themselves as close to him as possible. Does that system suit Erwin more than Sutton. Maybe but that ignores a fact. Sutton scores goals...

Whether you think the criticism is justified or not, it's the last thing we need from within the club right now. While Baraclough has made mistakes, I actually feel some of the points Wilson-McManus makes are wide of the mark. Addressing the lack of creativity and goalscoring? He brought in two wingers on deadline day. You can argue over the quality of the two players but he did try and address the issue. As for the lack of a new striker. We managed fine last season with Sutton being pretty much the sole contributor of goals. With the exception of Ainsworth, who for some reason has decided to down tools under all three managers we've had this season. Baraclough clearly feels that Grant, Johnson and Nathan Thomas can replace Vigurs, McFadden and Ainsworth in loading the bullets for Sutton. Will they turn out to be good enough? That's a whole other question, one that we'll only know the answer to at the end of the season. What won't help these players is being slated by a senior professional at the club when confidence is already low. You can, as a fan, have your doubts about Baraclough (and I do) while still abhorring the behaviour of the players on this...

I see the undermining of the manager by the players has moved on from dreadful performances to players from other sides coming out with stories about how players at the club are concerned about the lack of goals and creativity among the signings. Mark Wilson on the BBC website doing his pals a favour. My money is on McManus... Whether you agree with the assessment or not, last thing the club needs is infighting and players undermining what team spirit there may be left...

I'd suggest that we're not the only SPL club where this is the case so not likely to be the cause of our problems...

Sad to say I can't see him lasting long. He seems to have the right ideas. Don't know if he just can't get them across to the players...

Laing and McManus were dreadful today. Not as bad as Straker granted but atrocious...

Today was devoid of redeeming features. Who to blame? I want to like Baraclough, he says all the right things. But results haven't been good enough. Problem with blaming certain players is that it points the finger at Baraclough as well. McManus playing every week despite poor performances hints at a lack of judgement. His signings haven't inspired confidence. Laing looks no better, indeed worse, than Kerr at centre back. Straker looks dreadful. Nathan Thonas and Marvin Johnson look quick but average. Maybe in a better team, they'd have a bit more scope but right now they look like a luxury we can't afford... Will we sack Baraclough? I can't see it and if certain players have simply downed tools, I'd rather we binned them...

Find it amusing we've gone from having no wingers to three wingers on the bench...

Not really sure about that lineup. Would have had Kerr in the team ahead of Ramsden or McManus. And, and I can't believe that I'm saying this, Josh Law can feel a little hard done by given his recent showings at right back. But Baraclough sees them in training, I'll put my trust in his judgement...

Harsh on Kerr, I'd say...

Wonder if it's to add some Motherwell-mindedness, put across to the players better how much this matters. Shouldn't need to be the case but wonder if it's a factor. Also wonder if he's "in charge" of training or just taking it at Baraclough's instruction allowing Robinson and him to observe more...

To get back on track, have given up a shift which would have made me £100 to get to the game tomorrow. Really hoping it's the one where we turn the corner. Would love Hammell to be back but we've rushed him back a couple of times and it's backfired so would rather wait til he was 100%. Looking forward to seeing Grant and hopefully Pearson. Think if we score first we'll win...

This sums up my own feelings on the matter...

Be realistic...

We won't drop McManus. We should. But we won't...

Kerr can look as solid as he likes, he'll drop out and Laing will be in next week. Why play Ramsden in midfield and have Carswell on the bench? Average age of our two defensive midfielders today is laughable... Good to hear that at least Long and Grant look decent...

McManus?