MelvinBragg

Nielsen Law Ramsden O'Brien Hammell (Watt if Hammell unavailable) Lasley (Carswell if unavailable) Pearson Cadden Moore Thomas Sutton Plenty of energy in the midfield. Can understand Sutton hasn't been fantastic but people are suggesting we start Thomas and Cadden and at the same time suggesting dropping a proven goalscorer who thrives on crosses into the box. Strikes me as odd... If McManus and Ainsworth ever play for Motherwell again, it'll be too soon...

Right now, we need a Fitzpatrick type figure. Runs all day, tackles and scraps. People forget how many games Fitzpatrick played in the Mark McGhee team that people consider among the best they've seen. Or Jamie Dolan in 93/94. Every team needs an unglamorous midfielder to do the spadework. Unfortunately this season, often the unglamorous midfielder doing the spadework is lining up alongside a full back or centre half in midfield...

I tend to agree. Kerr and O'Brien? Poor but at least seem to put the effort in. McManus? Poor and doesn't seem to give a shit. If we're looking to battle the drop, having players who don't seem to give a shit in the first team every week sends the wrong message to the rest of the players...

I agree on Vigurs, McManus and Ainsworth. Kerr and Reid at least give 100%, and we may need a couple of guys like that in the run in. As others have stated, 4-0 defeats to Celtic are nothing new. Concern is the number of times we're shipping that number of goals to other teams. I thought that there were slightly encouraging signs against Aberdeen but the Dundee game was a massive setback in terms of confidence. Concerned also with Lasley's absence. As indifferent as his form has been, tonight's lineup showed that we're not overburdened with options in there. Law, Ramsden and Reid are not the answer. If Lasley is unavailable for the next few games, I'd be tempted to play Carswell and Pearson as a 2 in a 4231 with Thomas, Moore and Cadden in front of them. Give the young guys a chance. Can't do any worse than the experienced guys have been doing. If we are going to go down, let's plan for the future as we do it...

People finally seeing through Ainsworth. About time...

I thought they'd sold him to Swansea? Who am I thinking of?

I would put that down to more to lack of awareness of the defensive side of the game or lack of pace. Interesting to read people question his fitness. People seem to be getting lack of fitness mixed up with lack of pace. Vigurs never seemed to be blowing out of his arse at the end of games, any more than the rest of our team. Did he have flaws in his game? Aye. Don't think lack of desire was one of them... Anyway it's a moot point as Scott Burns is rarely wrong on Motherwell so he seems to be on his way.If Baraclough wants to play a high tempo pressing game, Vigurs probably wouldn't be his cup of tea...

Right winger, as far as I remember...

Under Baraclough, we should be trying to find a way to use him effectively. Good passers of a football are rare in the SPL and we have one in Vigurs. And unlike others, he always gives 100% and never hides. Always available for the ball, no matter how badly things are going. Take note, Mr Ainsworth...

Would be happier with Dayton for Ainsworth...

I suspect we'll see Pearson deployed centrally. I'd play Vigurs, Pearson and Thomas behind Sutton. Three technically gifted players supplying a guy who we know can score goals in the SPL..

Ojaama replacement, I'd imagine...

Death knell for Vigurs? Left sided midfielder that can also play centre midfielder. Or given that Vigurs looked his best alongside McFadden, maybe someone like Pearson will link well with Vigurs? For me, I'd be trying to find a way to get them both in the team. Both technically gifted, need as many of those players as we can get right now. Be tempted by a 4231 of Nielsen Law Kerr O'Brien Hammell Lasley Carswell Vigurs Pearson Thomas Sutton with Lasley and Carswell fined if they go further forward than the centre circle...

If true, we are casting the net far and wide. Would have hoped that given Baraclough's previous role that we wouldn't have had to...

When Pearson left last time, there was a degree of bitterness among some of our support about how he conducted himself. I think it tells you all you need to know about our situation right now that there's been little outrage at the prospect of his return. Is he the right signing? Haven't seen him play recently but if he still has the engine to get up and down the park then he'll offer something we don't have. And lessen the amount of ground Lasley has to cover. If he's fit and still able to get up and down the park, I'd sign him...

Don't talk that kind of sense on here...

True, but I think if we had more control of midfield then our defence wouldn't come under the constant pressure it is at the minute. Certain games aside, we're not conceding massive numbers of goals for the amount of possession we're giving the opposition...

I know what you're saying about it being a big jump but, unlike some of the players to come through our youth system, he at least looks physically equipped for the job. Quite happy to go with Watt and Law at full back just now, reward decent performances there...

We have three players who can play left back with varying degrees of experience. Watt made an impressive debut against some of the trickiest opponents he's likely to face in the SPL. Happy for him to deputise in Hammell's absence as we've been crying out for our young players to get a chance, why stifle one who's getting a shot? Angol also able to play there. If money's tight (which we all know it is), left back isn't a priority...

That's like saying "of all the ways to be killed, I'd prefer stabbing"...

Thinking more of a loan signing whose wages we don't need to contribute as much as to as Ojaama's. Young championship reserve player perhaps...

Really even if his wages would cover a striker that actually scores goals regularly and a midfielder...?

Sutton, Law or Watt. Can't mqke my mind up...

Presumably Thomas didn't start as we wanted someone in front of Watt who would offer a bit of protection which Law did. When Thomas came on we looked a lot more dangerous but also a lot more open. For those calling for Erwin to start, I'd only say that Sutton had a good game today with what he had to feed off. Good performances from Law, Watt, Sutton and Thomas. Worst player on the park? Ainsworth...

Assuming left back or centre midfield...