MelvinBragg

If you think he's no better (or worse) than those three, we'll need to agree to disagree...

If Adam Cummins had never shown any ability, would he have got to 25 appearances? Has he had a few bad games? Name me someone in our squad that hasn't? I'm not suggesting that he'll definitely kick on but I don't think he's done enough wrong to be labelled a no-hoper. Comparing him to the best two centre backs we've brought through since Chris McCart probably sets a very high standard for him. Reason why Jamie Murphy didn't get the credit he deserved at Fir Park from some people. Too busy comparing him to McFadden...

No, it's not just you. He's had some bad games, sure. He's also had some good games. All the talk of bringing in a new centre back, it strikes me that it's going to stifle any chance Kerr or Cummins have of making any real progress. These guys are often slated for not developing but there comes a point when the only thing that will really help is first team games. Some people want the best of both worlds. They want us to develop and sell our young players but also want new signings that will only limit their opportunities...

Is Darren Barr that much worse than Clancy or Ramsden who were our centre backs when we finished best of the rest?

A McCall signing if ever there was one. Versatile free agent. Tim Clancy, Simon Ramsden, Craig Reid? Still think striker should be the priority...

I think another midfielder, no matter how solid, would be a bad idea. If you want someone to play wide midfield who's not an out and out winger, Law could play either side, Vigurs can play left, and at a push Carswell and Lawson can play right midfield. If money is tight, it's better spent elsewhere...

Personally, I'd be happy to add just one more forward, different type to Sutton/Erwin. We have a lot of cover in defence and surely between McManus, Ramsden, Kerr, Reid, Cummins and Neill we can find a centre half partnership that works. Midfield, again we have plenty of bodies, up to the management to figure out the best combination. Another winger would just see Thomas get even less game time...

I had nowt else to do. Easy reading, 50 pages an hour...

I know it's closed doors but I'd like us to go 433 on Saturday. Nielsen Ramsden Kerr McManus Hammell Lasley Carswell Law (Leitch 60) Ainsworth (Thomas 60) Sutton (Erwin 60) Vigurs Might lessen the need for Ainsworth and Vigurs to track back... EDIT Also easily changes to 4231 if that suits with Lasley and Carswell anchoring the midfield, lessening the need for Lasley to charge upfield, therefore less chance of tired tackles from him...

Post of the decade...

I see your Kevin James and I raise you a Bob Maaskaant and a Daniel Sengewald...

This...

Thanks, but no thanks. We need someone better on the deck than McManus not another centre back whose strengths are all in the air...

Only way to sell players for higher returns is to have them on longer contracts. The risk there is that they develop into Kinniburgh, Ramsay and Gary Smith rather than Quinn, Pearson and McFadden and we're tying up money we can't afford. Short contracts mean we lose out on fees but can get rid of numpties. Low risk, low reward. But even if the club were to change strategy, how do we convince players to sign a five year contract at Fir Park? How do the likes of Dundee United manage to do it? Serious question. Because as impressive as they are at finding talent, what's more impressive is the length of contract they get them to sign...

I think the reason that many (myself included) thought that his days were gone was that modern day football post-Bosman meant he couldn't rule with the iron fist he was perceived to. Having read his take on the modern game and young players, I may have been wrong...

Read this book in a five hour sitting last night. Pretty interesting and he seems to hold strong opinions and still feels he has something to offer the game. I know his name has come up every time we need a new manager, and I've always dismissed him as yesterday's man. Having read how he's kept himself up to date, maybe I was being hasty...

Tony Adams' and Dennis Bergkamp's are pretty decent for different reasons...

Aside from the issue of whether we should have games lined up or not (we should but let's move on), I tend to feel that all pre season games should be closed doors. At our level, how much money does the club make from these games? For the fans, the entertainment from a pre season friendly is next to nothing. Like alcohol free beer, I don't see the point. Maybe I'm in the minority but these games do nothing for me and I'm quite pleased if Saturday's game is behind closed doors...

For us to sign McFadden or Clarkson now, it would be bit of a loss of face for McCall after he's said that neither is the type of player we need. For what it's worth, I reckon either would do a job for us...

The way things are going, getting McFadden back, fit or in form or not, would not be seen as a terrible thing...

No doubt. But can't see us offering them deals. Be bit of a U turn for McCall, particularly regarding Clarkson. Just Motherwell being generous to former players, as always...

That's the quality of lie we're looking for...

Apparently in the paper this morning that we're after Mark O'Brien, a defender from Derby, on loan. Don't know much about him other than he's young, has a few U21 caps for Rep Ireland and he has had a few injury problems in the past...

I don't know where to start with that post on Carswell. Lasley better even on a bad day? I like Lasley but his bad days can be ugly. Carswell has a good engine and I think his reading of the game, for a young player, is pretty good. His passing is not like that of Vigurs but he generally finds a Motherwell player with the ball. The likes of Leitch and Carswell are the future of our team, let's hope they both get a lot of game time this season...

Aye, but having seen all three, the nerves were evident in the team in those games. And to be honest with you, second or third isn't a lot riding on it (would third be a terrible season?). Cup games where there's a realistic chance of winning something or games where there's no glory in victory only embarrassment in defeat, that's where we struggle...