MelvinBragg

Kind of illustrates my point really. Over a period of a number of years we've been outperforming other clubs of a similar stature to ours (and some would argue bigger clubs), despite the fact all clubs in the SPL are pulling from the same pool of players. It's not like we've brought in a higher pedigee of player than the other clubs by paying big money, more that we've brought in the right players. We're just going to have to do it again. And given that McCall has brought in nearly half of our first team, no reason to doubt that with a bit of luck and clever management of the budget, we mght be able to do the same again. I do take your point about a settled team though. If we lose three of four guys who've been fixtures in our first team, i will be a challenge to get the team to gel quickly. Having said that we lost three leaders last season, and we shuffled our pack and kept going. Should we lose Law, Randolph and Ojaama (who I reckon is more likely to leave than Higdon), we have replacements within the club who wouldn't let us down. Carswell may be a different type of player to Law but he would be provide legs playing alongside Lasley, and would protect tha back four allowing our wingers more freedom. Hollis has shown sigs he could be a solid goalkeeper, albeit not of the standard of Randolph. And for me McHugh could easily play alongside Higdon. Replacing McFadden? Well, we won't get a player of his calibre but I'd like to see us try and bring in Higginbotham. He seems to fit the way that McCall likes us to play and has shown enough to think he could contribute. Assuming we keep the three Hs (Higdon Hateley and Humphrey), we could be looking at a lineup of Hollis Hateley Ramsden Hutchinson Hammell Humphrey Lasley Carswell Higginbotham Higdon McHugh Would that team finish second? Probably not, but it nwouldn't be struggling at the bottom either, I reckon. This season's team has performed as well as any Motherwell team of the last twenty years. To be looking to match that again next season would be a tall order. I'd settle for mid table and the team still trying to play attractive, attacking football. For me the key is keeping Higdon and Humphrey (I'm assuming Randolph and Law are gone). Higdon for obvious reasons, Humphrey because, as erratic as he can be, he still gives SPL defences pause for thought and opens up space for other players by doing so. I'd like Ramsden and Hateley to stay but I think we could replace them if we had to. I reckon we'll sell a player that's not out of contract as well this summer. Hutchinson or Ojaama? Ojaama seems more likely as there's been stated interest in him already. Obviously the eleven I've listed above leaves not a lot on the bench, but I'm confident we'll see a few new faces this summer either to provide cover or to take the place of the players I've listed...

Not going to worry too much about next season, just enjoying the team we have. Looking at the team we had out last night and where they came from though, there are bound to be players out there Charlton reserves Released by Reading Released by Bradford Youth system Southend Shrewsbury Free agent Rotherham Free agent (ok, it's stretching the point with McFadden) St Mirren Free agent There are players out there, just need to rely on McCall to find them. Given he brought in five of last night's starting eleven, I reckon he's earned a bit of faith...

Am I right in thinking his average for us is better than a goal every two games? If so, frightening...

Part of me agrees with you, but after Ruddy and Randolph, I reckon we've been spoiled. A lot of SPL clubs would be happy with Samson as their keeper, we could do worse. Frankly, if McCall manages to pick up a keeper as good as Randolph, it'd be a massive boost. As you say, they must be out there, but it's finding them and convincing them to come to Fir Park. Not easy...

Not many players on that list that I'd be interested in. McGowan as a replacement for Law maybe... As others have said, I expect most of our signings to come from down South. Although McCall did pick up Higdon from another SPL club. Let's just hope it's only Randolph and Law we need to replace. McFadden will leave but I can see us picking up Higginbotham for the other wing if Humphrey re-signs. Higdon is the priority for me right now...

Haven't seen it yet, but apparently this morning's Sun has Derby joining Rangers (naturally) in being after Chris Humphrey...

While I love the big man (a goal every two games for Motherwell is outstanding), there have been factors that have worked in his favour. McCall since he signed Higdon, has focussed his attack around him knowing he'll put away chances. Looking at the other attacking options we've had in his time here, he's had good support and supply. Which other Motherwell strikers has had the likes of Law, Murphy, Ojaama, Humphrey, Higginbotham and McFadden playing alongside him? Maybe the reason he's having his best ever season? Don't take this as a criticism of him. More a statement of why he's doing quite so well and why I think he should think seriously before moving for a small wage rise. McCall seems to bring in the right players to suit his game. He's the main man here. He'd be daft to go to Hibs or Utd and have to adapt his game to their way of playing...

According to Kenny Black in the Wishaw Press, everyone's available with the exception of Kerr. Would like to see Carswell start tomorrow despite Law and Lasley being fit...

I think this might convince Higdon to stay at least. McCall has built a team focussed on getting Higdon the ball in the knowledge that he'll generally put it in the net. Go elsewhere for an extra couple of hundred pounds a week and have to adapt your style of play to a team not optimised to suit you?

Really pleased that Carswell has signed a new deal. I think he'll be a big player for us over the next couple of seasons...

I have seen no finer tribute to the big man than this...

As I've said before, if his name had been Steven Goldcastle then he'd have been forgotten about by now..

I think as fans, we tend to remember the emotions of certain games. So a good league season while it might have some fantastic games (Friday will live long in the memory), they rarely have the feeling that a cup win has in terms of immediate impact. Occasionally they do but only when there's a "do or die" feeling about the game. I'm thinking Falkirk second last day of the season in what was effectively a relegation shoot out. Or the win over Aberdeen to clinch Europe under McGhee.. A cup win would clearly live longer in the memory than good league campaigns. If the trade off was watching what St Mirren fans have had to watch for the last five or six seasons, don't know if I could put up with that...

Here's a question: would you swap our ten years of generally being on a high for a day like St Mirren had yesterday?

Been saying that for a wee while now. If you'd told me ten years ago that we'd have played in Europe under four different managers, I'd have laughed in your face. To maintain the level of success we have while losing our managers and top players (Porter, Clarkson, Quinn, Sutton, Reynolds, McCormack and McDonald before you get to loan guys like Jutkiewicz, Ruddy and Blackman) is remarkable. Almost all of these European jaunts have been secured by consistent league performances, not jammy cup runs. For guys of my age (mid 30s), we've never seen such a sustained period of good times...

That's some list to be included on...

Since Malpas left, we have had (in no particular order) Porter Clarkson McCormack Murphy Sutton Jutkiewicz Blackman Higdon Ojaama and now McFadden Aye, we've been spoiled. Name any other SPL side that has had that combination of goalscorers and exciting players in that time.. We all like a moan (myself included), but this has been a golden era...

Tempted to vote for Higdon just to give the guy his due. I think his anger probably contributed a lot to our fast start to the second half. But McFadden merited it. Concern is that I've heard Carswell is going to leave at the end of the season in search of first team football. Think it'd be a real shame as he's developing into a very good player.

It has done. His shadow is hanging over the team. Instead of rising to the challenge and making it difficult for him to get in the team, the team seem to be looking over their shoulders, thinking he's either going to save the day or steal their place in the team...

And there's some competition..

I expect it to be Daley to drop out. Not to keep the minimum U21s specifically but that position wise, he's similar to McFadden, can play striker or winger...

Tweed hits the nail on the head. A harsh red card generally sees the player applauded, probably more as a gesture of solidarity. A stupid deserved one doesn't merit applause. But as others have stated, not an issue that I'd get my knickers in a knot about...

Craig Moore out on loan to Dumbarton for a month...

Aye, that thought had occurred to me as well...

Kennedy is decent, pretty combative but doesn't pick up too many cards. I'd imagine if us and Hibs are both in for him, then we'd be second favourite unless his old pal Ramsden can really sell the club to him... EDIT Scratch that, I was getting mixed up with my dates. Kennedy joined Rochdale just after Ramsden left. Kennedy did play one season with Higginbotham though...