MelvinBragg

I suspect one of the reasons that we've made such a solid start to the season can be boiled down into one word - continuity. As pleasing as it might be to keep Murphy, for me the key thing is the fact we've kept the guys like Hammell, Craigan, Jennings and Lasley that provide the solid base to allow guys like Murphy and Law to perform. Add in Randolph, Hutchinson and Hateley and you can see that our "back seven" were all here last season. Contrast that with Dundee United having to replace their centre midfield and Hibs and Aberdeen trying to find a strong base for their team and and it's safe to say we've been pretty lucky in that respect. Look at Hibs' dressing room, where are the senior figures or leaders (outwith Ian Murray). Likewise at Aberdeen. We are lucky in that we have several guys at our club who are there to help the new guys bed in, who know what Motherwell is all about. The real challenge will come in the next couple of seasons when these guys need to be replaced, some because they move on to bigger and better things (Hutchinson, Randolph), some as age catches up with them (Craigan, Lasley, Hammell). It won't simply be a case of replacing these guys' abilities, it's the fact that they know each others's games in and out. Craigan probably has a fair idea where Hammell and Lasley will be on the park every time he picks up the ball. Jennings and Lasley know what each other is capable of and what they're not capable of. That, for me, makes these guys better than the sum of their abilities. We should enjoy the fact we have a team rather than a collection of individuals. No one out means continuity for us and that's a good thing. Enjoy it while we've got it, because it's a rare thing in the SPL these days..

I said on the way into work this morning that if Clancy and Daley were our last bits of business and if we didn't lose anyone from the squad that I could live with that. So unless something has happened at the death, I'm pretty satisfied with where we're at..

Those umimpressed with the Clancy signing, I have one question. What quality of experienced player do you think is going to come to Motherwell knowing that they'll be on the bench if everyone stays fit? A bit of a reality check is required here. He's coming here as backup. Not to be the saviour of our season...

Are we signing Clancy on loan or will this be a permanent signing?

I'm sure someone will work it out but the team currently on the park must have a pretty low average age..

He's a defender, aye?

He wasn't the worst today by a long way. Easy for a striker to look bad when he wins the header but no one is running off him. But he is shaping up as a good candidate for scapegoat this season. Even if today there are more worthy candidates..

3-0 but could have been as many as Rangers wanted to score. Second half they were content to let us play about in front of them because it was obvious no one in our team had any real belief that we could get anything from the game. Pointless to single out individuals when a collective lack of self belief was the problem..

As I say, my memory of that day is a bit shaky. I'll take your word for it..

My recollection of said free kick (and given we'd been plastered in Aberdeen the night before, I could be wrong) was the Dow chipped it over the defensive wall and Kelly spun and volleyed it into the net from about 12 yards. But I was going into alcohol withdrawals round about that time, so could be wrong. I have a strange recollection that we may have lost that game 5-2. But again, my memory of that day is not particularly reliable...

Think Lasley got two and maybe Pearson got the other... EDIT Lasley (2) and Steven Craig (remember him?) got the others..

You having said that means I'm expecting St Mirren to score any minute,.,,

Hasselbaink lost his appeal today...

When fit and with a few run of games, the best centre half at the club. Gutted for the guy. Haste ye back..

As an aside, I bought a programme on Sunday for the first time in several years. Squads were listed on the back page. It really does show the challenge facing us this season. I counted maybe 16 recognised first team players (including Page and McHugh). Hearts, on the other hand, I counted around 23 players and that's not counting the likes of Gary Glen who has probably started more games than McHugh and Page put together..

As someone who doesn't give a damn about Scotland (last Scotland goal I celebrated was scored by David Clarkson), it's pretty easy for me to look at it dispassionately. Whose place would Murphy take in the squad? The only forward thinking player in the squad you could argue Murphy has more right to be there than is Forrest and he's a winger. I say this never having seen Mackail-Smith play. The Paul Gallacher question is an interesting one. At a time when playing well at Championship level is generally enough to get you in the Scotland squad, the fact that he's never really had a shot seems odd. If you were starting with a blank piece of paper, Murphy probably wouldn't be anywhere near the squad. Starting with the squad currently picked, you could make a case for his inclusion but you could equally make a case for McGuire, Gallacher and possibly others ahead of him. From a Motherwell point of view, I'm glad he wasn't picked. How much did a 20 minute cameo increase Saunders' transfer value because even if Murphy had been called up, that's what he'd be looking at. So no financial benefit for us. On the other hand, if he were to pick up any kind of injury in a meaningless friendly, it could be disastrous for our season. A cap would, of course, be a nice honour for Murphy. But I can't see any benefit for us from him getting a call-up for this game..

Didn't hear it and I'd be astounded if he was even on the list given he's always made it clear that he wasn't really interested in a managerial role with senior players. Having said that, does the Hibs job look any more appealing than the Hearts job right now? And that's without an insane owner. Who would they get for that job? It might be that they'd have to look at lesser known guys doing well behind the scenes at another club.. Though when Calderwood's departure was first mooted, I heard Mowbray and Kenny McDowall's names mentioned. Why they'd need the hassle, I'm not sure...

Sometimes it's not best to fight fire with fire. It all depends on the supply to the front men. If we have wee quick guys then balls into feet might work against "big lumps". But as I say, a lot will depend on the kind of service we give the strikers..

Stoke are the latest to be linked with Murphy. Doesn't strike me as likely as they seem to prefer stronger, more powerful players..

Nothing we didn't already know but the lack of depth in the squad really hits home when the bench is Hollis Saunders Halsman Carswell Forbes Smith Lawless Not much on there that you'd fancy to change a game if things weren't going our way. Could also mean complacency from the first eleven. Other than a Saunders/Hateley debate, the rest of the team don't really need to worry if their form dips..

Sorry, should have been clearer. The story I heard was the same as Finlay. That Blackburn had bid just under £2m and had been told to beat it. No, a deal worth potentially £2.8m, I knew United couldn't turn down..

Last I heard, United had knocked back Blackburn's offer. You only hope that if Murphy was a few clubs' Plan B if they didn't get Goodwillie then we can now engineer a bidding war that would get us the largest possible fee, and as a real bonus almost certainly rule out the Old Firm..

For the record, if you think Murphy is better than Jelavic, then you're off your head..

Didn't he do that on Saturday? I reckon we'll need to score two to win on Saturday as our defence rode its luck a bit against Inverness..

I'd be hoping for 5+ goals out of our defenders as well this season. Hanmell has one already and Saunders and Hutchinson are threats at set pieces. And Tom Hateley scores a free kick once every 40 games or so. If Law, Jennings, Lasley and Humphrey can muster 15 between them, then you're looking for Murphy and Higdon to supply around 30. 50 is doable. Not saying we'll do it, but it is possible..