MelvinBragg

I just wonder if Hately comes into this category? Interesting that he wants to bring in more young players, not necessarily for the first team right away but perhaps for next season. Good long term planning if we can afford it. And if one of these guys breaks through sooner than expected it's just a bonus. Although this "Development Squad" phrase is a new one on me...

I appreciate what you say in your post but I'm talking about people doing a complete about turn, not simply a re-evaluation of their thoughts. People who were wanting him to stay even after the Aberdeen and Celtic jobs came up and he made it clear he wanted either one, were three weeks later saying that they were glad to be rid of him. Now I know that's the fickle nature of a football support, but when you type it and it's there for all to see and read afterwards do these people not get a bit embarrassed. I'm not claiming to be right or wrong on McGhee. Or that I was so wise to spot flaws that others didn't. I was concerned in season 1 when we lost the home games to Hearts because in those games it was apparent to me that there was no Plan B. His signings were poor with the exception of Porter, Hughes and Hammell (it's taken another manager to get the best out of Sutton). Anyway, I digress. My point was simply that people have performed such a U turn of their opinion of his abilities in such a short space of time, it's embarrassing. As Andy P points out (I was only half kidding Andy) there is a touch of the King is dead, long live the King. And like you, I'm wary that all the gloating about Aberdeen's transfer actvity (or lack of) and their European result will come back to bite people in the ass. Not that I'll need to revise my opinion We could finish 10th to Aberdeen's 3rd and I still wouldn't wish him back here. Jim Gannon has my full support. Not to say I won't say if I think that something is going wrong. Problem is that seemed illegal on here under McGhee. Let's hope we've learned from that...

There is a wave of optimism kicking about this place and as a Motherwell fan, this can only make me nervous. Someone on this forum mentioned it could go the same way as Dunfermline first day under Davies a few years back. Optimism drained out of us by ten to five. I fear the same tomorrow. So it's with a mixture of optimism and dread I look forward to tomorrow's game. As for the team, I have no idea what Gannon will do but I would go with Ruddy O'Brien Hutchison Craigan Hammell Coke Reynolds Murphy Forbes Slane Sutton Obviously Coke would have more scope to bomb forward than Reynolds but the fact that he can put a foot in when needs be means he will also help with the defensive stuff. What's the score going to be? I have no idea...

I like the way Gannon is going about things at the moment. Too many one year contracts for my liking, but generally he's impressed me. Not proclaiming him a legend or the new messiah as of yet. BUT what I am finding irritating is the revisionist behaviour of some Motherwell supporters on here. I wasn't McGhee's biggest fan but up until a couple of months prior to the end of the season, there was a very small band on here who were willing to criticise McGhee. Now it's all the rage. One of two things is clearly happening here; people were either too stupid (or blinded by the media glare) to notice his flaws while he was here or they didn't have the balls to slag the man off when he was here. Either way, it is kind of nauseating seeing people who were saying "McGhee's a good manager, he'll be able to rebuild the squad" now coming out with "He'd have never been able to build a squad like Gannon has...". Right or wrong (time will tell which), at least I was consistent on McGhee. It seems to me that whoever is the Motherwell manager, some people will assume the sun shines out of his arse...

I would imagine the guy might be a centre forward. In every other position we have cover (good, bad, indifferent) but as far as out and out centre forwards go, it's John Sutton and, well, that's it. You'd have to imagine that even more than a right back, a striker would be a priority before Saturday...

Where did you find that he could also play in defence. When he was being linked with Hamilton, I vaguely remember thinking he was a defender. When he was unveiled as a midfielder today, I kind of assumed that I had been mistaken...

I do trust Gannon, but I think it's a fair question as to what Hately might offer that Forbes, Jennings, Coke, Lasley, Reynolds and various others than can play midfield don't. Maybe he's simply better than them, maybe he can play defence as well. It'd be a fairly dull forum if we didn't on occasions call into question some of the decisions made by the manager. Doesn't mean we're being negative, just means we're curious about the way that Gannon is thinking...

It does concern me slightly that of five signings this summer, four have been midfielders and one has been a goalkeeper. Particularly given the loss of Quinn, McLean, Clarkson and Sheridan (Obviously pluggin the Porter gap temporarily) leaving defence and attack undermanned. With the emergence of Forbes and Slane, our squad seems overly weighted towards the middle of the park. Unless either Jennings or Hately can also play full back...

Another midfielder?? I'm telling you, 2-7-1 is the way forward...

So which is it? From Mark Reynolds' girlfriend or from sources in Ibrox, make up your mind...

I think there's two aspects to this. I don't believe it's right to come on here and say that a certain player is "a bawbag", "a wee ned" or "a complete dick" based on rumour or one chance meeting in a pub. Even if you should know the person, it's not really fair game on a public forum where they are unable to defend themselves without exposing their identities. And I think that we're all entitled to a wee bit of privacy. However, irrespective of how many players read this forum, I think performances are fair game for criticism. Most people tend to stay away from the simple "he's utter pish" and go with "he was utter pish today". Professional players must know that this type of criticism (justified or not) comes with the territory. Any player coming on to a fans' forum must have a fair idea that there will be those there who don't rate them that highly. And there will be those that think they're the best thing since sliced bread. It's the way of things. If they can't take it, they need to grow a set. I'm not a believer in berating individuals in the team whilst at a game as I don't think it helps. But if players can't take negative comments on a forum then they shouldn't be on them... By the way, I'm Luc Nijholt...

I saw something about this somewhere on here a few days ago. Don't know if he's still (or ever was) with us on trial, but apparently can play either full back position. As an aside, things have gone very quiet on the transfer front. I know there's a wee while til the window closes, but the closer we get to that date it seems to me the greater risk we run of just picking up any right back and striker we can find and not the right man for the job...

Must confess I don't really care which current or ex-players read these forums. Generally I only comment on their footballing abilities (unlike some who are desperate to know what they're really like off the field) and the fact that some of them may read what I think of them will not make me change what I type. And I don't imagine the opinions of anyone on here will cause them to lose sleep. And if it does, they shouldn't be playing professioanl football...

That quote says to me that rather than use Saunders or Page at the moment, we're going to use Jim O'Brien there until we acquire a right back...

What position does this Pat Sullivan play?

I can hear it now... "Gannon's revolutionary 2-7-1 formation...". Can't see it unless as someone else said he can also play defence...

Difference being Quinn and Clarkson were sold when there was ample time to replace them before the start of the season. Let's not dwell on the fact they're actually the two players we haven't replaced...

Whether Hammell is in or out of favour, we only have five recognised defenders at the club (that's including Hutchison and Saunders who have less than 20 games between them) so I reckon letting any of our defenders go at the moment would be out of the question...

Anyone hear anything else about a right back coming in? No more word about the guy from Partick Thistle...?

I honestly don't know. Whatever you think of Fitzpatrick, whenever he's been called upon he's always given 100% so I reckon his attitude is unlikely to be the problem. Gannon clearly feels there are other players better equipped to play the game he wants. Whether that means Gannon doesn't rate him as a player or that he doesn't fit into Gannon's style of play, your guess is as good as mine...

Can't play a decent part if you don't get picked. I know that suggests he hasn't been impressing in training but to say that McGarry's had a better season than Fitzpatrick because he's had at least one good game when Fitzpatrick has spent 26 minutes on the pitch this year is simplifying things a bit...

Right now, with the squad we have, I'd settle for 9th or 10th and not going out of the cups as meekly as we did under McShovelface...

I agree, big fella, but I'm just stating where folk seem to be in the pecking order. McGarry was on the bench on Thursday...

I think that Fitzpatrick would be useful in the hard winter months when people are booting Forbes up in the air. I also reckon he'd be of more use against the likes of the Old Firm as he's better at the moment at tracking runners, and the other ugly defensive stuff. Given that we have Humphrey, O'Brien, Murphy, Slane and possibly McGarry ahead of him in the queue, it's hard to make an argument for keeping Smith in the squad for cover. Even Coke and Forbes can play the attacking midfielder role. As much as I like the guy, his time appears to be up. In midfield or on the wings right now we have Jennings Coke Forbes Slane Lasley Humphrey O'Brien Murphy and mibbe even Reynolds now all ahead of Fitzpatrick and Smith. Are we not wasting two wages on these guys? Midfield is the one area of the field we look well covered...

I've read the article so imagine my surprise at spotting this on the BBC Scottish Gossip page What is that all about?? Mind you according to same gossip page, Michael Higdon is looking to move from St Mirren having failed to secure a move last season. Thought he only joined them...?