MelvinBragg

How do you know he's talking about Murphy and not simply talking about Hutchison, Slane and Forbes and the likes who haven't played nearly as many games as Murphy...?

Given the circumstances, you'd think so, wouldn't you? I'm not holding my breath...

It's an astounding pre-season for the players because by the time we play St Johnstone we'll have played 6 competitive games, irrespective of the quality of the opposition. Unlike Falkirk, who will now have to find friendlies for the weeks they may have had UEFA games. And although Flamurtari were no of the best quality, bear in mind that Falkirk were defeated in Europe by a team from Liechtenstein. It's all relatively good news for us. I'm not happy clappy at all, but I think we have to be pretty happy about how things are going at the moment...

Jeezo, guys, can we not just enjoy last night for a day or two? The manager and players need to start thinking about it right away but as fans we're allowed to bask in victory a wee bit longer surely... The only thought I've had about it so far is that it'll be tougher than the last two rounds. And I'd like the home leg to be at Fir Park...

Aye, Flamurtari were poor. But as I've said earlier, I'm sure we've all seen Motherwell lose to worse teams in the cups over the years...

It was indeed. You and your father were a good laugh...

Aye, that was me. And aye, I'm always that loud. Just be thankful you don't sit next to me all the time...

As I said earlier, I'm well aware that the teams we've played so far have been poor, but no poorer than some sides that have knocked some experienced Motherwell teams out of cups before. And last night was one of those nights when everything clicked into place. That won't happen every week. No one is saying we're going to do this, or achieve that, but I think it's fair enough to sing the praises of young guys who've done everything that's been asked of them (and one would argue) more. On the point of Forbes needing time on the ball, he needs no more than Stephen Hughes or any other creative player does. Whether he's able to create that time and space for himself, time will tell. But I don't imagine that he had loads of time in the hurly burly of the lower leagues with Dumbarton. We also have Jennings, who on last night's evidence, may be able to protect him a wee bit, buy him that space. If we can't go a wee bit over the top after an 8-1 win, then when. The realism will come back again soon enough. We just need to make sure that we don't criticise these guys if they don't live up every week to the high standards they have set themselves...

I know that Flamurtari were a poor side but, as I said to someone last night, I think we've all seen Motherwell struggle against poor sides before (think Alloa, Ayr United, East Fife) so to go about our business in the way we did was refreshing. Some people have criticised the defence last night. Fair enough, there were a few mix ups but bear in mind it was the first time that back four had ever played together. O'Brien wasn't great, but it was his first game at right back for us and he at least had the pace to get himself out of any bother he got himself into. I'm not suggesting that he's going to make a Paterson-like transformation into a full back but last night he stuck to his task manfully. Also involved in one of the highlights of the night for me. When we took Slane off and brought Page on, O'Brien moved to the left wing, I turned to Mitch and said "We're like f***ing Ajax 1970s, our right back is away to play on the left wing, total football". Forbes and Slane were superb. It makes a mockery of someone (with a big face) last season saying how our lack of squad depth was responsible for poor form in November. McShovelface talked about giving Slane his chance. Forbes never got a look in. Gannon has come in and they've played four competitive games, not letting themselves down. What has he seen that our previous manager couldn't? I'm not going to burden Slane with the new McFadden tag, but he has some of the same qualities; cocky, ball hungry, aggressive, fearless. Forbes ooozes class. I can't think of a Motherwell player, but he reminds me of a young Barry Ferguson, comfortable on the ball, seems to glide about the park, yet willing to get stuck in. Murphy seems to have a bit of his confidence back. I must confess I'm not sure if he has the physique to progress in the game, but last night he certainly took his chance. The two new guys did alright. I thought Jennings looked solid and did a lot of unglamourous stuff really well. Humphrey did OK, but I get the impression the game might have been a bit too early for him. In the case of both of them, it was obvious that the other players' preseason had started earlier. Sutton. Given the stick he's taken recently (some from me), I take my hat off to the guy. And to Gannon for playing him in the centre of his three attacking midfielders. Stroke of genius. Won every header he went for, and his flick ons were raced on to by Slane, Murphy and Humphrey. He was at the centre of all our best attacking play. Shame the big man couldn't get a goal, but he was my man of the match. Certainly made me doubt my assertion that he couldn't contribute to the team in the same way that Porter did. Tol sound like Andy Gray, take a bow, son. All in all, a good night at the office...

You, sir, are aff yer heid...

Could it simply be that given Gannon is an unknown quantity, they fancied a chance to see us in action to prepare for next season. It's not like Hibs or Aberdeen, where other SPL managers will have a fair idea what Hughes and McGhee are about. I reckon it'll just be forward planning watching us for the SPL...

Sutton, for me. Playing him behind Murphy as the central of the three attacking midfielders was genius. He never lost a header all night and every time he flicked one on Slane, Murphy and Humphrey were away after it.

I really should pay more attention when skimming through threads...

Having had time to think about it, it could look like the formation we've used so far... Fraser O'Brien Craigan Hutchison Reynolds Jennings Forbes Humphrey Murphy Slane Sutton Certainly would suggest that Lasley and Hammell haven't impressed. But I thought Lasley did quite well last week. Just need to wait and see, I guess. If nothing else, it might have the Albanians scratching their heads...

Like Malky, I'd be surprised to see so much change from one week to the next. Unless we're going three at the back, I don't see Hutchison featuring. Hammell delivered a few good crosses down at Llanelli so I don't see him being dropped. I reckon the Sun may be having a wild stab in the dark. Or he's got one thing in common with McGhee, he likes bizarre line-up changes for big games...

Robertson came through the ranks at Dundee Utd. And none of the other guys you mentioned were established players at our level when they signed for their SPL clubs. All of these guys were players that the clubs took a gamble on. Much like we are doing with some of our signings...

Did John Boyle find £400,000 hidden down the back of the couch? If the answer's no, then we'll not see an established goalscoring midfielder at Fir Park. Just hope that Gannon can turn O'Brien, Coke and Humphrey into goalscoring midfielders...

He left McGarry out and sadly can edit quicker than I can post...

We that good we only need ten men...? EDIT Ah, ye noticed and went back and added McGarry. Too quick for me. You, that is, not McGarry...

I do see what you're getting at but for me the fact that none of them are over 30 is actually a bonus. Take Reynolds. A centre back who has played over 150 games for the club and still only 22. Experience should be measured not by your age, but by the amount you've experienced in your career. Lasley's chances of featuring in the first eleven were written off when Hughes signed and again when Bob Malcolm signed, so I wouldn't be quick to rule out him having a big part to play. I know he has his limitations to his game, but he has a habit of making it hard for a manager to drop him. I mean they have to resort to playing him at right back to justify it...

I thought that too, then I realised exactly how old Hammell, Lasley and Sutton are. Then you have number of games the likes of Reynolds and Fitzpatrick have under their belts. The average age might be on the low side, but the side isn't "inexperienced"...

Thing that struck me about our signings thus far is that they're all relatively young. Very early on, Gannon made it clear he was looking for experienced players so as he didn't have to rely on kids. I know it's all relative and the guys we have signed have a lot more games under their belt than the likes of Slane and Forbes, but it's hardly seasoned professionals we're bringing in. Which leads me to a question. Do we need more experience? We have Craigan, Lasley, Hammell and Sutton who all have years of experience. McGarry and Fitzpatrick (though they wouldn't be my first choices) have also played a fair number of games. Even Reynolds, our less experienced centre back, has played over 100 SPL games. As I say, a genuine question, does anyone think we need any more experienced players? Or are we going the right way about it by looking at younger, hungrier guys...?

To be fair, the two guys you mentioned are two of the most gifted footballers I've seen at Fir Park (either for or against us), so not exactly a criticism of Hughes to suggest that he couldn't match up to them. I only mentioned Russell as someone else was stating that Hughes was the best he'd seen for us other than O'Donnell and Lambert...

Although he was in the twilight of his career, Bobby Russell could make our team tick singlehandedly more often that Hughes did. In my opinion, naturally. I would also be tempted to say that Billy Davies was a better creative midfielder than Hughes. I'm not doubting anyone who says that Hughes is a gifted individual and I have read those that have said, inconsistent as he was, they would have rather had him +1 grafter as opposed to 2 grafters. I take the point, but the SPL is sadly a league where you have to win the battle for the right to play football. Stephen Hughes is not a battler. I think it was yourself who said that all of Lasley's best games were alongside Hughes. For me most of Hughes better performances were alongside Lasley or Fitzpatrick (in particular the Hibs CIS cup game, where Lasley gave Hughes the scope to run riot - his best performance in a Motherwell jersey that night). I'm not suggesting that Lasley made Hughes a better player, but I don't think Hughes improved Lasley either. It's all about combining the right type of players. I maintain to this day that Brian Kerr's Motherwell career would be viewed differently if he had had a fit Lasley to play alongside in his last season. I bear Hughes no ill will, in fact wish him well. But I'm not overly worried about how much we'll miss him...

I also am pleased with the noises that Gannon is making. I won't be making any comparisons as to how Sheepy McShovelface is doing at Aberdeen though until next May. I'm hoping then to grab his heid and rub it in the fact we finished above them. Obviously with that size of heid, a workout programme may be required for me. All I'm saying is let's not laugh at Aberdeen yet. We could end up with egg on our faces...