MelvinBragg

That and the fact that he doesn't really know the back four. Fraser, for all his frailties (that's what they are, he's not shown himself to be "pish"), has at least had a chance to work for a month with the defenders who will be in front of him. The belief that Fraser is some sort of terrible goalkeeper seems to stem from that first leg against Llanelli when no one covered themselves in glory. Neither of the goals against the Albanians could be described as goalkeeping howlers. He seems a bit of a bombscare on crosses, but I'm not sure how that makes him any different from any other goalkeeper we've had in the last 15 years...

You're not the only one, but I have to ask the question? Why are so many people certain that Ruddy will be better than Fraser? If having seen him in action, you think that, then fair enough, but there's a few people rushing to get this guy in the team...

Could have? Mibbe. Would have? Not so sure. I think playing one up front over in Nancy was the sensible thing to do but it should have been Clarkson or more likely Porter doing it. the fact that he brought Bob Malcolm from nowhere near the team to start both games is a decision of McGhee's I will never understand. And deciding to go three at the back for the first time since 94/95 for the home leg was also baffling. And Hughes at right wng back. Christ, when I list it like that, it's a wonder we didn't lose 8-1... Nancy were technicaaly gifted, yes. But they were also strong and fast. There may have been more technically gifted players in both Old Firm teams last season, but the boys from Nancy could barge people off the ball then play football. Not something you would think of Nakamura or Ferguson. I don't expect Steaua to be as tough an ask as AS Nancy were. Were we going into this game with the Motherwell team of November 2007, I'd be predicting us to go through. As it is, we're going in with kids and signings we know very little about. How anyone can make an accurate prediction of how this tie is going to pan out is beyond me. Enjoy it for what it is. A European tie against a team whose name conjurs up all sorts of mystique. I mean, of course, for us fans to do this. For us to have any chance of going through, the players must play against the team Steaua Bucharest rather than the name Steaua Bucharest. Must confess that having a team half full of kids might be an advantage on that score...

Kind of jumping the gun there big fella. Going from, an SPL club is interested to Well have signed him. More likely to be Dundee United who would be after him...

For obvious reasons, I've held back from posting on this thread. Given my reputation as one of McGhee's harshest critics on here, it would have been easy for me to jump all over it. For what it's worth, in all my posts on the subject of McGhee I never denied he was a good manager. I maybe exaggerated the negative aspects of his management but that was due to the fact that for many, he had no flaws whatsoever. There were questionable tactical line-ups, his approach to the transfer market (which many are mocking now he's at Aberdeen - strange that they had no problem with it when he was at FP) and his public flaunting of his availability are just a few. And for those who say that he couldn't be blamed for most of the players who left, I ask you this: was it not his job to prepare for the eventuality (probability?) of these players leaving? Are we expected to believe that he threw himself into this task with gusto given he had a fair idea that two jobs he coveted were becoming available? Having said this, the McGhee bashing now is embarrassing. Have the balls to criticise the man when he's here if you think he merits it. As Jay and Lobey have pointed out, ye're a lot of bandwagonjumpers... And as I said earlier, he's a good (not great) manager. I'll save my gloating for if we finish above them next May (OK, a wee bit might sneak out if we hammer them this season )...

Actually, no. Relatively calm after last night's joyful experience. Just pointing out that he didn't mention Murphy by name. And I think given the number of games Murphy has featured in now for Well, he shouldn't need the kid glove treatment, as SD described it...

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...