MelvinBragg

Suggestions that at least one of them might not play?

I won't ask for a name but what position does this lower league play in?

Still reckon Bowman may do a job. When he first came in he was playing in a front three with Moult and McDonald in a system that suited none of them. I think up top with a McDonald type playing off him, we'd see the best of him. Mackin would hopefully be ready to step into Bowman's current role as first reserve striker. I'm also hoping Ross MacLean can nail down the right wing spot vacated by Ainsworth. I don't think there's anyone in the U20s who can fill the McDonald role so that's one signing we'd need to make. Having said that, the fact that guys like Campbell, McMillan and MacLean have stepped up and not looked out of place should mean we're at least willing to look at some of the players like Fry and Hastie to step up and fill the gaps if players leave...

Louis Moult has been great for us. Not only his goals but his workrate has helped make him a fans favourite in a short time here. He has also managed to appear (whether it's true or not) happy to play for us (not always the case with players from down South). If he leaves in January, he'll go with nothing but good wishes from me. How much is he worth? He's worth whatever teams are willing to pay for him. He's a goalscorer and they are always in demand but he could (should?) have had a hattrick on Saturday and teams will see the chances he misses as well as the goals he scores. Flipside to that is that old adage that he keeps getting in the right positions which is a good knack for any striker. Is he as good as some players that have changed hands for seven figures down South? I think so but we have to accept that any player playing in Scotland is marked as 'unproven' to those in England and the price drops accordingly. I'd like £750k but think £500k is probably realistic. On whether we have a replacement lined up, you'd like to think that we as a club are preparing for the eventuality of Moult or Cadden leaving but way we looked totally unprepared for the loss of Marvin Johnson doesn't fill me with confidence...

This I agree with, 100%...

Assuming Lucas stays, and we sign Pearson, I reckon we won't be looking for another midfielder. That would give us Clay, Cadden, McHugh, Lasley, Lucas and Pearson. Irrespective of whether you think they're all good enough or the right mix, I can't see us carrying 7 midfielders on the books. Left wing and left back will probably be the areas we look at although I do like the look of Jack McMillan so wouldn't want to stunt his progress too much. Maybe a loan signing at left back to give him time to develop? Time will tell...

Carl McHugh. 2 league games, 2 wins. Just saying...

No idea. Just noticed on the BBC website that he'd gone off...

Cadden off injured. Ainsworth on..

While I might agree with that, the players aren't showing that they're better than others in the league. Maybe the blinkers need to come off. Maybe the players aren't good enough. But then the blame still lies at McGhee's door as he offered every one them a new contract or actually signed them...

Team Samson Tait Heneghan McManus Hammell Lasley Lucas Clay Cadden McDonald Moult Make of that what you will. Diamond midfield? 433 with Cadden as a winger? Don't have a clue...

Probably the opposite. With high winds, onus will probably be on keeping the ball on the deck to minimise the impact of the wind...

Bloody communist broadband...

Where did you see/hear that? EDIT Ignore me, my Twitter just took a couple of minutes to update...

Don't like the look of the photo of the inspection on Twitter. Looks like the ref and the groundsman both pointing at something in particular...

Obviously don't know what it's like in Motherwell right now but in the People's Republic of Cleland right now it's hardly raining at all...

Who are the wing backs in that set up?

BrillBowman Lucas Thomas Maguire Campbell Hastings Bare bones...

I see Ross MacLean has signed a new contract which I reckon is good news. I've also been told that Ainsworth and Cadden will both be leaving. Not clear whether this will be in January or at the end of the season. Ainsworth isn't a surprise although I suspect we'll miss him more than some fans realise. In simple terms of goals and assists, he contributes far more than Johnson did. Cadden, I'm told that there are two clubs that are interested and it's been indicated to the player that the club are expecting him to move. Again not certain whether this will be in January or at the end of the season but perhaps the club are thinking the possible return of Pearson in January would soften the blow of letting Cadden go in midseason. Personally not convinced that would be a good move for us but can see the logic...

I think his loan was only til January so that day will come soon enough. A modern day Holm Kraska...

That amused me more than it should have...

Aye, I know...

Funny game. Didn't think we played all that well but looked pretty comfortable which says a lot about how poor Partick were. At 2-0 down, they reminded me of us 2-0 down recently. No belief, no real apparent urgency. On to us. No one really stood out for us. A few people had good games without being outstanding. Thought Tait benefited from the change of system, given he seems a better full back going forward than defensively. McMillan again stood up well. Didn't too anything too flash but looks comfortable on the ball and physically strong enough to cope in the SPL. Also thought Lasley had his best game in a while, making loads of good blocks and interceptions. Cadden has had better games but even today you could see Partick were wary whenever he got the ball. Ferguson got turned a couple of times but didn't look out of his depth albeit against a poor Partick side. And I'm not a fan of his, but McDonald had an excellent game despite his final ball letting him down at times. I think that's what frustrates about him. You know the ability he has, he just shows it so rarely...

Every time I watch Darren Randolph for West Ham or Ireland, a couple of thoughts pop into my head. How did we keep him for three seasons and never get a bid for him? And how much did he make a rod for the back of the keepers that followed him?

Indeed. The 352/532 may work today but too often in the past when McGhee has tried to be clever or adjusted the formation to counteract the opposition, it has blown up in his face. On another note, hands up who didn't foresee Ainsworth getting scapegoated for the last defeat? Anybody???