MelvinBragg

I suspect Wilkinson will be back shortly and even if not, Shaw and Bair will be the front two. If one of them gets injured (given this season, when one of them gets injured), plan B will be the 4 midfielders taking it in turn to support a lone striker. I suspect Ferrie may be ahead of Efford in Kettlewell's pecking order, rightly or wrongly. Getting the impression, Kettlewell would maybe rather re-register Clarkson than play Efford. What I'm trying to say is, there was no way he was getting another chance so there was no point in keeping him ' just in case'...

I'm working on the assumption that it means Wilkinson might be back sooner rather than later. Not that that's a particularly exciting prospect either... Given the skeletal nature of the squad, not sure who's left that you'd have moved on ahead of Efford. McGinley and who else..?

I suspect they were willing to pay him what he wanted. I'm glad we weren't if it's anything like what he was on at Dundee United...

I suspect even if Blaney is fit, it may be an option that Kettlewell may favour. Might be wrong, but I get the impression that he is unconvinced by Blaney. As am I, as it goes...

It wouldn't astound me to see Kettlewell shift O'Donnell in one to right centre half and play Gent and Spencer as wing backs. Not saying that's what will happen but wouldn't be totally surprised if it did...

One goal in four league games so far. Will he maintain that average and score about 8 or 9 goals this season. Possibly not but if his dirty work allows Spittal, Slattery and Paton to chip in 5 to 6 each, that will help He should have had an assist on Sunday if Spittal had taken that chance early in the second half. Am I convinced by our attacking options? Nope but I don't think Bair has been too bad for a guy that missed preseason, came carrying a knock and must be lacking confidence...

Is this where I point out that four games in three of our strikers have scored already? Six goals we've scored in the league, three from strikers and three from elsewhere.. As impressive as Van Veen's run was last season, you could could argue there was an over reliance on him for goals.. Do I have concerns about our options at striker? Yes but Kettlewell did mention in the summer the obvious fact that Motherwell don't sign 25 goal strikers and how we have to find other ways of getting enough goals for results. So far, so good...

It was myself that posted it earlier. It just strikes me as a photo to sum up what's required to win at Tynecastle with ten men...

Great picture...

To be fair, with Cusack's record against Hearts, we'd need to plan for being down to ten men...

Shaw is 25, has had a preseason, has had some game time already this season, knows the league and has worked with the manager before. That adds up to a sensible signing. No guarantee it'll work out at Fir Park, but on paper makes sense..

Am I fan of the fact that we signed players with a patchy injury record or those just recovering from a significant injury? No. Do I realise these players may break down again? Aye. Do I feel the club should now gamble even more money on a guy who can be nowhere near match fitness? No thanks...

I'm not disappointed that we've not signed a 36 year old who has missed preseason. By the time he's fit, Biereth and Obika will be back...

You miss the point. Fletcher didn't want to come here. Therefore it's pretty irrelevant at this point whether you think he's a better option than Bair..

Mbappe and Shaw sounds even better but, much like Fletcher, Mbappe was unwilling to come to Fir Park so there's no point dwelling on it...

If we were interested in Fletcher (and no one knows if we were), clearly we couldn't agree terms. And I'm fine with that. Because frankly I don't know how much we should be pushing the boat out for a 36 year old that hasn't had a preseason. Have we not gambled enough this summer..?

Scott Burns says no Fletcher but another striker coming in. Can't say I'm upset that Fletcher isn't coming. Obviously not to say that I'll be happy with the other name...

Talking perceptions. Last summer we brought in two established SPL level players without such substantial departures. I agree that belts need to ge tightened. Gravy train? Well, our captain certainly isn't worth what he allegedly takes home. Beyond that, don't pretend to know what other players are earning. And don't really care too much as long as the club can afford it. And that's what we're talking about. Club cutting it's cloth better than before...

I'm aware that previous managers have mentioned that our budget isn't the largest in the league. Something feels very different this summer though. The comment that "we won't be paying any transfer fees" in a summer when we have taken a sizeable transfer fee in and two decent amounts in training compensation is new. Previously we've spent smallish fees on players where we think there's a chance to make a profit. Seems the pursestrings are tighter this summer than before. Given the money wasted before, that may be a good thing...

Have you seen any of Kettlewell's press conferences at all? Heard any chat of a tight budget? "One in, one out" ring any bells? I think 3-4 signings is ambitious to say the least... At this point, I"d settle for a striker with some pace (a commodity we have little of) and possibly a left wing back if Souare is going to be out for more than a month...

What has Blaney done to be selected ahead of Mugabi? I'm not suggesting Mugabi is Franco Baresi but frankly neither is Blaney...

Nope. I'm vetoing this one. No fucking way are we having a guy who thinks it's alright and cool to have JET on the back of his shirt. It's his initials? You trying to tell me if his first name had been Paul, he'd have had PET on the back of his shirt? On good taste grounds, this one is a hard no from me...

He's a basic player who has a mistake in him but who can, when he keeps it simple, do a job. So basically the same as many Motherwell players over the years...

I'd be surprised. Pleasantly surprised but don't think it'll be him...

Everybody searching for Irish wing backs based in England?