Big Stall

I thought that was excellent today considering the team we put on the park. First 10 minutes I feared for the worst, also thought for the first 5 Cummins looked like a rabbit in headlights, but well done to the boy, he got over it quickly and came into the match. He did himself justice today. Fair enough it wasnt a polished Motherwell performance, but we did what we needed to and the boys, even the youngsters, took everything that Aberdeen threw at them including fists, elbows, kicks and bodychecks. I thought Carswell was maybe showing them too much respect, but by the end of the game he started getting stuck right into the Aberdeen players, good to see. Page for me was outstanding. After the lack of chances he's had, and the stick he's (rightly) taken when he has been brought in, today was the day he had to stand up and be counted. He did everything and more, marshalled the defence, kept Cummins head in the game and I think rose to the challenge. Could it be that lack of reserve league and in effect match practice is what he was missing? Now he's getting a chance he's finding his game. A couple more performances like that and we need to sign him up for next season. As I said previously, Hutchy is a big bid waiting to happen. We are going to need cover. Aberdeen its got to be said are absolutley brutal. Long balls, and all they wanted to do was bully their way through the game. I really wouldnt want to watch that every week. Shame we have now been put out the cups by two shite teams, but if we could get that 2nd place, then who cares! Concentrate on securing 3rd first, United and St J not yet out the window, but we are heading the right way!

Page for me, after the lack of chances he's had, and the stick he's (rightly) taken when he has been brought in, today was the day he had to stand up and be counted. He did everything and more, marshalled the defence, kept Cummins head in the game and I think rose to the challenge. Saying that, I thought considering the circumstances and the makeshift team we put on the park, they were all good.

If dundeed united hold out, then 3 points for us would be massive. Both in our quest to catch the blue arse cheek, &to keep united a good safe distance back

My gaffer stays next door to las. Does that count?

Lets not forget, as long as rangers are not allowed to play in europe, then we dont need to worry about any of the above if we finish 2nd or 3rd because we'l be taking the arm bands off and swimming with the big boys!

Wouldnt have thought so so far, but you never know what will happen if he rises to the challenge& plays a blinder saturday. After all, Craigans got a shelf life& hutchy is a big bid waiting to happen

See to be completley honest, its not the terrible decision which bothers me most. Its the reaction, or lack of to it that really sticks in my craw. If that incident had happened live on TV against either of the Old Firm, resulting in them exiting the cup, it would be world war 3 in the TV studios, press, internet forums and phone ins. Fuck, Celtic would probably be calling for Thomson to be sacked. Certainly his UEFA performance would also be dragged into the arguament to show how bad he can be. This, in my opinion is one of the many problems with Scottish football, the fact that the reporting and commenting infrastructure around the game is all so heavily based around the Old Firm. Incidents happen to anyone else and its swept under the carpet, no-one cares.

Cant say i agree with that. The team we started with were our 11best players& have been humping teams the last few months. Yes, Aberdeen have been getting better, but i still am not convinced that our 11 wouldnt wipe the floor with aberdeen if we had bothered to turn up& caught some breaks. Saying that, when it was obvious we werent having a good game, we shouldv had humphrey on at half time at least

Page has been kept in the shadows for 2+years now. When he's come on its fair to say he hasnt yet given us his best. This is his opportunity to really step up to the mark& show what he can do. If he is going to make it, then this is his time! You never know, he might deliver the goods& stake a claim at being hutchy's partner. Lets hope anyway!

It was right infront of me. I thought it was worth a straight red. Incidentally, I don't think Lasley tried to 'do him', I think it was just mistimed. Doesn't mean its not a red carder though!

Is Lasley definatley suspended? Thought any suspensions were cup? Assuming he's out, along with Hutchy and Clancy, then I would go with the following: Randolph Hately Page Craigan/Yoof Hammill Jennings Humphrey Carswell Law Ojamma Higdon Jennings needs to play a bit deeper to give protection, particularly if Craigans out. Aberdeen have no full backs. The only time they looked vulnerable was when we went at them down the flanks. We need to play with width. Ojamma should probably drop back a bit from the very front, to help bolster that midfield. He can also then do some direct running at them, which they won't like. Even though Aberdeen are shite, and until yesterday have been our bitches, 3 points on Saturday would be massive considering the knock to the confidence our lads will have taken, as well as the injury and suspension situation. This is going to be time for Humphrey to really stake his claim to get back in the first 11, for Carswell to start making a name for himself and probably most importantly for Page to grow into his role. We won't be able to keep Hutchy forever, and Craigans getting on a bit. We will need a replacement CB sooner rather than later. Page's contracts up in the summer. He needs to step up and show why we should keep him. Aberdeen managed two goals yesterday, but they dont really pose too much of an attacking threat. If we were playing a better team I would be tempted to play Jenno at CB and Higgy in the midfield.

Must be, aye. In my opinion hes totally changed our shape& approach to games. I rate him.

Ojamma for me, thought he was more up for it& seemed to cause Aberdeen more problems than the rest of our players. Certainly not his best game tho

When i got to the car, radio were saying we were really good second half. Not from my vantage point. Yes, we were better than aberdeen (in 2nd half) but nothing like we can be. Everything was going straight through the middle even when humph came on. Not good enough. As siebsbarmyarmy says, lasleys foul was right infront of me too. Absolute shocker. To be fair to keith, he was calling for the aberdeen physio before the ref even blew, he knew he rattled the boy& it was a deserved red. The scarey thing is that if someone does that to ojamma, we are royally fucked!

McCalls only done a maintainance job?? Maybe so but of the 11 Motherwell players who take to the field on Sunday, only Randolph was signed by Brown. McCalls signed Ojamma, Law, Clancy and Higdon. He's also brought Hutchy back in, something Brown was not willing to consider. Browns off his head - auld c**t!

Ok, to answer Jays question, would I walk away from fir park in our champions league season because Rangers found themselves back in the league....... in short, no. As I said in my previous answer, I would hope that re-entry only comes after significant concessions have been granted!

Diff between 2nd and 3rd is £900k! Given that we dont budget for finishing 3rd, to get second would represent a massive windfall!

My view is that one way or another Rangers will be getting back in. What I really would like Motherwell and the rest of the clubs to do is stand up to them and ensure there are structural changes - - voting rights changed - effectivley no OF veto - tv and prize money redistributed in a fairer manner - end of this 5% pish Theres probably much more that I would want, but if there is the opportunity to even some of these odds, then we need to take it. Lets not forget, this gives us the chance to hit Celtic as well, not just Rangers.

Whats McCalls stats since he's started sending us out 4-4-2??

You would hope so. Im hoping we can push on and make a real effort to get 2nd. The difference between 2nd and 3rd is a reported £900k. Given that we certainly dont budget for a 3rd place finish, it would be a jackpot. Would hopefully mean McCall can go another season without selling anyone.

Law has been having a great spell for the last month+. He certainly doesn't deserve to be left out. Humphrey is a great addition to our squad, no argument from me but IMO, he's not one of our best 11! Therefore, his place is the bench.

Hump on the bench for me. Defo give him some decent game time though once Aberdeen are knackered!

I think if, and its a massive if, we were to win the cup and finish 2nd then he would get the award. That is probably the only thing that could trump a title win, and lets not forget that Lennons mob caught up the 15 point margin before the other mob got their points deduction. As much as I don't like particularly like Lennon or Celtic, they have certainly deserved praise for the way they have went about their business over the last couple of months. Really can't see a 3rd place finish beating a manager who wins the title. Saying all that, I would fucking love to win the cup and who cares what the SFA/SPL whoever thinks is the best manager. If McCall got us a cup win and 2nd or even 3rd, he would be up their with Fir Park greats. Postiejim and TheLip would have heart failure right enough.

Obviously hoping we scud them, but I'll take any sort of win right now. 3 points will keep the chasing pack from getting ideas above their station!

I thought that until he got injured, but he doesnt offer what ojamma brings to the side