superward

Livi have no league wins in 7, haven't won away from home since August, although have a few draws away from home. We should be taking a point minimum in my view as that's what they'll play for. So important to get the first goal against the bigger/stronger teams.

Newell loaned to Albion Rovers

Remember reading that at the time actually now it's been reposted. As much as some like to moan that losing the likes of a local boy like Tierney to Celtic from 'under our noses' is terrible scouting and youth management by the club....we should give the club props for getting someone like Turnbull signed early and keeping him for the last decade.

Consistency in selection and set up for me is the order of the day so I'd stick with the team that started Dundee. The manager will have Livi's strength and height in mind, quite rightly, but I hope resists wholesale changes or sticking McHugh in and dropping Campbell/Gordon. Both whom I think can handle themselves as well as any and play a bit of football too. A few leggy performances after 90 mins midweek up at Dens but hopefully a good weeks rest and training should remove that concern. All going well and introduction of Livi, Scott for 20 - 30 mins regularly between now and end of sesson would be great too.

Not suite the U20s, but the reserves (perhaps a change of title needed).... Good 3-1 win at Hamilton yesterday for Maurice Ross albeit with a strong line up as hinted may be the case by Robinson a couple of days earlier - Donnelly, Livingston, ATS, Mbulu, Bigi and McCormack all getting a run Good to see Scott with a stoater of a goal, and McCormack with a nice pass to McKinstry who made a great run and finish.

Not a great performance, but a great 3 points. Team in general moving in right direction I think, compared to first half of season. For the stats lovers, 3 league wins in a row for the first time this season. Moving on to look for a 4th and 5th next two games.

Saw that - story and quotes in and Evening Time article by Graeme McGarry too. Fantastic news. Both from a current team perspective and also future potential transfer value.

Missed all of that and I was sitting right in front of it in the main stand. If anything I thought he was too deep.

If yer maw had baws. If they teams above us weren't as good then we'd be higher.

Absorbed.

I'm not convinced with some of the Hartley hate here. The two goals at the weekend were from Dunne letting a cross in and both from the man Aldred was marking...

McCormack was pictured training I think, was he not?

Yeah, I'd agree with that, he can't see past playing a certain way even when everyone else can see it's not going to work. It seems he's been half in half mode this season (I.e. stick to last season's method or change it to something more creative) but doesn't know how to really element the latter.

As ever, I don't think it's as completely black and white as people make out. The most frustrating thing for me is the manager has shown in places he can do what people are criticising him for. But just not consistently and not convincingly to the extent we need in my opinion. He has it in him to organize a team (see when he came in at first), he can coach and is a good proven coach at what he does (see Moult opinion on recent Open Goal podcast, comments from the N.Ireland setup) and he can change things when it's going wrong (see countless times we've changed formation early in the game). My two main issues are that: - For all the recent chat, I'm not convinced he can truly see beyond the 'be strong, earn the right to play, if you can't defend you don't get in the team' ethos. Creative players have been sidelined and only after weeks of dross been given a chance. Some have taken that chance, others not. This ethos has impacted our transfer policy, tactics, player development and preparation for games. Does he have it in him truly to prepare players in any other way? I'm not sure he does and perhaps is now hiding behind comments like 'we won't out pass teams' for his own failings. - I'm not convinced he can pick the correct starting 11 consistently, or deviate from the basic tactic ethos of 'direct ball to front, or trying to fling balls in from wode'. Above, I called out he wasnt scared to change it, which is good. But in the flip side he shouldn't have to change it so much. Ultimately, I think he has 1 way to play, is good at coaching/prepping for that, but throw some injuries in, not able to acquire the players he really wants/need for that and then he begins to struggle to change it and we get players out of position, tactics not suited to games and youth not being given a chance because they might make a mistake. He was absolutely what we needed post McGhee, but I think he's now struggling and I'm not sure we have the time (nor fan patience) for the manager to try and develop himself into something else, and be able to coach and prepare a team in a more creative ethos that he is probably quiet alien to. I do also think he himself probably knows that's given the recent change in demeanour and comments post match. Looked very down beat during the game yesterday. Starting to feel very much like the end of McCalls time when he admitted he ran out of ideas.

Don't think that was it. Not for me anyway. We did set out all wrong but we also didn't change it - that's my main gripe. Clear from the first 5 mins that it w asnt working. Robbo also noticeably quiet for most of the game. I would not at all be surprised if he is offski.

They are actually struggling a bit. Not won the last two, horsed by QOS, not won away from home since 1st Dec, a good few first choice players out including most of their defence, a red card last week. We should be winning this fine.

These two signings, return of Hastie and emergence if Scott in the managers eyes give us a huge amount of options - can't be sniffed it. For what it's worth I think we'll see 352 a lot less, a lot more of 442, 4231 and 451/433 in this second half season. It's also only the middle of January....there will be more movement.

I've heard a couple of other stories from a friend who is related to another Scottish player down south who knows him. He's some boy. He's settled down a bit apparently and beginning to get his head screwed on. But still a wild one.

All the best to McManus. Think it's been known for a while hence the line about a full review being taken place when Craigan left. I'm surprised he didn't leave in the summer after being essentially forced to hang up his boots by Robbo/the club. Same job, still u18 coach, Ex Celtic player, ex captain, most likely a lot more money, dedicated training complex, big club (like it or not)....can't really blame him. A few years ago this wouldnt even be news when our U18 coach left. I'm sure we'll be absolutely fine. Maybe even better.

McKinstry is on a pro deal. Not sure Leighton was (he's just signed one win Watford recently,). So maybe limits what we can/can't do.

That's the point though surely....remove some of the reserves and enable the u18 to be more involved.

Interesting comments from Craigan backing up what's been discussed in here. Now more free to speak his mind: MENU 8 hrs ago Stephen Craigan: Short-sighted agents should put long-term future of young players ahead of making “a quick buck” By Matthew Lindsay @MattLindsayHT 10/01/19.HAMPDEN PARK - GLASGOW.Premier Sports announces their new on-air presenting team for the upcoming William Hill Scottish Cup ties...Pictured: Stephen Craigan. FORMER Motherwell reserve team coach Stephen Craigan has accused some agents of jeopardising the careers of promising Scottish footballers in order to make “a quick buck”. 0 Stuart McKinstry, the 16-year-old winger who has been on the bench for the Fir Park club this season, has attracted the interest of English Championship contenders Leeds United in recent weeks. However, Craigan is keen for McKinstry remain in Lanarkshire and learn his trade by playing regular first team football before moving to a bigger club for more money. He also admitted that the reluctance of David Turnbull, the 19-year-old midfielder who has played 13 times and scored three goals for Stephen Robinson’s side in the 2018/19 campaign, had been “frustrating” for him. The former Northern Ireland captain feels young players’ representatives should be wary of the potential negative consequences of a transfer for their clients and should put their long-term development ahead of short-term financial gain. “There’s a bit of interest in Stu McKinstry,” he said. “He’s been watched in the under-18s. He’s a good talent, a wide player, wants to take men on, good in possession, can go both ways inside or outside. Has a good awareness of space, of where he should or shouldn’t be. “He’s also a Motherwell fan. I know it would be a big wrench for him to leave if he does. He always wanted to sign for Motherwell. “He’s quite a young 16. I think he’d need a few guarantees for it to be right for him. Living in the big city? I think he’s a home kid. Talent wise and football wise he can go a long way. 0:000:00 “But at 16 you can be the best in the world and by 20 you might not be. If he doesn’t go then Motherwell have a talent who, in the next couple of years, could be breaking into the first team. “He’s only played a couple of reserve games, not a lot of minutes. There’s a big jump to being up against guys who are 19, 20, 21. It is physically more demanding first and foremost. “The first six months in, they learn the habits. He’s been in for that. Now he’s settled, finding his feet in the environment and isn’t overawed training with the first team as a Motherwell fan. He’s got over that. But he’s one for the future. “If the opportunity is there to move to on sign for Leeds, that’s a big jump for him. I left home at 17 and I felt I was reasonably mature for 17. And I got over here and realised I wasn’t, I hadn’t a clue what was going on.” Craigan has now left Motherwell to concentrate on his media career, but he added: “David’s a frustrating one. His contract’s up in the summer. He has been offered a very good contract. There’s been four or five offers, I understand, from Motherwell to his representative. It looks like his representative wants him to go somewhere else. “Agents have to be careful what they’re doing with young players. David has played 15 or 16 games. Why not let him stay and get to the 50 mark? Suddenly his value gets greater. It’s easy to get lost as a 19 or 20-year-old. “There was a young central defender, Ben Hall, a few years ago played 30 or 40 games at Motherwell and then went to Brighton. “It was great financially for him in the short term. But he might look now and think: ‘I should have stayed for another year and got another 40 or 50 games under my belt’. He went to Brighton and has been on loan to Notts County. “I know the money might be there for the agent short-term, they think they can get a quick buck, but I think sometimes people have to look after the welfare of the player. Not every player’s the same. Not every player is at the same stage of development. “I think the agent has spoken to the manager before Christmas, when I was there, and spoken to the manager about David’s development. "Maybe that’s why he’s an agent and Stephen is a manager. We’re all in different businesses, all have different roles. I think sometimes you leave the management and development to coaches and managers. “David has been at Motherwell since he was nine years of age and he’s a fan. It would be a huge disappointment if the club lost a player of his calibre because the agent felt he could make a few quid or could move him on. “I’m saying that because I worked with him for three-and-a-half years. I know what a good kid his is and what a good family he comes from. I just think sometimes you need to careful who’s giving you advice and where you’re going to end up.” Premier Sports will screen the biggest games from the Scottish Cup for the next six years/ Available on Sky, Virgin Media and via the Premier Player, new subscribers can get their first month free. Visit www.premiersports.com for details. ort 11th January Gboly Ariyibi wants to make Motherwell home sweet home on his latest stop in football By Christopher Jack @Chris_Jack89Group Senior Sports Writer Gboly Ariyibi wants to make Motherwell home sweet home on his latest stop in football GBOLY ARIYIBI has had many stops in his football career. His latest one at Motherwell could prove to be his most important as he finally looks to establish himself. Continue

Krones we picked up after his release from Rangers last May and gave him a 6 month deal. So, maybe some strategy behind it.

The link makes sense on the face of it - ex player who played a big chunk of his career there, captained the side at times, retired there etc. I wouldn't like to be left in the lurch manager wise but it could maybe turn his head if he is indeed offered.

Interesting. Good wee player Allan. But, aye, surely we would need to be moving players out. Can't see it somehow. You'd think Hibs or Aberdeen would want him but perhaps a non starter as more direct challengers to Celtic.