fat_tony

Alternatively perhaps we should have just kept Samson. You know, instead of signing our best keeper since Randolph for a bargain price.

I think he's primarily right-footed but unlike most professional footballers these days (or so it would seem), is comfortable and capable of using his non-favoured foot for something other than standing. He's straight into the team for me and is essentially Hammell's replacement as Mr. Consistency.

Didn't we beat them 1-0 the last time the two sides met? Great news getting Hartley on a permanent deal and the video is brilliant. Well done whoever had that idea, and to the club for getting it produced so quickly!

Something along these lines would, on paper at least, be quite an exciting prospect: Carson Tait Kipre/Aldred Hartley Dunne/LB Campbell McHugh Cadden Tanner Frear Ciftci

If that were the case youd think hed go with another one of the many options he has in the same position.

Does it? You don't even know who were trying to sign so how can you say it's quantity over quality? We also don't know who else we're losing this window and where we need to replace. Whatever happened to giving the new signings a chance to show what they can do before getting the knives out? Would people prefer we only have 14 actual first team players again like under McCall? Because I seem to remember everyone losing their shit because he didn't have any depth.

Obviously not content with conceding the penalty and selling the second goal. He's been brilliant this season, but it's a day to forget for him.

And there I thought Bigi wasn't allowed to play against The Rangers because they: own his soul/have his Mrs hostage/religious reasons/medical reasons/dictate when and where he can play.

Interesting. My perception was very much of him not having played much but that's more appearances than I thought. Don't get me wrong though, I've been very impressed any time I've seen him. That's more goals and assists than I thought but I think he's capable of even more from what I've seen of him.

Tanner, hands down. Was involved in everything good today and at times seemed to ghost past defenders at will. Needs more end product, but given he hasnt played a massive amount I expect plenty more to come from him. Carson was in excellent form, as was Tait yet again covering multiple opponents and charging up and down the wing. I agree that the much maligned Dunne had a good game today. Still suspect with the ball at times, but he made a lot of crucial tackles and won almost everything in the air. If only there were some way to combine his athleticism and pace with Hammells footballing ability!

That's an interesting comment as I actually think Tait has been one of our best performers in recent weeks, especially the cup final where he was basically marking two men for the first half.

This. A million times this. It's utterly insane. There was a glimmer of hope a few seasons ago when on opening day (was it Queen of the South or someone?) multiple players got booked at corners. But the referee was obviously told that was the wrong moment to enforce the rules and it passed by into memory. Until there's consistent decision making (which should be aided by whatever technology is available), I've no doubt it'll continue to be totally baffling.

Do you genuinely believe that Burrows, Robinson et al do not have the best interests of the club at heart?

The trouble with that is that any journalists willing to do so are not going to be given the podium to do it. The mainstream media in this country has its core demographic, and no editor is going to risk alienating the bulk of their customers. Newspapers etc. are no longer about reporting the truth, they're about making money, plain and simple. That leaves it to online and local press to ask the difficult questions and challenge things, which unfortunately just doesn't get the same widespread coverage.

I get the frustration (I'm still raging), but having our manager and/or COO ranting and raving in the press does absolutely nothing for our cause and if anything, just loses credibility. 100% correct to not let it go, but make the point directly to the authorities. FWIW I do think we should have appealed Kipper's red card, but can appreciate the reasons given for not doing so. Let Brenda play to the galleries, those scumbags lap it up, I think our club are taking the right approach. The tweet in question: https://twitter.com/Alan_Burrows/status/936034132953587712

I like his books at least.

Thats exactly why the system needs to change. Footballs faster and more complicated than it used to be, and officials just cant be expected to keep up without the aid of technology to assist their decision making. Coupled with accountability, its the only way in my opinion to improve things. The other big problem, and why the likes of Thompson and Collum keep getting games with no punishment, is that theres simply nobody else.

Weve done that before with the series of red cards last season and it does f**k all. The only way it goes anywhere is if the media kick up a fuss, which they wont because were not one of the gruesome twosome. They have a target audience (who both think the medias all out to get them), and stories about poor little motherwell being cheated dont hit their demographic.

Soooo...whos up for winning a cup today then?! Lets get right in about this mob from the off.

Robinson's playing the whole "physical" card perfectly, referring to our stats and backing the referees to manage the game correctly and not bow to pressure. All the moaning about physicality may actually result in the being a little more lenient than usual and making a point of not caving in to the witch hunt. Then again, it's Craig Thompson, so who knows...

The manager obviously disagrees. He's had three shots well saved so far according to the radio.

Theres definitely an element of that in our approach to matches, and our successful run. Given the priority Robinson attaches to fitness and physicality, I think he very much plans for us to battle our way to half time, then involve our more creative midfielders (Bigi, Tanner, Frear) in the second half once the game opens up and our superior fitness comes more into effect. If we can battle away in the first half and either be on even terms or narrowly in front at half time, it gives us a platform to bring some quality into the game at a time when our opponents are tiring. To me, this is a key part of Robinsons preferred approach to games - fight and earn the right to play your game.

The problem with 4-4-2, as we saw so often last season, is that we get totally outplayed and outnumbered in the middle of the park. I think we have more chance with Campbell in the side given the ground he covers, but by protecting the flanks we weaken the middle. Not that I have a better solution, but I've seen enough this season and with the way he approached the end of last to trust Robinson's judgement and ability to do what he thinks is needed to get the best out of the players he has.

That's the line-up for me, too. It's likely to be a physical encounter so important to have Tait over Frear, and Campbell, and Rose in the team as they all provide a bit of solidity. Wouldn't be disappointed if McHugh played instead of Bigi, but I think the latter's performance against Hibs deserves a start, and his passing could be a huge benefit.

Fantastic effort to get this all organised again, happy to contribute. Well done!