fat_tony

While Lasley's screamers have been superb (home and away against ICT stand out) and Higgy's overhead kick was just ridiculous, my vote goes for Nicky Law's goal vs Hearts in the 3-0 win in Feb. Superb work from Ojamaa to leave 5 Hearts players in his wake before playing it across the box for Murphy to lay off to Nicky Law for a touch and cracking finish. Thought it was a brilliantly crafted goal that showcased the best of our attacking ability this year. EDIT: be good if one of the mods/OP could add a poll to this, make it official! EDIT EDIT: Youtube link to the match in question: Well v Hearts, 18th Feb

Craigan - great way to finish off his career with a performance like that. Even had a couple of chances at the right end! Humphrey close behind. Could have set up several today if anyone was taking a chance in the box.

Thought the embargo covered the registration of ANY professional player above the age of 18?

Not that I wouldn't want us to keep Clancy, I think we should if possible. But if Craigan goes, the first priority has to be making sure we keep hold of Lasley and Hammell. These guys are the heart of our team and while we shouldn't break the bank, we certainly shouldn't be giving them cause to consider other options.

Stuck this in the shoutbox, anyone watched it yet? http://sport.stv.tv/...-league-nights/ STV did a session for the Well team to practice their lineup for the Champion's League. Tim Clancy EDIT: didn't see it was posted last night, great stuff!

I know what you're saying and I kind of agree in part - it was so unexpected that season, after nearly being relegated by Mo Malpractice but if you look at the team we had then, compared to now (without any offence to the current crop), and the amount of investment that was made (Hughes/Porter), I think we've done more with less this season.

Haha, I don't fancy my chances

Holidays booked for both weeks of CL3! Only issue with the next round of CL/Europa is that I'm in Paris for the Mrs' birthday... Maybe if we get a French team away I can convince her to take a day trip...

Hutch for me. Stuck his nut in anywhere and everywhere and fought for everything. In a night where we produced a resolute defensive display, this man was at the epicentre. Superb performance.

Phenomenal stuff Not a classic tonight by any means, but the team dug in, took their chance and defended resolutely to a man. Great stuff, if a little nervy a times but celebrating tonight. Don't see Utd winning all 3 games! From a free-scoring, attacking performance to a dogged defensive display, we've seen the best of our team in the last 2 weeks, and we should all be thankful to be a part of this event. The first EVER Motherwell team to participate in the Champion's League (provided Utd can't make up the gap - if they do, hats off). History in the making folks...enjoy! #letsalldothehiggy

Yet another battling performance from the big guy tonight. Yes, he didn't quite lay off as much as he would've liked and didn't win as many as he might've wanted but kept plugging away, battling for every ball and popped up in the right place at the right time to pop the ball in (tidy finish by the way)! Great stuff, man's a legend. Loved the "let's all do the Higgy" at the end, credit to the guy for joining in!

Pressure's off them though and they're playing for fun. I can see them giving every team they play up until the end of the season an absolute doing.

Make the Champion's League group stages and we won't need to sell anyone...

What's the deal with that? I thought the deadline to be out of admin to get this was 31st March? Is it still up in the air as to whether they'll get it?

Thought Jennings was the standout best. Won the ball countless times and got forward a little more than usual, trying to spur the team on. Also thought Law did well without much end product, but kept plugging and trying to create. Humphrey was also our main attacking threat today, only kept off the scoresheet by a couple of fantastic saves. Overall though, Jennings for MOTM. Easy one.

Sorry mate, had to have a chuckle at this. I'm definitely not Humphrey's biggest fan as I think he has obvious flaws in his game but he's been one of the best performers over the past few weeks and our main attacking threat. He was the only one causing the smellies any issues today and his delivery's certainly better than Hateley's at the moment. Randolph Saunders - Hutch - Clancy - Hammell Humphrey - Lasley - Jennings - Law Higdon - Ojamaa

Plenty of fans always stay away from Rangers games (same with Celtic) as a lot of them don't like to put up with all the added hassle the scum bring with them. We may have only taken 1 point out of the last 3 games, but took plenty in the few games before that and we're still several points clear of our rivals.

To be honest, I don't think it's just Stevie O'Reilly. Higdon seems to get very little from referees at all, getting penalised for very little and getting nothing despite centre backs climbing all over him. That was one thing that John Sutton used to be great at, was winning those free kicks. He'd fall to his knees, more often than not forcing the ref to make a decision. Higdon tends to stay up and try and push back, so referees seem to just ignore it. Perhaps if he forced the matter more often, he'd get more joy out of them. Not a criticism of the man by the way, just the ridiculousness of the way referees seem to enforce the laws of the game. So, in summary, we all agree that Hateley's all-in-all no bad but we identify one or two things he and Humphrey could work on to improve.

That's just it though, I don't think Hateley has the confidence in Humphrey to get after that ball. Too often, he waits for the ball to be played before moving, which results in a loss of possession. If Humphrey could learn to anticipate better, perhaps Hateley would be more open to playing the ball into space for him. Not taking anything away from either player, I just simply don't think it's as clear cut as Hateley picking the wrong option, I think, as you say above, it's a combination of the two together that perhaps doesn't quite result in the deadly right flank that it potentially could. But, they're both still developing players, and there's a reason they're playing for Motherwell after all. I'd like to see them continuing to work on their partnership and hopefully anticipate one another better. My point with Hammy is more that we don't have a left winger for him to link up with consistently, therefore I didn't think it was necessarily a fair comparison. Certainly not having a go at anyone though and I'm more than happy to have both in the team! I don't really think our first 11 has any weak links as such.

Anyone watch the game on telly? Was it picked up on by the commentary muppets? Wonder if Mr Lunny will get his VCR out for this one?

When their chairman was on the radio a couple of weeks back he spoke about this and said they were under no illusions about the need to strengthen and improve to cope in the SPL. Also said they'd be aiming simply for 11th in their first season, then looking to build from there. Very realistic targets and approach, I felt. Looking forward to them coming up, and having family up around Inverness area, it's going to be a good excuse for an away trip.

I think the only reason Hammy links flawlessly with anything going forward is because he has to wait about 10 seconds before anyone appears down the left for him to pass to, so he has plenty of time to weigh it up. Our left flank at times seems to consist of our left back only. I actually think Hateley and Humphrey link up very well on the right, I think the problem when it doesn't work is that too often Humphrey stands still, waiting for the ball to feet rather than getting the jets on. However, I certainly wouldn't say he's a weak link. He dives in too often (especially against pacy wingers like Sproule and Templeton) but for every time he gets caught, he'll put in a great saving tackle, as seen today. I think he really just needs a bit of competition to keep him on his toes (and maybe a rest), something that should be coming for the last few games with Saunders back on the verge of fitness.

Humphrey for me as well. Despite having at least 2 men on him at all times, he got a lot of joy on the right wing and delivered some decent balls in (unfortunately no takers though). Closely followed by Hutchinson, who was extremely solid at the back and coped well with the strength of O'Connor and trickery of Griffiths.

Not sure about Page as it was 2 yellows rather than a straight red, thought that might only be one match perhaps? I gave up on trying to figure out the disciplinary system a while ago. Meant to say earlier, huge thanks to the couple (if either of you are on here) who were handing out their spare comps to the game today. Glad I got to go home with £22 still in my pocket!

Aye, Roy MacGregor was on the radio the other weekend saying that they're developing the Jail End, but I think the additional seating was possibly just for the away end. He said that although the deadline for meeting capacity has technically passed, hence their groundshare arrangement with ICT, they were pushing ahead with the redevelopment work and were hopeful that common sense would prevail, allowing them to use their ground if it's ready by July. They're also relaying the pitch to put in the under soil heating. He came across incredibly well and sounded like someone who just has a huge enthusiasm for their local club and wants to help them be all they can be (in a similar vein to John Boyle). Cracking stadium, have been up there in hospitality before through the old man's work, will be a great atmosphere up there.