Well Up For It!

Top 20? Strange number....but my favourite 20 of those I've seen, that I can think of right now, in some sort of preference order: 1. van Der Gaag 2. McKinnon 3. Faddy 4. O'Donnell 5. Nijholt 6. Martin 7. Corrigan 8. Arnott 9. McCart 10. Boyd 11. O'Neil 12. Dykstra 13. Coyne 14. Valakari 15. McMillan 16. Hammell 17. McCulloch 18. Elliot 19. Lambert 20. Reynolds

Love Red Dwarf!

I think 13points is a fair and realistic target! Thats allowing for one defeat and one draw. Bearing in mind we have played everyone already this season, and with the exception of the Brothers Grimm, we have only lost one game all season to St Johnston in what was without doubt our most shocking performance. If we get wins against United and Hibs that will surely fill us to the brim with confindence going into the game with St Johnstone - who I sincerley believe are our main rivals for 3rd this year, and as such this will be our toughest game. I'll be happy if come New Year we are still at least 9pts clear in third, and as a result anything above 10points would suffice.

Some direct quotes from Mr Brown following the the result. All taking from the Sun and all brilliant: 1/ "Thats the 8th time this season we've hit the woodwork and on many of these occassions we would have got the points" (WTF?! This makes absolutely no sense! We had 16corners against Celtic last week - but its goals that count!) 2/ "There has been ...so many occassions this season where we've desperately unlucky - like today" (Its called "being shite", not unlucky!) 3/ "There is no evidence of a gap between us and Motherwell" (8places in the league, 17points and haven't beaten Motherwell in 9games now! But aye, right you are!) 4/ We didn't do enough to win, but we didn't deserve to lose and there is certainly not a league table between us!" (Yes there isn't a league table between us. Just 2/3rds of a league table!) I mean seriously, you could do a whole Only an Excuse episode devoted to the guff he comes out with, and you wouldn't have to make it up!

I had same argument about Nijholt - that he was a right back. But mate was adament that he played games at LB, so thats why I listed him. Wasn't convinced though. Think the pattern emerging here is if you saw Jow Wark play, he's the best. If not, you tend to go for McKinnon. Whoever you've opted for, I think we can all agree that we have had some oustanding LB's through the years. As the previous poster says, the fact McMillan isn't getting mentioned despite being superb for us (and for Wigan before his injury) just shows the level of competiton. For me personally, it's McKinnon then Hammel from those I've seen play. McMillan and Boyd both great, but natural ability and consistency made me go for McKinnon and Hammell. But safe to say, for the vast majority.....no, hammell isn't the best we've ever had.

If only you could combine the 2 to make a right decent player. Forbes vision and distrubution with Carswells energy and workrate. But for me, I think Forbes will miss out because for me Carswell is more similar to Lasley and Jenno than Forbes, and Hughes is like Forbes. Diffrent types of players. As for who is better? To early to tell. Carswell is showing promise, but so did Fitzpatrick and Fagan when they first burst on the scene. Forbes has been slightly better of late, but still needs to get his finger out! To early to judge, this season should decide.

Interesting thoughts.... For me the biggest travesties from players I've seen is Hammell, Martin and McKinnon. A lot left us and went on to win their caps, but how McKinnon, Hammel and Martin have a total of 6caps between them is shocking! I'm no seeing their world beaters or that - just that they should have got their chance. Maybe harder for MArtin cause he was behind Gough, Hendry, Calderwood, etc - but seem to recall Paul Ritchie and Stewart McSkimmie being selected before him - which is just madness!! Was it not Mark Hateley that refered to Martin as one of the toughest centre halfs he'd ever came up against?! As for McKinnon, he was behind mainly Tom Boyd but surely he should have made more squads giving chances in friendlies, etc? As for Hammell - its a joke that he's behind Lee Wallace, Paul Dixon, Danny Fox and Stephen Crainey. Guess all this is just further proof that Craig Broon and Craig Levein are fucking arseholes!

I'm at the disadvantage of never having seen him play so unfair for me to go for him based on "what I've heard." But expect him to be right at the top of the list. There is a case for all of the ones I've mentioned in the poll, all without doubt terrific players for us, just a case of picking the best of a great bunch from what you have seen,

Speaking to a fellow 'Well fan teh other day about Hammell (as mentioned in the Greatest LB thread), we both agreed that the fact Hammell has only got 1cap (a B cap as well I think) is shocking. Especially when you consider the likes of Lee Wallace, Robbie Neilson, Paul Dixon, Danny Fox, Stephen Crainey, etc all getting caps while he'd been arguably one of the most steady and consistent performers in the SPL! However, he ain't the only one. I always bring up Brian Martin in this chat! A excellent CB and should have been given a chance for Scotland. He constently put the shackles on the tops guns of the Old Firm and was outstanding in the air. Corrigan at his peak as well merrited a call up? Joe Wark and Pettigrew (think he got one cap while at 'Well) A case for Phil O'Donnell too? And then you have the likes of McAllister, Lambert, McClair, McCulloch, McFadden, etc who never got international honours till after they left Motherwell (which maybe branches into another debate!) Anyway, whats the thoughts on 'Well players who should have been capped/capped more?

Was having a chat with a fellow 'Well fan the other day and we got talking about Hammell and what an amazing acheivment it is to have played 400games for the 'Well, especially in this day and age and how it was signs of a proper club legend. Anyway, the chat evolved to the fact Motherwell through the years always seem to have had a great Left Back. Although I was too young to see Joe Wark play there, I've still seen many great LB's in my time. This brought up the whole "who's the best ever" debate. And neither of us could quite decide if Hammell was the best ever, seeing as we hadn't seen Wark play and he was probably the biggest rival to the crown. Both superb full backs that never got the international caps they maybe deserved (another topic we discussed that I've posted on a seperate thread) Personally I always loved Rab McKinnon and thought he was superb. I'd take him maybe just ahead of Hammell, but its a tough one. My mate argued a case for Steve McMillan, saying he was better than Hammell. Then there's Nijholt, Boyd, Stevens, Patterson and many more. So thought I'd fire it up here to get a general thoughts. The poll has only included the ones I've seen in my time play in that position (and Joe Wark) so if I've missed someone be sure to mention them

The fact this had happened now after almost a year since the incident makes me fear the worst. Have the police been building there case? Has new evidence come to light? As said, innocent until proven guilty and all that, but surely they must have something concrete to arrest him?! And if it turns out he is guilty and was involved then he only has himself to blame and he has no place at our club.

Couldn't agree more with the OP. Truth be told, I'm on these boards less and less these days and at Fir Perk less and less, and the main reason for that is the utter negativity that a percentage of our fans have. You come on here and read some proper shite at times and it annoys me to the point that I don't want to read it and actively avoid it. As for Fir Park itself, I used to love going to games sitting in the East Stand and soaking up what was a brilliant atmosphere. However, over the last few years some of the things you hear are just pathetic. Yeah work committments and financial restraits stop me going as well, but I don't miss it half as much as I used to a few years back when I couldn't make a game. Now I'm very indiffrent. Yeah, I appreciate that at times players can be frustrating and poor, but some folk need to know where to draw the line! Through my time as a fan we've had guys like Eddie May, Andy Roddie, Derek Adams, Paul Harvey, Derek Townsley, Marc Fitzpatrick, etc who I thought were poor players for us....but on no occassion did I go out my way to boo or shout abuse at them! And when these guys did put in a good display I was first to give them all the credit they were due. Thats what being a supporter is. And all this stuff with Higdon strikes me as a bit of deja-vu. Wasn't the Juke a target of the boo boys?! Also remember Clarky and Quinn getting a tough time of it at one point or another. Fact is, as a supporter you are supposed to back the team, win lose or draw. Yeah you can be royally pissed off with players after a pish performance, but to boo them?! From what I've read on here, Higdon made a bad pass 4mins into the game and the floodgates opened. Imagine if he got a bit of encouragement, maybe he would have raised his game a bit! Surely there can be nothing worse for a player than having your own fans on your back from the off - does bugger all for their confindence, and its a given that happier players play better. Think some "fans" need to have a long look at themselves and think about what supporting Motherwell is about - a small community club that has consistently punched above its weight, If they can't lose that negative attitude their is no place for your at Fir Park IMO! Doubt anything will change though.

"I'm ready to stop strikers from scoring" Brilliant....sign him up McCall! A legend in the making!

If you could gurantee that set of results right now, I'd bite your hand off! A draw at Parkhead is always a superb reult for us, and beating the sheppies every time we play them is my priority for every season while the old beggar is in charge there, and if we gave them a good hiding surely the pressure would be on him even more! "Broon out!" chants from the sheppies at Fir Park would be a joy to behold! And if the cost of getting those two results was losing to St Johnstone at home, so be it! But back to topic, delighted we have kept the star men in the squad. Was actually shitting Mon & Tues that someone like Murphy or Hutchy would be offski without us having time to find a replacement. If there were bids made, then kudos to the board and McCall for rebuffing them and keeping any interest away from the press!

Bannan was on loan at Leeds for the second half of the season, and has played a few times in pre-season for Villa over the summer. Think Hanley has seen some action in pre-season friendly. Wilson hasn't, but we are that desperate for Centre Halfs I can kinda accept that, althought the lad Pearce at Reading would have been a more worthy shout in a friendly. But absolutely no defense to Forrest! He's a decent player....its no as if he's the next Messi, and should be NOWHERE near the squad while a bench warmer! If that's what Levein has said about the players he picks, well he's a liar as well as a complete and utter fucking bawbag!! Like many will never forgive him for Czech debacle, thinks he gets far too easy a ride off media, and his attitude and comments and time are miles out, even sometimes shocking and disrespectful. He should never have been given the gig in the first place in my eyes, and even if he leads us on to win Euro 2012 (wishful thinking!) I'd still want him out! And I'm still baffled by squad selection....in what is a meaningless friendly, he has left out some players who are playing very well at club level week in week out.....Paul Gallagher and George Boyd immediatly spring to mind. Murphy may not be quite there in terms of form just now, but games like the Denmark one are all about trying out new players and players playing week in week out that show promise should be involved in the squad. Instead the bawbag just rolls out his 23 from his usual 30man pool!

Would have been the perfect opportunity to bring him (and a few others) into the fold for bawbag Levein to have a closer look at. Being in the squad and not playing can still be a hugely beneficial step....but no, common sense obviouisly bestowed on Levein. That aside, think we will win the game cause we've got James Forrest and Danny Wilson and they too have been in sensational form.....for their respective reserve teams!

I think we should sign the guy Bishop from Bury cause when I was playing career mode in Fifa last night he scored a hat-trick against my Blakpool team in the FA Cup!!

Went for El Tel....but it was a hard one. All (except from Malpas) brought something to the club. And I'm one of the few people that think had Eric Black been given more time, and we not fall in administration, he would have done a great job for us. Early signs were promising. But overall, Tel pips it for me for the way he galvinised the side and brought on the youngsters after the horros of administration.

Thanks for all you've given the cause Sutts....and I don't grudge you moving for much more money! Thats said, I hope you now all of a sudden become utter rubbish and useless! And like many have said, if Kyle is fit, Sutton will be a sub - no question!! Kyle is one of Jeffries fancy boys and he is not the type of manager to stick with two slow-as-a-week-in-jail lumps up front. For me, while I understand him leaving, its definately not the right move for him....

My brother just contacted the club regarding the lack of contact re the ballot.... Turns out he was number 40 on the ballot and the club tried to contact him on monday. Because they never got him, they highlighted him as unable to contact and left it at that. He said the club wouldn't contact him again and it was good that he called in to get an update. Apparantly, all tickets are being held on the ballot until Monday, after that they go to general sale.... WOULD ENCOURAGE ANYONE WAITING FOR WORD TO CONTACT THE CLUB ASAP TO SEE IF THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO CONTACT YOU!! Panic mode over....Moan the 'Well!!!

By "pay at the gate" I include games where it's all ticket - been to all European home games last three years and two away, a handfull of away games, cup games, etc. I tend to body swerve the Old Firm games, but have even been to a few of them. I'm sure I'm on the "database!" I have had season tickets in the past - had 11 I think over the last 20years! Some of the people going on my bus, there is no way they could be on the database! I even had to give one of them instructions on where to go to buy tickets once he got his conformation. I honestly believe this "database" has been thrown out the window! I'm certainly not getting on at any idividuals, but just the whole co-ordination and execution of the plan has been not acceptable in my eyes. A cup final is a once in a genartion occurance for provincial clubs, and I'm lucky to have seen two already ('91 & '05) and the thought of possibly missing this one is soul-destroying, and ultimately, that frustatration has to be vented somewhere and it will be at the club (and to an extent the SFA!)

Completely disagree with what you say here!! Motherwell are a club with roughly, for arguments sake, 4000 season ticket holders and they were allowed to buy 4 tickets each - not a fairer allocation of 2! There is at least another 4000 that go to more than 12 home games a year, then there is say 2000 who go to a handful of games a year. Then there are the 8000 that only want to go Cup Finals, European games, etc. Thats just the make up of the club. The ballot should have been cross checked against the supporters and ticket sales database more efficently - as then I'm sure we would have got tickets. Yes I know people with season tickets, and I've been offered two here and two there, but thats not what I want. It was last resort. And the amount of season ticket holders I know who have given tickets to people who are going to their first game of the season is embarassing. The club has basically pissed all-over those who reguarly pay at the gate, and our group have been left with a right bitter taste in our mouth. The fact we have all received e-mails (i actually got two!) telling us if we buy a season ticket for next year we are "guaranteed tickets" is a piss take as well! I don't get a season ticket because I don't know what games I can make from week to week. This has been a good year - last year was not! I've paid more than season ticket holders to watch the team at home this year and my reward for that is to be left hanging for a ticket! There are more than 18 people travelling on my two buses that are going to see Motherwell for the first time this season....there are 3 who are making their first game since 2005 League Cup Final! And of these 18 people - 16 got their tickets through the ballot!! Where's the justice in that??!!!

My uncle is popping in today mate to see what can be sorted out. He was in on Monday and they told him the ballot hadn't started yet even though two of his mate had got a call which prompted him to pop in. I think today he will be being somewhat more forth right in his request! I've phoned many times (got through twice) and was told ballot is still ongoing. My cousin and brother were told the same. Appreciate your offer though!

Aye he's been well good at times this season, but Liverpool??!! Come on! Yes he has good promise, but I think he is at best a bit part player for a lower half EPL team - West Brom, Wigan, etc, etc. Liverpool are supposed to be spending big and making a challenge next year and I honestly believe that, while I think he's a quality player for us, he's nowhere near that level and I don't think he ever will be. He has lighting pace, but lacks technical ability thats taken for granted in EPL. If he was Liverpool calibre, I doubt very much he would have signed for us. That said, I hope we keep him, but if not I'm liking the £1m being thrown about for his signature!

The Humph to Liverpool!! http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/190736/Liverpool-will-get-the-Humph/