ONeils40yarder

The guys that we have signed as our players (rather than on loan), does anyone know the length of their deals?

Got to say that I'm warming to Baraclough now...he's had a helluva 'honeymoon period' as Ya Bezzer calls it. Took over a squad that was both thin on the ground and devoid of any hunger, fight or ideas...its little wonder that he hasnt been able to turn it around thus far, having to rely on the same players that failed under McCall this season. I think IB has addressed most of the problem areas that anyone with a set of eyes could see needed to be addressed, a new goalkeeper, a left-back to occupy the position until Stevie is fit, a central midfielder, centre-back addressed and attacking options beefed up...now I'm not saying these biys are world-beaters (they might well turn out to be shite), but given most of them are on short-team deals and will only be with us to the summer, I'm just delighted that Baraclough realises where the issues are and will potentially have a blank canvas to work with in June. Got to congratulate the Board, who have had a tough time of it over the past wee while with the buy-out, the well society etc, but they have backed their man over the course of this week. Strange to say, but we are now over-loaded with players, and shedding a few I would imagine will be a necessity whether on loan or by other means.

I dont agree that he has performed better than everyone else to be honest...yes, he's made some good saves but a goalkeeper that is rooted to his goal-line isnt worth having. In my opinion, POTY should be scrapped this season because there has not been one single player who has stood out amongst the rest.

The lad done us a turn when he was signed on loan last season, but he should never have been signed permanently as our No.1. In fact, Stuart McCall has made some hellish decisions in the transfer market AND on contract extensions over the past couple of seasons...he really has left Baraclough with a bag of shite. The saving grace to this is that (providing we stay up), many of the players are out of contract in June, and he will virtually have a blank canvas to work with for next season.

The fact Twardzik is in the frame (in some folks opinion) for POTY says more about the ineptitude of the rest of the squad rather than Twardzik being any good. Its as plain as day that we require a better standard No.1, hopefully this new fella' is the man.

Potentially one of the worst first halfs of football I've ever seen from Motherwell...the starting line-up was a joke in my opinion. I know we have a hellish injury list, but we set up so defensively it was unreal. On the evidence of that 90mins, Straker is never a left-midfielder in a million years, he was Angol-esque in his cluelessness on where he was meant to be and what he was meant to be doing....he was on the verges of being named in my Worst Motherwell XI ever. After he moved to left-back he looked a lot more assured, more comfortable and more influential, and had a better time there than Watt was having. Hopefully we see Straker at left-back in our next match with Thomas in front of him. I'm not a massive Fraser Kerr fan by any stretch of the imagination, bu I gave him the MOTM, as he looked pretty solid at centre-half as opposed to right-back or right-wing!! Theres also a bit of dig about him, and maybe he has been harshly judged playing in positions that he isnt comfortable in. It says it all, that we picked up a bit when Thomas and Moore came on, purely because of their desire to get on the ball and actually attack the opposition. Thomas in particular, was demanding the ball, even in the centre of the park and in his own half too, I know he's left-footed and he'll automatically be stuck out wide, but saturdays cameo made me think that he could potentially do a job in the middle of the park too.

Yes....a new goalkeeper, best news i've had all year.

love him or loathe home, he spent a lot of cash on MFC He looked quite emotional as he handed the club over today. Thoughts?

The proof will be in the pudding...lets give these boys a fair crack at the whip, heaven knows the likes of Fraser Kerr, Ian Vigurs and Francis-Angol have all had more than enough chances to prove themselves...and failed miserably for the most part.

We may not be the worst team over the course of the season to date but 'Right Now' we are.

'Expect a busy week at Fir Park' is what I've been told...hopefully it involves half a dozen in and half a dozen out

Its amazing how people can have such differing views on the team...for me we have two positions that are screaming out to be 'upgraded'. Goalkeeper....I am a major critic of our current custodian, and the alternative sitting on the bench hasnt covered himself in glory when he has had a chance. Left-back...the loss of Hammell this season shouldnt be underplayed, we have tried to fill that particular round hole with various square pegs and none of them have looked particularly comfortable. Hammell is always assured, and is always an outlet for us to start our attacks from. I understand that Midfield has been shite as well, but I'd push Pearson inside and put young Thomas wide left.

Just watched the highlights....2 absolute stone-wallers...while we've been utterly pish for 99% of this season, we've also been on the end of some absolutely criminal refereeing at times over the course. 2 really nice finishes from the young Utd fella, but I thought the 2nd goal was poor from our point of view...free header inside our 6yard box...where was his marker and where was our midget goalie. From the highlights, it was encouraging to see us at least have a bit of drive, a few pops at goal and Pearson and Erwin looked as though they carried a bit of threat.

Right now, I dont see us beating anyone, I'm not trying to be melodramatic or OTT but as a season ticket holder who has watched us far too many times than the players deserve this season, I really can't see how/where we are going to improve or pick up points. There is always a wee bit of hope ie players to come back from injury, but looking at it in the cold light of day right now, I fear the worst.

When you consider we havent had a left-back in the team all season, 5 different right backs (Ramsden, Kerr, Law, Ferguson, Reid), a midfield that offers no protection and a goalkeeper who wont come off his line...its no wonder our centre-backs are looking bloody rotten.

Get Steelboy on

See this 'players not responding to his methods' pish a la the Gannon era....why don't you just do what your boss is fucking telling you ya bunch of over-paid, wrapped up in cotton wool pussies. In any other walk of life, your gaffer tells you to do something you fucking do it....get fucking on with it Motherwell

Neilsen Law O'Brien McManus Hammell (I hope he is fit) Lasley (I hope he is fit) Pearo Cadden Thomas Erwin Fucking hell, when did it get so bad that I can only name a starting X rather than XI. I have absolutely no idea who I would play in front of Lasley and Pearson. Only thing I suppose you could do is fire Pearson in there and start Carswell but deary fucking me. Had toyed with the idea of going up, but fuck that, hopefully the Bonnyrigg-Bellshill game gets the go ahead this week

Just watched the highlights there Which one of our many shite right-backs were manning their natural position last night? Each of the 1st three goals came down his side, and he watched them do it...I suspect he was offered little in the way of protection from the work-shy Chris Humphrey impersonator. McManus was also severely at fault for at least two of the goals, and was in no way strong or commanding enough. Twardzik also never covered himself in glory at the 1st or last goals...the 1st in particular, was around 4yards from his goal line when the Dutchman headered it...but he saves a few shots so its all good. We badly need to get back to basics and get some sort of structure to our formations, left-back has to be a priority if Hammell is going to be out much longer. The gaffer needs to decide on who his best right-back is and leave him there so we get some sort of consistency...build from the back with as solid a defence as we can possibly get and take it from there. Get Pearo playing in the centre of midfield alongside Lasley if possible and play Thomas on the left, and try Cadden on the right...if nothing else they'll give us endeavour that the likes of Vigurs and Ainsworth sadly lack. As for in goals, unless we get another keeper in I'd be inclined to suggest its time that Neilsen was given another chance. Up front, I havent a fucking clue what I'd do with the scant resources that the gaffer has...unless we are putting the ball into the 6-yard box then Sutton is a waste of a jersey, a waste of time and a waste of wage...which being fair, isnt entirely his fault as we havent been playing to his strengths at all this season...but if we persist with the the cureent formation/tactics then I'd be throwing Erwin in to run the channels, hold the ball up, link up and make life as difficult as possible for the opposition

Haha, just watched it. Still think the fuck-up at Dens was more lol-worthy Maybe get a Poll on the go....Our worst goal conceded this season. I reckon that thread could have a bit of legs

I cant remember it, but surely you let out a bigger holler to the Twardzik/O'Brien mish-mash O.G. at Dens a couple of weeks back? Worst goal I have ever see us concede...and that one had nothing to do with Wee Dans lack of height, just being pish.

Totally agree mate...don't see this 'luxury player we can't afford' at all. Shite, lazy, prima donna, that plays the occasional fancy pass or pirouette.

Pizza-face Pearson has to play centrally in beside Lasley in my opinion....a Lasley-Pearson centre-mid pairing looks so much more solid and able than a Lasley-Reid/Carswell/Vigurs/Ramsden. We've got to remember that he isnt the 19year old whippet that broke through on the left of our midfield years ago, I think we'll see a much more reserved player, playing in the middle of the park to be honest.

2 chances of that happening Frazzle, although it would be ideal if they did

Not directly club related, but just hearing that the Fir Park Club is closing down?