Catweazles ring piece

We looked comfortable last night, passed the ball well, but were light weight and shot shy up front. (Unfortunately, Casagolda isn't the answer and has probably played his way out of F.P.) We needed a striker in at the window, didn't and will now suffer as a consequence! Top 6 ain't going to happen. We can make all the excuses under the sun about how this didn't happen but undoubtedly its going to come back and bite us big time in the arse. Surprised no one other than Kmcalpin mentioned the Hammil incident. He pulled up in front of us at least 3-4 minutes before the goal, holding his hamstring. Kilmarnock's backroom staff saw it and instructed Clancy to push onto Hammill. Our bench seemed unaware and even signalled to hold off even although Craigan and a large section of POD had been screaming he was finished. Poor judgement and indecisiveness on the bench cost us a point last night although there were enough chances to win this match hands down.(Hammill should have went down with an injury and stopped the game well before they scored.) Looks like the rest of the season will be a hard slog, playing reasonable football but with no punch up front. From 3rd to probably 8th/9th/10th by the end of the season? Money well saved or not?

Surely, having a team pushing for europe or top half is more appealing to potential players than one struggling with a threadbare squad near the bottom. Money talks as well, but , you've got to have something positive.

I don't think thats most folks arguement. It's about letting players go and then not being able to replace them, in an already paper thin squad. I just think it sends out all the wrong messages and possibly hampers any possible signings and future re-signings. But cannae believe you think all this money in the pot will be used to build up the team in the summer

IMO The club has scored an o.g. here. We've cleared the decks and reduced the squad to a bare minimum with the hope of rebuilding the team in key areas. Unfortunately, this hasn't happened during the window and we're left with a young group of players who have played in the majority of matches, including european ties. Injury, loss of form and tiredness will hit in sooner rather than later and what happens then, other than a rapid drop down the league. Quotes though from Derek Weir did worry me. I know folks on this board know him and speak highly of him. But, I hope he isn't one of these corporate bean counter types, that make financial savings, unaware of the knock on effect within the fabric of the club. It certainly looks like a £££ tightening within the club and comes across as we're nieve enough to hope we can play out for a top 6 placing. That doesn't look possible at present. I'm beginning to wonder if challanging for a european place, threw up a financial deficit on the books. Anyway, its purely speculation on my part, but, if Derek Weir or Leeanne Dempster want to clarify any points raised, it would be greatly appreciated.

I'm sure everyone associated with the club, try their best to promote MFC in a positive way. But the problems they encounter are basically, a substandard product for the price! Lets say MFC are operating in F1 and sell block bookings "season tickets" to attend races. The fans are excited about prospects although realistically we aren't going to oist team Red Bull for example. You set up your team, you tweek things week by week making improvements as you go and half way through the championship your doing a fantastic job. Unfortunately, things change at this point and your well performing car is replaced with an auld "morris minor" with 3 wheels, oil leaks, burst seats wi' springs spearing yer arse "and the driver only has a provisional." Ring any bells! Now, A. Try convincing your fans that the season ticket was money well spent. B. Convince them to buy one next year.

I really wish this match was being played else where. Even going back to the last final, our biggest problem still lies with a lack of pace through the centre and it gets exposed even further on the big Hampden pitch. IMO this is what will kill us the most, so S.McC and K.B. will need to plan accordingly to nullify Rangers getting in behind us. All the best to everyone heading through and hopefully we can pull of a shock result. I'm sure the guys will put in a good performance. You just never know.

Come on Andy Many will go in the hope of winning, but, deep down know our chances are slim. Especially, against them. Plus, he did say no doubt, we'll lose. Sounds like a faint glimmer of hope in his words.

Your correct about Marshall, Delboy. In hindsight, he wasn't fit to play that day and the management took a gamble. Unfortunately, it all unravelled in the first few minutes. Pretty sure he was so gutted about what happened that day, he didn't want his losers medal. If you check any video's, you'll see that he must have lost at least a stone in weight in the week leading up to the final. Excellent keeper, but shouldn't have played!

Thought before this match it would all hinge on the 2 keepers. Half right! Randolph had nothing to do and Smith seems to have repeating daymares/nightmares Hibs have lost the plot - no fight, no desire, nothing. Better shape today first half. Hutch and Saunders were superb (penalty aside) Sutton worked hard and Humph was lightening today. 2nd half was a different match after Hately/Jones went off. Seemed McCall decided to close the game out at 2-0 and consolidated the 3 pts. Well done to Page on totally snuffing out their main threat Zemamma. Thought he was going to follow him up the tunnel when he got subbed. Good 3 points today.

Totally agree with Shaka and Larry. Its obvious, there's a bigger picture happening behind the scenes and no doubt things are being done for the best intentions for Motherwell F.C. However, paying supporters are being overlooked and at worse, mislead. I appreciate Leeann attempting to clarify matters on this forum and welcome the arranged meeting by the club. But, unfortunately, the "feel bad" factor of numerous events at F.P. and this economic climate is going to turn fans away in there droves. Todays performance and crowd might give a good indication of things to come.

Motherwell F.C. pose for 2011 team photograph.

Single to Leeds Central please!

I think the attributed quotes from McCall and the posters questions, probably sum up what's been happening within the club; OUT - Brown and Knox IN - (later) McCall and (weeks later again) Black OUT - Blackman, Gow, Fitzpatrick and Reynolds. Plus 3 earlier loan deals and now McHugh. IN - Grella and Jones. OUT - Why sell Reynolds for £100K and look actively for a left sided central defender, who are hard to acquire.(acquire quote from S.McC) Would the league placing potentially take care of £100K? All this is down to finances or lack of finances. It could well be, John Boyle was personally paying for the Gow/Blackman deals like previously ie Porter/Hughes and it's now at an end. That would explain how more are OUT bound than IN bound. The books are getting balanced. Makes me think, C.B. and A.K. were told of things to come from the club and exited pronto. All speculation I know, but you hardly need Hercule Poirot to work this out. Just spotted links above . FFS

Is there any news on Lasley's injury? Half expected him to be out of action for a few weeks? With this in mind, how will the midfield set up and who is going to support the front players. I really hope the new guys bring more balance and attacking flair to the side and especially to the lhs. I hope Hutch is ready (makings of a top player) but needs to be on his toes along with Craigan as Riorden and co won't miss Foran's sitter. Undoubtedly our bogey team at FirPark outwith the O.F. as they seem to stretch our midfield and defense with ease at times. This could easily be a 0-2 or 1-3 defeat, but, feel Randolph could be the pivital player in this match. MOTM Randolph and Smith in goals for them - I'd take a 1-0 win.

I remember quoting that finance wasn't the be all and end all of the wellfare of Motherwell FC. A huge part was down to management structure, organisation and team spirit. Unfortunately IMO, all three have been considerably weakened in the past months. I might be surprised by McCall and Black and it could end up the perfect appointment. But, somehow I just have the feeling that this will not be the case. Hibs on saturday will be our benchmark. Majorly concerned about M.F.C.

Unless these are 3 of the new trialists, I fuckin' doubt it

If we hadn't decided to have massive financial cuts midway through the season. Our management team would probably have been Craig Brown and Archie Knox and we would have carried on in similar vein. Things happen in life and we get on with it! Doesn't mean we have to like it! Hope they do well for everyones benefit, but some folks see this as a backward step and are genuinely worried for their club. Whinging, tiresome, whatever. There it is!

Just as well we're voting for the new SPL restructuring. We'll be heading to the SPL2 or Championship some time soon. Poor poor choices

I can understand MFC tightening their budget during financial hardships (and it is starting to set in) But, to carry out a massive cost reduction midway through the season is giving the viccy's to loyal supporters. Appears like J.B. and co had decided we were safe for this season with our points total and decided to reign the expenditure in early. I'm starting to believe thats why C.B. and A.K. pi$$ed off to the sheepies. Might be totally wrong with my assumptions but seems strange to change a plan midterm. Looks like all the preseason talk (bluster) of a new dawn in sponsorship and the park fiasco has finally bust the bank. All this condensed with the SPL (your havin' a laff) 10 team restructure and I can't see where we're heading.....other than downward. Like Big Pie, after 40+ years following The Well, I think I've gave up. So much for the 1/2 season ticket I got at Christmas. (A total waste of £££money)

This really sounds desperate now. (Clyde FC and Graeme Roberts anyone!) Now, beginning to realise that C.B. and A.K. jumped a downsizing ship and the knock on effect has went right through the whole club. I originally thought it was due to the management leaving, but its looking more to do with financial restraints and new structures implemented within the club. Alarm bells, should have been ringing when the promised player didn't arrive during the euro matches. Hypothetical I know, but, would things be looking different at present if we progressed into the euro group stages. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. We didn't take the euro oppertunity and reality is now dawning. I really hope S.McC can pull some gems from these trialists, but its now looking like survival may be our target. I just hope other SPL teams are in a more precarious financial position than us!

Where do you start? It certainly looks like something isn't right on and off the park as too many players don't seem to want to play for the jersey. Well done to Randolph for keeping us in the match and to Hutchinson for a commanding performance (one bad mistake aside) - Agree with other posters about the huge improvement in Murphy. He is looking like a real talent. The balance of the team was poor again today, especially in midfield. A midfield of 3/4 with Humphrey trying to attack on the right and dropping back to help out. Problem being the other 3 are playing the holding type game unable to play offensively box to box and support the front players. Forbes, Lasley and Jennings all play the same position and are too similar. Forbes might be better just behind the front two, but his lack of pace and unathletic make up is a major worry. Really concerned how the arse can fall out a team in a short period of time. I just hope the points gained can save the season, but unless things improve quickly, we'd better have players ready for a bottom of table dog fight.

Bingo. There it is in black and white.

TV and greed has killed the game of the people. Instead of TV money being ploughed back to develope new young talent, better conditions and generally a better and cheaper product, the game is being bled dry and is no longer financially viable to the common punter. The football fan is being taken for a ride, with no thought on his/her behalf. Yer just a number and if your blind loyal, you'll take what yer served and like it! Enough's enough. Watched long enough to see the pitfalls of different set ups and meaningless games over the years, but, the 10 team league did nothing to revolutionise our great game. In fact, in the period from 1975, we have went backwards nationally and domestically and float aimlessly in the backwaters of football. Fear of relegation and the financial plunge will have us watching uninspiring and safety first football with fewer and fewer talents emerging. Scottish fitba is the new dodo.

Levein is never going to consider the likes of Reynolds, Murphy or Humphrey. Why??? Because every team he has built or managed have been hatchet men. He has no interest in finess or flair and has built his career around big, strong players playing negative and boring formations. The only thing that hasn't surprised me so far is the likes of Darren Dodds hasn't been called up! Watch this space if further injuries kick in. A waste of space as a manager and how long before the Scottish supporters wake up and get rid of this clown.