Catweazles ring piece

Yip Dave we've seen worse things in the past. However, we are now only surviving by the skin of our teeth.The WS is blown out the water and we don,t have a benefactor. We need a buyer quick!S.McCAll has done brilliantly in the league but failed miserably in the money spinning one offs.That has crucified us! Unless an investor comes in quick, I can see a rapid demise in our fortunes. Hopefully we'll go back to raising our own and develop others like Gary mac, Tom Boyd and the Phil o,Donnelly . Hope I'm way wrong but can't think of any direction other than south.

Face facts, L.D. bailed out due to lack of finances and the impeding slippery slope....and The WS was only dreamt up when no one was at hand to dip into their personal coffers. Fan ownership my AR$E. Board room buttock clenching will have gone into overdrive after they've no doubt been given assurances about getting the job done and it'll be "all right on the night." Well it didn't!!!! This was a monument F....UP. All the previous concerns raised on these boards....came to fruition. Surprise....surprise! Don't despair, at least we can fall back on an experienced board room that will steady the ship. F..................CK!

Tactics for winning this Thursday

Just home and have to say what a match. Shaun Hutchinson, you were immense. Always saw us winning in the last minute. Although I thought Faddie was going to be the hero. Massive credit to Stuart McCall, Kenny Black and every player today. The Well fans were amazing today - reminded me of Nancy with half the support. Bloody brilliant!

If it's this shot you talking about, it is football related, it's Leigh Griffiths in the dug out.

Shaun Hutchinson is aware that this is his time to cash in as far as contracts go. However, the big yin is settled and that in itself is a major factor in the outcome of any move. His agent could call at any time with links to various clubs, so he won't necessarily know anything until negotiations are under way. However, The Rangers story may have him in a dilemma? This move wouldn't require massive upheaval for him and at the same time, reward him with the cash benefits. The downside is The Rangers scenario!! I just hope he gets good offers and picks wisely, as the potential is there to go on to better things.

The moaning from the stands ain't going to be a patch on what gets said in the dressing room after the match. I'm sure a few of the more vocal players would be saying it, as it is! G.M. should be bootin' his bangers on the training field as we speak. Keep an eye on the players in the upcoming matches, if similar incidents happen again!!!

Magic memories as a teenager at those matches. Throw in The Texaco Cup at the same time and we had something special. I remember the burn at Cowdenbeath and the amount of buses turning up at the car park. For some reason, I was always into the amount of support we took to matches and was counting the supporters buses. I think I gave up that day around 40. Always remember that the capacity at Cowdenbeath was 10,000 and totally packed with Well fans, with a pocket of Cowdenbeath fans behind one of the goals. Best campaign apart from 91, but cheated beyond belief against JPR and pals. Best and worst moments watching Motherwell in that cup run, outwith 91. Grew - seem to think that Taylor got the winner in the 2nd Hibs replay at Ibrox. Could be wrong though?

Hutchy is settled at Motherwell and loving it!! However, an agents phone can ring at any time, without the player having any knowledge of what's happening in the background. I really hope he stays for a while longer, but, I'm 100% sure he will move on to bigger things. Interesting times ahead for S.H.

If anyone sees a huge grey thing, with a trunk and big flappy ears at the AGM tonight. It's not an elephant (copy write @ SteveDiggle) If it is, here's hoping it's wearing a number 7 or 11 to inject a bit of pace into the team!

What's cryptic! Some on here are talking about the next few games going the kick start our season. What planet are they on? The season is over and if we're lucky, we'll end up in 6th. If not lower. We've got a slow and hugely imbalanced team due to the players who have came in this season and it was highlighted by quite a few folk early on in the season. However, as much as I liked S.M. as a player and the way he communicates with the support, IMO he lacks the guile to be able to shape the players at his disposal. To compound everything else, the cup shambles leaves us with less finances and we know the implications that go with that. So, in summary, as good a job S.M. has done over his previous seasons, I just can't see him being able to recover this situation. No mouth foaming here, just seeing the bleeding obvious.

Unfortunately, SM and KB are like washed up card players sitting with a duff hand. No amount of bluff or shuffling the pack is going to make any feckin' difference! We've no money and we'll have to do with what we've got (the problem is, the players that have been brought in can't play to the system and SM doesn't seem able to adapt a new one!) There is a huge elephant in the room and not everyone can see it yet!!!!!!!

Celtic could have scored double figures against us and it wouldn't have flattered them. We've got massive problems!!!!!!!!

Having been to both matches weeyin, the way we went about Saturday's match was beyond belief. The Queens Park game was at the start of the demise of a fantastic 70's team, whereas Saturday was at the start of a new team already on the demise. So I guess we could call it a draw weeyin.

No, but bench-gate as you put it, highlights the unprofessional manner in how we prepared for this match. I'd wager no other team in the competition decided to limit their resources and thought don't bother with all the subs today, the starting 11 are good enough to handle this wee team. I've posted previously about team balance, tactics and cock ups in big matches. But, here we are again after ALBION ROVERS knock us out The Scottish Cup. Serious questions need to be asked. We are OUT of all competitions, lost vital revenues and have players who don't fit the tactics and a management team who appear to have no idea how to address all of these issues. No you are right, Goggles & Flippers, bench-gate isn't the main talking point, but lets debate it as one of many serious issues that need addressed. The buck stops with management!!!

The point is about playing a balanced team and having options to change things if things aren't working. We haven't been playing well this season, but left few options on the bench. The whistle blew with us having 4 central holding players in midfield and a goal down. No winger/wide player or forward available to create any change to the shape or tactics. The fact that players were available but pulled for a20 cup tie are unforgivable.

Cheers Al, its took a bit of time to confirm but we've eventually got there. Oh well, lets hope that the u20's progress and draw a money spinning tie to bolster our much depleted bank balance.

We saved players for J.J.'s match - FACT. That's why only 5 players were sub's. I was raging when I was told this prior to the match, but I couldn't comment on Moore as he may have an injury????? I feel like a broken record, but, SM has ballsed it up again.

We only had 5 subs today because J.J. was saving "key players" for the u20 match!!!!!!!!!!! Unfuckinbelievable!

Whether we can match the skills or professionalism of our European opponents, we should at least adopt some of their policies. Every team plays to a system where players know exactly what they are doing and are are comfortable in that system. All feeder teams play to the same system (from boys club level all the way up to 1st team.) The balance of the team doesn't get drastically altered due to an injury or suspension. Someone fills into that vacant position and knows his role. This season we have been unbalanced in formations and personnel and are constantly changing things because this squad of players can't play to the style of last season. So far any tinkering has not worked! The next transfer window is going to be crucial if we are going to push into the top 6 and keep any momentum we have had. If not, further cuts will bite and we'll be back to the dog fighting. S.McCall needs to make the right changes in this window.

IMO the reaction to the Aberdeen game was fueled by what happened at Perth. Had we not set up the previous Sunday with what looked like eyes on the cup match, I believe comments would be slightly different on this board and others. I guess it seems like another groundhog day mistake,but hey, we don't know what was happening in the background with selections etc. Anyway, time to dust ourselves down and prepare for Sunday. C'mon The Well

All I can say to you Trainbus, is this!!!!!

Milo's nailed it and what unfolded from Sunday's match in Perth to the cup match on Wednesday, was so predictable. There's no balance to team selections, with players looking uncomfortable in unfamiliar roles and of course niggling injuries and loss of form/confidence. It looks like SMc will be tinkering with formations and set ups for quite a while, until players either bed in or are replaced. Job in progress I'm afraid.

First things first, IMO and 99% of Well fans, S.McCall is the right man for MFC. However, he seems to make "recurring mistakes" in the lead up to important matches. Players left out or rested and strange formations adopted. Now I'm not sure about the fitness of players yesterday,but, I'd rather use the philosophy of Wee Tommy in 91 and having players fighting for the right of the jersey. At least this way, we would have continuity of a familiar system and keep the momentum going. Unfortunately, I think this is another example and fully expect a 2/3 - 0 pumping against Aberdeen. I really hope I'm wrong, but I've got a bad feeling about this one.

That formation wouldn't have troubled any SPL side today. Poor line up and tactics. Woeful!