The African

Not a problem. In fact, it is a great read and I really enjoyed it.

Well that was a bit of a roller coaster ride, both the season in general and the play off games. Now that the dust has settled and my sleep patterns are returning to normal having gotten up at 2am on Monday morning, local time, to follow the second leg, I thought I might be bold enough to give a few very personal opinions on recent events. Firstly, it is great we are still in the top division. Thirty one seasons there, for a club of our stature, is some achievement. Going down would have been interesting but the novelty would have soon worn off and the financial implications would have been far from positive. Really good performances over both legs, but by God they were a piss poor outfit. The only reason I had the fear was forty years plus of being a Motherwell fan. Credit to our support, especially those at Ibrox last Thursday evening. We, unlike a few clubs, never claim to be the "best supporters in the world", how do you quantify such a glib statement? We are who we are, we follow our team, and hopefully behave in a reasonable manner. The noise and utter joyfullness of the 950 made me proud to be a Motherwell fan. The game on Sunday was equally pleasing though I think we got a couple of things wrong on the day. The guy who managed to strike Lee McCulloch on the face with the flag is a prime example. Not wishing to pick on the individual, but it was a pretty silly thing to do and could have seriously cost both him and the club. I understand that emotions were high, but please just try and think of the possible consequences. The same goes for the traditional pitch invasion at the end of the match. Again, emotions over pouring, but why give an opportunity to our opponents and an unfriendly media to have a go at us? A few words for the gallant losers. The performance on the park tells us that they are not the side they claim to be. They are a new team and they are shite. I am actually quite disappointed we did not score a couple more just to rub that point in, and, though we played okay, let's not let that cover up the fact that we had a fairly dire season. The fans haven't changed though. Unsurprising as it is the same bunch of people. It was actually good to be reminded just what a thoroughly awful lot they are. The irony of their club statement offering to help in any investigation into our support's behaviour just beggars belief. Take a look in the mirror! The utter ghastliness of their support does lead to a reasonable excuse for the few things that did not go as well as it might, especially on Sunday. Losing to, and being relegated by them would have been awful. Much worse than by Hibs or QoS. That prospect was responsible for the atmosphere on Sunday and, as such, I think the odd indiscretion was understandable. Anyway, hope folk don't think I am being too critical. It was bad enough following it from the other side of the world so it must have been pretty tough for those of you at the match. Onwards and upwards, let's hope for better next season. Good luck to the manager and the team and all who follow Motherwell F C. One last thing, Twist and Shout is awesome!

Just listened to both podcasts. I seriously do not miss the sports media in Scotland one little bit. As an aside, the patter that the sporting authorities should be allowed to deal with matters like the Mohsni incident is pure guff. What will they do about this? The square root of fuck all. It was a vicious and thuggish assault and they are quite right to consider it as a criminal act and proceed accordingly. The fact that it occurred on a sports field is irrelevant. Thought that Mr Burrows came over very well, and, if anything, was too reasonable and understanding when dealing with some of the drivel from Chic Young. Still, he was probably right as you should never get into an argument with a moron as they drag you down to their level, then win because of their greater experience there.

We are in a much better position than most of us thought we would be, and yet most of us still have the fear. I suppose it is the Motherwell way. On the up side, they really are not a great side. They proved that over the season and confirmed it on Thursday night. Our home form over the past couple of months has been strong and we have a genuine goal threat. They look shakey at the back and are missing their player of the year in defence. While the loss of a late goal at Ibrox has,to an extent, given them a lifeline, there is little point in fretting too much over it. A three goal lead would have forced them to really go for it from the first minute, but two goals is still a decent start. We should be able to pick them off when they have to chase the game. The downside is that we must avoid being too negative from the outset. Does the very real need to avoid losing an early goal mean that our mindset is a defensive one? That would be a major mistake in my book, both because it would be hard to turn around should they get back into the tie and because we have been defensively poor for the entire season. If everyone is fit, play the same team that started on Thursday. The atmosphere should be in our favour and, as previously stated, they are not that good and nothing to be scared of in footballing terms. A professional performance is required and we should be okay.

Sincere thanks for those kind words from a Motherwell fan in New Zealand. I was lucky enough to attend both Odense matches and the game in Denmark is still one of my highlights as a Motherwell fan, despite the result. I had previously visited Fyn twice before and knew I would have a good time.

Derek Fuckin' Johnstone? Christ I hate that cunt.Think I will just stick to the shite BBC coverage online.

If we go down, then Faddy could be a good signing. Depends if he can get himself fit enough. I would definitely offer him training facilities with a view to a deal. Would also depend on the terms but how many other clubs would be looking at him? Sadly think he may not be able to meet the fitness level though. Legend at the Ark though, so should always be welcomed back, even if it is just as a spectator.

Seems about right. Huge rebuilding job required, wherever we end up next season.

So Celtic will loan us back a player and let us develop him for them, while also paying a substantial part of his wages? Sorry, let's look to put that cash to better use elsewhere. All hypothetical, but that is just my opinion on that proposal/scenario.

God I love this Club. Been in NZ for over six monWee win the first, then see where we are. No further than that. God.I love this Club. Been in NZ for over six months and two games of footie over half a world away are all that matters. How can this be explained?

Firstly, we need to win next Saturday and see how the other results pan out. Then we will know what is required. We really cannot afford to look much beyond that. Get our own business sorted in Paisley and then see if the other results have gone our way, as they finally appear to be doing. Even a best case scenario would see us needing to get something from the last game of the season but it could be a case of win that and we are definitely safe , or win and see if it is enough.

Nothing like the worst. No offence to the guy, but Mike Larnach will take some beating when it comes to "worst signing ever".

Unfortunately I am old enough to remember relegations of the past. There is no up side. Wasn't then, isn't now. As a business, times as hard enough in the SPFL, the Championship will be crippling. There is nothing good about away games in Cowdenbeath, seriously. I like supporting the wee team from the town where my Dad grew up. This will not change if we do go down, but it is so much better when we are playing with the big boys in the big league and punching above our weight. The ability to avoid this catastrophe is still in our hands. Much more likely to be via the play off but before that we need to build some positive momentum. We saw how shallow this can be last Saturday and if you look at what happened to Hibs last year, you can see how fragile this can be. We need good performances from now until the seasons end and, probably into the play offs. After it is over and done with, there will be time for the inquest into an awful season. Come on the 'Well!

Today's performance and result may very well come back to haunt us. We are now as good as six points behind County and they will have a chance to increase the goal difference on Monday night to make it, in reality, a seven point margin. We will have five games to turn t hat around which should really be considered as four seeing as we both still have to play St Mirren again. The pressure is all on us now and we know how that has worked out this season. Play off here we come.

Got to keep the run going, and that means a win. A draw would leave us four points behind the Jags ( in reality five because of the goal difference) and potentially five behind County with five games to go. While we would still have "six pointers" against both, the pressure would really be all on us. Any kind of win will do and we are right back in the mix. Will be getting up at four in the morning to follow the game online from NZ. Come on ye Well!

The game has changed in those twenty years since he passed away. You wonder if a genius like Cooper would fit in. As such, the game of today is not what it should be. RIP Davie. You made me smile with what you could do on a football park, thanks for those memories.

Getting to the stage where draws are no longer good results. We have not got close to Accies this season in the league and they will be up for this. Cannot see us winning. We do not score enough goals and do not keep clean sheets.

We probably need to be in the position where a draw against our nearest rivals, come the split, is not a bad result. As such, we probably need a gap of four or five points, especially as our goal difference is gash. We have had one good performance and result and now need to hope that this is the start of some kind of decent run. We have not had one this season and are therefore definitely overdue one. Home games are must win And the away fixtures against Killie and Thistle must be seen as opportunities to pick up points as well. Aberdeen away is going to be tough so avoiding a doing and keeping confidence high might be the best we can do. Anything else would be a bonus. We can only concentrate on our own games, let County and Saints get on with theirs. The home game against St Mirren is going to be a real six pointer. I wonder if they will bring 20,000 fans like they claim they did when they were a first division side for a cup tie in the late seventies?

Old enough to remember Pettigrew and Graham and would love to see players of their standard at Fir Park today. We would not keep them for long but would hopefully make a fair few quid. How that mid to late seventies team didn't win a trophy is a travesty.

At least we are trying something! We still have hope and a chance we can turn things around.

Looks like a good appointment. Obviously eight months too late but never mind. We will be the fittest team in the Championship.

I never thought I would consider Jeffreys and Brown, but desperate times demand desperate measures.

The question has to be, which gamble do we take? Sticking with Barra and giving him the rest of the season to get us out of trouble or ditching him and getting in someone experienced to try and do the job.Barra does not look like he has what it takes so the lesser gamble may be to ditch him now. Who is available to take us to safety? Calderwood? Jeffreys? Someone already at the club? Not really appealing but the key has to be avoiding the drop at all costs.

Looks like a shite appointment. How much longer should he be given?

Gary Stevens always reminded me of former Radio One DJ Gary Davies for some reason, and,as such, I always thought of him as a bit of a wanker. This is completely irrational and I will sincerely try and get over it if he does join the coaching staff.