dinnae-punt-it

As it stands, Pearson is a huge loss to us.

He did try and sign Jackson Irvine, who would have performed that role, just couldn't get the deal done. Bolger was another one he went for who also seemed to be as capable at tackling as scoring long range goals. For whatever reason, he hasn't managed to get another strong midfielder in, but I reckon one will come in before the deadline.

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/spfl/13609740.Ian_Baraclough_hoping_to_get_a_share_of_the_Jamie_Murphy_bonus_money_to_bolster_Motherwell_ranks/? That puts to bed the did we, didn't we discussion. Looks like 1 or 2 other players will come in before the deadline too.

I think that says it all about how important Pearson is to us!

I'm not saying they are bad players, but they have never ironed out their biggest flaw, plus they are 35/36 & 33/34 years of age. We need a longer term solution. On that I'd give Chalmers a chance at LB. Any new midfielder needs to a strong tackler with good positional sense and can ideally pick a pass. Pearo when fit can be the box to box man, but has been troubled with injuries since returning and is also getting on a bit, but Leitch can cover that role perhaps. CM certainly needs a big overhaul. This season I think 8th is the best we can hope for!!

Stevie has always been really poor off the ball and poor at stopping crosses coming into the box, but has always had an easy ride as he is one of our own. Keith has also frequently hidden in games when we are under the cosh. Part of our problem in making the same mistakes over and over again is not finding adequate replacements for ageing players that weren't that good to begin with. I know quite a few posters won't agree with what I've said, but I think it is plain to see if you watch games closely. McManus also has a terrible habit of coming out to win balls and not winning them, leaving a huge gap in behind. Laing needs to work on clearing high balls with his head better.

Wish I could be more positive, but if we keep conceding pish goals whilst struggling to score, the I'm afraid it's going to be another mighty tough season. Here's hoping the manager grows a set and drops Hammel and Law; and brings in a decent box to box midfielder before the window shuts as we badly need a good all round midfielder!

Personally I thought we were woeful. Making all the same mistakes as last year. Goalkeeper - Made a couple of mistakes. Josh Law - Anonymous. Stevie Hammel - Terrible. Laing & McManus - Nowhere near as dominant as Taylor & Considine Lasley & Taylor - Game completely passed them by. Johnson & Ainsworth - Woeful. MacDonal & Moult - Not enough efforts on goal. Ran about a lot, without doing very much. Dom Thomas - Did well, and if Moult was shaper he would have scored from a pearler of a cross. I've never seen a team cut another team open quite so easily. If their front players had been more decisive, they could have pumped us. Baraclough - Not resolving on going issues! SCUNNERED!

Luke Watt is injured I believe. He was in the Centenary Suite last Saturday. I'd like to see Chalmers at LB to see how he does.

He wasn't fit in the Partick game, but was rushed back. No one else in our team gets up and down the pitch and harries like Pearson. He is pivotal to our set up in my opinion.

Our side can't play the way it wants to if Pearo isn't playing. I think he is key to our system, and when he's out, we look lost.

Same old problems........don't score enough and concede too many! Scunnered

I suspect that Taylor has been brought in as cover for Marv, because he tends to tail off after 60-70 mins, and tends to suffer from niggly injuries. I still think we will see another midfielder before the close of the window based on our previous persuit of Bolger & Irvine i.e. A more defensive or box-to-box midfielder.

Ripley for me with honourable mention for Laing.

Awww jesus, I hope not......hate Samson! As Melvin says, cannae see the logic in that one.

Used to take them at his last team.

I'm quite surprised that the management still haven't got a goalie in, you'd think it would be one of the main priorities. As it stands we are going into next season with last seasons No.2, which just isn't right. Hopefully good things come to those that wait, but seems a strange one not to give a new goalie at least one pre-season game (to get to know your new team mates).

Whereabouts on Twitter?

Haha, your welcome. Misrepresentation is just a bit of a bugbear of mine. Didn't mean to offend.

You should get a job in the Scottish media circuit....because that isn't what Flow said: Alan Burrows ‏@Alan_Burrows @Del1589 Not yet mate - Hoped to have another in before today's game but that's not going to happen now; more likely next week. To me that means it is going to take a bit longer, but hopefully next week; certainly not that it's fallen through.

Keep up Geedub, Morgyn Neill was freed at the end of last season and now plays with Livingston, so he wasn't talking about him playing for us.

It would be good to have a summer where there wasn't a will he won't he saga, however if it works out for the best then I suppose it is worth the chase.

Craig Samson is worse than murder....terrible keeper.

Alan Burrows ‏@Alan_Burrows @Del1589 Not yet mate - Hoped to have another in before today's game but that's not going to happen now; more likely next week. 12:40 am - 18 Jul 2015 from Motherwell, Scotland