DEWELL Posted January 20, 2013 Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 I know we won today but i cant help wondering why Stuart McCall doesn't play with at least one maybe even 2 more midfielders. We get totally dominated in midfield and ask far too much from Lasley and Law. A team with Ojamma,Humhrey and McHugh in it has too many front players leaving big gaps in midfield. Surely ZFA at least to add another midfielder will make us more solid and maybe even Carswell too at some point in games. Our balance is all wrong and we're not protecting our defence at all meaning that especially at Fir Park as today we get totally dominated. 4-2-4 is what we effectively play and it's just giving opponents yards of space. <_> 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfcdez Posted January 20, 2013 Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 Would say that the 4-2-4 served us well in getting us 3 goals to the good . However at that point it was obvious that Saints were going to throw long balls forward in the hope of nicking a lifeline back into the game . At that point a double substitution and change to 4-4-2 , involving the same players who did go off/on would have been better than waiting til said lifeline had been achieved and we were under the cosh . Right subs , wrong time . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoF Posted January 20, 2013 Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 I know we won today but i cant help wondering why Stuart McCall doesn't play with at least one maybe even 2 more midfielders. Because then maybe we wouldn't be sitting 3rd in the league having scored 40 goals in 23 games (just 4 off Smelltic) and have the second top scorer in the league? Your suggestions would come at a cost and I don't think sacrificing an attacking player for someone can offer only slightly more defensive cover is worth it. Also, we simply don't have the players to fit the role you are suggesting. ZFA is one of the most forward thinking wingers/full backs I've seen and Carswell isn't quite ready for a regular start in the first team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelboy Posted January 20, 2013 Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 Because then maybe we wouldn't be sitting 3rd in the league having scored 40 goals in 23 games (just 4 off Smelltic) and have the second top scorer in the league? Your suggestions would come at a cost and I don't think sacrificing an attacking player for someone can offer only slightly more defensive cover is worth it. we were a better team last season with a more balanced midfield than we are right now. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiderpig Posted January 20, 2013 Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 Have to agree that we are lightweight in midfield and have been all season..we get over run too easily and the defence does not get enough protection...but with no cash to bring a player in we need to work with what we have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelboy Posted January 20, 2013 Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 Have to agree that we are lightweight in midfield and have been all season..we get over run too easily and the defence does not get enough protection...but with no cash to bring a player in we need to work with what we have. 30 games. 2 clean sheets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoF Posted January 20, 2013 Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 we were a better team last season with a more balanced midfield than we are right now. I agree but it's irrelevant if we are discussing what McCall can do with the players he has just now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaka Posted January 20, 2013 Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 Its not the shape its the players in it. Lasley is past it and simply cannot hold a candle to Jennings in the defensive role,therefore Him + Law will be overrun no matter the formation. Amd as for the "no money" patter,we offered Stevenson a 2yr deal in August,whered that cash go? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awayoflife Posted January 20, 2013 Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 agreed. we were wide open for the last 20 mins of that game and could have easily conceded a few if their finishing was better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lobey_Dosser Posted January 20, 2013 Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 We've been wide open since Panathanikos and we have done little to address it. McCall seems content in going with gung ho approach in the knowledge that we are incapable of replacing Jennings. To be fair to McCall, our attacking philosophy has won us more points than its cost us. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finlay Posted January 20, 2013 Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 30 games. 2 clean sheets Which is utterly appaling. Shows you how good we have been up front right enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnstone Posted January 20, 2013 Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 The games are mostly entertaining. So thumbs up from me. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al B Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 I couldn't give two hoots if we have no clean sheets as long as we're scoring goals. I don't pay my money to watch great defending. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wellfan09 Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 fuck clean sheets, id rather watch us bang in a few goals and win games 3-2 etc than have boring 1-0 wins 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weesacs Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 we were a better team last season with a more balanced midfield than we are right now. i agree, but the only difference is Jennings - the other 3 midfielders are the same (Las, Law and Humphrey) we never replaced Jennings and we miss him - but this is this season, we have to go with what we have - we cant really make comparisons 30 games. 2 clean sheets as long we we score more than the opposition - does it really matter? Ruddy achieved a clean sheet record when he was here, and then Randolph came in and broke said record............but at the time, the defence was still getting abused for its performances - particularly Craigan and laterly Clancy Amd as for the "no money" patter,we offered Stevenson a 2yr deal in August,whered that cash go? we might have money to bring someone in - but with a small squad, it has to be someone who can improve what we have. Hateley, Carswell and Ramsden can all play as a holding midfielder - so unless we bring someone in who can do better than them - is it a wage well spent? Maybe someone in that position is highly sought after the way most teams play these days - and we cant compete with wages Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nethertonwellfan Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 Football Rules: Whoever scores the most goals wins the 3 points. In 23 games we have scored more goals than the opposition 10 times, scored less goals than the oppostion 6 times and scored the same as the opposition 7 times. As a result of the above stats we are sitting 3rd in the league with a great chance of finishing second in the league. Of course we're no perfect but we are in a very decent position in and people still like a moan. I'll take 3-2 every week over all the clean sheets we got under Brown. Don't get me wrong I was shiting myself at 3-2 yesterday but it wouldn't be Motherwell if they didn't make us sweat every now and again. So aye cheer up FFS and make sure your passports are still valid. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Diggle Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 Too many stats fans Not enough fitba fans 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaka Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 we might have money to bring someone in - but with a small squad, it has to be someone who can improve what we have. Hateley, Carswell and Ramsden can all play as a holding midfielder - so unless we bring someone in who can do better than them - is it a wage well spent? Maybe someone in that position is highly sought after the way most teams play these days - and we cant compete with wages True but the money can be spent elsewhere then. If Hateley is the answer,we bring in a right back,if its sicknote Ramsden then we bring in a centre half! I love going to fir park and watching goals but weve sold Murphy,if Higdons goals dry up we have no-one capable of scoring regularly then we must depend heavily on an abortion of a defence Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foghorn Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 Have to agree our shape is poor and we struggle in midfield - not because Lasley is past it - because he is being asked to do too much. We have never replced Jenno or given Carsewell a decent run too see what he can really offer. My worry is when we lose Law or Las through injury or suspension, we revert to Daley who looks disinterested at times. Yes we score goals but hingin on again is no good for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lobey_Dosser Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 When injuries and suspensions hit Lasley and/or Law, I imagine we'll use Hateley or Ramsden in midfield. Plenty of options to fill in at the back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welldaft Mk1 Posted January 22, 2013 Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 Recorded ESPN to watch when I got back. At halftime they froze a shot of the St J box just before Higdon score his 1st goal. In the shot there were 5 StJ defenders ..........and 5 Motherwell players. That sums it up. We're St J to suddenly break up the park we would have been exposed. At times the gap in midfield is alarming. I sense a doing is on the way at some point when a team get their shorting boots on. That said I agree 100% with other posters that we are getting great value for money. Would much rather win games by scoring 3 or 4 goals than 0-0 draws or narrow wins or defeats. Even if it is not great for the blood pressure. In fact I am 100% certain that certain posters bemoaning the shape of the team would be the very same posters complaining we were not scoring enough goals and were boring......never happy some people.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FUNKspex Posted January 23, 2013 Report Share Posted January 23, 2013 When Stuart arrived did he not say that he would deliver an attacking style and if that if that resulted in high scoring wins then that's fine by him , as long as its a win. Going by some of the post above some of us are enjoying " the entertainment" of goals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatcalf Posted January 23, 2013 Report Share Posted January 23, 2013 Recorded ESPN to watch when I got back. At halftime they froze a shot of the St J box just before Higdon score his 1st goal. In the shot there were 5 StJ defenders ..........and 5 Motherwell players. That sums it up. We're St J to suddenly break up the park we would have been exposed...... never happy some people.... You've said it at the end there. To me so many players in the box looking to score shows a commitment to attack that is both welcome and refreshing, happy with that approach and long may it contiue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottW1886 Posted January 23, 2013 Report Share Posted January 23, 2013 Recorded ESPN to watch when I got back. At halftime they froze a shot of the St J box just before Higdon score his 1st goal. In the shot there were 5 StJ defenders ..........and 5 Motherwell players. That sums it up. We're St J to suddenly break up the park we would have been exposed. At times the gap in midfield is alarming. I sense a doing is on the way at some point when a team get their shorting boots on. That said I agree 100% with other posters that we are getting great value for money. Would much rather win games by scoring 3 or 4 goals than 0-0 draws or narrow wins or defeats. Even if it is not great for the blood pressure. In fact I am 100% certain that certain posters bemoaning the shape of the team would be the very same posters complaining we were not scoring enough goals and were boring......never happy some people.... I think your 2 points here are linked somewhat - it seems like a constant complaint behind me at Fir Park that when the ball falls to the opposition at the edge of our box that they have numbers in place to keep us hemmed in, or their midfield is in position to have a shot from the edge of the box. So, have we not just done that to the opposition this time? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ya Bezzer! Posted January 23, 2013 Report Share Posted January 23, 2013 Down the spine of the team, the central defensive and central midfield areas, we are weaker in three out of the four slots. Lasley is a year older and while still a good player on the downslope. Jennings is gone. Although people were critical of him I maintain Craigan was an excellent presence in the team. We would have been much better organised at the back if he had played another season. My big complaint earlier in the season was the lack of entertainment. That's turned around recently so I don't have a huge problem with the tactics and team set up as long as we are scoring and winning. However it's clear we are, more than ever, dependent on a couple of players to keep us competitive. What happens if Lasley gets injured or someone comes in for Hutchinson during the window? With Murphy gone we are almost wholly dependent on Higdon for goals. I don't know if there is much that can be done about it in the current financial climate at the club. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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