The wee man Posted February 24, 2017 Report Share Posted February 24, 2017 Ok McManus blundered at end of Ibrox cup tie but he wasn't to blame for 14 goals since then. Suspect we will appreciate his input over next few games, especially without a recognised left back in place and without a goalkeeper to catch crosses. Who to replace him? 4 options? 1) Jules - played almost 2 full games, 2 major errors and caused 2 goals. Main concerns are very one footed and looks like needs a rocket up his backside, strolls about. 2) Ferguson - has looked totally out of place, any time played on left hand side. Would need Henaghan moved to left centre half. 3) McHugh - has played centre half before but have to assume not very good or why changed to a midfielder? Main concern that by plugging one problem area we would cause another one, since would weaken midfield not having McHugh there, have lost 12 - 2 since McHugh ordered off. 4) McGuire - young but further forward as a player than Hall was a year ago. Totally comfortable at left centre half. Possibly outstanding future talent in current u20's. Concern is whether he is physically ready at this stage. Craigan should know. No matter who you choose it's a gamble but one we need to get right. Could be season defining. Get it wrong and we are up shit creek. My preference - no. 4 - it's his natural position. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desp Posted February 24, 2017 Report Share Posted February 24, 2017 Welcome to the forum, Barry. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yassin Posted February 24, 2017 Report Share Posted February 24, 2017 It's a bit of a yer da tactic,but I think we could do with a massive unit at the back- Jules- to combat Haber. I'd still say Jules is the best option regardless though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superward Posted February 24, 2017 Report Share Posted February 24, 2017 Jules for me at the weekend. Gave away the penalty against Celtic but other than that handled the game very well throughout the (near) 90 mins. See how he plays and take it from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milo Posted February 24, 2017 Report Share Posted February 24, 2017 I'm not a fan of McManus, never have been, but it remains to be seen if we struggle without him. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Villageman Posted February 24, 2017 Report Share Posted February 24, 2017 Nice to get a dose of optimism this early in the morning. Well it is early for me. Ok McManus blundered at end of Ibrox cup tie but he wasn't to blame for 14 goals since then. Suspect we will appreciate his input over next few games, especially without a recognised left back in place and without a goalkeeper to catch crosses. Who to replace him? 4 options? 1) Jules - played almost 2 full games, 2 major errors and caused 2 goals. Main concerns are very one footed and looks like needs a rocket up his backside, strolls about. 2) Ferguson - has looked totally out of place, any time played on left hand side. Would need Henaghan moved to left centre half. 3) McHugh - has played centre half before but have to assume not very good or why changed to a midfielder? Main concern that by plugging one problem area we would cause another one, since would weaken midfield not having McHugh there, have lost 12 - 2 since McHugh ordered off. 4) McGuire - young but further forward as a player than Hall was a year ago. Totally comfortable at left centre half. Possibly outstanding future talent in current u20's. Concern is whether he is physically ready at this stage. Craigan should know. No matter who you choose it's a gamble but one we need to get right. Could be season defining. Get it wrong and we are up shit creek. My preference - no. 4 - it's his natural position. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kmcalpin Posted February 24, 2017 Report Share Posted February 24, 2017 It has to be Jules for me. Otherwise why was he signed on loan? Chalmers at left back, not ideal but our only left sided option. McHugh has to remain in midfield to provide some cover for central defence. I don't think David Ferguson is robust enough for central defence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmmfc Posted February 24, 2017 Report Share Posted February 24, 2017 I reckon Jules will be a straight replacement. Surely we can't get any worse than conceding an average of 2 goals per game in the league! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joeboy Posted February 24, 2017 Report Share Posted February 24, 2017 I'd go for Jules as well. I've been a big critic of McManus at various points throughout his Motherwell career, but have pretty much always conceded that the team would suffer more for him not being in it. Given he's been a virtual ever present since signing, these next six weeks will probably be a indicator of whether that is true or not. As for McHugh, I think he's by far our best option in the middle of the park, but given our surplus of options there and the fact Clay was most people's MOTM against Celtic, I'd be tempted to play him left back, where has played before rather than Chalmers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desp Posted February 24, 2017 Report Share Posted February 24, 2017 As for McHugh, I think he's by far our best option in the middle of the park, but given our surplus of options there and the fact Clay was most people's MOTM against Celtic, I'd be tempted to play him left back, where has played before rather than Chalmers. No.8 playing at left back? What have you done with the real Joe? #numberpolis 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ONeils40yarder Posted February 24, 2017 Report Share Posted February 24, 2017 McHugh has to play centre-mid...a position we've struggled to fill for a long, long time, he looks like he could be the one for me. At centre-back, it has to be and undoubtedly will be Zac Jules, not seen him yet, but we signed him on loan purely because we didn't have adequate cover for Mick or Ben. At left-back, I'd start young McMillan, but I'd imagne it'll be SloJoe Chalmers in there, whoever is played there will have the added comfort of Stephen Pearson playing in front of them who will at least give them a bit of cover and assistance that has been lacking when both have played there earlier in the season Samson Tait Heneghan Jules McMillan Cadden Lucas McHugh Pearson McDonald Moult 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joeboy Posted February 24, 2017 Report Share Posted February 24, 2017 No.8 playing at left back? What have you done with the real Joe? #numberpolis Haha, you can make an exception when it's a player filling in an unorthodox position. But you're right, number 4 or 6 would be more appropriate for a centre mid who can play in defence too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milo Posted February 24, 2017 Report Share Posted February 24, 2017 McHugh has to play centre-mid...a position we've struggled to fill for a long, long time, he looks like he could be the one for me. At centre-back, it has to be and undoubtedly will be Zac Jules, not seen him yet, but we signed him on loan purely because we didn't have adequate cover for Mick or Ben. At left-back, I'd start young McMillan, but I'd imagne it'll be SloJoe Chalmers in there, whoever is played there will have the added comfort of Stephen Pearson playing in front of them who will at least give them a bit of cover and assistance that has been lacking when both have played there earlier in the season Samson Tait Heneghan Jules McMillan Cadden Lucas McHugh Pearson McDonald Moult That would be my team aswell. Although I'd be tempted to start the new goalie..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kmcalpin Posted February 24, 2017 Report Share Posted February 24, 2017 McHugh has to play centre-mid...a position we've struggled to fill for a long, long time, he looks like he could be the one for me. At centre-back, it has to be and undoubtedly will be Zac Jules, not seen him yet, but we signed him on loan purely because we didn't have adequate cover for Mick or Ben. At left-back, I'd start young McMillan, but I'd imagne it'll be SloJoe Chalmers in there, whoever is played there will have the added comfort of Stephen Pearson playing in front of them who will at least give them a bit of cover and assistance that has been lacking when both have played there earlier in the season Pretty much my thoughts although I'd maybe prefer Chalmers to MacMillan but not a lot in it (Chalmers is left sided MacMillan isn't). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
middleeastdave Posted February 24, 2017 Report Share Posted February 24, 2017 Maybe we were a bit rash in letting Laing go? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desp Posted February 24, 2017 Report Share Posted February 24, 2017 Maybe we were a bit rash in letting Laing go? The defender, who the manager of our football club thinks cannot defend? No, we weren't rash at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weeyin Posted February 24, 2017 Report Share Posted February 24, 2017 Especially as we brought in Jules as a replacement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haggischomper Posted February 24, 2017 Report Share Posted February 24, 2017 Speaking of centre halves, any word on Kennedy's operation? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lobey_Dosser Posted February 24, 2017 Report Share Posted February 24, 2017 McManus has been managing niggling injuries for a long time and it was seemingly inevitable that he would need a spell out at some point. I think this would have been at the forefront of McGhee's mind in the transfer window hence the arrival of Zac Jules. However I doubt Zac was near the top of our wanted list and iirc we were linked with a couple of experienced centre halves. With Hammell also injured, Jules is almost guaranteed to get a run of games. Whether that's centre half or left back remains to be seen. Personally, I'd drop McHugh in beside him so we have some experience at the back to guide Heneghan and Jules through a game. Yes McHugh has been seen as our saviour in midfield but with Pearson arriving, Clay putting in a good performance at Parkhead and Campbell reportedly getting closer to the team, we have sufficient options in midfield to allow McHugh to suppport the young ones in defence. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelvinBragg Posted February 24, 2017 Report Share Posted February 24, 2017 I'd be inclined to leave McHugh in midfield at least for tomorrow. Paul McGowan is a player that's caused us problems in the past and feel that if McHugh can keep him quiet then that will help our defenders more than having McHugh in the backline alongside them... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weeyin Posted February 24, 2017 Report Share Posted February 24, 2017 I'd also leave McHugh in mid. Jules in to replace McManus and Chalmers at left back. I know he's not exactly some fans' favourite, but he's adequate in that slot and I prefer that to putting a right footer in there. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The wee man Posted February 24, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2017 Only one reply to original post mentions our signed natural left centre half, Maguire. Surprised, can only assume most haven't seen him playing. Personally think Jules will play but not convinced he is any better than Maguire. If Maguire is listed as playing tonight for u20's discussion as far as tomorrow's game is immaterial. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 24, 2017 Report Share Posted February 24, 2017 Only one reply to original post mentions our signed natural left centre half, Maguire. Surprised, can only assume most haven't seen him playing. Personally think Jules will play but not convinced he is any better than Maguire. If Maguire is listed as playing tonight for u20's discussion as far as tomorrow's game is immaterial. Are you related to Euan Murray, at all? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busta Nut Posted February 24, 2017 Report Share Posted February 24, 2017 What was the Euan Murray patter again? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Wispy Flossy Posted February 24, 2017 Report Share Posted February 24, 2017 Euan Murray Luke watt Time for Barry maguire to step in to the void vacated by the previous wonder kids Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.