As others see us...

[Handsome_Devil]

Always interesting to hear a view from outside our little Motherwell bubble and with DTV doing the game today their commentators had some pre-match remarks on us. Paraphrasing, they acknowledged we might be a bit disappointed not to have kicked on from two cup finals but essentially they saw us as a solid midtable team with little to worry about in the relegation battle. Obviously they haven't watched the dross we've produced for so much of this campaign but still a different perspective to some of the blind panic we've had on here.

Anyway, another glorious if highly fortuitous three points. Dundee should never, ever, have lost that game and if they could finish at all should have had three or four goals - but not our problem.

Not crazy about Turnbull and Main debating the penalty taker right before the kick mind you but no harm done.

[LawSteelman]

We were second best all day long but we won so that's all that matters and we now have a cushion big enough that we *should* be safe from relegation now for this season.

I was thankful that Turnbull won the debate about who should take the penalty as I would have had zero confidence in Main scoring it, but Turnbull did just that and did it with aplomb.

It's results like that in games like that that are ultimately the difference between relegation and safety and for all Dundee will be kicking themselves, we are now in a healthy position in the relegation battle as we have picked up a crucial win against a fellow struggler.

[Handsome_Devil]

Absolutely. If Dundee do go down, games like that are the reason why - an amazing result in midweek, dominate against a fellow struggler, miss half a dozen clear chances and lose to a daft penalty. They'll be tearing their hair out.

We're only a couple of more results away from being able to really start building for next term, starting to phase out those whose contracts won't be renewed, give youngsters a run or, conversely, give Turnbull an occasional week off so not to overburden him.

Next most pleasing was Robinson's comments again about the new system etc - it will take time and there will be off spells like the first half today but at least he's trying.

[jwok]

I hope the highlights package shows the build up to the penalty. I suspect about a dozen passes?

[wellin]

Yes we were lucky to get all three points today, but how many times have we had a lack of the "rub of the green" this season. That result today should see us safe I would think, we can now push on and try to get above the likes of Livi and Hibs. Top six is out of reach, we have fumbled around this season in 9th place, never really in any relegation trouble but not really making inroads to the teams above us. We now have the opportunity to push on and get above those teams by beating Livi next week. Just a pity we surrendered our Scottish cup adventure so easily.

[Wellup4it]

The result was the important thing and we won. On quite a few occasions this season we've lost by a single goal due to a world class finish, freak goal or mistake so its nice to benefit for once. I don't count Dundee as being unlucky. Their finishing was shocking and they conceded a stupid penalty. Apart from that they benefitted from a fair but of luck through passes hitting our players' heels and random bounces falling kindly for them. Don't forget too that they beat Hearts largely because of the Jambo's shocking defensive errors. We weren't great at all, far from it, but we'll take the victory.

[texaco cup]

Six weeks ago everyone in the media etc were stating how good a season Livingston were having and how poor a season we were having. Yet a victory for us this Saturday would be us level on points with them. Yes I realise the other side of that is if they win they will be six points ahead of us. But I don’t even think the most ardent “WELL” fan six weeks ago thought that we could catch Livingston. Three straight league wins for us and no league win in five for them and everything changes so COYW

[Handsome_Devil]

Livi certainly look catchable now but the game at home to them will be a big test for our new look side and whether we can show any hint of creativity against a side looking to sit in for a draw.

As for our season, it has obviously been disappointing but after the terrible start (5 points from 9 games) we've taken 22 points from the last 14 games. Which is not only fine, not only top six form but would usually give you a very decent shout of finishing fourth if you had that level over a whole campaign.

There are a couple of caveats re fixtures to be thrown in there and you obviously can't disregard last summer and the start of the season but Robinson has - by and large - had the threat of relegation under control for some months now. It's worth noting that even had a we lost the last two, taking only 16 points from the last 14 would still be a ratio which would all but confirm safety before the split.

Robinson showing a willingness to change formation and philosophy is a big plus and he has probably earned time to try to make that work. The bigger concern is his dealings in the transfer market and while there's no way of knowing what, if anything, the club has done to try to help him tighten up here it remains a massive concern. His judgement on attacking players in particular so far has been appalling.