Motherwell today

[offshore_arab83]

Think we are running the risk of being overly negative about today. We didnt play great. Few players had a poorer game than for a while. Despite that we got something out the game. Actually I was expecting us to equalise the whole time.

Positives - we tried to do the right things. Just didnt come off (in what was a horrible day to play football).
Fuchs is a definite positive
Hit the post, nearly won it with the last attack, had one/two decent penalty shouts. Actually got no break of the ball or decisions going our way. Showed our versatility with this time switching to the back 3. Their chances came from our brain farts playing out from the back.....and from losing a man from a corner.

Here we now sit 12 points clear of 12th and 11 points clear of 11th. Picking up points whilst not playing our best.

Wouldnt criticise individuals too much at all. They will all have poor games at times, that's the level we play at.

Good post!

[stokearab]

Ken you like Powers and not a fan of Butcher but anytime Powers has been given a chance hes no very good mate :/

I'm not a superfan of Powers I just think he's better than Butcher at keeping the ball. I think Butcher has a more negative effect on our play than any positives he brings. And tbf Powers hasn't been given a run of games to settle into the side and be judged fairly. It's possible we'd be saying he's worse than Butcher after that run of games but he's not getting a chance for us to judge him on that.

[tHeArAb]

There's not much between the two of them really. I also think Powers retains possession better than Butcher however and would like to see him given seven or eight games to show his worth, not just the odd game when Butcher is suspended. Butcher really isn't cutting the mustard atm. Ideally we'd bring in another partner for Fuchs in the summer. Whether that's possible or not, who knows.

[Arabknight]

He was absolute ****e today. One decent cross (when Fuchs hit the post) out of about 20 attempts. His corners were shocking, almost all right to the first defender.

Never said he was great. But only one prepared to run at players. Gave them something to think about. Would have taken a number of other players off before him! Shows the level on display today.

[Whitfieldarab]

I'm not a superfan of Powers I just think he's better than Butcher at keeping the ball. I think Butcher has a more negative effect on our play than any positives he brings. And tbf Powers hasn't been given a run of games to settle into the side and be judged fairly. It's possible we'd be saying he's worse than Butcher after that run of games but he's not getting a chance for us to judge him on that.

This 100%

Powers might be or might not be the answer but never got a proper crack at it. I think he'll be away in January so we'll never know.

[TerryTheTerror]

Never said he was great. But only one prepared to run at players. Gave them something to think about. Would have taken a number of other players off before him! Shows the level on display today.

Yeah but he, on recent performances, doesn't produce an end result. Bolton was quieter during the game but still had the quality to make right cross when it mattered most.

[the_arab]

I didnt think it was a bad performance from everyone but going forward was significantly hampered by how bad both fullbacks and butcher were in possesion. Robson had one of his worst performances ever in a Utd shirt. Glad MM noticed this and subbed him. Nothing really came off for McMullan and Bolton but thought they looked like they were still giving Motherwell something to think about when they were running at them.

What really anoyed me about their goal was the few minutes before they scored. McNulty tried a stupid pass and got caught out, they were breaking and we won it back then Butcher tried one, he got caught out and again we luckily won it back then it goes to Robson who tries to kick it across to the other side of the pitch with his weaker foot losing possesion and then leading to their corner. 3 absolutely suicidal passes in about 1 minute. And it didnt stop there, we had so many poor passes out there today.

Whilst we could of grabbed it lets not forget the huge amount of luck we got when the ball bounced around and hit smith (i think) on the goal line.

Fuchs was outstanding!! I really hope we can get someone in the middle with him. Biggest dilemma for me is what to do with Clark, he scores goals but where can we play him whilst also getting the best out the squad.

[JUSTaway]

Squad game - I'd just be rotating the front 3 in a 2 up top. Shankland and McNulty have shown some decent signs of linking up together, Clark's all round game isn't as good I would say, can be quite anon in some of the tougher games, so easier for him to come on in these games like today and make an impact. He has done well though, and had some quality finishes like today, getting us some big points against the teams we are competing against, so pressing to get starts.

I was alarmed today by how bad the defence was. It was getting a bit comical at times 2nd half. You can see why we have been overcompensating for it.

[geofoxposse]

Off all people I want attacking play, but the midfield simply isn't thee at the moment.

Smith, well off the boil
Connolly just pass marks
ReynoldsJust passes
Robson, seems tarnished needs rested
Butcher needs to become creative
Mcmullan, love his energy, chasing and fighting back, but needs a final ball.
Fuchs, does he have a brother
Bolton, faded and came back, doesn't seem to know where to be played
Shankland, no service
McNulty made no real contribution

Sporle should have been on sooner
Pawlett should never be on again
Clark contributed nothing apart from the goal!!

Commentary shyte.

[offshore_arab83]

Good summary GFP especially the Pawlett part, chuckled at that as its very true