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OK, it's the harsh reality of daybreak and I'm still hurting after that one. The clocks have gone back an hour and the result still stands, unbelievable, another defeat, another week at the bottom of the league another three goals conceded, where will it all end. But wait, let's look a little closer at yesterdays game. We started at 100mph, taking the game to Motherwell, the team that is splitting the old firm at the moment. They had Murphy, Humphrey and Higdon, but they were second rate as Rossco and Hogg mopped everything up that came our way. An early goal from the impressive Davis and hey, the good times were back. We were breaking forward at pace all over the park, Meekings was having a stormer, Gillet keeping the sprinter Humphreys under wraps and Higdon, well, Higdon never got a sniff of the ball for over half an hour, he was chasing Rossco and Hogg's shadows and resorted to mumping and moaning like only our Foran knows how. Around the half hour, Well actually had the temerity to cross the halfway line. Unfortunately the equally impressive Shane got the ball tangled up in his feet and we lost possession. Well saw an opportunity and forced a corner and the result of that was an inexplicable free header for the equaliser. Murphy who had been simulating earlier almost snatched an undeserved second when he opened his body after getting the better of our defence for the first time and like Davis curled a shot round the keeper, thankfully it curled round the post as well. We started the second where we left off, Randolph handily placed for a couple of shots that went straight down his throat, but also having to stretch his limbs to save another netbound strike, these were probably first half efforts, but I cannae be arsed changing my typing now. We were back on top and something was going to give. Well were desperate in defence throwing bodies in the way to get the ball out of their box by any means they could. Gregory Tade again worked tirelessly and a neat bit of interplay saw him bore down on goals from a tight angle around the six yard box corner. He smashed a shot past the helpless Randolph, but it thundered off the underside of the bar, bounced down and shot away out of danger. Richie Foran was still getting pelters from some quarters. These guys need to shut the fork up and actually watch the amount of work he does. He had a much better game today and was at the heart of most of our attacking moves and winning every aerial ball aimed in his direction. Jonny Hayes entered the arena to fantastic applause and straight away he showed us what we had been missing. He dropped his shoulder on the right flank and drifted past a couple of challenges before digging a left footer that drifted wide of the mark. Welcome back wee man. He was involved in our second as he let the surging Shinnie take over to rifle in the second fron 10 yards, excellent goal and no more than we deserved. However, we fans know better. No sooner had the rejoicing fans sat back in their seats when Lasley fired a long ranger that seemed to catch Esson flat-footed as the ball whizzed high in to the net. A good strike, but could Esson have been better placed, not sure. Our misery was complete when Hogg was adjudged to have been the last man/goal scoring thingy and the free kick cannoned of the unfortunate Hayes and beyond Esson. Davis almost levelled again as he hit a thunderbolt from 25 yards that fizzed just wide, game over and Higdon missed a sitter as the 10 men were stretched trying to equalise. Shane Sutherland was particularly distraught as he was caught out twice, but in all honesty he was unfortunate both times, especially the second as he brilliantly kept the ball in play, then when he turned back inside he lost possession; chit happens, chin up Shane as otherwise you offered much more threat than the displaced Ross. So many positives from the game I can't name them all. I'll try a few though. Richie Foran was superb as mentioned before, Jonny Hayes is back, Josh Meeking looked fantastic in the first half, would need to see that tackle again, he certainly never shirked it anyway. Gillet was also outstanding on the left side and Hogg and Tokely mopped up every attack in the air. Davis had his best game for ICT and Tansey looked much sharper today. Sutherland was prominent, just unfortunate a couple of times and Tade did what Tade does best, out pacing the Well defence often, just the final touch eluding him and his effort that hit the bar would have taken the net off the posts. That takes us to a former boo boy target, Andrew Shinnie who once again showed some fleet footed play and was always available to link with others, my MotM and the sponsors MotM, well done to him and a good goal to boot. Negatives, a bit unfair to use that word, but Esson maybe won't want to watch the goals again, although he has been outstanding all season. Hogg being red carded and Meekings maybe picked up an injury. Free header for first Well goal, sort it out. To those that are constantly looking to nit-pick and deride the manager and certain players........ get a life. We are definitely on the up, but this will be a tough month for us so we still have to be patient before we achieve lift-off.

we scored 2 today and conceded 3 that doesnt call for strikers that calls for defenders

Yes I wont be looking at league tables for a while,whether its recent form or all matches tables.The table isnt really telling the truth at the minute. I would say its far more important to physically and mentally prepare for each match than be stressed about numbers on a table. The team is now moving in the right direction,the fluidity is returning, the effort and commitment is there, its just going to take a while for a chart with numbers on it to start telling the truth but the preparation and application is far more important for now

What game were you at ? I thought Richie gave110%. Get real and get behind your team.

Best thing you could do Dougal is find a bonfire and sit on the top..

Good shout dougal, Shinnie for lottery manager tm4tj

If things are that bad that the manager and assistant have to turn to the internet forum for tactical advice from people sitting behind their computers, then yes immediatley sack them. In my opinion and without namecalling, this thread is beyond ridiculous

Points.

First thoughts were that the season ticket holders were propping up the attendance figures What a start we were all over Well, crisp passing, intelligent thinking,playing with passion and determination, the best well could do was to put the ball out of play,Well were kept quiet and wernt allowed to play, We had a lot of chances and I mean a lot. At 2-1 up I assume the team thought they had it in the bag and had done enough to win the game but fair play to Motherwell they took their goals well and we were beaten by a team who didnt put as much into the game as us, didnt create as many chances as us but have a good eye for goal when given the chance (except higdons sitter in front of goal) We did enough to win today against a team higher up the league than Celtic but they stole it at the end. I have far more faith in our future now with the team that was picked, combined with the application and desire on display. I would rather be 6 points behind the pack and be supporting that team at this stage of the season than be 1 point behind the rest but be awful. I hope Meekings isnt injured he has been a real find. Foran playing in a far better position out wide left. Tade, all I will say is if I had the choice of Higdon or Tade, I would actually pick Tade without a doubt, as he brings far more to the table. The futures looking brighter guys and I certainly felt that I got my moneys worth for going to the game. PS the Killy match is on Alba

I think thats a bit of a leap IHE. As much as I would love to think that CTO, and its posters, have some degree of power and influence, (and I know of at least one former club official who would agree with you) in my own opinion, I think this comment far exaggerates any that we do have .... I know the site is read and talked about by those at the club, and it may even spark the odd internal discussion, because we are, as you pointed out, a small club and this is indeed a focal point. However it is not the only focal point of the club. Is it not more likely, that a manager and backroom team with far more experience and playing ability (in their time) than most of us armchair or 'computer based game' managers simply came to the same conclusion that many posters did ... and changed things around. A happy coincidence yes, but a coincidence nonetheless ......

Don't tell me these players do not want it enough unless you were at the game. Well had 3 shots, and scored them all. We controlled the game from start to finish. I am absolutely gutted for the guys. So much deserved it. How Hogg was sent packing I'll never know. I'll post more extensively later when I come to terms of what just happened.

Laughable

Listened to Butcher's post-match interview. He just doesn't get it. We need a striker. If you can't score you win very few games. Then you get relegated.

Personally I wouldn't be sorry to see the back of him.

best display this season, well for 80 mins. esson had very little to do humprey hooked so gillet cant have had a bad game although his distribution of the ball is pretty woefull. plus he takes longer than pierymar to take a throwin. we must be worst in league at throwins. wasnt sure about davis this season but thought he was mom today disappointed with sutherland, cost us 2 goals today. first goal he lost possesion, albeit from a crap tade pass, he had 3 chances to get ball away but kept turning back into trouble. well get corner from possesion and score 2nd goal same part of pitch looses possesion again trying to get ball under control, breaks to lasley rest is history. 2nd goal really deflated him, his head went down and for rest of game was not showing for a pass, should have been hooked. with players now returning from injury it is now time to "rest" haddy, sorry tade. he runs about but very little end product. cant hold the ball up front, poor touch, looses it far too easily. went for a **** so missed him hitting bar, listening to tel's comments on radio it was easier to score than hit the bar. we need a striker in january, some one to hold up ball waiting for support, and to finish. apart from these 2 very good performance. had to laugh after well 3rd goal. golafart ran to butcher pointing to well goals. think he was wanting to play up front. tel lost the plot, gave him the hairdryer treatment before throwing his notebook at him. priceless

Here's Ender doing what he does best in the River Yarrow dougal

A travesty of Justice yesterday but unfortunately the club Captain did little to enhance his reputation. Yet another poor performance from Foran but he seems to blame the other players. Perhaps he needs to give up the captain's role for a while until he is fully fit and out-performing the other players! Who would be best captain? Is it best that he be a mid-fielder? Davis looks the part but he is only here for a short while! neksor

Lets face it - this is a small club and this Forum is a focal point. It is no coincidence that comments and pressure from CTO posters has influenced decisions made on the playing side. That makes it feel all the better that the majority of the changes that we have suggested have been taken on board. Thankfully the manner in which we have presented our suggestions has been constructive, albeit relentless and at times reverse psychology, and have usually been backed up with a clear rationale. It is nice to know that we can influence things, albeit indirectly, and hopefully our efforts will begin to pay dividends. So take a bow - the posters who stuck to their guns and ignored some of the derision mooted by the blinded loyal. Respect to the outspoken

Yawn Yet another shameless plug for Against all odds IMO the best use for this publication is to start your bonfire on Guy Fawkes night, should work a treat dougal