starchief

I can probably guess one ICT 'supporter'

So, best team when everyone is fit? Mine would be: Brill Raven Warren Meekings Shinnie Tansey Draper Doran Vincent Foran Mackay Yep, unfair on Tremarco, but best team means just that. Foran hasn't played left-mid for a while, but I'd give him the chance. Watkins especially and Williams may well be in there on form/injury but there's not that luxury of choosing more than 11. Ross as well is creative but who to drop for him? So what's your team*? * which doesn't mean criticise others without giving your selection first.

Interesting to hear Willie Miller saying that he's changed his mind about Aberdeen being the second best team in the league after today. And that's without Warren, Draper and Foran!

Aberdeen are going to have some strike force with Tony Watt, David Goodwillie and Adam Rooney all about to sign. Expect a press conference on Tuesday.

Not so sure he will drop back to the bench. Might mean Foran on the left or centre, with Tansey and Draper in the deeper role. But then, there isn't really a first team, just a first team squad. You need a bunch of players all competing for a slot.

Love to hear why he wants to come back. Seems he's a regualr down there. Can't believe it's the salary tempting him. I wonder if he just misses the place and has made a life choice?

I think Butcher was more bypass-midfield-and-play-the-long-ball first time around. He'll suit the later Butcher/Hughes style. I really do think he was a victim of the team's style, rather than being poor in himself. Something Stuart McCall thought at the time too. I've got high hopes.

I don't think it's to do with prejudices. They wanted to believe. Most will know nothing about accountancy. Same as with Hearts. Same as with ICT. How far are we off trouble? I've no idea. But I hope whoever is running the club is doing their best...but I couldn't guarantee it.

I could see them linking up well. The target man and the busy wee striker. It'd mean a change in formation but nothing wrong with that if it improves the team.

Sheez, Gary Kenneth. Forgot about him. So did everyone else unfortunately. Wonder if he's any good these days?

Not a Lois Lane moment? From what I remember, Superman's girlfriend was always knocking herself out. Must have had severe brain-damage in the end.

Why should we care what Butcher's job is, gingerjaggy? He left us, now he's trying to weaken our team. Sod him. He chose to leave a team going somewhere. Give it ten years and we can be nostalgic. Not now.

I wonder if we need to shift to a back 5 with Warren out? Maybe Doran/Ross on the right and AN Other (there's a few lefties) as wing-backs?

I thought Ross did okay today too. Dreadful penalty but he tidies up well and provides some good touches. Never a dominant player but we'd be much less creative without him.

Thought we just tired in midfield. No surprise really, with Polworth barely playing before and Williams being fairly average. A Foran or Draper would have made a difference. Can't complain too much. Exciting match that needed a bit more in midfield towards the last third.

Presume Polworth has been shattered for the last 25 mins as he's posted missing. No surprise though. Not much to replace him with in that position,

We could really do with...well...Tansey!

Awful penalty. Truly awful. By the way, how come a Muslim can bless himself entering the field but not a Catholic? It's either allowed or isn't (and I don't have much of a preference but there's got to be parity, not religious discrimination).

I never really got fishing either. "here's my opinion" "I disagree" "ha ha, it wasn't really my opinion but you responded in a forum designed for conversations with different opinions"

I agree Huisdean. And if Hughes does, he should be praised. Meanwhile, with results going against him, he has to be subject to criticism, rather than assuming he can do nothing about it. Of course he can. That's exactly his job. Hughes doesn't deserve to be pilloried but nor do the results deserve overlooking. There's plenty of time to be either hero or villain come the end of the year. But we shouldn't be blind to bad results.

I agree with virtually everything iamthecaptain says...except the idea that a slump was inevitable and the manager shouldn't be blamed. Of course he should. It's his job to select the tactics and personnel, along with team talks etc to make sure that doesn't happen. Otherwise, why employ a manager. Maybe Hughes will turn it around - we're still in a good position with a decent squad - but the buck stops with the manager. He has to get us winning again to prove his worth, otherwise what's his salary for?

Certainly not from Motherwell fans - and who else is there ? He did a great job at FP, kept us in business and took us to a League Cup Final for the 1st time in 50yrs. There were a few Brentford fans on.

We did get the same thing from fans of ex-Butcher clubs and that turned out pretty well ...but I fear they may be right this time. I live in hope but full of doubt.

Butcher did of course do well over the long-term. I also remember him giving a real boost to a virtually relegated team to a team that almost made it. If a slump was inevitable, why did we bring in a manager? Aren't they supposed to have ways around a slump, especially to a team that, barring docked points, would have been bottom on a quite terrible run? What's the point of bringing someone in if there's nothing he can do about it? Save the money and carry on managerless until the slump (that was fated to come) is over. Presumably that's simple destiny too and nothing to do with tactics and team selection? That said, I am prepared to give Yogi til the end of the season (or at least the split) as there's no point calling for his head soon after being employed. I'd be delighted if he turned it around but I'm not hopeful.

Why not? Would you also say the upturn in Hibs' fortune is nothing to do with Butcher? Both just some weird coincidence. I doubt it personally.