MOTHERWELL FC: WE'RE ALL DOOMED!!!

MOTHERWELL FC: WE'RE ALL DOOMED!!!

As the title suggests, now that we have lost to St Johnstone and Hibs in the space of 4 days, we are destined for a relegation battle for the rest of the season. Out of the League Cup, losing goals at a rate of knotts, lazy players, not enough dig, inept tactics, subs not coming on soon enough... Motherwell are back to being genuinely rubbish.

Or so you would think going by the reaction of a number of Well fans to our last 2 games. A number o four faithful support, including myself, are becoming more and more miffed at not "competing" against the Old Firm, moreso in light of Falkirk pumping Rangers out on Wednesday night. However, that is something we go through every season, so while it hurts, it is a little expected.

The loss to St Johnstone however has had many up in arms. The players showed little of the signs of the skills we have seen of them for the most part of this season, and they knew it. St Johnstone were the better team on the day and out fought us in every area. Cliche ahoy, it was a bad day at the office.

Tuesday night's game needed a reaction from the players and to a certain extent the Well fans got it, although some of them refuse to see it. After playing very poorly and being 1-0 down after around 20 minutes, the lads finally kicked in to gear and by half time were 2-1 up. This was done by playing the type of football the fans had become accustomed to from the start of the season.

It was a game that had more chances than the glorious 6-6 game of 2 seasons ago. The defending by both teams was just as shocking as that night, meaning that the forwards for both teams created, scored and missed a host of chances. The lousy defending showed how harsh it can be when Craigan's dallying on the half way line led to the equaliser.

Despite McHugh having his legit goal disallowed, The Well crashed out of the cup on penalties, the cruelest way for a game of so much excitement to end. The inquests then began.

Since Tuesday night I have read about how McCall is rewarding losers by playing them each week, how his tactics don't suit the players capabilities, how he is not giving the youngsters a chance, and mainly how Higdon is a fat waste of a jersey. This makes me irate.

I know Motherwell fans are not the only fans who are a fickle bunch most of the time but seriously: GET A GRIP.

Yes, the last 3 results have been disappointing, and we haven't been at out best, bit we are Motherwell, not Barcelona. If we had players capable of being brilliant in every position every single week, then we wouldn't have these players at all. Currently, we sit 3rd in the SPL and are only out of the cup due to the spot kick lottery.

Now, Nicky Law, the Motherwell Messi, arguably the best player in the squad missed the decisive penalty. In fact, during the match, he had 2 or 3 chances to score but fired wise or had his efforts saved. Probably more chances and clearer cut chances than Michael Higdon had. That's the Michael Higdon who set up our first by jumping to nod Hateley's corner to Lasley, and scored our second with a clinical strike from outside the box.

Yet Michael Higdon, our top scorer this season with 4 goals in his last 6 games has been vilified for not trying hard enough and has become almost a Townsley-esque blame figure for an element of our support.

He is our main threat up front and as such, we would probably like him to get amongst he goals a bit more. Yes he is a little slow, almost Sutton slow, but he's a different player. I've read how his flick ons don't find his team mates, and that he's taller standing still than he is jumping. The boy won pretty much every header he went for against Hibs and when McHugh came on, he latched on to the majority of flicks that Higdon gave him.

Murphy and Humphrey were too far away from Higdon on almost every occasion, meaning that the big (not fat, solid) man's work went to waste.

Now, before anyone starts, I am not having a go at the others to defend Higdon, but I am viewing things a little less blinkered than some. Every player has their off day, and Higdon as well as others had that on Saturday. Tuesday was a different game and a different performance. If that was a league game, we draw it 2-2. If McHugh's non offside header is given, we win 3-2. But, because we lost on penalties and are out the cup, a state of emergency is declared.

We need to consider a few things. At the back we are currently a bit gash. Clancy is as much of a centre back as I am (I'm not), Saunders and Hutchinson are recovering from injury and Craigan is the only experienced man at the back we have. Johnny Page should be in consideration to come in in Clancy's place, but Stu Mc hasn't deployed him as yet. Does this make McCall tactically naive? No, it mean's he is trusting a more experienced player, albeit out of position, but a player who has plenty of SPL games under his belt in comparison.

Now, it may not be working, but it's McCall's call. Clancy looked good against Dunfermline but has been shaky since. He'll get over it and if he doesn't, and McCall doesn't address it, them we can start to really panic.

When Daley came on on Tuesday night, it was like The Hump MK2. All the running of his Jamaican compatriot with a bit more battle in him. His pace is certainly an asset and looks like his final ball and attacking nuance is better than Humphrey. This could be the kick up the arse Humpo needs as he has to compete with an experienced international. Hopefully he will help bring Chris' game on, as to call back to earlier, if he was the full package , he wouldn't be playing for us.

The more experienced players like Jennings, Hammell and Craigan have been out of sorts in the last 2 games, but dips in form are to be expected. As long as they don't continue to be so poor the the panic button doesnt need to be hit just yet.

All I'm saying is, angry Well fans, chill out a bit. We are in a lofty position, have a good, if thin squad, who have had some poor results in the last 10 days. We'll get past it. We have been in far worse predicaments than this and I feel our successes last season are the barometer at which we are being measured this season.

There has been much talk of #bouncebackability on Twitter and around Fir Park and this Saturday's game against Aberdeen is probably the ideal game to try and bounce back from last weeks dissappointments. The Dons are in a far worse situation than we are, what with being at the wrong end of the table and their current crop of players intent on tarnishing their 1980s driven reputation. Obviously they will be hurting at going out to 2nd Division East Fife and may have a point to prove.

The events of last season, when Aberdeen poached Brown and Knox away, as well as Blackman and the altercation with John Boyle, should lead to a great atmosphere amongst the fans. While the players will be professional, they know how much of lift for the fans it will be to get it right up them and have a right go. If they aren't fired up for this one and under perform, then I wi admit changes may need to be made.

But I have full confidence in a victory over the Dandy Dons this Saturday and I hope everyone who reads this can get back to supporting the team that sits proudly in 3rd place in the SPL.

Up The Well!!!