JC casts an eye over the 'Well scene
Onlooker's Back
James - The sublime Ponytail, the mohican, Saviour of the National game if you believe the hype in the press and media, James seems to have been reading all the hype.Thinking all he need do was turn up and never mind trying a leg or tracking back or trying harder when his tricks and skills didn't come off.The supposed big cash bid from Bayer Leverkusen and the peanuts offer from Paw Broon and sidekick Billy Boy appeared to have gone to the youngsters head as heshowed little of last season's form in the Cuddly Toys draw or Postmansrevenge game.After his one-on-one shimmy hadn't fooled Colgan, we saw Postie go up the park and score his second.Young Jamescrumpled to the ground and appeared to get an earful from theskipper for his trouble before Tel took him off as he had obviously lost the plot.
Joy for Mr Blobby in the visitor's dugout as his opponent'smost dangerous and creative player has to be removed from the game early.So we need to see a bit more application by James not only in Bigot games but the run of the mill ones as well where the same vital three points are up for grabs.Sure, let's enjoy his fantastic talent while we can but please Faddy, keep your feet on the ground.
Dirty Dossers!
Truth or Myth? - Statistics don't lie they say - Motherwell received most cautions and conceded most fouls last time round.Perhaps I watch games through claret 'n' amber tinted glasses but I don't see Motherwell as a particularly dirty side.
We have got more physical under Tel with Lasley, Faddy and Ramsaygetting stuck in but Lehmann seems to be pulled up for unknown, unseen fouls on a regular basis.I sat through theHibs match with a qualified coach who could not spot the supposed fouls Kenny Clark blew for.
Lehmann and Faddyboth moan too much and readily receive cards for this as did Elliott who continually argued himself into the book claiminghe was onside when he regularly wasn't!Bookings for dissent are always avoidable as the official isn't going to change his decision or mind so forget it Dirk and James.
Tels' footstamping tantrums at Livi and his comments that you are not a player until your red carded made me cringe andset no example to the young players.Wonder wot Charlie Aitken would have made of Tel's philosiphy on footie.Sure,you need to motivate players to be winners but not to kick opponents of the park in the process.
Programme :
Price Hike- Probably where I'm going to fall out and annoy the 'zine'sex-editor again.
Pricewise I can understand the reason - it's inline with the other SPL issues but where's the quality?OK, there's a couple more lines from Tel than the two-liners a laBlack and Billy Boy's 'get behind the boys' stuff.
Also thecontributions from several of the fanzine correspondents are interesting enough but there's an awful lot of scope for improvement with a bit more time and effort expended.
I gota 64 page prog from Cheltenham (now 2nd Div, previously Conference 4-5 years ago).It had a full page from themanager and boardroom, five pages on the visitors, all colour throughout, page on football in the community, pages on the Reserve's and Youth's and directions to the next away trip with ticketing information.Also a Connections with the visitorspage, entertaining page from the local radio station, supporters club page, stats etc.How come this can beproduced for a club with a support very similar to Motherwell.Ialso got a couple of decent efforts from even lower down the scale - Doc Marten level at Worcester and Dover while onholiday.
I generally get a copy of the programme but never bothered at the Hibs or Celtic games partly due to financesbut also due to the quality on offer at Fir Park.I realise Motherwell don't have the cash outlay to produce a full colourissue but despite the improvements I am still disappointed by wots on sale.I'm not alone as regards this - I've spoken to three other regulars who agree with my comments.
Transfer Window - Clubs are already looking for dispensation to allow transfers.
Good or Bad idea?Depends, at least it means you have to go with what you have and you discover how good (or not) a coach you have.Of course if injuries and suspensions bite at Motherwell with our 'After Eight'-thin squad it could cause Tel a great deal of problems getting a side on the park, especially if the ref's keep dishing out cards for competitive tackles and James & Dirk can't shut their gobs.
The window also means we get to keep James at least until it re-opens.We've got to get by with wot we've got at the club and either sink or swim.So far the experts have been proved wrong with The Dossers not the relegation certs they all predicted.
Notice "Smith Must Score" is already distancing himself from 'Dossers For The Drop' and even Diamond Geezer Jim Traitor almost choked at our result against the Beggars.
John Creighton
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