Should I Stay or Should I go?
Much has been made in the press of the fact that we have an entire team of players out of contract at the end of the season, and with the club trying to introduce a cap on wages it appears that the majority of them will be on their way. But which of the eleven would we really miss? Here's my own opinion of who should be sacrificed to cut costs.
John Spencer
Spenny has ability, of that there is no question. Just look at his recent goal at McDairmid Park - how many other players in our current first team goal would have been capable of producing something like that? However, the problem with Spenny is that he simply doesn't produce it often enough. Even accounting for his recent injury problems, a return of only two goals so far this term simply isn't good enough for someone earning £5,000 a week (or whatever).
Stay or go? Go
Ged Brannan
It surprises me when I hear Ged being criticised by the fans because he IS our midfield at times, especially when BD opts to play with one or more of the wingers and leaves him outnumbered in the middle of the park. This is especially true when he lines up alongside Scott Leitch, who I have yet to be convinced by. When Brannan plays well, Motherwell play well. Unfortunately, when he has a nightmare then we're really in trouble (e.g. at Tannadice Jan 2nd!)
Stay or go? Stay
Andy Goram
Andy is still capable of pulling off the occasional world-class save (e.g. THAT header v the Jambos at Fir Park), but at 37 he is now well past his best. He has looked a bit suspect at times this season and his injury problems are well known. He has hardly endeared himself to 'Well fans recently by visiting the Dubai Loyal Rangers supporters club during the winter break, and turning out for Rangers in the recent charity match at Ibrox.
Stay or go? Go
Don Goodman
After winning the Internet Supporters' player of the year award last year, it simply hasn't happened for The Don this term. He's struggled badly with a number of injuries all season and managed only 15 league appearances prior to the winter break, without finding the net in any of them. He doesn't look anything like the player he was last year, and at 34 is another who is well past his best.
Stay or go? Go
Derek Adams
I actually thought Del Boy might have been allowed to leave, after all I think it's fair to say that he's never really fulfilled his full potential at Fir Park. I actually feel a bit sorry for him, after all he scored something like 50 goals in two seasons for Ross County yet we buy him and play him in midfield! However, even accounting for the fact that he's quite often been played out of position, I'm still hoping for a big improvement in the next two years!
Stay or go? Staying!
Kevin Twaddle
At last seems to be getting over the illness and injury problems that have plagued his time at the club. I think it's fair to say we haven't seen the best of Twads yet, but he's certainly done more than enough to deserve a new contract.
Stay or go? Stay
Derek Townsley
Has certainly responded well to the criticism he received early in the season and has chipped in with some vital goals recently, but he remains very inconsistent. There are some games when he'll look like a class act, yet there are others when you wonder if the guy has ever played professional football before in his life! Still, I suppose we didn't pay much for him and I doubt if he'll be looking for the earth in wages.
Stay or go? Stay (just!)
Benito Kemble
Another player who has struggled with injury problems this year, but when he's fit he's easily our best centre-half. Seems to prefer the big games, and has carried out excellent man-marking jobs on Mols and Larsson (twice).
Stay or go? Stay
Tony Thomas
Very little to say about this one. It is well know that the club were aware of his injury problems when they signed him, yet decided to take a gamble on him. The question is, are we the size of club who can afford to take risks of this nature, especially when Thomas' weekly wage was reputedly in the region of £4,000?
Stay or go? Gone!
Paul Harvey
Seems to be permanently injured, and given his age I'll be surprised if he's offered another contract.
Stay or go? Go
John Davies
No comment!
Stay or go? Gone!
James Reid
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