TERRACE TALK: Fan's view

Published 7 Feb 2012 13:00 4 Comments

Learn the lesson

I am writing to express my concern at Morton's tactics on Saturday at Fir Park, and principly at the manager's failure to take responsibility for the worst Morton performance I can remember since 1963/4 when I started supporting the club.

The consensus amongst all the Morton supporters around me at half-time was that the responsibility for the performance and scoreline could be laid squarely at Allan Moore's door.

His pre-match comments and tactical set-up showed a disproportionate fear of Motherwell and a complete lack of faith in his own players.

It was clear to all of us that this had a detrimental effect on our players' confidence, in addition to boosting the Motherwell players, resulting in the capitulation of our players.

We returned to our normal attacking game in the second half and although we were devastated we felt the one consolation would be a huge lesson learned for the manager, who would surely take responsibility and vow never to repeat this mistake again.

It was to my utmost dismay therefore to read in the Sunday papers that he passed the full responsibility onto his players, taking no share of the blame whatsoever.

I ask that Allan now has a re-think and admits responsibility, in which case I would be happy to see him continue as Morton manager and learn from this bitter lesson.

Danny Gallacher

'Absolute disgrace'

Some years ago the song 'We Have a Dream' came out with respect to Scotland's World Cup challenge and I am sure some of us Morton supporters had a similar dream of a trip to Hampden in May for the Scottish Cup Final.

That dream not only died on Saturday but turned into our worst nightmare as the Morton players forgot to turn up and left not only the team but the large away support completely humiliated.

Hundreds of the Morton support started leaving as the third and fourth goals went in but I guess the luckiest of us all was the one guy sitting two rows in front of me who slept through the entire game.

The players were an absolute disgrace, although a large portion of blame needs to go to the management team as well.

I had the pleasure of spending some time with both Allan and Mark in Newcastle during the pre-season tour and they came across as really nice guys but their plan to 'park the bus' against Motherwell completely backfired.

Most of us could not understand why they didn't change the formation before half-time as at least we could have given it a go and went down with a fight.

At the end of the day, the players let us all down, especially in defence, where they couldn't mark at corners and also parted like the Red Sea.

Like most true supporters, we will continue to get behind the team but displays like the one on Saturday makes you wonder why we do it.

John Gisbey

Greenock

Worthy venture

May I congratulate Greenock Morton and First Touch on their recently announced partnership.

I hope it proves to be a very successful relationship and produces many Ton stars.

At this juncture, I'd like to also thank the many excellent local boys clubs and coaches for their dedication and love of the game.

I've been extremely fortunate to have been asked to referee in First Touch's football gala days, allowing me to fulfill a dream of gracing the hallowed turf of Cappielow. In the years I've been doing this, the professionalism and enthusiasm of the coaches, ex-senior, semi-pro, amateur and genuine good guys to boot, has really impressed.

This new venture is just reward for all their hard work. I hope that Morton play their part too, by assisting both financially and by offering senior players for the odd training session to nurture this extremely vital and worthy venture.

Jim McEleny

This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 07 Feb 12

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

ukch47
9 posts
Feb 7, 15:59
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Alan Moore is not tactically savvy and should play to Morton's strengths not to the oposition. Letting Sean Fitzharis go and not giving him a chance highlights Moores inability to see a good thing staring him straight in the eye. He has his favorites and this is to teh detriment of Morton.

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gordybroon
11 posts
Feb 7, 16:28
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ukch47 - I can't see a raft of clubs snapping to sigh him up despite him being freed by Morton.

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whybother
12 posts
Feb 7, 16:39
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Fitzharris was terrible. He did well in his first spell, but did nothing this season and gained quite a bit of weight to the point he couldn't beat a man due to his backside dragging along the turf.

As gordybroon says, no-one has made him an offer, even a diddy team. I doubt he'll ever play full-time football again.

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ukch47
9 posts
Feb 10, 03:16
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Oh Gordybroon and whybother, ye of little faith please keep the antenas up for young Fitzharis. I am shocked you did not feel fit to comment on Mr Moore though :)

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