capt_oats

Similarly seems odd that the club would state publicly that "no interviews will take place this week" last Wednesday then, you know, interview someone that week. Don't get me wrong, if Danny Lennon has ruled himself out then I'm bloody ecstatic at that news.

By no means is this a defence of his signings and I understand why people are going with this idea but in reality how many of Baraclough's permanent signings from this summer would be in our 'strongest XI'? If anything it's this that's the problem, not that his signings show that he 'underestimated' the league but rather it shows that the signings he's made over the summer didn't improve on what he thought was his best XI. Instead they've been brought in to supplement the core of the squad. The same core that, it doesn't really need pointing out, underachieved and finished in the play-off positions. Ripley - on loan, contracted to Middlesboro for next 3 years Grimshaw - on loan from Man United or Law - was already at the club (though Bara did extend his deal) Kennedy - voted MOM on a couple of occasions here, has shown a lot of potential McManus - was already at the club Hammell - was already at the club Ainsworth - was already at the club Lasley - was already at the club Pearson - generally regarded as our best midfielder Johnson - out of form at the moment certainly or Thomas - already at the club Moult - our top scorer at the moment McDonald - hasn't kicked a ball this season by would hardly say bringing him in was 'underestimating' the league. Beyond that he's brought in; Fletcher - who's been injured Laing - a decent enough centre half, with potential Chalmers - as cover for Hammell Taylor - on loan from Reading and has been brutal but not a permanent signing Clarkson - arguably brought in in case we didn't get McDonald Robinson - panic buy no question Samson - again WTF

Eric Black's currently temp managing Rotherham

That's Gary McAllister moved to 12/1 from 25/1 on Skybet. Edit: that's him left Liverpool as of this morning which probably explains the change.

Aye, Kennedy's playing. it's the midfield that's a bit weird. Unless we're going with Grimshaw, Lasley, Pearson as a central 3 rather than a 4 man midfield.

Same team as last week I'd think. Have a feeling it'll end up a score draw, 2-2. Ainsworth and McDonald for us.

I'll not lie the reason I wouldn't want Calderwood is because I flat out don't like the guy. However beyond that I just don't really see that he's the sort of manager that fits with what it's claimed we're looking for. I'm in agreement that I think the next guy will have more experience than his predecessor however in Calderwood's case the last club he was at for any length of time was Aberdeen. Since then it's just been short stints, parachuting in as a fixer or in the case of his last job resigning. In each of the last 4 positions he's had since he left Aberdeen in 2009 he's been at the club for less than a season. If we're looking for someone to "take the club forward" ⎌then I can't see that Calderwood is that guy.

Clark was on SSN at the same time as McCall when he was ruling himself out of the job but punting himself for the United position, whilst taking digs with the whole "supporters only remember the last 12 games", "I don't think they'll repeat finishing 2nd to Celtic" etc. I missed whether they had asked Clark anything about it though. I mentioned earlier in the thread when someone suggested Holloway that I wondered if Clark might be someone that would be interested. On the face of stats he seemed to do a decent job at Huddersfield, was working under limitations at Birmingham with the Carson Yeung thing in the background and Blackpool is, as everyone knows, a total basket case. He's also got coaching experience at Newcastle and Norwich and was a very experienced player.

One of the most despised people in the English leagues? Erm, no thanks.

Now ex-manager at Newport County.

Leitch is still at the club as well. He also worked with the likes of Hammell, Lasley, Clarkson and Craigan as players so there's that (possibly) in his favour too. There are plenty of obvious reasons to tell him to bolt and it largely depends on what he actually wants from the club this time around. Does he want to work with the players he's got and build a team or is he going to be whoring himself about again the first chance he gets. Either way he's the one manager that seems to have shown an interest who's actually demonstrated that he can do the job that needs done (in his first season, less said about the 2nd season the better). He knows the club, knows the league, knows the players and staff. He's also significantly more experienced than any other candidate going (that we've heard of).

Didn't actually get a game for Leicester. He was in the same 1st division QPR team as Karl Ready. Otherwise it's Grimsby, Lincoln, Scunthorpe, Notts County & Mansfield and a few games on loan to Wigan in 1990.

1 win in 12 so far IIRC

Given the longest anyone's been in the job since McLean has been around 4 years (give or take) I'd say Craigan would probably be best to bide his time, continue working with the u20s and the N.Ireland set up and go for it when the job comes up next time. It'd be hugely optimistic to think that whoever the next guy is will see in some sort of epic managerial dynasty. One of two things will happen; 1. he'll do pretty well, last 3 or 4 years and move on to a "bigger" club or will run a natural cycle and decide he can't take the club any further and leave or 2. will have a bit of a nightmare and get binned. Worst case for Craigan he'll be early 40s when the job comes up again. Either way, it'd give him time to get more experience under his belt than he has at the moment and give him a bit of time to decide whether or not he genuinely wants to go down the managerial path.

The other night on Sportscene he was still giving it "Motherwell had a good 20 mins over the two play-off games and that's what decided it." Bless.

I wouldn't read too much into that. it's just the standard patter. When have you ever heard a player come out and say they didn't want an interim manager to get the job?

Pressley on Sportsound just now basically saying he's wanting to stay in England.

Fair point. Though it'd probably be fair to say it's how he's been utilised that counts against him rather than whether or not McDonald's been a valid signing.

And McDonald?

Surprisingly Lambert is currently favourite for the Dundee Utd job with Ladbrokes (for all that bookies odds mean). I wouldn't have thought he'd be anywhere near a job in Scotland outwith Celtic. There's a joke in there I'm sure.

I think it depends on whether or not he still sees himself as a football manager or whether he's comfortable as a pundit. Also, having read a wee bit about his personal life I can't really see that coming up here and being away from his kids would be that appealing to him. He had said he took the Palace job to be closer to his family. I had actually wondered about whether Lee Clark who was doing the Fulham v QPR game along with him the other night might be someone who'd put his name in. Fairly extensive coaching experience at Newcastle & Norwich, decent record at Huddersfield, difficult time at Birmingham but with the whole Carson Yeung thing in the background (praised for introducing academy players to the first team though) and Blackpool is a total basket case off the field.

not disagreeing or saying I particularly agree with it as a policy but let's say the manager has the option of bringing in some journeyman on a 1 year deal that he's fairly sure will shore up the team for the season or could bring through someone from the u20s or bring in a young player with potential to develop and sell on which might be more of a risk. to a certain type the financial incentive might nudge them in the direction of the less 'safe' option.

Wouldn't go as far as brutal. I thought he did a lot of what I'd want a full back to do. Was strong in the tackle, had a bit of pace getting back and forth and closed down reasonably well. In terms of positioning he definitely looked a bit shaky but that's fairly understandable since not only is he relatively new at the club but he's just been chucked in at RB yesterday. He lost his man for their goal though, either way I thought he looked a much better fit there than Law.

Interesting to hear about the applications: http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34373547

Absolutely, not only that but we were matching up an obviously not match fit Pearson and Lasley as our two central midfielders against Thistle's 3 man centre midfield. We've struggled at times when we've played against teams with an extra man in the centre. That we got the full 90 out of Pearson was unexpected and am not surprised Leitch was dropped in later in the game to try and compensate.