LadywellToi

Looking out my window it looks like The Day After Tomorrow which means we should have found out yesterday ...... I'm away to lie down in a darkened room. NB Jake Gyllenhaal is soooo dreamy!

BBC interview with Youngie Just uploaded

Good point well made. That wee furret obviously loves his daily complimentary roll n' sausage up at Murray Park.

Do you reckon they've been sneeking applicants into the POD as if they were on the way to the Old Bailey with a blanket? Don't think I've ever seen this level of secrecy over any footballing appointment in recent years.

Brown talked everyone up. I can even remember John Porteous getting a 5 minute complimentary critique and general back slapping session in a BBC interview.

I don't fancy giving his ex-wife 1.5 of our points every time we get a win. Non flyer.

Possibly the only human being who compliments more people than our old boss. Unfortunately for recent trangressions it looks as if Craig and Archie will be reincarnated as: Craigie: Archie:

I'd expect an announcement from the club either tomorrow, Wednesday or Thursday as nobody is going to be in on Christmas Eve and Leeann seemed to suggest we'd have someone in place for Boxing Day.

Hasn't he already had a punt and jumped ship pretty soon afterwards or is my memory of the era a bit hazy?

For me the way the thread has gone shows the main problem in perception from many supporters of Scottish football at present. The problem I find at present is the commercial management at clubs and bodies see their main revenue stream as squeezing even more money out of those who already have made a commitment to Scottish football in terms of season tickets. I know we live in a different environment to that 50 years ago when we had consistent attendances of 30,000. We now have a larger population however we also have playstations, 24hr movie channels, the internet and much more choice with what to spend our free time and money on. Rather than looking at merging clubs why not look Motherwell, Accies and Airdrie all stimulating and increasing their attendances by 10,000 through innovative means. These fans have all attended in the past an now apathy, ease of satellite coverage or cost has driven them away .... however in most cases not for good. Issues for me include a fair number of local fans support the OF as they like to associate with winning clubs. In a league where 100% of the time since its inception only two teams have won it will always make things hard for everyone else. Almost as hard as convincing them to give up half of their home gate receipts. The pro's for centralising everything under one body (following the SRU model) is you have continuity from the top down. The grass roots youth game is engineered to best support the amateurs in the level above, to the level above that, leading eventually up to the full international team. I'm suggesting that teams out with the top division are primarily tasked with helping and improving the top division while trying to count themselves in it, leading ultimately for the gain of the national team. I reckon you need one body to ensure any adoptions or initiatives are implemented swiftly - proactive rather than reactive as has always been the case. I have a problem with umpteen buildings, the utility bills, 6+ chairmen, presidents/managing directors, secretaries, honorary board members, non-executive board members, etc. all tugging to and frow in "Pork Barrel" politics. All leagues will have particular issues affecting them, surely being down the hall from everyone else has its benefits too. We have been governed politically from a building 400 miles away up until the past 10 years. The majority of the Scottish population at present still support and vote to maintain that. Why not, if it saves money that could be used for even one extra 3G 5-a-side pitch in Scotland then I'm all for it.

Some things in this whole sage should be addressed going forward whatever the outcome. First of which is any bookmaker or their collective organisation should not release any information into the public domain until they have conducted an enquiry themselves and involved the police if it is felt it should be escalated. They should seriously look at limiting the types of betting to those that can't be influenced easily by players. The bookmaking industry is alone in happily taking money off punters but when anything goes wrong in terms of paying out, they then limit your activity and question your perceived luck or ability. As for those who suggest he wants to go home for Christmas, then as far as I understand he would still have to report for games (albeit in a suit and sit in the stand) and maintain his fitness through training as normal. As for the incident in question: As Al has pointed out, there seems minimal financial gain for Jennings risked against the potential end his career if guilty. Anyone could see the growing frustration of the Motherwell players (look at the reaction of the normally mild mannered Blackman when he was booked). Frustration always leads to indiscipline. The odds (10-1) seemed excessive based on the occasion, the past 2 months in Scottish football and correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't shorten when the first booking was made after 6 minutes. I hope Jennings takes them to court for deformation. I heard Tommy Sheridan is considering being a lawyer as a career.

That is the gamble, however I'm so disillusioned with the status quo that I'd give a dictator a chance. I wonder if that's what they said in Munich in 1932.

Bit deep for a Saturday night, however the lack of Motherwell action is akin to mid-June in an odd ending year.

Something I wanted to bring up at the MST event during the week, but was curtailed by time was the following. Hopefully it may result in a debate going forward. We live in a country of 5.5m, we have over 30 councils and 6+ bodies officiating our football (SPL, SFL, SFA, Scot Amateur, Scot Junior, Highland League, etc.). In short we are over administrated and consequently too much money is tied up with servicing these bodies than on those at the coal face. While I'd fight for the right of preserving democracy in government, the present system in football is unsustainable and is rooted in too many vested interests by old guys set in their ways (many of these bodies wouldn't ever vote to make themselves redundant even if streamlining things would result in universal improvements all round). Therefore I would advocate (however may be swayed depending on the argument) that we need someone outside the game to have carte blanche to re-organise for the 21st century. Maybe a non football related (Sir John Harvey-Jones for example). Doncaster and Dempster were in consensus that football is so slow to react. I listened to Chick Young interviewing David Johnston (Killie Chairman) today and even over the radio he seemed to wince when asked if it was possible to implement the changes for the start of next season. Unfortunately we may need an Authoritarian regime in the short term to get things done. Ultimately if we take present standards and attendances at FP as a datum, does anyone envisage an increase in things at FP to what it was like just 10 years ago, and then to what it was in the mid-80's? Discuss.

You would think that Andy Devlin may have got 5 minutes alone with Leeann to get a scoop over his compatriots considering he was chairing the MST event last night. If Stubbs is in pole position then I hope its maybe down to a Moyes/Scottish/Everton/Juke and Ruddy did well/Blood Youngsters in 1st Team/Feeder Club/Motherwell thing. After all our EPL starlets in the past few seasons have been key additions and critical to the squad. Can't speak about the man in question, you would think he is getting good reports from down south to be even considered with his limited experience. Whoever gets it, I'd like to see commitment with respect to moving to the area (if they are currently outside a commutable distance) and a contract with an easy get out clause for Well.

Are they made of lead? Commendable what you are doing, I hope to do something similar (however a fraction of your £10k) next year. Just out of interest, is there any reason why you are supporting Great Ormond Street Hospital opposed to Yorkhill?

Lets look at some of the names banded about recently. Leeann alluded to 30 applications being narrowed (no doubt by compensation, ability to work with limited funds, longevity and influence/knowledge to better the squad). Yogi Hughes - As ambitious as McGhee, would always have his eye on the next move, his approach is to intimidate rather than inspire. What McGhee is to ego's, he is to bullying. Billy Reid - For me, his approach and tactics are a cancer in Scottish football, the recent derby is testament to that. I also don't advocate one SPL club going for another current SPL manager. Mark McGhee - Absolutely not, he burned his bridges after a dodgy second season and elements of our support threw petrol on it at Pittrodrie last season. I am sure he privately cites the death of Phil O'D as the primary reason he didn't get Scotland. Stuart McCall - Don't have my eye on what he did at Bradford to fully comment, however his contacts in the lower English leagues could be a benefit, along with maybe calling in favours from former colleagues (McCoist, McLeish, etc) to get their starlets access to first time football. Whoever gets it, I think we are in a strong enough position to suggest that they move to the area and settle, no more BA executive lounge holding managers please. Boyle prides himself of innovative and unconventional appointments, I don't expect a u-turn now.

I understand, and we had a similar problem on Monday/Tuesday, however plumber(s) got their finger out and repaired upwards of 50 leaks. We also have a fraction of the turnover and resources that Rangers have. Also, with respect to your "FFS How many times?" comment, SteveDiggle mentioned it, so that would be one and not a plethora as you appear to suggest.

Doncaster last night seemed to suggest an early July start to the SPL going forward. Obviously it has to be put to clubs for consensus. He did highlight that UEFA insist on blackouts on domestic competition even if it's a Europa qualifier involving teams in Lithuania against Bulgaria. So, even if we wanted to get a few extra games out the way in the light nights when you can show up wearing a t-shirt then unfortunately the leagues hands are tied. Just another example of UEFA/FIFA's response to common sense to stick their fingers in their ears and shout "nananananananana". I don't understand the Ibrox decision a full 30 hours before though, we put on a game on Tuesday night, the roads are pretty much clear (that was the Police objection) and the temperatures have been consistent in the past few days.

I must admit, I'm surprised the Rangers game is off.

Finlay's right, can the snow, sleekit agents, over zealous council employees and 'honourable' old gents just bugger off for a bit and give us a breather. For 2p worth, I'd ban betting on events that can be easily influenced by players. Bookies will still make a lot of money with the traditional half-time full-time, first goalscorer and perms without having to rely on the more recent bets on first corner or spread betting on the number of shy's. For me, Jennings yellow was over the top reaction. There then followed 3 other incidents of greater severity that weren't acted upon at all by the referee. I'm constantly surprised that linesmen (sorry, "assistant referee's" as they now insist on being called) repeatedly fail to intervene and cede to the referees. I can't understand in any way how the Main stand linesman didn't flag and alert the referee to the 2 yard wall freekick incident. Therefore, for me the referee and his two assistants have to take some of the blame as I recognised and pointed out to my mate (and the TV commentary too) that the Motherwell players may perceive his behaviour as being unjust and lose their discipline accordingly. 10-1 for a red in a game of this nature seems long odds and a huge oversight by the underwriter. Don't expect any answers tomorrow night either, the club will use the "we can't comment on an ongoing investigation" disclaimer.

I'd say neil you've hit the nail on the head, prepare for some rapid back-tracking. It confirms Aberdeen sanctioned Craig Brown being targeted via an agent without contacting the club.

Goodness, what a load of bullsh!t So Craig working without a contract was surprising news to another SPL chief executive. Does he live in the same 80's bubble as the Dons fans? I hope they all get what's coming to them.

Bit out of order, but hey, here's a suggestion, anyone want to take this thread forward by suggesting realistic appointments? I dunno, call me old fashioned but some of the posts on this so far are a waste of bandwidth. If we're advocating Chris Houghton, then I'll have a Mourinho with a Hiddink as number 2. Now listen, I'll spell it out, Here's JB's criteria: 1) Either free agent or able to break contract without penalty. 2) Someone who is prepared to come to Motherwell. 3) Can achieve a lot with a little budget.

That's on the money. +1. Hearts were organised, physical and had a strategy, we lost composure and discipline and heads dropped when Blackman was booked.