MelvinBragg

Presumably Thomas didn't start as we wanted someone in front of Watt who would offer a bit of protection which Law did. When Thomas came on we looked a lot more dangerous but also a lot more open. For those calling for Erwin to start, I'd only say that Sutton had a good game today with what he had to feed off. Good performances from Law, Watt, Sutton and Thomas. Worst player on the park? Ainsworth...

Assuming left back or centre midfield...

Not saying that I disagree but strange (easy?) to single out McHugh and Angol when they haven't featured that much this season, McHugh particularly...

Outgoings? We can't afford to pay off Lawson or Ramsden so they'll be here until the end of the season. McHugh? Might be able to find a club in the lower leagues interested. Cummins, likewise although he hasn't done much on his loan spells so maybe not. Ojaama and O'Brien. Ojaama, I have no idea how much of his salary we're paying, but thought strikes me that if we're playing him on the left, we could maybe find someone cheaper more suited to that role and free up money for other areas. O'Brien, not fussed. Given we'll have Ramsden and Reid, and Kerr has had some good games at centre back, and Ferguson could be an option at right back, again the money could be better spent elsewhere. Midfield is an area we could strengthen. Striker wise, if we bring someone in, will that just lessen Erwin and Moore's opportunities? A dilemma...

A player with the pace of Nick Blackman and the hair of Don Goodman? What a player that would be...

That's why Sutton gets picked. Even in his worst form, he's the player most likely in our squad (by some distance) to stick the ball in the net...

I take it you mean former player rather than former manager? Unless he's bringing Gannon in as his number two...

You realise that papers have been wrong before and you might have at least waited for an official confirmation...?

A question. If the ownership issue is almost resolved and it's just a matter of getting signatures on paper, I'll assume any new owners would have been involved (informally, at least) in the interview/decision-making process this week so can't see any reason why we would have to wait til new owners were announced to confirm a new manager...

Irony being that we probably won't have a manager this side of Christmas now. I appreciate that the ownership issue has delayed things but an equally large threat to our future is relegation, and this continued uncertainty isn't helping the fans or the players. We now go into a massive game with a manager that knows he won't get the job and players also knowing this. Not an ideal situation. I'm all for taking our time and getting the right man but as fans we're entitled to ask how long does that take?

Glad I couldn't get online in time to put money on this last night. Van der Gaag turned it down possibly?

Who knows regards Butcher? I suspect that Butcher will be in the running for the Rangers job as will McCall but don't care that much. As long as McCoist isn't a late runner for the Motherwell job...

Both pretty similar. Decent track record, neither have managed in Scotland, both have worked with small budgets. Other than the fact that Van der Gaag played for us, pretty evenly matched candidates...

Baraclough now shorter odds than Van der Gaag on McBookie. Baraclough is now 8/11, Van der Gaag at evens. Maybe not as cut and dried as people were thinking...

Yep, my point exactly...

Finishing fifth in the Portugese league is hardly something to shout about? Really? People need a reality check. I'm not saying Van der Gaag is the best candidate but for me his record isn't something you can quibble about. The health issue is something people would naturally be concerned about but pretty sure that he wouldn't be applying for the job if he thought it would endanger his health...

I'd imagine that the new manager will be unveiled tomorrow or Friday. Barraclough sadly has a feel of a Pat Fenlon/Steven Kenny appointment. Not saying that he would be, but that's my fear. Risks attached to all candidates...

Strikes me that a few folk on here seem to be taking the Walter Smith approach to signing players when it comes to our new manager. Foreign=Better. There's always two sides to every story but that Wiki excerpt makes Maaskaant sound like Gannon Mk 2. Is that what we need right now? Maybe next summer, but not now. Van der Gaag seems to have a better track record but lack of familiarity with the SPL could be an issue as we want a manager who knows exactly what kind of opposition he's facing in the next few crucial games. Shiels and Butcher, you know what you get with them. Both have strengths and weaknesses. Freedman, must confess that beyond knowing he did well at Palace and poorly at Bolton, I know nothing about. Before counting him out due to his record at Bolton, we have to remember that McCall had a poor record prior to coming to Fir Park. It's a pretty diverse list anyway. Who the board picks might be a fair indication of which way they want the club to develop. Freedman and Butcher might indicate a continuation of the policy of trying to find players in the English lower leagues. Shiels probably indicates a greater emphasis on youth. Either of the Dutch guys, more continental approach..? Massive appointment for the club to get right not just for the next few games but for the next few seasons...

It's getting close to the point where it doesn't matter who we appoint, we just need to appoint someone so that whoever it turns out to be gets started on the job in hand. This has dragged on so long that it's gone beyond "taking time to get the right man". The board have had quite a while to study the applications and weigh up their options. We can't start planning for January until a decision is made...

All these Dutch ex-Well players mentioned. Where's Luc Nijholt these days..?

It's not reports in the media that concern me but people like Burn Broomfield stating it. Media have little interest in us and it leads to lazy stories that have no real substance. Posters on here not known for spreading nonsense start saying the job is Butcher's, then I get worried...

Let's hope he does so. Can't see us having the cash to get rid of Black so Butcher won't be allowed to bring Malpas with him. Could be a sticking point?

Interesting, hadn't thought of Van der Gaag. If we're looking at a six name shortlist, who's on it? Butcher Shiels Black Maaskaant Van der Gaag ??????? Really hope that we make a decision soon. Uncertainty is not helping at all...

Had thought of him when Venus was linked with the job. At Hibs, he had them playing attractive football and he didn't seem afraid of playing young players. Only concern would be the fact that we maybe need more right now is a "make your team hard to beat" manager...

I really hope this is simply to motivate Kenny Black for tomorrow. Not the answer...