MelvinBragg

I get that as fans we're not qualified to make an appointment but to say the names mentioned are underwhelming suggests there are other realistic names that appeal more. I'm not convinced by Hammell, Valakari or Healy (if that's the final three) either but I can't say that I've heard any other names that have been better...

Two former Sunderland managers recently took jobs in the SPL having failed there. Malky Mackay managed in the English Premier League and is rebuilding his career. So there are managers lije that out there, Lambert the obvious one at the moment. But those appointments don't always work either...

Duncan Ferguson is untested. Coyle is managing at a lower level know, Lambert has failed at a couple of jobs. I'm not saying that I think they would be bad candidates but it shows you can find flaws in any name...

I get some people being underwhelmed by the names being mentioned but can't actually think of candidates that wouldn't underwhelm some of us. There is no perfect candidate, not one likely to apply for our job anyway. Unless there's someone I'm missing..? Healy and Valakari have both won trophies but are untested in our league. Hammell knows the league hut is inexperienced. Every candidate would have their own weaknesses... For those underwhelmed by the names put forward, who realistically did youngope we would get?

Interesting. Good record with Linfield but no idea if they have a financial advantage in their league...

Scott Burns reported that it wasn't Lambert, Ferguson or Thomson, and he is rarely wrong when it comes to us. The suggestion seems to be that whoever it is currently is under contract somewhere else so that ruled out those three. Funny feeling it might be Derek Adams...

Valakari probably one of very few candidates to actually have won trophies as a manager, albeit a few years back...

His last role was assisting Felix Magath at Hertha Berlin. Don't think he was officially assistant manager but he was one of two on the bench with Magath. Think he has had a similar role with Magath in the past...

His name had occurred to me last week but I kind of dismissed it as I figured he'd be looking for another coaching job in Germany...

You just described half the central defenders in the SPL and many we've had and done well with before (Kiprè?). Difference is Kiprè had Tom Aldred and Peter Hartley alongside him. Most clubs have one centre half who is an organiser or a leader (Mulgrew at Utd, Taylor at Kilmarnock). We have a load of guys who are ok as second centre backs with a leader alongside them. I'm assuming Ojala was supposed to be that guy given his pedigree but he's made of meringue... EDIT As if to make my point, I turn on the telly and see Rocky Bushiri playing for Hibs...

We'll agree to disagree on Cornelius and Maguire. I actually think Maguire is the better player (granted he should be further ahead in his development than Cornelius due to age) but like a couple of players in the team, his confidence looks totally shot to pieces. Cornelius, I think, is still a player with potential but don't know how he'll develop...

Also true. I'm assuming you're looking at Spittal and possibly Shields. Spittal signing has Paul Lawson/Iain Vigurs feel to it. Signed a player who did well at another team and signed him with no thought as to where or how they fit into your team. Shields as a winger is far from ideal but lack of options there is an issue. Everyone else was played, more or less, in their position. With the exception of Morris who should have been playing in a car back down South...

I've stated elsewhere that this squad plus Tony Watt and Kayne Woolery showed itself capable of winning games in the SPL last season (I know O'Hara, Donnelly and Grimshaw were also here but they weren't exactly crucial). It shows the difference just two or three of the right types of player makes. Personally I reckon an organiser at the back or in midfield and some direct pace up top so teams don't feel they can defend as high against us, those two would improve us hugely. But the next manager's biggest task is getting guys playing to their best. Take Mugabi. He was never Beckenbauer but last season looked solid for the most part with the occasional howler thrown in. In other words, an average SPL defender. Yesterday he, along with most of the team, looked terrified. Not an ideal mindset for playing football. Talk of 6 or 7 new signings is fanciful. New manager, whoever he is, needs to identify 2 or 3 to address problem areas, yes. But also has to remind the guys that are here how they can play...

This current squad plus Tony Watt and Kayne Woolery showed itself capable of winning games in the SPL last season. It shows that the right couple of players makes a huge difference. As does confidence. Team looked terrified yesterday. We need 2 or 3 signings but they, along with the new manager, need to be able to lift the place. For long spells last season, Mugabi looked solid with the occasional error. Yesterday he looked aghast any time the ball came near him. As much as new signings, it's about getting guys already here playing to near their optimum. Someone I know says that 8 average guys and 3 good players gets you top six, 8 average guys and 3 shiters gets you relegated. I reckon we have at least 8 average guys. The next couple of signings, we have to get right...

That's the dilemma, isn't it? An appointment we can't afford to get wrong so need to do due diligence. But with the squad needing additions, you have to have one eye on the transfer window and the possibility that the longer we wait the more likely that potential targets are picked up by other clubs...

I reckon he's been played out of position, I could be wrong though. For me, he needs to be further up the park. Morris looks to have no engine and seems to specialise in crossing on to opposition centre half's foreheads. Good left foot? Sure but so does Sean Goss (and I can't believe I'm about to say this) and he works harder than Morris...

Most of our recent managers have had that mindset. Only two that didn't seem afflicted were Baraclough and Alexander, two guys not steeped in Scottish domestic football. I will always maintain that most of our other recent managers would have lost that playoff to Rangers. Baraclough for all his faults, and he had many, seemed to go in with the attitude that as the Premier League team that of course we were going to win...

Personally I'd be going Kelly O'Donnell Mugabi Solholm Carroll Slattery (if available) Maguire Goss Spittal Van Veen Tierney If Slattery is unavailable, I'd be moving Tierney back to midfield and playing Shields up top. If Spittal is a creator of chances as his Ross County stats last season suggest, let's get him where he can do damage. Tierney is one of the few fearless players in the squad who will run at players and not just take a touch and toss a hopeful cross in or play a safe pass. Rest of the team picks itself due to lack of options. Morris can sell the pies. Not anywhere near good enough...

Contradicting yourself slightly there. If you feel the new man has to have the right to move people on and needs to bring in 5 or 6 players then I'd argue there is a bit of urgency in appointing someone given how long is left in the transfer window. Personally I'm more in favour of us taking our time and getting the right man. I reckon 2 signings will be enough to make a difference...

Which bookie offering odds?

One could argue that experience in the EPL is like driving a Ferrari and we're needing a taxi driver...

Who knew glue sniffing was back in fashion..?

Had a look at the fixtures you're talking about. No way should we be writing off Hibs or Dundee United away or Aberdeen at home. All very beatable...

I wouldn't worry. Even if the club were tempted, I suspect Hammell might realise himself that it's too early...

Cheers..