MelvinBragg

I always find it fascinating when an assistant manager takes over as interim manager to see how many changes are made. Gives an idea of how much agreement there was among the coaching staff or whether assistants and other coaches weren't having much of a say. Today I'll be particularly interested to see if Ainsworth features at all...

Can't say I disagree. Laing had some poor games for us, but he also had some very good games. Kennedy likewise. Despite what others have said about Heneghan, I don't think he's a massive upgrade on either. Jules certainly isn't. Ainsworth has his flaws but anyone who has the number of goals and assists he has for us, any manager should be trying to find a way to use him effectively. His unwillingness to do his defensive duties is brought up often. If by leaving him out, we had made ourselves defensively solid, then leaving him out would be reasonable. But...

Be astounded if we went for someone as inexperienced as McCulluch given the situation we are in unless we're planning for a promotion push next season already...

Except the Inverness one tonight...

What is quite alarming is that Dundee and Hearts, both sides that beat us pretty easily, are losing to teams we'd hope to drag back into the relegation battle. Add Hamilton's win last night over a team that embarrassed us, it really gives an indication of how bad our form has been...

My guess would be Paulo Sousa...

Who's your money on then?

Like you I'd be surprised if Coyle was interested. But my reasoning isn't financial. I don't think Coyle needs a large wage as he has probably had a couple of big payoffs as well as earning a lot while in those jobs. Resources wise, at Blackburn his hands were tied financially relative to others in that division. My reasoning that he wouldn't be interested is that I don't think his reputation has suffered that much down South and I suspect he'd be able to pick up a job down South at some point. Other aspect, as others have pointed out, is that he tends to bring his own coaching team with him wherever he goes and I suspect the club might be committed to keeping Robinson and McFadden (whether they dhould be is another question). I think this may be a sticking point...

I was wrong. But I think a lot of Motherwell fans felt that we simply wouldn't sack McGhee. I confess that part of me is still a bit surprised. But as one Celtic supporting friend put it to me "when they're out protesting at the front door, you know something has got to give.." As to recent names mentioned, I'd be surprised if Coyle was interested and I'd be astounded if we were in for someone quite as inexperienced as McCulluch given our precarious situation...

So we're deciding Frear is not good enough based on less than two full games at a time when the team are underperforming. That seems fair...

Of those that I've seen mentioned on here, the only name with any real appeal is that of Alan Stubbs. Whether that's a realistic target or not, I don't know. Kind of expecting a leftfield appointment again as seems to be our way of doing things...

I'd possibly add McHugh to that...

This. My concern with any Scottish manager coming in would be whether they'd be too loyal to some of these players based on reputation and not performance. Next manager will have to replace McDonald, Moult, Hammell, McManus and Cadden (McHugh looks a Lasley replacement). Big ask so whoever comes in will need to be smart in the transfer market...

This is true and this kind of mentality is one thing from fans but too often recently it has become what we have heard from the manager..

Am I the only one who can see a comparison between Cadden and Clarkson under Butcher? With Ainsworth not featuring that much this season and the other type of players in our midfield, Cadden has been our only outball all season. Much like Clarkson under Butcher in his first season, Cadden has been run into the ground this season...

Pointless discussion, I feel. I cannot foresee any scenario where McGhee will not be our manager at least until the split...

I agree with your general point but it was a 1 year deal...

One thing is abundantly clear. If McGhee is to go, we'll need to sack him. His ego won't allow him to quit...

Don't think so...

In the subject of Ainsworth, it's been made pretty clear by McGhee that Ainsworth isn't going to feature in his plans. To the extent that he wasn't among the subs last Saturday either until Hammell got injured. Given his assists and goals return, this probably sticks in his throat. He probably can't wait for the season to end so he can get away. So a lacklustre showing in the U20s isn't surprising. Motivation and confidence at an all time low and he knows that no matter how well he does for the U20s that he has no future at Fir Park. Does it excuse a poor U20s performance? No but it explains it..

Back four with an average age of 21. Might be a good idea for people to remember that before losing the plot at them today...

As Lobey points out, one win in seven league games for Rangers. Who was that against..?

Obviously 45 minutes to go, but not a good result for us up in Inverness so far. I hope not to be sitting after the game thinking "how come every other team knows how to play against that mob...?"

I'd be inclined to leave McHugh in midfield at least for tomorrow. Paul McGowan is a player that's caused us problems in the past and feel that if McHugh can keep him quiet then that will help our defenders more than having McHugh in the backline alongside them...

Given McHugh has looked our best midfielder this season, I'd keep him where he is. For me Samson McMillan Heneghan Jules Chalmers Cadden McHugh Pearson Frear McDonald Moult Could also play that as a 433 with Frear up top. A slightly more cautious approach could bring Clay or Lucas in for Frear and put Pearson out wide. But I'd be keen to be positive early and try and win the game rather than not lose it. I'll not be surprised if McGhee chooses a more conservative approach though. He seems obsessed recently with setting up mainly to combat the opposition rather than imposing our own game...