MelvinBragg

Good question. Assuming 4 at the back, with Jules at LB. Pearson and Cadden centre mid? Beyond that?

We put out a team aiming for a 0-0. When you play 442 with no wingers, it smacks of 'keep it tight and hope for the best'. Assuming we're playing 442 of course. Either way, clearly a real lack of creativity in the side. I'd take Lasley and Cadden off and stick on Frear and Ainsworth...

You were saying? Kris Boyd 1-0...

Anyone at the game confirm the shape? Three centre halfs or a flat back four?

What was said?

Clearly Chalmers, and not Jules, is being held culpable for last week. Like you, I'd still be surprised if he's playing alongside Heneghan in a 442. Maybe playing three centre backs with McHugh?

Same two centre halfs as last week? Or 352 with midfield three of Pearson, Lasley and Cadden? Either way, I'm unconvinced...

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...