'WellMagic!

Most enjoyable game and performance in an age, pass marks to everyone on the pitch. Goss should be offered a new contract IMO. it's clear (to me at least) that he's usually the best player on the pitch when we line up against a team that tries and play football and leaves the midfield wide open. He's not so effective against teams that shut up shop. SK at least noticed this and subbed him off against County and Kilmarnock, where we ended up taking points. Cornelius was also great, a nuisance in the midfield that just grafts and forces people into mistakes. I wouldn't bring Slattery back into the team for now. Butcher, Casey and McGinn overall looking very reliable at the back. Watched the highlights about 10 times and it was very satisfying.

One could make the argument that Hammell's inexperience contributed to the squad becoming disinterested. Hammell looked genuinely rattled in some of his press conferences, and I wouldn't be surprised if that translated to being rattled when preparing the team. Aye, the recent results have certainly changed opinions on Kettlewell, but that's a fair enough reason, to be honest. If we can keep the intensity and fight up to the end of the season, that's all that matters at the moment. Another thing that's changed people's opinions is having someone that doesn't talk shite or look out of their depth. I can't deny Kettlewell's patter has been a welcome change in tone, especially considering how fucked things have felt for a while. I would have never gone for Kettlewell but compared to the other two options, and other names in the hat, I don't think it would be the worst outcome (for now). I would understand the reluctance if we were between seasons, but we are where we are. Perhaps, it's just the fear of Holloway blinding me....

I totally get that, but I think the difference is that Hammell had zero experience. The Kettlewell and Hammell comparisons are party due to both already being at the club, but it's not a fair comparison for the most part.

Aye I reckon this could be it. If he takes a deal to the end of the season, and we go down, he won't be in a great position of getting another decent managerial job any time soon, and will be tossing away his current role for good measure.

Objectively speaking, If Kettlewell applied at the same time as Hammell did, there is no way Hammell was a better option. I couldn't see how a guy who had never been a manager, along with a coach who relegated Albion Rovers and was sacked from Partick was the best choice. Aside from the usual new manager bounce, I think recent improvement is a chain reaction, starting with Kettlewell's interviews. It's been refreshing to see someone competent speaking to the press and telling it how it is and setting the tone. I wouldn't be surprised if this was part of what changed the atmosphere at FP against St Mirren, especially when it has felt like the club in general has been going off the rails a bit recently. As much as I loved Hammell as a player, he was so clearly out of his depth and definitely not great at speaking to the media. A few of them were downright painful to watch. He looked particularly rattled in his presser before Raith. If he was anyway like this with the players, it's not surprising the players didn't take to him. Kettlewell is maybe not the answer long term, however, it makes sense to go for the most risk-averse option at this point in time, especially if we're playing better, and stick with it until the end of the season. At the very least, it's been good to see some in-game management from Kettlewell and Clarkson. Hammell and Kerr legitimately seemed like they had zero idea what was happening 95% of the time.

For a start, the formation was different.

I'm not getting the Obika abuse. Aye, he was maybe a bit off the pace at times, but he was involved in various bits of play going forward, including the goal and when KVV sclaffed it past the post. A good few times he won flick ons, and if KVV was on his toes (he rarely is) we could have been in. His link-up play was generally more good than bad IMO. His general presence in being both a nuisance and a tank likely enabled KVV to do what he's good at and helped keep some pressure off the midfield to enable them to play a bit. For far too long we've had zero stick up front, resulting in everything just coming back at us.

When we're used to players in the mould of Barry McGuire, the majority of the supporters demand we sign a player that can pass like Goss. However, when we get a player like Goss, everyone thinks we don't have enough Barry McGuires. It was also refreshing to see some in-game management from Kettlewell last night, and even Clarkson at times. A welcome relief from Hammell walking about thinking 'Oh My god' and Kerr thinking about fuck knows what.

Totally agree. Goss has never been a bad player but went through a dip the last 4 weeks, I assume partly due to Hammell not having a clue how to best balance the team. My general feeling from Hammell's time is that he had nae idea and was just throwing stuff at the wall to see what stuck. We need a balance of ''footballers'' and grafters, and for the first time in ages, it actually felt like we had that last night. The team felt a lot less hole-y in general, especially thinking back to the two goals we lost against St Johnstone.

Goss has been our best player nearly every game this season, and was again today. He just needs a hammer thrower next to him, and a striker in front of him who can actually be bothered to move.

Never thought I'd be sitting here thinking we badly missed Joe Efford. He's much more direct on the flanks and we needed that today. Jury still out on Morris for me, can't judge him off the two Sligo games (where genuinely everyone was honking) and against Rangers. If I was Hammell I'd be trying to get Goss to sign a new contract now. He's been our best player nearly every game since Hammell came in. Didn't cover himself at the glory at the goal right enough, but neither did the other 6 players who basically carried Tillman into the net. McKinstry and Tierney both have ability but are wasteful a lot of time. Both need to step up. KVV is so frustrating. He needs to release the ball quicker. Badly needs some competition up front, and unfortunately I don't think Moult is the answer. Missed opportunity. That's as poor as I've seen Rangers. I wish it was them we had in the cup.

Goss once again for me. He's our POTY so far, I'd be offering him a new deal sooner rather than later. He played one pass in the second half that was a thing of beauty. First time, outside of the boot down the left flank, and it was inch perfect. It's just so satisfying seeing us playing football.

Goss for me again. Changed man under Hammell. Sees and makes all the passes we've been missing.

What a buzz that result was, more than happy to find my initial worries about Hammell seem unfounded, even though it's very early days. Like @grizzlyg says, it's utterly bizzare Alexander signed the majority of the starting 11, only to play them out of position and force them into playing absolute nonsense. I always thought the majority of the blame lay with Alexander, but the amount of penetration we had on Saturday was a mental change. Next week will be a good indication of solid progress. I really liked the balance of Goss, Slattery and Cornelius. The enhanced width on the pitch really benefited Goss, his passing was sublime all day (aside for a 15 min drop off just before half time) You never know, maybe the Nick Daws recruitment approach is in fact good, but Alexanderball was the sole problem, Joe Efford even beat a player with a stepover!

Watt was the only player the ball would stick to up top, his hold up play was great and he rarely lost the ball. He dragged us through a good few games. The way I see it, his overall play helped keep us out of a dogfight, rather than his goals. His decision making was mince a lot of the time, granted, but things certainly went downhill after he left. We created virtually nothing in the final third the second half of the season, and nobody could relieve any pressure so we were under the cosh constantly. Agree on KVV. He is mostly useless. Lazy, greedy and refuses to move. Essentially a glorified human bollard.

The only thing I can take from this, is that there must have been splits all over the place under Alexander. Player fallouts, Las leaving, bringing in a lot of new staff, and signing players as backup when we have youth backup - it makes some sense.

Josh Ginnelly seemingly been punted by Hearts. First bit of business?

Valakari was my choice and he was moderately exciting for me. More managerial experience, both at the top of a league with a modest team, and at the bottom with Tromso. Then adding his experience managing in Europe, knowledge of Scottish football and general enthusiasm in applying three times. I'm not daft though, I know he was still a risk, the main one being he has no managerial experience in Scotland. However, Hammy has no experience managing anywhere. On paper, various parts of the Hammell appointment makes sense, club history, finances, transition time, understanding of youth. However, on the other hand, we're giving the job to Hammell and Kerr, two coaches with virtually zero experience at this level, at a time when our squad generally seems humped. We're also risking losing seemingly good academy coaches if everything goes tits up. Simo with Hammell as assistant was what I was hoping for, it seemed like the best balance overall. In theory, Las would have been a better choice After all, he applied twice before and was rejected on the grounds of not having enough experience. Unfortunately, Las at 'Well seems like another thing Alexander fucked up. Again, more than happy to be proven wrong and he has my full backing. Wonder if or when we'll see Faddy join the coaching staff?

I know this appointment probably makes sense, but I can't help but feel it's a bit uninspired. Feeling rather deflated about it and I'm not sure why.

Alexander stripped all the enjoyment out of going to FP for me. It was fucking diabolical, even when we won. I'm happy he's been papped. He's the first manager we've had in a while I just could not deal with and I'm generally sympathetic towards our managers. It was heaps worse than Robinson, McCall and even dare I say, McGhee at times. He sold our only attacking threats, played CBs at fullback, loaded the defence from 60 mins onwards, ostracised our best remaining players, built a team with zero attacking prowess and no width, didn't prepare for the euro legs well enough, brings in no competition for Van Veen who is far too lazy, different line ups every week, clueless subs every week, gave out long contracts to average players willy nilly... The list is endless and he's left the club in a bit of a state I saw a big of an enough response on Saturday to reaffirm my views that GA was the problem and not totally the players underperforming. I'm happy O'Donnell has come out and indicated that there's been a problem, I think the fans need some inclination into wtf actually went wrong, and coming from a good pro like SOD, I tend to back him. Alexander used to have a nosebleed when SOD, or anyone for that matter, ran forward. SOD had a downturn in form, but that does not make Mugabi a better option at RB, and quite frankly, everyone was rotten for a large period of time. It's bonkers making a player captain, and then instantly losing faith in him. I have no idea on the next manager, but we need someone who can bring some positivity and enthusiasm to the club. That's why I'd patch Lambert, he's far too dull and arguably as arrogant as GA was at times. Simo could be a risk, but so is anyone from the current suggestions His enthusiasm in applying three times, and club experience is something that should hold some weight. We can't appoint anyone who thinks they are too big for the club

Agreed. People still have PTSD from him playing out of position at left back. Our most important player since the turn of the year.

My enthusiasm is dropping week after week. There's minimal joy in watching this team, even when we win It's just so hard to watch.

Never rated O'Hara so I'm not too bothered that he's away. One of these players who seemed become better to the longer he was injured. He is no better than Slattery, Goss or Donnelly IMO.

Yes, this is it. I feel exactly the same.

I've never really called for a managers head, but Alexander is pushing it. It seems like he has less and less of a clue every single week and I think his luck is running out. Even at the beginning of the season, the games we won, we won narrowly and the performances were similar to how they are now. We were giving up a huge amount of possession, and just getting away with it a lot of the time. He just makes some bonkers decisions though, for example, I have no idea why he isn't starting Woolery, who has been by far our most threatening player the last few games. The majority of chances come from him ,and when you combine that with things like: never playing Slattery, persisting with Shields, and playing centre backs at wing back - it becomes pretty hard to see any positives. There is no doubt in my mind that the front three, or two, should be a combination on KVV, Woolery and Roberts, they are clearly the best we have. He really needs to stop dropping players that are having a good game, I can't imagine the constant switching will be good for morale. I don't think our squad is particularly bad, he just has no idea what to do with the players. He needs to be held accountable as it's basically his team now, he's signed the majority. I think the level of rage is probably a bit over the top, but it's really hard to see positives sometimes when the starting 11 continuously changes and the football in general is so eye-bleeding.