Well Up For It!

I know he is most senior member of staff. I know he will respond directly to the board. I know what GM's do in the third sector where I work and imagine it to be very similar to his role. And just to be clear...I said that he is not immune from criticism like many on here suggest. He's now the operational leader of the club. I also said that given the complete mess we seem to be in compared to last year (where Leanne and three players have left) that has seen us go from 2nd to 10th is alarming and Alan can not be innocent on all counts. I never called for him to be sacked. I want him to succeed. But I believe that a more commercially minded and experienced GM or CEO would have been far better qualified to lead us through this period. In the last 8months he would have had to learn the role which has not been to the benefit of the club. He also seems to retain his media responsibilities which is baffling to me and I suggested this has maybe distracted from his new role. And for the record, the shop has little to do with Alan as its externally run by Provan Sports. Also agree that players and board should take brunt of criticism for where we find ourselves. As many people on here know Alan personally, and we all know the work he done with this site and the media role at the club - not to mention he is "one of us" - people have the "its anybodies fault but his" mentality. I mearly questioned that given his new position he was now under the spotlight and accountable and given the reaction on here to those comments, it kind of proves my point.

Careful... Thats my thoughts exactly and I'm being castrated as some sort of raving lunatic!

Yeah running a worldwide company with a turnover of millions aint that big a deal. Utter pish. All I done was question the bold statement that criticism of him in any form was not on as mentioned! And as someone who has sat on a board of a charity I can assure that the most senior member of staff was always present and in my all my previous roles in the charity sector (a total of 4 positions) the GM (as they never had a CEO) attended all board meeting. They actually arranged them and set agenda! Football will be different, but not drastically. Anyway, all I done was pass comment on my opinion. I've met Alan in the past and have no issue with him and wished him well in the role, although questioned if it was wisest appointment. Same usual shit here when you go against status quo you get pulled up for daring to have a different opinion.

Not a member of the board but as the senior member of the staff he will attend all board meetings and report back and have input. Again, not laying blame directly at him. Were Leanne, Ian Stillie and Pat Nevin all exempt for any criticism when they were the most senior member of staff at the club??

Nothing. Thats part of my issue. He's still doing media stuff, that much I know. For me the board have to take a responsibility for off field mess of last few years. Flow has been part of that process for the past 8months, although we don't know at what level. All I was pointing out was that I feel criticism of his role is not bang out or order. Thats all. And one reason is the fact he appears to still be carrying out his previous duties - which he was excellent at.

My post was in relation to criticism of Flow being bang out of order. I said it wasn't. I stand by that as I have yet to see any signs of progress or direction under his stewardship and stick by the whole "gig is too big for him" and "we need a commercially minded experienced head" running things. Was highlighting we are in a bad way just now in all departments and dont believe he cant be faultless in it all. And a GM that still does media interviews, etc 8months after being appointed when there is a team in place is bizarre. Get everyone won't agree, but know many do.

Think "way over the top" may be extreme. Fact is there is a complete lack of clarity on his role. A lot of GM's operated with similar responsibility as a chief executive would, without maybe the board room input. Fact is since he took on a position that was way too big for him, performances have nose dived, attendances are down, we are out of three cups, our most successful manager in recent times left, we have made little commercial inroads...and I dont believe for one second that our GM is inocent on all accounts. At least he has priorities right and is focussing on interviewing for MFCTV after games rather than passing over to other two media guys or appointing new comms exec. Yeah he may be giving 110%, hes 'Well thru and thru, but given his relationship with players, is he being objective?? Doubt it.

Who is Dave Scott?? Talking an absolute tonne of pish here IMHO! http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30744020

Cant win here... Critise Flow and its "he just the GM and has no real responsibility". Not going to criticise him personally, although severely question four things: 1) The fact he still seems to be doing his previous media role and wonder if that detracts from new duties 2) The lack of clarity over his role in comparison to Leannes position 3) The fact we replaced a resonably succesful business minded Chief Executive with a internally promoted General Manager from a pr/comms background 4) And finally...that he was offered the gig in the first place when its clear to Stevie Wonder our club needs a proven business minded person pulling the reigns. But he (and the board) have fuck all to do with recent form. Thats on players/coaching staffs head. What they are guilty of is a desperately shocking lack of forward planning that has left our club in all sorts behind the scenes. Flow wasnt part of that, but has done zero (if it is indeed his remit) to ammend this since assuming his new role. Hope Les goes in with a whip in hand to get some efficiency drilled into our board and management staff.

Just watched Barracloughs post match thoughts and don't know what game he was watching! Seemed quite happy with a lot of things from today. As a seperate point, I see our general manager is still doing the MFCTV stuff - was no replacement appointed? Surely not best use of his time now.

Was hoping for VDG, but our new gaffer comes across very well in his first interview, although not sure about his wining the league patter - focus on staying in the league first and foremost! His ideas seem to fit exactly what we are looking at and I'm optimistic he will be a another good appointment for us.

I with you on this. My thoughts exactly. That's a great acheivment considering the size of Maritimo - one of the smaller clubs in Portugal. It's equivalent of Motherwell finishing best of the rest. Maritimo have average attendances of 3000. They also have a history of youth development and an impressive scout network that I'm sure Van der Gaag would have benefited from being involved with.

Van der Gaag actually excites me as an appointment. Was in Madeira this summer and the guy who work in our hotels bar was a big Maritimo fan and mentioned Van der Gaag and he called him a great manager that was given the bullet too early. Said he was one of his all time favourite Maritimo players as well. Looked him up, took Maritimo to their highest finish ever (5th) and next season was sacked after just 4 games with only a return of 2 points, which is a bit extreme. Went to Belenenses and secured promotion in first season and had them in top 8 of Portuguese top flight when he took ill with heart problems. As far as the possible 6 go, either Van der Gaag, Maaskant or Freeman (in that order) for me. I like Shields, and he'd be good for us and our youth development and "community club" ideology, but he comes with too much baggage. Will always be fond of Butcher for the work he done while he was here, but believe it would be a step back. Don't think Black is cut out for the No.1 role. End of the day, I'd only be disappointed if Black gets the nod. Any of the other 5 are miles better than Adams, Leitch, etc.

Jimmy Calderwood wouldn't be my first choice....but rather him over half the names that have been mentioned here! He has a very decent record and would bring stability.

I'm still firmly in the anyone over Adams camp and this recent price cut does suggest someone in the know has bet on it - would view is appointment as a disaster!

...or the Daily Mail in all it's journalistic awesomeness looked at these boards and saw that someone seen Nobby Solano and his chums at Fir Park and have 2 and 2 together and got 437!

Congratulations Steelboy... The single most biggest load of pish I've ever read on these boards - and there is a shit tonne of it!!

Stark doesn't inspire me at all - but rather him than Adam, Leitch, Calderwood, Butcher, etc for the simple reason is he should have good contacts from his U21 post. Another name I'm going to throw out - Kenny Shields. Yes didn't set the world alight at Morton, but work he done at Kilmarnock always impressed me and he has a firm philosophy of developing youth players. The way he communicates is always excellent too.

I genuinely think we shouldn't be looking at past managers at all...something new, something fresh! As for the others: Billy Davies - See above point, plus him reportedly paying his brother top dollar first time round. He was gaffer that sent us to administration. Scott Leitch - No. Even if a percentage of the rumours are true about his manner with palyers, he shouldn't be allowed within a mile of the post. Derek Adam - No chance. Done well at County first time round with a MASSIVE budget. He was a shite player for us and having met him he is not a pleasant individual at all. Would be the worst appointment possible!! Owen Coyle - Doubt he'd come to us, and questions over his ability after his job at Bolton and Wigan. McKinlay would be a great shout, as would Malky Makay and Dougie Freedman - but doubt any of them would be within our means. I firmly expect it to be someone who hasn't even been mentioned on this thread.

All this talk absolutely boils my piss and Strachan has gone down in my estimations! All three clubs are in the situation they find themselves in through no fault but their own! Rangers and Hearts spent money they simply didn't have and it's cam back to bite them hard. Hibs were absolutely rank rotten last year and lost fair and square in a play off to the team now sitting top of the league. It scandalous to think that ANY competition anywhere in the World would put rules in place to ensure certain "establishments" were ever present, no matter how poor, how mis-managed or how guilty of downright cheating they are! IF - and it's a massive IF - and rule changes are rushed in to ensure all three are back in the top flight next year then I will complete give up on all things Scottish Football - national team and all - cause after all the shite over the last few years, that will well and truly be the baw burst!!

Utter pish draw! Just wish we could have a wee bit of good news for a change! Last few months have been brutal!

Yeah great email and shows what a true gent he is. We will definitely not find a manager of his class who can deliver the same level of consistent success again - but after reading his email, I now firmly believe that this is the right move for all parties

Would be games up for Scottish Football for me as far as supporting goes. However, should this apocalypse come to fruition, as I'm up in Perth now, I'd ensure any kids I have support St. Johnstone and not any of the Brothers Grimm.

Bit scunnered with the news, always had belief he would be able to turn it around and keep us up - which was the new priority this season. We probably need a fresh face though, but that comes with enhanced risk for relegation for me and would much rather of seen him stay until end of season. Met him a few times, an absolute gent, and cups aside, probably the most successful 'Well manager since McLean. Achieving what he did with us is minor miracles and believe no one else could have achieved what he did. Thanks for a great ride over the past 4years and the very best of luck going forward. For me, will always be welcomed back to Fir Park!

I'm firmly in the "anyone other than Adams (or Calderwood if he is even mentioned)". Less about the name, more about the fit. Has to tick three boxes for me, good rapport with players, good on training field and good with youngsters. Also be good if they are tried and tested and not a rookie. Both McGhee and Butcher tick that box, as does Tommy McLean, but would rather have someone new to the club. And agree with others though, it really shouldn't be an internal appointment.