Next Motherwell Manager - Steven Hammell

[SteelmaninOZ 275]

18 minutes ago, grizzlyg said:

He was on twitter criticising my jokes, never forgave him and reported him to the club!! Lol

Great answer  

[wellsince75 241]

9 hours ago, joewarkfanclub said:

I understand the emotion attached to the above posts, and whilst I share it to an extent, is it really a good enough reason not to give Hammell the job if he appears to be the best fit for the club/role at this point in time? None of the candidates named so far has universal support and all have their deficiencies that are putting some of us off. He could go on to be the best Motherwell manager of all time and cement his status as a club icon. Personally, I still havent seen a name I would prefer over Crags, but the rumours of his departure appear to be an impedement to his return. I hope that isnt the case because he ticks many of the boxes Hammell ticks and I could see the 2 of them working well in tandem to ensure our academy players get the pathway to the first team that the club desperately needs. I also think Craigan has a stature about him that would demand respect from the players......

Crags would be a great fit , I don’t think he wants the job , thats what I’ve always heard from his interviews .

he said the same when he was the interim mgr a few years ago . He didn’t want to be a first green mgr .

On many ways can’t blame him . He gets paid well as a pundit and will have a better life balance than one of a mgr . 
 

shame as I’m sure he’d be great .

The danger for any former player like hammel for example is what happens 2 years down the line when we want to change mgr . Likely they need to move on from the club .

[spudmfc 35]

With the interview process kicking off next week I suspect it will b a who's who in the main stand today as anyone with aspirations of managing our club will be there

[joewarkfanclub 927]

10 hours ago, Gadgey said:

Apologies for being late to the party ….

What is the alleged/rumoured offence that caused Crags departure and apparent reason why he is now unemployable at the club?

Some have alluded to a personal relationship with a staff member whilst in his previous post. I have no information in that regard one way or another.

[MearnsWell 80]

Amazing how many auld boys in the O Donnell  stand look like Marcelo Bielsa….

[si91 17]

Sportsound reporting a shortlist of possibly 4 candidates, with two confirmed as Stevie Hammell and Simo Valakari - just guesswork perhaps…

[Yodo 218]

On 8/5/2022 at 12:02 PM, MelvinBragg said:

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...

After today any change in how many signings we need  I now think we need at least 8 

[Dossertillidie2 3]

We need someone who can quickly identify the players that are way off the pace and shouldn’t be near that squad

we need someone to create a new style of play that is actually enjoyable to watch 

We need someone who knows what’s available in the youth to bring through (which is going to be MASSIVE over the next few seasons)

we need someone who can bring players in quickly with what’s left of the window and players that are cheap 

passion and a genuine love and concern for the club would be a bonus

So my preference remains for hammell despite todays result . Can’t judge someone on one game otherwise we would have given him it last Sunday 

[Big Stall 449]

3 hours ago, Yodo said:

After today any change in how many signings we need  I now think we need at least 8 

In reality, we needed 10 new faces at the end of last season. Except for Kelly, the rest really have no business in the first team. The fact that GA felt he only needed to add 2or 3 shows how much of a fucking diddy he is.

Ps.. i rarely if ever agree with yodo

[Kmcalpin 1,212]

18 hours ago, si91 said:

Sportsound reporting a shortlist of possibly 4 candidates, with two confirmed as Stevie Hammell and Simo Valakari - just guesswork perhaps…

He's a decent guy but Stevie Hammell would give me the fear, if appointed, not because we lost but given his mistakes today. Wrong team selection and players looking unsure of their roles. Valakari would be a huge risk and if Sportsound is correct that leaves just 2 other candidates - whoever they are. If anything, today proved that we need an experienced manager to haul us out of the mess.  Either the manager or his assistant needs to have a knowledge of Scottish football. Despite public comments today, no more players should be signed until the new man is in place, providing that isn't weeks away. 

[mfc 420]

4 minutes ago, Kmcalpin said:

He's a decent guy but Stevie Hammell would give me the fear, if appointed, not because we lost but given his mistakes today. Wrong team selection and player looking unsure of their roles. Valakari would be a huge risk and if Sportsound is correct that leaves just 2 other candidates - whoever they are. If anything, today proved that we need an experienced manager to haul us out of the mess.  Either the manager or his assistant needs to have a knowledge of Scottish football. Despite public comments today, no more players should be signed until the new man is in place, providing that isn't weeks away. 

I agree with that about hammell,I love him as much as the next well fan but this isn't the time for him,there's deep rooted problems in our squad and were in need of the right reinforcements,any appointment is a gamble but we need to limit that and go for someone with experience.im not sure on valakari either but it does feel like this time is the closest he has got to getting the job.

[joewarkfanclub 927]

I understand the desire for an experienced manager given where we are currently. Someone who knows what they are doing, knows Scottish football and can get us organised quickly so we get some sort of bounce to buy us time in rebalancing the squad. But from the list of names available there is no one on it that I would trust to improve us. Tommy Wright and Paul Lambert are available but neither fill me with joy for various reasons. Genuine question, who would others suggest we go for? 

[Kmcalpin 1,212]

6 minutes ago, joewarkfanclub said:

I understand the desire for an experienced manager given where we are currently. Someone who knows what they are doing, knows Scottish football and can get us organised quickly so we get some sort of bounce to buy us time in rebalancing the squad. But from the list of names available there is no one on it that I would trust to improve us. Tommy Wright and Paul Lambert are available but neither fill me with joy for various reasons. Genuine question, who would others suggest we go for? 

This 100%. We don't know, of course who has approached the club offering their services or who the club may have approached  but there does appear to be a dearth of available "suitable" managerial talent around just now.

[fizoxy 630]

Whether it is hammell or someone else, we need someone that knows the Scottish game and has a realistic vision for a style of play. We've seen the likes of Maloney and Glass try to change the style too drastically and it was a disaster.

Our recruitment team doesn't fill me with confidence either. They brought in Slattery and Tierney who are decent, but they also landed Sol, Ojala, shields and Efford. We can't afford to miss on any of the players who come in before the window closes.

I assume the contracts for mugabi, mcginley and Maguire were more to do with Alexander, as was Morris.

[Spit_It_Out 58]

If Hammell gets the job and it all goes Pete Tong I feel like the board would drag it out as they wouldn't want to sack him due to his relationship with the club that's my fear.Just roll on and on until we are done.

Said it early on get on the blower to Ross County get Malky Mackay in here might not be everyone's cup of tea but clearly can get a group of players together singing the same song and nobody is telling me our current staff are better or worse than Ross Countys.He might fancy a move down to central belt he might not worth a try.

This down to four if true I hope to god the other two are something special that's all I am saying.

[star sail 414]

I don’t know if Hammell is the man for the job or not but what today has shown me is the short term, reactionary thinking that is all too prevalent in football.

Last week Hammell was the man for the job ( with some) because we won. This week he is not because we lost. What if Collum had awarded one or both of the penalties yesterday and Motherwell had won the game? Would Hammell get the job on the basis of six points from two games despite the fact that it is fine margins ( a decision from a referee etc) that often win and lose these games?

The club will know the qualities and abilities of Stevie Hammell and that will not have changed regardless of the results both this week and last. 

My suspicion is that the club don’t see him as being ready just yet. If they did they would have given him the job before the St Mirren game. I think they will consider him as an able assistant very much like Lasley.

In many ways the results of the last two games are irrelevant. 

As Spit it Out has just said above Malky MacKay is the best we could hope for. I can’t see that happening sadly.

 

[wellsince75 241]

7 hours ago, joewarkfanclub said:

I understand the desire for an experienced manager given where we are currently. Someone who knows what they are doing, knows Scottish football and can get us organised quickly so we get some sort of bounce to buy us time in rebalancing the squad. But from the list of names available there is no one on it that I would trust to improve us. Tommy Wright and Paul Lambert are available but neither fill me with joy for various reasons. Genuine question, who would others suggest we go for? 

Craggs would be my number 1 choice . The issue stopping that is he doesnt went to be a first team mgr . 
 

honestly it’s not easy. Ideally we want to find the next Alex Neil who can move us forward over 3-4 years and move on.  Easier said than done .

if Valakari can bring some other European talent whilst bleeding youngsters into the team im good with that .

equally I’m not against hammell - he can see the issues and is currently hampered with suspensions , injuries and need to sign more players .

I don’t believe Malky is the answer - why come to Motherwell , we’re similar to county in terms of fan base etc , it’s not a step up for him 

[MelvinBragg 984]

9 hours ago, Big Stall said:

In reality, we needed 10 new faces at the end of last season. Except for Kelly, the rest really have no business in the first team. The fact that GA felt he only needed to add 2or 3 shows how much of a fucking diddy he is.

Ps.. i rarely if ever agree with yodo

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...

[wellsince75 241]

2 hours ago, MelvinBragg said:

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...

We all see the game differently .

Mugabi for me was never good enough.  Granted games where he was big and strong and won lots of balls but most games I watched his general lack of awareness either of where he was or where the opposition was caused all sorts of issues .

a big unit of a man who gives his all but lacks footballing intelligence . I don’t believe many if any SPL sides would sign him and from what I can see most other clubs have far better players in central defence 

[MelvinBragg 984]

55 minutes ago, wellsince75 said:

a big unit of a man who gives his all but lacks footballing intelligence .

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...

[Mintymac 79]

As disappointing as the result was yesterday I’m still in the Hammy camp for the job . 
He played what he had yesterday but I’m convinced that is not how his team would play should he be successful in getting the job . 
He also tried to change things that weren’t working at half time so he was well aware of the predicament  he was facing . 
He played what was available but there are lads playing in that team who I’m 100% sure he knows aren’t good enough to play for Motherwell . 
Yeah it’s a gamble as he’s not got managerial experience (whatever that means) but I think he knows what’s needed and if supported with funding I think he’d be fine . 
Gamble ? Yes and it’ll only work if he gets players in he needs and hopefully that discussion will be happening this week with the board . 
On the flip side however if no funding is available or limited funding then it’s not a job I’d like to see him take on as the current squad could get us relegated as Hammy would be the fall guy . 
If Hammy thinks he knows what’s needed then come on board support him . 
 

[joewarkfanclub 927]

16 minutes ago, Mintymac said:

As disappointing as the result was yesterday I’m still in the Hammy camp for the job . 
He played what he had yesterday but I’m convinced that is not how his team would play should he be successful in getting the job . 
He also tried to change things that weren’t working at half time so he was well aware of the predicament  he was facing . 
He played what was available but there are lads playing in that team who I’m 100% sure he knows aren’t good enough to play for Motherwell . 
Yeah it’s a gamble as he’s not got managerial experience (whatever that means) but I think he knows what’s needed and if supported with funding I think he’d be fine . 
Gamble ? Yes and it’ll only work if he gets players in he needs and hopefully that discussion will be happening this week with the board . 
On the flip side however if no funding is available or limited funding then it’s not a job I’d like to see him take on as the current squad could get us relegated as Hammy would be the fall guy . 
If Hammy thinks he knows what’s needed then come on board support him . 
 

Thats kinda where I am at.

I just look around and feel that whoever we choose is going to be a gamble of some sort.

Even someone like Lambert who has experience of managing and playing at the highest level is a gamble. Would he be able to work with the limited resources we can offer? Would he be able to motivate the players we currently have? Would that level of arrogance he has bubble to the surface and prove counter productive? Would he bugger off at the first sign of a better gig?

Not saying Hammell should annointed now. There may well be someone on the shortlist that we dont know about, but he is far from the worst candidate.

[Yorkyred 787]

12 hours ago, Kmcalpin said:

He's a decent guy but Stevie Hammell would give me the fear, if appointed, not because we lost but given his mistakes today. Wrong team selection and players looking unsure of their roles. Valakari would be a huge risk and if Sportsound is correct that leaves just 2 other candidates - whoever they are. If anything, today proved that we need an experienced manager to haul us out of the mess.  Either the manager or his assistant needs to have a knowledge of Scottish football. Despite public comments today, no more players should be signed until the new man is in place, providing that isn't weeks away. 

To be honest I think the club will feel they should interview Hammell, but he should be nowhere near first team manager. I would not like to see him in place and then start taking abuse. 

[Stuwell2 87]

No matter who we employ- especially if we were to go with Hammell - I think the fans will have to be very patient while things get sorted. 
Defence is shot to hell confidence wise but I believe that can be fixed between the end of this window and the January one. 
Midfield likewise but I think there are players there who can work if they are played correctly to their strengths and get the backing of the crowd. 
Forward line is more difficult, KVV has talent but without space is limited so I see him better played against teams who don’t pack the defence or when we’re ahead and they have to come out. Shields put in some decent crosses and I feel he would prefer to have ball put in front of him to chase rather than snatch at crosses as he’s not quite sharp enough yet and hasn’t had any luck in front of the goals - strikers go through these phases and I hope he gets a lucky break soon. Efford is a strange one, will give his all but again it never seems to come off for him - reminds me a bit of Curtis Main. 
 

Looking like a long hard season 

[wellsince75 241]

2 hours ago, Yorkyred said:

To be honest I think the club will feel they should interview Hammell, but he should be nowhere near first team manager. I would not like to see him in place and then start taking abuse. 

I would have Hammell in front of many of the merry go round managers . Someone who cares deeply and well educated on the club and coaching .

Alex Neil had ways less experience when he took the reigns at Hamilton and now we can only dream of landing such an appointment .

He may lack first team experience but everything he’s been calling out as issues resonates . 
 

He needs some budget to move get some of the journeymen out our club and bring in some decent talent - which may need to be premiership loanee types