Goggles & Flippers

I asked before in the thread and nobody answered but does anyone reckon Steve Robinson has thrown his hat in the ring? I just think too many of our fans are expecting a re-run of an Alex Ferguson scenario where our next manager comes in and wants to empire build, turns down many opportunities to move on "for the love of the club", promotes a youth academy and slowly we increase our standing over time till in 2030 we welcome the Champions League trophy back to our full 50,000 seater stadium at Ravenscraig. In reality if we're lucky we'll get an Alex Ferguson at St. Mirren forging his career. Fergie at Aberdeen is beyond us.

Baraclough was judged on his merit of over achieving with limited resources, based on your assertion of "it should depend on what someone has achieved in that league. Treat each candidate on their merit" Nobody can argue those involved in the selection process back in December 2014 they did that and deemed he was suitable. As for our next manager, I think we'll get someone that's at our level, by which I mean 3.5-4k support, budget of £1-1.5m a year in a uncompetitive league where 2nd is the best you can hope for. There won't be any surprises, nobody who we get will result in a collective "really? how did we manage that?"

Who mentioned England? Baraclough had a impressive resume from his time at Sligo (albeit in a lesser league), at time has shown the transition to the SPFL was beyond him (as has been proven by a number of League of Ireland managers who have ended up over here).

There's a simple fact that too many of us don't seem to understand and it works for both managers and players. If we had a winger who had an engine, gave 110%, covered back, footballing brain and was able to land a cross on a 50p piece then he wouldn't be playing for us. We instead get Humphrey/Ainsworth (while both accomplished and have a number of qualities, they aren't fully rounded). If they did have all the attributes then they wouldn't be at Motherwell, it's as simple as that. That rule extends to the manager. If we want an experienced guy with a proven track record of making silk purses out of sow's ears then we either: a) can't afford him or b) he wouldn't be interested in Motherwell i) unless he's got a reputation to rebuild (scandal/unsuccessful/etc.) or ii) old and see's it as his last job Alternative is a young, untested manager keen to make a stamp on things, with this option: a) we take a gamble with a 50-50 chance of it working b) respect from players may be an issue unless he has achieved something at a high level (example being a Brian McClair) Regardless who we get, this forum will bring out the best and worst elements of our support and modern social media. Plenty will run him down before a ball is kicked, some because of any of his previous footballing links, some due to conjecture and hearsay and some purely for his hairdo/outfit he wore in 1995 or name he gave his dug. One thing is certain, a few will have it in their arsenal to come on here in a few months time and profess their acumen and insight if things don't go to plan. I like to refer to them as the "told you so's". To be fair I think there's very few candidates out there that we could attract that would get a universal thumbs up from our support.

Does anyone know if Steve Robinson put his hat in the ring?

Ladbrokes have stop taking bets on Yogi Hughes going to Dundee Utd. Mixu maybe hasn't cut the mustard. As for Finland, they love their acronym's don't they? Valakari's record against the top teams is virtually identical to McCall's last full season where we hardly picked up any against top 6 but took almost maximum against bottom 6.

You've just described the Well Society Board

He's the opposite of Samson from the Bible then? (lets see how many went to Sunday School)

I think most of those in the game accept theres a degree of the Pantomime with fans and those who have moved on. However as like everything some take it too far either from the safety of a keyboard or row J of the East Stand. I always cringed at some of the comments and booing directed to Reynolds and Lee McCulloch. McGhee has a skin as thick as a rhinos arse cheek so I'd be surprised if he still has a petted lip. As for the managers considered, I think a number of us have to get our heads round the fact that we will be attractive to the new up and coming guys looking for a break, the journeymen and those trying to rebuild their reputations. All have their pro's and con's, we've gambled in the past and we've got a 50-50 success rate. New guys can be offered contracts that are easy to cancel, older guys not so much.

Personally I also have nothing against him, I just feel that I'd prefer a more dynamic option for my club than a journeyman. If he offered as much as some on here say then why has he resorted to dropping down the Dutch leagues and not picked up ICT/Hibs/St Johnstone gigs over the past few years. I don't doubt he would secure us 10th place and survival for another season but can I see him inspiring us on to greater things? I don't look at it as an advance, it's purely a stagnation/plateau. I'd rather give Craigan the reins for a tad longer to get the right guy in.

I sincerely hope Calderwood is a red herring to find out who's leaking shit out of Fir Park.

Never for a minute suggested he was, you're adding 1+1 and getting 3. As none of the football committee are permanent members of staff I would suspect Flow will collate and pass on the CV's. He's also the one who conveyed to the press the "quality" of the applicants, so I would suspect he isn't in the dark as to anyone linked.

No I'm saying if there were folk like you on the board of Manchester Utd in the mid 80's then the following 13 EPL Championships, Domestics Cups and 2 Champions Leagues wouldn't have happened. It wouldn't affect our attempts to replace him from 65 or so of the CV's we have on Flow's desk, but the 5 that truly have something about them, perception we are hot headed and are not prepared to give a degree of time would.

I wonder if on the Arab forums they're lookign back on the times Ivan Golac and Paul Heggarty with starry eyes debating the suitability of their return?

No many players have a song that everyone can trot parrot fashion 30 years after hanging up his boots. I encountered one of his sons and he was also a gentleman. Say "Hi" to the Coop when you find him RIP

Make of this as you will ............ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34413518

Suggesting we take on a manager on with a view to punting him in January is cringeworthy though. I'd rather we do our homework, get the right guy and the reason he moves on is because he's exceeded expectations.

Welcome to Motherwell, watch over your shoulder and don't let the door hit your arse on the way out. ...... Next ..... Is that really the message we want to send, because be assured, any "names" you wouldn't leap at would diminish come January if that is how we behaved as a club.

Delightful to hear he's a lovely chap. Is he on the verge of signing for us or being the next player manager? Your post just seems out the blue in the In's and Out's thread.

Surely it depends if he think his stock will rise and it will lead to something more lucrative .... Alex Neil anyone? There of course will be a glass half empty argument which is if he does take it and it goes south then any association with the club in an employment basis will be potentially be over. A career in a lower coaching role is generally safe regardless of 1st team management changes.

With that reasoning, may as well get Gordon Ramsay on the blower. At least the catering may improve

He shouldn't have tapped out and raised the white flag then.

Bit extreme to say he was a fraud. He came into a very difficult environment, a team mired in lack of confidence and apathy no doubt partly because the previous manager had given up. His pedigree was not too shabby all be it in a lesser league, but success with what tools he had available was noticed. He was personable and positive until the last few weeks. I'm a firm believer that if Pearson got through the ICT game then we'd both be higher up the table and the knives wouldn't have been out. The replacement he found added extra weight to his shoulders but again, on paper, Taylor had qualities that should have made him an asset. He's guilty of saying on day one stuff fans like to hear "youth", "pressing, attacking football" etc. but when results are hard to come by it's inevitable that safer, more experienced options are pursued so managing expectations is one to learn for his next role. I think he lost the support of a few influential players and one thing they will know is it's a lot easier and cheaper for a club to replace one man than 11. A number of our players should have a degree of guilt for how things have transpired but I also accept that they feel they were maybe not exploited to their full potential when crowbarred into positions. Regardless they are professionals and should be able to adapt with grace and vigour opposed to petulance and indifference. One thing Craigan has in his arsenal is he was instrumental in revolting against Gannon (rightly so) and should be able to recognise and stamp it out if it surfaces again under his potential tenure. It does nothing for us as a club to be thought of as a cuddly family club on one hand and have a militant playing staff on the other.

If Aberdeen are able to capitalise on Celtic's Europa League distractions and maintain or extend their lead then Delia will be getting his P45 before May. He's failed miserably by getting into the CL in his first season only be a technicality, won the league yes, won the lesser of the two domestic cups and this season failed in the CL for the far less lucrative Europa. Does anyone seriously think that McGhee with 6 months under his belt here (which I have no doubt he'd command respect, improve the matchday fitness even during mid season and tighten up the defence and improve his credibility again) wouldn't be sniffing in the east end when Ronnie gets his jotters? Maybe some are happy to have that as an adequate stop gap but I have no desire to see him peddle himself like a 2 bob hooker while in a C&A training top or tie .... again.

Nah I'm still holding out for Klopp with Thierry Henry as his #2, that way Dewell (apologies .... DEWELL) and Steelboy may finally find happiness and contentment.