weeyin

Crazy talk.

I think both are probably correct. McManus has a positive influence on those around him (especially the younger players) and has obvious leadership skills. He also seems to switch off for periods during a game, that can lead to us conceding. I think his net contribution to the team is positive, but he always leaves me feeling a little short changed.

I don't know how actively he's been trying to leave but he's certainly been listening offers and I'd be amazed if he didn't take one this summer.

I expect Skippy to be off at the end of this season.

And for not scoring enough goals. It's all well and good blaming the defence every week, but we need to be scoring more than 1, especially at home.

I'll definitely not be there on Saturday.

He'd still have lose a few skills to be worse than Derek Murray.

From Craigan's comments I think there were only a couple of players with pass marks. I can see why that would be disappointing as, like he mentioned, now would be the prefect time to make a case for a first team spot.

Ironically, one of Accies' advantages is their appalling plastic surface while our billiard table pitch allows good teams to play well against us. Of course, it should be to our advantage too if we start stringing a few passes together.

I'm not sure how it could be regarded as a three-ring circus. They interviewed a few people and selected one. Even if it's true that people withdrew from the process at some stage, that is pretty normal in any recruitment once candidates get to discuss the opportunity. I'm sure I'm not the only person that's had an interview and then decided a particular job wasn't for me. Sometimes because of the company itself, sometimes because of the salary, sometimes because I have a better offer elsewhere. Our club never gives details of the process to the media - quite rightly in my opinion - and for some reason, that leads to a fair chunk of people on here branding us incompetent. Apart from publically announcing the names of every Steelmen Online posters' favourite candidate, I'm not sure what could be done differently to keep everyone happy.

In the 70s and 80s Liverpool did quite well with internal promotions to the manager's job. Bottom line is that any recruitment is a gamble. I doubt even the most optimistic supporters could have predicted the spell of success McCall had during his time. Similarly, Tommy McLean's woeful first few season in charge gave no indication of the success he'd have towards the end of his tenure.

If we had appointed Robinson immediately, people would have complained. If we hadn't spoken to Simo this time, other people would have complained. If we'd appointed Simo, some different people would still have complained. There were people complaining when Alex Neil was suggested - a gaffer who had a 54.5% win ratio with Accies and a 41.7% ratio with Norwich. Bottom line is, we are a miserable bunch, and whoever was appointed and regardless of the process followed, there was guaranteed to a number of unhappy punters. What isn't surprising is there are people already hoping he'll be punted in the summer and the guy hasn't even had one game in charge as manager yet.

Cheers Jay. I meant Board Meetings too - that example was just something that sprang to mind that was fresh in my memory. A chat platform might be the best option for members in a different timezone as we can keep up with it while we're at work!

I agree it's not every season, but if you look a post I made a few weeks ago that lists our position every season since the SPL was created, the position we have finished most often is 8th. The recent run of success has been great, but it's not typical, and even the Board said it led to unrealistic expectations when it came to budgets.

The question is, who would have whelmed them?

All good points - and all arranged under a transfer embargo.

I can't see any appointment being made these days that doesn't polarise support as 50% of them are idiots* I'd prefer a good performance, but it's all about points over the next few weeks, so if that means grinding out a win, that's fine. *that's the 50% that don't agree with me, obviously

I have seen us relegated a couple of times, and seen us avoid it a few times due to league reconstruction, stadium rules etc. Any season where we don't get relegated is a good one. Might not be a great one, but definitely a good one.

Who would you say at Motherwell left with reputation intact? Davie Hay - turned his back on a new contract for a fake job in the US? Tommy McLean - walked away after falling out with the Board over budgets Alex McLeish - oversaw the demise of a good squad Terry Butcher - lied about his "holidays" in Australia then walked out during the season Craig Brown - only talking to Aberdeen as a courtesy Stuart McCall - walked away because he lost the team and ran out of ideas? etc. etc. There isn't a single manager we have had that we couldn't find many faults with. I'll bet, however, there few fans who wouldn't take a couple of seasons from any manager if it meant a Cup victory or Europa League group stages. Anyway, I'm not expecting Hughes to be anywhere near our management vacancy - I'm just amused by people who think, with his track record, he's useless.

I've no particular drum to bang for Hughes, but the guy has got a great record in the Scottish game. Got Falkirk promoted. Kept them in the top flight for 4 years. Got them to a cup final. Hibs. Got them to 4th. Qualified for the Europa League Group stage. ICT. Finished 3rd. Won the cup. He might not be the most polished with the media, but he's had a fair amount of success at our level. And I remember a lot of passing teams under his watch.

He fires in a few home truths when we win too. Old school management style. I approve.

Jumping the gun assumes Mitch wasn't just on the wind up.

Winning at Killie bought us some time. Time to look into the options and more time to assess Robinson. Unless we had someone signed and sealed before McGhee was punted we'd be mad not to use it. Even here, in the land of at-will employment and few protections, we always assume at least 4 weeks to fill a position - longer if it's more senior. I'd say this decision is pretty important.

Nobody knows what the club has been doing - which is how this business should be handled. The level of mince spouted on here every time we are looking for a manager has zero relevance. The only thing you can say is that there are so many names and rumours and stories bandied about, one of them may hit the mark like a blind squirrel with a nut.

So at EOD the ETA on which day's COB is still TBD?