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Ian Murray has always impressed me as a manager . I have never liked the idea of going for the guy that just showed you up, because I think that is what happened with Harri Kampmann but Murray seems like an intelligent, articulate young manager with a good amount of experience under his belt. On Hughes, I would actually take him just now if it was simply to keep us safe this season. The more I look at the current situation, the more I think that the problem is confidence. I thought Kelly looked like a rabbit in the headlights in his interview yesterday and he is our captain. I think Yogi could actually be a calming influence and one that could take the weight off the players shoulders a bit whilst being a disciplinarian if necessary. I think the romance of a young manager with a 5 year plan and a passion for playing young players ( that was supposed to be Hammell) is an ideal that may have to be set aside for now. Ian Murray seems like the closest to a compromise in that regard but I can see the merits of a very short term solution. I don't think James McPake should be ruled out either. Dunfermline were in free fall when he took over (infact did Hughes not have a go with them?). His win percentage with them is fairly exceptional. Is it not upwards of 70%? We just have to hope our board are really doing their homework and not just picking names out a hat from a list they made at a board meeting on Monday.

Was looking at Kettlewell's managerial stats with RC. 44% wins as co manager, 29% wins on his own. His managerial time at RC spans 3 years. I always felt that Jim McIntyre did a great job with RC. Remember the year Motherwell finished in the play of place, RC under McIntyre went on a fantastic unbeaten run in the second half of that season to pull them to safety. I think he was sacked recently from ( was it Cove Rangers?) but maybe harshly? It will be interesting to see how Kettlewell sets up the team tomorrow evening and how the players respond. I'm sure I heard a quote from him about keeping the instructions simple. I wonder if maybe he has had feedback that Hammell paralyzed the team with instruction and over analysis? This is wild speculation on my part as ever. I remember listening to an interview with a Kilmarnock player on Radio Scotland back in October (can't remember who) that commented on the simplicity of Steve Clarke management style. He said it took a burden off the players and was the key to his success at Killie. He said that new young managers had a tendency to overcomplicate things. Certainly Kettlewell would need to fight it out with Jim Goodwin for best groomed manager. I think either of these managers could challenge Van Veen for the title of head hipster at the club.

He is younger but he does have more first team management experience. I felt that he was treated rather harshly by Dundee. They were struggling, yes but performances fell off a cliff when he left. Dundee were in a similar situation then to the one we find ourselves in now. He seemed to be keeping their heads above water, just. I wondered on Saturday if the board at Motherwell already had a new manager lined up should they lose to Raith. It seems like that was not the case, unless Lambert was the target and he rejected an offer on the Sunday. The mood music does suggest that they might be more likely to approach a target this time as opposed to relying on applications.

That is a very 21st century response but I think that even in a modern, progressive, enlightened society there is much about Rangers as a football club to be wary of. I am a good old Church of Scotland boy so the religious and political bigotry is not aimed at me personally but I still find it hugely distateful even in these most tolerant of times. I know that the very same religious and political bigotry exists with Celtic but from a purely footballing perspective I would identify (another 21st century word) with the footballing philosophy of Celtic more than I ever would Rangers. Let's not forget that in the very recent past Rangers seeked to gain an unfair advantage from a form of financial doping. It is a club that seems to see itself at times as being above the rules in a footballing sense alone. Rangers men from our recent past may not have shared much of that sentiment but they seem to carry some of the baggage that the press alone will not let them forget. The deference they show as Motherwell managers in games against Rangers and the continual questioning by the press of Rangers matters rather than Motherwell matters are things I would rather do without. I had a lot of affection for Stuart McCall and Terry Butcher but there was still that sense throughout that they were Rangers men managing Motherwell. TB's celebrations on helicopter Sunday being an example of something that given a choice, I would rather not see again. If David Healy is a 'Rangers man' in the true sense of the word then that would be a no for me. Let's not forget that Kyle Lafferty has just served a 10 match ban for displaying some of his Rangers leaning tendencies as a Kilmarnock player. Again if given a choice, I would rather not be associated with that kind of culture in any way as a football fan. It is exactly that kind of culture that we should try and avoid if possible, particularly in the 21st century. This usual suspects chat seems to be becoming increasingly common to represent anybody who does not agree with the views of the poster.

I agree. If you had to pick a name who would you go for? Who do you think can have the maximum amount of impact in the shortest space of time?The whole club needs a lift and possibly a bit of light heartedness. Who can do that whilst maintaining discipline and respect? Maybe a John Hughes character is closest to what we need at this moment in time? As always it is a tough call.

The ability to organise the team, motivate them and manage any dressing room splits will be the same whether embroiled in a relegation battle or fighting to win the league. I found it interesting in the summer when names like Lennon, Lambert, Mackay were being written off by some as not good enough. It is proof positive that no matter who our board appoint, it will not be met with universal enthusiasm. I know that Neil Lennon is a particularly polarising character but a man who has significant Champions League experience as well as a few league titles under his belt, certainly has the experience and skill set to manage Motherwell. No appointment is going to ensure our league survival but NL would give us a better chance than most. Tax issues aside however, I don't think Motherwell could offer a manager of that experience enough to make it enticing. The stars may aline with Lambert given that he has a history with the club and is looking to build his reputation again. A man with 14-15 years experience in the top flight in England is a man we should be delighted to welcome to Motherwell. I scratch my head sometimes when these names are written off as not suitable.

All would be forgiven if he could save us from relegation. He was a great player for us and his worth in the team was not fully recognised till he was gone. He and Tommy Coyne are my favourite Motherwell players in my football going lifetime. Gritty, intelligent player with a fair amount of ability. If he could instill some of that into our current playing squad it would be a master stroke. I would be excited by this if it happened.

Normally I would be arguing exactly this. I am not a fan of sacking managers, and I find the manager merry-go-round in Scotland hugely depressing but tonight had a desperate feel about it. I do wonder if it is worth almost accepting relegation and giving SH time to build his team and get the experience that would come with it but our support will not allow that. I don't think any support in the world would. The confidence of the players is completely shattered. Is there another Craig Brown out there that could breath confidence into these players? I can't think of anyone.

Of course you are entitled to an opinion. I just generally don't agree with it. No. That is the why I think time is up for him but as I said before, having been given the job, I think he deserved time and our support to try and make it work.

You talk about the usual suspects as if backing the players and managers we have is something to be ashamed of. If memory serves me right, you are one of the usual suspects that has wanted every manager of the last 6-7 years sacked and look where we are now. Continually sacking managers is not a long term recipe for success. Remember you thought Robinson was shite? Look how St Mirren are doing at the moment. I am somebody who has backed every manager till the end ( except Malpas) but sadly I am going to go against that now and say that SH should probably walk. I did not think it was a good appointment in the summer. It was a huge gamble that has not worked. It does not give me any pleasure to say it and I don't regret giving him the benefit of the doubt over the last 6 months but time is up.

Interesting that you say we have been in decline for 5 years. We finished 3rd in 2020. That was less than 3 years ago. Do you think the large majority expect relegation? Remember the voices on here do not represent the majority. All the others around us are still around us. If as fans we genuinely expect that we will get one point from the next seven and that we are as good as finished, how can we expect the team that we (supposedly) support to show any belief or fight. The negativity is taking on new levels now. There is still nothing that suggests we are favourites for the drop. The support needs to show some belief. The negativity is transmitted to the players whether we like to relieve ourselves of all responsibility or not.

They have fishermen in Iceland though and there was a few fishermen in that Stjarnaan team. We can laugh but it's an embarrassment all the same.

They still should not be beating Aberdeen. The problem for me is that Aberdeen did not go into the game with the correct mental attitude. You could apply the same argument to our defeat against Sligo. It is a lack of professionalism that seems to show itself time and again in Scotland and seems to be excused time and again. We seem more than happy at times to make excuses for the teams in the top division, the classic being ' it is too early in the season' when Scottish teams get dumped out of Europe in July by part time European minnows. A team of tradesman, fisherman, bank managers and school teachers should never be beating a full time professional football team at any time of the year. To try and masquerade this post as an ins and Outs discussion ( sorry Melvin), would we sign any of those Darvel players for Motherwell? Probably not.

I think unfortunately it shows just how poor the standard is in the top division of Scottish Football. If the top teams in Scotland were truly professional, results like tonight would never happen. It is a fairytale result for Darvel but embarrassing for Scottish Football in general. Could Motherwell ever beat Barcelona? No. It would never happen and that would be two full time professional teams playing each other. The gulf between a Junior Team and a full time team in Scotland should be as big as that but it is not. As fans we accept the mediocrity in the professional game in Scotland all to readily. Most worryingly of all Darvel looked the better team throughout. That was no fluke result.

I agree with this 100%. Confidence in king. Lamie is the perfect example right now. We know how he can play. It is not about ability. Our record against the teams round about us is fine. I think the nature of the Killie draw has done alot of psychological damage. We are holding our own against the teams that will be fighting it out at the bottom.. It is going to be a nerve shredding end to the season but we have as good a chance as any team in the bottom 5 of staying up.

There were a few interesting comments made on Radio Scotland's commentary yesterday that I think tells a story. Firstly, the commentary team highlighted that Motherwell have the best away record in the league this season outwith the OF. Secondly having commended the big home support yesterday they very quickly ( from about 20 mins in) were commenting regularly about the nervousness and at points negativity coming from the home stands. The advantage of a home game is the home support. I get a sense that a viscous circle has developed in recent seasons at FP where negativity between the team and the stands is resulting in a lack of confidence in both, perpetuating the problem still further. Confidence is the problem at the moment. I think it accounts for the unwanted habit of throwing away results from good positions. The nervousness that comes from the stands must affect this. It is easy to sense the negativity on this forum and it seems to be a general negativity that has engulfed the club in recent years. What comes first the chicken or the egg? I know that the team has the responsibility to perform but for whatever reason just now there is a lack of harmony between the club and the support that is manifesting itself in a very poor run of home form.

I can understand your concern but we are currently sitting 9th. That means as a matter of undeniable fact that our statistics are better than three other teams. It is very tight, yes but I see nothing from RC, Kilmarnock or Dundee Utd to suggest that they are definitely going to finish above us. I think St Johnstone could be pulled into the mix soon too. I know that people will point to Utd nearly sneaking a victory at Easter Road but had that been us the talk would be about another draw being snatched from the jaws of victory. I am not trying to defend the performances. They are poor but this is not over yet. I don't believe that our squad is mid table Championship standard and I think we will show that against Arbroath next. The standard in the SPFL outwith Rangers, Celtic and maybe Hearts is awful. Motherwell just need to be less awful that the teams round about them. I think that is still possible, depressing as it will be to watch

I don't share much of the doom and gloom that I have been reading over the last number of weeks. Comments like ' favourites for the drop' and ' the teams around us will start to move away now' seem strange given that we have a decent record against those teams in recent months. We beat Dundee Utd the last time we played them. We thumped Ross County. We have held our own against Killie and Livingston in recent weeks. The Kilmarnock game was frustrating but a freak goal from a former player with a point to prove was the difference between one point and three. I think the next three games are very winnable and could change the complexion of the season. Hibs come to FP under alot of pressure. Their managers comments after last week's game suggested a man feeling that pressure. So I predict for us to narrowly beat Hibs by one goal after a nervy 90 mins and for Rangers to beat Dundee Utd so that the picture looks a little brighter tomorrow evening.

I have listening to the Sportscene analysis a couple of times now and I actually don't know what point they are trying to make. Faddy is rambling. He seems to be aggrieved about the fact that the decision has gone from no free kick to red card. What he does not say is that the decision not to give a free kick in the first place is where the controversy stems from. How has John Beaton looked at that challenge in real time and decided it was fair? Ex players like McFadden and Stewart should be applauding VAR for situations like Saturday because it protects players from the incompetence of Scottish referees. Player safety should be high on their agenda. That could have been a leg breaking tackle on Saturday. I actually believe that Watt did try to pull out of the challenge at the last second but it was still high and still dangerous. There does not have to be intent for it to be red. Mugabi's red card last season was an example of just that. I wonder if the BBC pundits purposefully take an opposing view to play devils advocate. Certainly McFadden sounded like he was struggling to justify his own position on the incident.

A very poor Rangers team that had humiliated us at Ibrox in the league cup the season before under McCall. I could not believe his (McCalls) talk before that game about us having to be at our best and them having an off night to get a result. We duly got thumped 3-0 from memory. I genuinely believe that Baraclough was the only manager we have had over the last 20 years that could have got us that result in the playoff. He brought a fresh mindset when we needed it most. Craig Brown, Alex McLeish, Mark McGhee, Stuart McCall etc would all have had us beat before a ball was kicked. It's the Scottish football way. We owe Baraclough a debt of gratitude that some Motherwell fans seem to lack the good grace to give him.

It seems to be a bit of a Scottish Football obsession about beefing up to handle the physicality of the game . I remember the Russian team that came to Firpark a few seasons back (was it Krasnador?) and it struck me how many of them looked more like African distance runners than traditional football players.. They ghosted past a Motherwell side that were made to look very static. Admittedly that was a fairly expensive team from memory. Certainly it showed that pace and athleticism can be ask effective as strength. If Tierney adds too much weight he might lose some of the other strengths in his game. Topically, I remember watching Louis Moult for the first time up at ICT for that seasons opening game and feeling that he looked a bit lightweight. Wes Fletcher looked the better option that day. To counter my own argument, I think Moult did some physical conditioning in that first year and did become more robust.

Did you see Mo Salah's misses against Bournemouth last week? If it can happen to a world class striker then it can happen to anyone. I think KVV spoke of gambling addition rather than any kind of mental health concerning the pressures of the game but regardless if he has openly discussed any problems it is poor form to then use it as a stick with which to beat him.

Delighted with this. It is a bit of theatre apart from anything else which is what football is all about. I have a hunch this is going to work out very nicely. Put it this way IF Moult and Van Veen can play in the same team and IF they can strike up a decent partnership then it is happy days

Moult is only 30 so, if fit, would have a few good years left. If he passed a thorough medical and was given the opportunity to get match fit over a couple of months, who is to say that he could not recapture the form of old. I think a player's environment had a big part to play with some players, particularly strikers. An injury free Moult would be well worth the risk.

I don’t want to be negative or borrow worry but I am concerned that Man Utd might poach Hammell for the soon to be vacated Man Utd job?