Kmcalpin

My last words on the Hammell era as its time to move on. Many of us had doubts when he was appointed as a rookie manager, and unfortunately they were realised. The directors also need to review their own decisons over the past year or so, but in a positive way. Maybe changes in governance are required? Stevie Hammell should have been relieved of his duties over a month ago but the directors dithered and delayed and we've effectively lost 5 weeks in our relegation battle. The toxic atmosphere yesterday was entirely avoidable as El Grew suggested a week or so ago. Anyway we now have Stuart Kettlewell in charge temporarily. I hope we now headhunt a new manager and get the right man in quickly, although that won't be easy. The players too need to step up as well. We, the fans, must do our bit and get behind the club and team. I'd make a plea to get behind the players, especially the younger ones who need encouragement. As others have said a lot of soul searching now required throughout the club, but we move on. COYW.

I see that the official statement says "The chairman and non-executive directors have begun the recruitment process to appoint the next manager." I hope that means that on this occasion we've broken with tradition and intend approaching specific targets rather than advertising and spreading the net wider. Some individuals might not want to apply for various reasons and would prefer to be approached.

Try playing Dean Cornelius just behind KVV. A good box to box player who has the energy to support him.

That was always going to be the case with this line up. No surprise at all. What were you expecting Coatsy?

Not surprising with that line up. Now lost the inevitable goal.

Thats about it. To make changes there you'd be shoehorning someone else in and putting a square peg in a round hole. Change for the sake of change.

Interesting. The other alternative, who we brought in at the end of the window was a youth player from Brighton with virtually no first team experience. All this having known months ago that Penney was leaving. Not a good look.

Two days and another home defeat further on are you still of the same opinion David?

Agreed, but who does he replace them with? Hammell has surely seen the need for another central defender and a defensive midfielder. He ships out Barry Maguire and Sol (not saying they were the answer BTW) and doesn't bring in any replacements/reinforcements. It's largely a situation of his own making.

Tell Stevie Hammell that. He doesn't seem to be aware of that.

Yes free agents without a contract.

Absolutely. If he doesn't instigate matters tomorrow then the Directors should. No way should he be in charge for Saturday. That doesn't sound nice but the future of our club is at stake. It would also be the kindest outcome for him.

Since Hammell took over, many players have regressed and none have improved. The team is no better now than it was last August and if anything its worse. He has also failed to address glaring weaknesses in defence and midfield. On top of that to have a weaker defence at the end of the window than when it opened is incredible. If the worst happens, there's absolutely no evidence that Hammell has what it takes to bring us back up.

100%. Word gets around and people will apply but we now need to change tack and approach individuals that are of interest to us. It has to be targeted.

Is it likely that the players have downed tools for Hammell?

Not nice to say it but possibly the poorest manager I've seen in over 60 years of going to Fir Park. Sorry it has to end this way but the directors must act quickly. To go into this game with the same poor midfield and an even poorer / thinner defence than we had last August is unacceptable. Its clear the players are just not playing for Hammell.

Going into a crunch relegation match with only 2 fit central defenders is unforgivable. Who didn't see an injury to one of coming. Amateurish.

Then we have to get more from the existing players. Has Hammell got that in him?

Not seen us win this season. On holiday for the Livingston game and missed the Arbroath game with the lurgi.

Our winless run will come to an end, it has to at some point but it won't be tonight. I wonder how many of our new faces will start or even feature?

Still got huge concerns about our midfield and defence. Not addressed so far. Still only 2 central defenders, including Ricki Lamie and a young untried left back.

I hope we're looking to bring in a first pick.

Please no. McGinn is no central defender.

Hopefully, though there could be a number of other reasons as to why they have been underperforming.

I certainly hope so although there are suggestions there's more to come. I'll keep my powder dry as there's a possibility of a new central defender and defenisive midfielder.....time will tell later today about that. These areas have been critically weak all season and surely Hammel has seen that? As things stand at 10.36, the team still looks unbalanced. Hammy is certainly not stupid and was a loyal, model professional and is a decent guy, by all accounts, although I've never met him. Although he played nearly 600 games for us, he was never a great defender. His strengths were his pace and drive going forward and his passing and crossing abilities. These were eyecatching and more than compensated for his lack of defensive ability.