MelvinBragg

McBookie seem to think it's a three horse race between Dickov, Valakari and McGhee but they're probably getting their info from on here...

Darren Randolph..

That I don't know. Yet... But from what I've heard, Valakari doesn't sound like one of the two. Just my impression...

I've been told that it's a (very) shortlist of two...

I kind of see what you're saying there but the other way to look at it is if we bring in a known face who knows the players (and their reputations), then it may not be the fresh start we may need. A fresh set of eyes may be what we need. Having said that, if United are going for Wright, I'd be surprised if we went for Valakari ahead of Paataleinen...

Whose twitter? A lot of shoit posted on there...

In a word, yes...

Leicester and QPR?

No. His first touch and passing have been dreadful. Think of the ball that was on to Ainsworth on Saturday that McDonald brutally overhit out of play. There have been too many like that this season...

No. The last thing we need is another striker. Particularly as Moult and Fletcher have scored goals..

On this season's form, that counts against him...

Not that often I agree with you but you have a valid point here. An Accies supporting colleague noted from the South Stand how little attention the "bois" seemed to pay to what was going on during the game. Whether that renders an atmosphere "fake" or not, I'm not sure but it is entirely different to the noise made when a crowd is genuinely excited by what's going on in front of them. This opens the can of worms of whether it should be down to the players to give the fans something to shout and sing about or whether it's down to the fans to create an atmosphere that encourages the players. For me, it's a bit of both...

That would suggest that he wouldn't be interested in the job at Fir Park either as they're similar jobs, unless the unrest behind the scenes at Tannadice is putting him off. I've been told Pressley and Shiels are candidates that are appealing to the board but part of me suspects that we may see another appointment out of left field...

I agree 100% with this. Of all the names mentioned (although I haven't seen McCoist's name mentioned seriously), those are the three that horrify me. As much as some dislike the idea of Shiels or Pressley, I'd have them ahead of any of that three. Thankfully, I reckon the board share that view...

For about eight months, he was one of the best we had. Anyone remember the cup game against St Mirren when he played Hughes left wing? The signing of Klimpl and Malcolm? The fact that he left us Michael Fraser as a leaving present? That's just off the top of my head...

Short term, I can see the appeal. I wasn't a massive fan first time round but he got the best out of some players and we were fit. Downside? Need someone to commit 100% not commute twice a week. And he had more quality at his disposal last time. For me, it's a no but I wasn't a fan to start with so probably not the one to ask...

Not suggesting Pressley'll get the job or even that he's favourite but he's certainly in the board's thinking. Track record of working with and developing young players, knowledge of the English market and Scottish football... Former team mate of McManus, McDonald and Pearson. Good thing or bad thing, not entirely sure...

With the talk of Lambert, I find myself wondering how much damage his spell at Villa did to his reputation. I'd have thought he'd have better offers than Dundee United...

Better beard than Baraclough, at least...

I'm told Steven Pressley is a strong candidate... EDIT Easy Target beat me to the punch there. Heard that the board think he fits the profile we're looking for...

Assuming that's who you want as manager? Sadly for us, Lambert (like Billy Davies) still has enough of a reputation down south that he'll be nowhere near the Motherwell job...

Yes, and as you point out, these senior players are all nearing the end of their careers. We need someone with the courage to phase them out gradually and the ability to do so while not affecting team spirit and still picking up results. No one appreciates more than me what the likes of Lasley and Hammell have done for our club, but we have to address the fact that they're not getting any younger and their performances reflect that. Should be looking at bedding in replacements over the course of a season rather than having to replace the heart of the team in a single transfer window next summer...

I think my concern would be that a manager who knows the Scottish game would be too blinded by reputations/status and base his selections on that. We need someone to look at things with a fresh set of eyes and not be afraid to drop the senior players. A sane version of Jim Gannon...

I actually think Moult and Fletcher will work as a pairing. Could have brought Fletcher on for McDonald and Moult could have played a bit deeper where McDonald was playing. Unlike McDonald, he seems to be finding a Motherwell man with a pass from time to time...

Even if that's true, don't want to rush into an appointment simply in case Dundee United are after the same person (and have to figure with his history with them, Paataleinen will feature in their thinking). Let's take (some) time and make the right appointment...