MelvinBragg

100% correct. McGhee's big excuse last season was the injuries/suspensions cost us last season. I, for one would take a slight drop in the pedigree (note I said pedigree, not necessarily quality) of player if it meant we had a slightly larger squad. By pedigree and not quality, I'm suggesting that we could find a player who could be at least equally as effective as Stephen Hughes in his position but without the big name and the big salary that the name brings. Maybe time to try and re-create some of the feeling of Butcher's first season by getting some young hungry players. Difference is that this time, we already have experienced players to play with them. How many Motherwell games have Clarkson, Craigan, Lasley, Quinn and Hammell played combined? I don't have the figures to hand but I imagine it would be staggering given only one of them over 30...

Even if you remove part of Porter's wages and possibly Hughes', it still leaves a chunk of wage bill. Could easily pick up three players for Malcolm's wages that would contribute six times more than he did. One cautionary note would be that we're the only SPL club having to replace a pitch this summer. The fact is we've been run more carefully than most clubs in the last few years, so hopefully we'll see the benefits compared to Hibs, Falkirk, Kilmarnock and others...

I know I'm starting a new thread about this but I couldn't find mention of it anywhere and it angered me enough to start a new topic. I heard a rumour today that Mark McGhee has offered to help John Boyle find his successor. I don't know whether to believe this or not, as this source has been pretty good before, but this seems pretty outrageous. The thought of someone who'll be our competition next year helping us pick our manager kind of sticks in the throat a bit. Anyone heard anything about this...?

Aye, and unfortunately due to the lack of income, we're going to have to be imaginative putting a squad together. The fact that he worked for so long in Alkmaar's youth system means that Luc will know not only some gems that he helped bring through who might be available on loan or have fallen out of favour wherever they ended up, but will have a decent knowledge of other young players kicking about Dutch football. We need a new imaginative approach here, not someone who's so immersed in Scottish football, an innovative signing is getting an Old Firm young player on loan...

I actually reckon there will be bargains to be had out there in terms of player salaries. Given everyone is tightening their belts, players will have to lower their demands. I mean, what else are these guys going to do? Get a real job...?

I wasn't keen to start with but the managers he has worked with/under have swayed me. If previous quotes are to be believed he'd bring a real enthusiasm to the job. He will have a wide range of contacts having worked with some decent clubs. I know there are a few managers with these qualities but the enthusiasm he would seem to bring is what sways me...

Sack him now. We don't have time for this crap...

Twas me, big fella, and like you if Bobby Williamson or Ian McCall is posing with the claret and amber scarf next week, I suspect my enthusiasm would not be flooding back. A picture of Luc Nijholt assisted by Tommy McLean on the other hand, might give me a stauner...

Without wishing any ill on the guy, I assumed he'd retired when he hadn't already been linked with the Celtic, Aberdeen and Hibs jobs...

Not crushed by this. All this means is that we're now competing with Falkirk rather than Hibs for managers who're willing to come to the SPL. And being honest with you, probably suits us better...

Dinnae panic, man. Wait and see who is appointed, might well be surprised at the candidates we get. Everyone in football is in the same boat at the moment, so we're no worse off than most teams. And you say that Hamilton will hold on to their best players? Transfer window's not even open yet, wait and see what happens...

Can't see it happening somehow. If it does, disaster awaits...

It's alright, you'll be able to hear me abusing him from the car park outside the Phil O'Donnell stand...

Having read the statement on the Official Site, might I say something. Motherwell are going to do everything possible to get "him to stay". I know this is just flannel probably, but if not, please don't bother trying. He obviously doesn't want to be here, and irrespective of my previous opinion on him, do we really want a manager here who, quite frankly, will be staying under duress? If he gets a pay rise and stays, I will not be back...

Aye, and doing it through the media. Although it does strike me as deciding the thing you've picked up in the shop is exactly what you want to buy, you've put it in your bag and then start haggling over the price...

Either of those would do me. Am I right in thinking Boyd has done some coaching at Celtic? Or Nijholt with Tommy McLean would do...

I'm getting there too. I think we'd need to find the right assistant, someone who knows the current Scottish football scene. But with that proviso, I'm finding myself more in love with the idea as time goes on. Go on, JB, give the people what they want. You can blame us if it goes tits up...

Amen, brother...

Only problem I can see is that statement would suggest that in the two years since McGhee's appointment, Nijholt's stock has risen and we may not be the first in the queue for his services. More I think about it, and hear about his CV, the more I'm warming to the idea of him in charge. Sadly, the more I read his CV, the more I think he's destined for better than the Motherwell job this summer...

That wouldn't be Mr Miller trying to blackmail us into reducing our compensation claim, would it? Everyone knows McGhee wants to go there, it's in no one's interests for him to stay here now, so now Oor Wullie can start haggling on compensation...

About 9 posts up from yours...

22nd of June is the European draw, this much I know. Slight advantage of bringing a new guy in is that there may be players available that the gu has worked with before. Any new manager might also have a wider range of contacts than simply Alex McLeish and Gordon Strachan...

While I wouldn't quite go that far, I'd be tempted to put Gordon Young in charge for the first round if a new guy isn't in place by next Monday. At least he knows the players and their various strengths/weaknesses. On a side issue, does anyone know when we were planning to start pre-season training...?

When you look at that, it does make for impressive reading. I guess the only thing really stopping me from wanting Luc as manager is the fear of it all going wrong and him being run out of town with his good name sullied...

I'm just wondering it at the very back of some people's minds, there's a thought that us qualifying for Europe was a bad thing. Might cause John Boyle to act unwisely in haste. I'm not saying this will happen, but I'm sure if we weren't kicking a ball in anger until August he'd feel less pressurised to make a quick appointment...