MelvinBragg

Have been thinking about this and discussing it with a few people. None of the names that have been mentioned seem to fit the bill, but I reckon there may be a reason for this. For me, we are almost looking for two different types of manager. In the short term, we're looking for someone who can make an immediate impact, hit the ground running, organise us and keep us up. Leads you to consider mainly Scottish based candidates. Looking more long term, you're looking for someone who this summer can refresh and rebuild the squad when you're looking at replacing or phasing out some key players while also bringing through some of the U20s squad. Leads me to think we'd need someone with fresh eyes not tied to senior players' reputations. Problem for me is I've not seen a name that ticks both boxes...

I'd be surprised if we went for Ferguson as well. Just when two separate people mentioned his name, I started to think "Wait a minute now..". We are known for our leftfield appointments but this would seem particularly strange...

Same person that told me last time he thought we'd go for McGhee. Not to suggest he's in the know, more that he seems to be able to work out how Motherwell think...

Hearing a lot of worrying (in my opinion) Barry Ferguson chat this morning. Surely not..?

Should be looking to extend it this summer if we stay up. Next season's captain and a player that we need to build our team around...

So how exactly were we set up in the second half? You say two holding? I thought we had gone three at the back in the second half?

Good question. Assuming 4 at the back, with Jules at LB. Pearson and Cadden centre mid? Beyond that?

We put out a team aiming for a 0-0. When you play 442 with no wingers, it smacks of 'keep it tight and hope for the best'. Assuming we're playing 442 of course. Either way, clearly a real lack of creativity in the side. I'd take Lasley and Cadden off and stick on Frear and Ainsworth...

You were saying? Kris Boyd 1-0...

Anyone at the game confirm the shape? Three centre halfs or a flat back four?

What was said?

Clearly Chalmers, and not Jules, is being held culpable for last week. Like you, I'd still be surprised if he's playing alongside Heneghan in a 442. Maybe playing three centre backs with McHugh?

Same two centre halfs as last week? Or 352 with midfield three of Pearson, Lasley and Cadden? Either way, I'm unconvinced...

I always find it fascinating when an assistant manager takes over as interim manager to see how many changes are made. Gives an idea of how much agreement there was among the coaching staff or whether assistants and other coaches weren't having much of a say. Today I'll be particularly interested to see if Ainsworth features at all...

Can't say I disagree. Laing had some poor games for us, but he also had some very good games. Kennedy likewise. Despite what others have said about Heneghan, I don't think he's a massive upgrade on either. Jules certainly isn't. Ainsworth has his flaws but anyone who has the number of goals and assists he has for us, any manager should be trying to find a way to use him effectively. His unwillingness to do his defensive duties is brought up often. If by leaving him out, we had made ourselves defensively solid, then leaving him out would be reasonable. But...

Be astounded if we went for someone as inexperienced as McCulluch given the situation we are in unless we're planning for a promotion push next season already...

Except the Inverness one tonight...

What is quite alarming is that Dundee and Hearts, both sides that beat us pretty easily, are losing to teams we'd hope to drag back into the relegation battle. Add Hamilton's win last night over a team that embarrassed us, it really gives an indication of how bad our form has been...

My guess would be Paulo Sousa...

Who's your money on then?

Like you I'd be surprised if Coyle was interested. But my reasoning isn't financial. I don't think Coyle needs a large wage as he has probably had a couple of big payoffs as well as earning a lot while in those jobs. Resources wise, at Blackburn his hands were tied financially relative to others in that division. My reasoning that he wouldn't be interested is that I don't think his reputation has suffered that much down South and I suspect he'd be able to pick up a job down South at some point. Other aspect, as others have pointed out, is that he tends to bring his own coaching team with him wherever he goes and I suspect the club might be committed to keeping Robinson and McFadden (whether they dhould be is another question). I think this may be a sticking point...

I was wrong. But I think a lot of Motherwell fans felt that we simply wouldn't sack McGhee. I confess that part of me is still a bit surprised. But as one Celtic supporting friend put it to me "when they're out protesting at the front door, you know something has got to give.." As to recent names mentioned, I'd be surprised if Coyle was interested and I'd be astounded if we were in for someone quite as inexperienced as McCulluch given our precarious situation...

So we're deciding Frear is not good enough based on less than two full games at a time when the team are underperforming. That seems fair...

Of those that I've seen mentioned on here, the only name with any real appeal is that of Alan Stubbs. Whether that's a realistic target or not, I don't know. Kind of expecting a leftfield appointment again as seems to be our way of doing things...

I'd possibly add McHugh to that...