MelvinBragg

There is no lineup that I'd be happy with tomorrow night. Best of a bad set of options.. Samson Tait Heneghan Jules Chalmers Lucas Clay Pearson Cadden Moult Frear I know the risk is that Moult gets isolated but given we don't have anyone other than McDonald that looks a suitable partner for him, it is what it is...

Moult has 18 months left on his contract...

You are correct and I'm losing the plot. Nightshift brain had me thinking Aberdeen was this week...

The cynic in me suspects we're not appealing ad we'd rather have McHugh for the more winnable Dundee game..

First time around, I was one of McGhee's harshest critics, possibly unfairly. This time around, I've been less critical both here and in the stadium. Maybe I'm older and wiser, accepting all Motherwell managers will have weaknesses or flaws. But I do have concerns going forward. It is not inconceivable that we could go into next season without Moult, McDonald, Cadden and Ainsworth. Two of those players are the reason that most fans think that we should just about avoid relegation this season. Does anyone share my concern that McGhee is not the man to find replacements for these four players? I know like all smaller clubs in the SPL that we're operating on a tight budget so our hands are tied somewhat but this cuts to the heart of my concern. McGhee's track record in the transfer market doesn't fill me with hope that he's the best man to replace key players. This season alone this is the manager who brought in Blyth, Bowman, Clay, Belic and Brill. Five salaries on guys who have contributed what exactly? You could add Lucas to that list but he looks to have ability even if rarely fit. You're left with three summer signings who have made any kind of positive impact. Of those three, McHugh looks the pick. I may be alone but don't see a lot to convince me that Heneghan is markedly better than Kennedy or Laing. Tait, while decent, looks limited. Even last time round, Porter and Hughes were successes but we also saw Klimpl, Malcolm, Grabban and lest we forget, Michael Fraser on a precontract. In short, before you even get to discussing his tactics, McGhee's eye for a player, or lack thereof, is a real concern going forward. List our four or five best players. How many are McGhee signings? As good or as bad a manager that you think he is tactically, how many of us have faith that he'll be able to put together a squad capable of surviving next season if we stay up this season?

Not surprised by your choice of him as MOTM. I mean no disrespect, Dave, but you've made it clear on here that you feel that sometimes we are not physically strong or imposing enough. Kind of figured Jules might be your type of player. For what it's worth, I thought Jules had a decent game (he certainly seems to have all the tools/attributes you're looking for if a bit raw) but that Cadden was a good bit better...

If it's two up top with Ainsworth joining Moult, I can live with that team. If once again, we're going with the isolated one up front insanity, not so good...

I do vaguely recall an interview with McGhee where he did say that Ainsworth could only really play up top but I think he meant in a 433. That and the fact that McGhee seems to be treating him as option of last resort means I don't think we'll see him start today even though I'd be tempted. As a winger he does tend to drift into the middle anyway. For me, I don't know if Bowman and Moult could play together. They seem to make similar runs and I just feel Bowman is more suited to being a backup for Moult rather than a partner for him. Today I'd go with the same team as Tuesday with the exception of Ainsworth in for McDonald. Have the option of Clay in for Lasley if Lasley's legs can't take two games in quick succession. I'd assume Pearson won't be anywhere near match fit yet but would probably manage 20 minutes at the end if needed...

Curiosity got the better of me, had a check of Louis Moult's stats for us. 55 starts, 31 goals. Obscenely good...

Bit of a shame for the guy. Had some games when he looked like he had all the tools and just needed the right coaching. Hope he manages to find a club and get his career going again. Always gave 100% when he played...

I agree. Do we need the point scoring every week? The thread's called "McGhee Out?". If you think it's a ridiculous idea, avoid the thread for the most part. If you think he's a shovelfaced charlatan, you don't need to bump this thread every time we lose a game...

If we have Moult, McDonald and Ciftci, I'd be pretty confident of getting enough goals to stay up...

Are Rangers not the only team he's lost against with us?

Hammell off for Jules and Clay on for Lucas suggests a slightly more defensive approach...

Where would we be this season without him? *shudders*

I'd heard he'd just come back from Holland where he was dealing with a personal issue...

I know we won't. Concern would be that £750k would see us the richest club in the second tier. Without his goals, we're toast...

Thanks but no thanks. Not a like for like replacement and no time to find one...

Again, like the Northern Irish midfielder who apparently signed the other day, one for the U20s...

Only thing I would say is that it would tend to play pretty narrow that midfield...

So if we can get Ciftci, we let McDonald leave? I'm quite surprised that Pearson is coming back. Just had a feeling that he'd fancy trying something new. Did Burrows give any indication as to why the Pearson deal is taking its time?

It's an interesting one. He seems to have fallen so far down the pecking order that it's difficult to see a way back for him at Fir Park. Yet a lot of people who watch the U20s say he stands out. There's a part of me that thinks as long as his alleged attitude problems don't affect his fitness or ability, is it something we tolerate or would that damage team spirit?

At 18, I reckon he's been signed with a view to going into the U20s initially...

Actually thought that McHugh was our best player...

While I appreciate some of them will not be on huge salaries, we'd still be paying wages to a couple of established professionals (as opposed to the likes of Allan Campbell or Jake Hastie) who'll be nowhere near the starting lineup. If true that Bowman and Blyth are both surplus to requirements, then it reflects really badly on McGhee's performance in the summer market. If you add those two to Belic and Brill, that's four signings that after less than six months have been exposed as not good enough. I make it five other signings in the summer with varying degrees of success. McHugh looks a player but has been unlucky. Heneghan has been good (although maybe not as good as some are making out). Tait will do a job, steady Eddie. Clay and Lucas, have been okay to solid which would be fine if we had a creative midfielder alongside them. So nine summer signings. Potentially four already moving on or surplus to requirements. Two or three decent signings and a couple who the support are unconvinced by. Am I the only one terrified at the thought of McGhee trying to replace Moult, McDonald and Cadden in the summer. His record in the transfer market is patchy at best...