Renegade

Has Walter Zenga applied yet? I'm sure he applied for the Dundee job (or was it Dunfermline?) a few years back. A checkered record as a manager, but I think I'd quite like seeing a charismatic, flamboyant Italian manage the team!

I think we'd be foolish not to at least offer a contract to Nick Ross. I remember when we were relegated last time, Butcher emphasised how having versatile players was a big bonus. Nick Ross seems to have become more of a central midfielder now but some of his best games for us was when he was playing as a winger (even if he is naturally a central midfielder, he was still better wide than Polworth!). He could probably do a job up-front as well. I was disappointed when he left and would certainly consider taking him back.

I'm not sure I could attend matches if the vile Jimmy Calderwood became manager.

Jason Brown looked decent enough in the U20s, but apparently at Arbroath he was abysmal.

He's from Stranraer though. Hardly local to this area.

I see Calderwood is currently assistant manager of Aston Villa. Would he really come up here when he has a job like that? I wouldn't imagine so, even if we were still in the Premiership.

Colin Calderwood did a terrible job at Hibs if I remember right. I did hear yesterday though that Paul Sheerin is who the club are really after but he's on holiday just now I think. Wonder if John Hartson might be the surprise choice. Nearly got the County job last time.

I recollect Billy Davies being linked with St Mirren a while back and saying something along the lines of him being willing to talk to any club who wants him at any level. While he may be willing to talk, it doesn't mean he has much interest in taking the job up. He's always had a reputation as a bit of a weirdo as I recall and I'm sure hearing somewhere one player (who's name I forget) saying he was the worst person he'd ever met. These allegations of being at the very least, a bit odd, do follow him around. Was he also not the unnamed friend Tommy Sheridan went to Manchester with?

As I recall he did have some injury earlier in the season. Not serious enough to make him miss as much action as he did mind.

Sounds like Paul Hartley is about to become manager of the Celtic reserve team so I'd imagine he'll be out of the running. It's funny how one bad spell can ruin an entire management career. A couple of years back, I'd have had Mixu Paatelainen as manager in a shot - not now. Same goes for Ian Murray. I'd have been delighted had he taken over after doing such a good job at Dumbarton. Changed days after his terrible spell at St Mirren though.

Billy Reid already has an assistant management job in Scandinavia so I doubt he'll give that up to come here. The fact he's also a rubbish manager who plays dire football is another factor...

James McFadden went through my mind earlier. A top player, probably has contacts around Britain, just left Motherwell. Would be the type of person I can imagine getting a job at a Championship team.

Good.

Remember when the club used to laud the fact they were apparently the cheapest matchday experience in the top flight...?

Can we please get an adult to write these club statements? One player's name is even spelled incorrectly in that latest one!

I've spoken to people at the club who've confirmed this. He seldom turned up. His influence on the team was next to nothing. One person even told me that in terms of paperwork and that type of thing, Brian Rice did more in his first day than Latapy in the entire previous season. The leaving for a new job stuff was a smokescreen - he was sacked. I really wish some fans would drop this completely unwarranted heralding of him. A coaching guru he was anything but.

So as things stand our current team is (with everyone fit) - Fon Williams Raven Warren Mckay Tremarco Draper Vigurs Doran Polworth Mulraney Boden Subs - Esson, McNaughton (?)... No mention of Laing, Gilchrist or Andy MacRae. I'd like to see the latter retained, he looks a good prospect. That starting XI would probably challenge for the play offs but we need new bodies all over the pitch.

I'm not sure I want to pay extortionate prices to watch a team managed by Gus McPherson or Maurice Malpas. The fact of the matter is, as I alluded to on the other thread - we might all care about the club but the club cares for us not a jot. We aren't valued fans, we're just a number and a customer. Your club doesn't care about you, they only care for your cash.

Remember what I was saying about how the club doesn't value it's supporters...?

Shiels is manager of Derry City so I doubt would be that interested (Stephen Kenny, formerly of Dunfermline and now of Dundalk was another who crossed my mind but I doubt he'd be interested either). For all his trolling and controversy though, behind the scenes seemingly Shiels is a very guy and his knowledge of the game is apparently superb.

Interviewed for it twice I believe. When Butcher got it and when Butcher left. I could live with him taking over and there would certainly be worse candidates but now we're on the same level as Morton, I doubt he'd be particularly interested. This is exactly my thoughts. I'm fine with Malpas as assistant or as a coach but certainly not as the manager.

Unless following his rejection of a new deal, the club didn't re-open talks and let his contract run out.

And Malpas. He was offered the job when Butcher went and turned it down. We should leave his 'come and get me' plea unheeded.

This is an excellent point. The facilities for the North Stand are a disgrace (the PA is barely audible and the mens toilets don't even have seats!). The club have tried desperately to get new fans in but have forgotten the ones already there. I can point to seats around me of people who've just stopped going altogether. Is it any surprise when the club clearly doesn't value the fans they have and believe they deserve the bare minimum? I'm sure it's nice and warm in the hospitality suits though...

I think Leahy is planning on going to a club in a league better than the Championship. Loy did very little at Dundee. Shankland might have potential but seems to have problems with weight and fitness apparently.