ascender

One problem we seem to have just now is that people are quick to recommend we get rid of players/manager/DM and say we should get someone else better in. But is it really as simple as that? I know on some fronts, when you ask people who they'd get instead, you're met with silence or some stupid answer that's just never going to happen. Do we think there's a Q of people with the right attitude and enough money to take on Rangers just now?

DM has always had a good relationship with his managers and I know PLG was impressed with the fact he still kept in touch with previous guys, did they all (DA, AM, DM etc) not go out for lunch once? PLG doesn't strike me as a mercenary and while the line about mutual consent is often used, I genuinely believe its just a case of Rangers severing all ties with PLG as of today. As for a gagging order, I think its probably more of a gentleman's agreement. I could be wrong, I'm just going on what's happened with recent managers.

At the moment I'd take him for the short term. But I'm all ears if someone can recommend someone more suitable to steady the ship. I think we're in a very difficult situation at the moment, especially given the timing and its not going to be easy to get a new man in at this point in time. Even more difficult if you look at some of the names who were in the frame when we appointed PLG, many of those are now doing well with new clubs. Also, how much money will the new man be given? What about the dressing room unrest? If true, DM will have to guarantee to back the new man over the players. Not trying to be pessimistic, just realistic.

We're now relying on DM to help us out of this mess though. He needs to get someone in and free up some cash to help rebuild the squad.

Eck won't come back, he's had his chance. Its a tricky situation, if we were comfortably in second place then maybe the list of candidates would be double what we're looking at now. We need someone to come in, steady things on and off the pitch and start grinding out results if need be. Get the team setup on the pitch so we're tough to beat. Its not going to be easy, but given how we've been playing recently, the new manager could make a good impression very quickly.

Can't see a pay-off having happened. It looks like its been a quick getaway for PLG, so I'll put money on it not costing the club anything.

PLG's record and the BF situation are, at least in my mind, two totally different issues. One might have had an influence on the other, but that should be as far as it goes.

There was real promise and optimism after the first few matches, but I'm not entirely sure where things went wrong for him. At least he's given some of our young Scottish lads a chance which is something we've been crying out about for years. A big thing for me though is what's been going on behind the scenes. Until we know what's happened, its difficult to make a fair judgement about the guy.

I know what you're saying Gazza, but we can't even be sure of 2nd place in the SPL at the moment! Besides, I think Smith has improved a bit, even from a tactical point of view, since he left us. As it stands, I think he'd do as good as any of our previous managers have done in Europe. I'm not saying that he's my top choice, but I think he's maybe a low risk, reliable option.

Until we get a statement from Smith saying he's not interested, I think he might be the favourite. Apart from anything else, I'd have thought he'd be the easiest person to get in and also its someone DM knows and trusts. This won't be the time to get someone in who's not used to the pressure that comes with the job.

I think most of us who have been around for the duration of 9IAR will probably agree that we would like at least a couple of those players involved in first team affairs.

Good point, that might be where some of the money for the new manager is going to come from if PLG wants to re-sign him for his new club.

Although clubs in the Championship may not be as big as us or have the history that we have, they are playing in England and many managers won't even consider the SPL because of the lure of the Premiership. I think it also depends how much money DM is willing to give the next manager as I think most would be looking for 5M to spend as a minimum figure.

No, he'll be greeted like a hero at the next game he plays. I'm assuming he won't be sold now unless the new manager wants to make a fresh start. I'd definitely not give him the captain's armband, but what if we don't get a commanding and experienced player in midfield or defence, maybe he will be the best choice for captain? Prso would be a good choice, but with his fitness in doubt, its not going to give longevity or even consistency as I can't see him playing every game.

I'd hope so. I depends on the manager who comes in, but if Fergie has been causing problems for PLG, then I don't think DM will stand for any more of it. Its entirely possible that he gave him the benefit of the doubt under AM, but I'd expect Fergie will have the riot act read to him by DM and the next manager. Same problem though, we don't know exactly what's been going on for the last while.

Meant to say about this clique surrounding Fergie, some of the lads in it are still very young in comparison to him and if they've been around the club for a while, its easy to see how they could look up to him. Its pretty obvious that the next manager and DM will lay the ground rules down from the start and anyone who does step out of line will be straight out the door.

Problem is that we still don't know what's been going on behind the scenes over the last week. Or the last few months. Or indeed the last 2 seasons since all these rumours of players undermining managers began.

The prospect of getting in to the Premiership is enough to keep managers at smaller clubs than ours with less money to spend. Also, considering our position in the league and how we've been playing, some managers won't want to come here unless they're guaranteed at least a decent sum of cash to spend on players. I know Smith has said he won't quit Scotland, but that was before the Rangers job was available. Who else is there who has played for us or been involved with us who could be deemed a safe pair of hands at the moment? DM obviously can't take too much of a gamble on this one given our position.

PLG has thanked the Directors for their support at all times. I think there's more to the Fergie story than we maybe thought.

The only thing about Smith is that I think he has improved as a manager since he left us and that he'd instantly have the respect of most of the players. We also have a core of Scottish players in the squad, so maybe it would be a good time for him to come back and it would appeal to him?

If its mutual consent and he's got somewhere lined up, then it shouldn't cost us anything. I don't think PLG is the type to hold out for a settlement or anything like that. Besides, he'll probably walk in to a new job in France soon or go back to TV stuff. If someone like Smith did come back, I'd have thought he'd want to build a team round Fergie, not sell him.

Davies and Burley seem to be doing well which might stop them from even being interested just now.

I see that Durrant is taking over first team training at the moment. With the state we're in on the pitch and the fact that the transfer window is open, I'm assuming and hoping that DM would have to get someone in very quickly and also give them some money to spend.

I'm guessing the most popular names to be mentioned will be.... Billy Davies Walter Smith Someone is bound to mention Souness.

Lol, so used to typing PLG! Yes, the conspiracy theory from earlier in the week about him engineering this to get out of the club has raised its head again.