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Very interesting list of candidates. John Hughes and Greavsie for me. Lots of contacts to rebuild our squad with.

Whilst the idea of linking up the applicants to form a dream team is in many ways an appealing one, realistically I don't think that would work. In reality you can't just throw two "strangers" together and say you're the Manger, you''re the coach or player/coach now get on with it as I feel that would be unlikely to work. Given that a Manager works very closely with his assistant/coach they need to have a very good working relationship and for that reason I would expect any new Manager to be given the choice as to who he wants to bring in with him - it's only fair really if the new guy wants to be given a fair chance at success in my opinion.

I'm only guessing but I suspect that in the case of John Hughes, the name of Lee Bullen may have been mentioned in the HE because he (Bullen) played under Hughes at Falkirk and is currently employed as player/coach there and maybe Bullen has applied for the "other" vacancy - the one left by Shaun North - otherwise his (Bullen) inclusion on the list seems a very strange one given his very limited experience and having no other connection to us.

Intresting to see John Hughes was after the Bradford job back in Feb.
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Certainly looks like he wants to get back into managment and why not league 2 to get yourself back on the ladder and go up the leagues in england.
I would certainly be intrested in him being the new manager. But then i wouldnt mind if Forster was manager.

Forseter was leading it for me but now im 50/50 between them two.

CP Gull

his (Bullen) inclusion on the list seems a very strange one given his very limited experience and having no other connection to us

It's an attempt to get Guy Branston to stay as they are old mates from their time together in blue & white stripes at Sheffield Wednesday.

Much as I'm sure they'd like to team up again, in actual fact I'm less than convinced the Club have any desire to keep Branston.

Lets be sensible here......why on earth are people calling for Forster/Hargreaves?

The shortlist is full of maybe's + wannabe's, great if thats all we can get.

John Hughes is by far and away the best candidate.........experienced and succesful.....nuff said.

Was a bit unsure as to who this Hughes bloke was but he seemed to have a good record.

Wouldn't mind him, although surely he's out of our budget?!?!

Go on then Bloggy, no one here stopping you...

Matt.

NickGull wrote:Was a bit unsure as to who this Hughes bloke was but he seemed to have a good record.

Wouldn't mind him, although surely he's out of our budget?!?!

I can't imagine the club would put him on the short-list without sounding him out about his financial demands first.

jocktheknife wrote:Lets be sensible here......why on earth are people calling for Forster/Hargreaves?

The shortlist is full of maybe's + wannabe's, great if thats all we can get.

John Hughes is by far and away the best candidate.........experienced and succesful.....nuff said.

Three attempts at the "should I use an apostrophe or not" game, three losses.

Also, I don't really care who we get, just so long as the FIRST thing he does is tie down Pickles (to a contract, obviously, nothing sexual).

Matt.

In order I'd go form something like this:

Hughes
McParland
Forster
Russell
Hargreaves
Holdsworth

John Hughes is the standout candidate. I'm surprised he's actually applied for the job. His record in Scotland is impressive. Admittedly he is a bit of a stranger in the English game. But then you can find a flaw in every appointment. They are all going to be risks. But Hughes has the experience which I believe is required to steady the ship. While managing Hibs, he was linked with the Burnley job when they were in the Premier League after being recommended by the outgoing Owen Coyle. He shares the same attacking and passing philosophy as Coyle, which would please fans who wish to see attractive football to Plainmoor. I assume Bullen would join as No.2 but not sure on that. Hughes may be interested in bringing his former assistant Brian Rice in.

Ian McParland did a decent job while in the Notts County circus and is a well respected coach. I would imagine his contact book is quite large with spells as No.2 at Forest, Ipswich and Swindon, but he appears to be more of a Robin than a Batman.

I've not been swept up by the Forster fever that seems to have struck our boards in the last week. He's still very green and only has a three-month caretaker manager stint over the next two contenders coming up. His lower-league knowledge works in his favour and may ultimately give him the edge over someone like Hughes, but I'm surprised he appears the most popular choice with fans.

Russell and Hargreaves are heart-rulers and wouldn't stand a chance of landing the job if they hadn't played for us. Greavsie is too close to some of the players for my liking. Out of the two, I'd prefer Aggy, we might even get to see him grace the Plainmoor pitch again, but I'd be concerned if either got the job, unless someone else was brought in with experience for them to lean on.

That said I would still take one of those ahead of David Holdsworth who would be a totally uninspiring appointment. Mansfield fans didn't rate him and were happy when he got the boot. I think he signed over 60 players in two years! I'll be utterly deflated if he gets the job.

john hughes def for me please, he would make up for all the hassle we've been thru these past few weeks.

get a bunch of promising young scots players in, asst bullen too if we could afford it. imagine he'd get a buckle style rolling contract? off in 12 months with the ship stablized once more!

McParland's a tosser.

Genuinely excited by reading a bit about John Hughes. Would be a very good appointment in my opinion!

Alongside Alex Russell as a player coach and I would be in TUFC heaven!

Boom Boom wrote:McParland's a tosser.

Go on Boom Boom, tell us what you really think. Don't hold back.

It has to be John Hughes. The more I read about him the more I think Paul Who?

It really is a no-brainer.

Board of directors. Please do not a Bateson on us and go for the cheap 'head rules the heart option'.