A perfect afternoon for football was spoiled for the few hundred Motherwell fans who journeyed along the Tay by an uninspired team that rarely looked like breaching the Dundee defence. Pearson’s late consolation cane against the run of play and only deluded optimists felt there was any chance of an equaliser.
Craigan’s post match comments to MFC TV revealed frustration and disappointment at the defensive errors and at the lack of bite in attack. His comments did nothing to suggest that he would be applying for the job.
The board has said they will interview this week and aim to have a new man appointed thereafter.. With Celtic and Aberdeen up next on the fixture list, whoever is picked will have to hit the ground running.
As ever we must be careful to weigh up pros and cons, the opportunities and risks. A safe pair of hands this season may keep us up but do little to lift us out of the long-term malaise of bottom six football. We have seen from others that once trapped in that particular cycle, escape is not easy.
Alternatively we could pick from left field again in the form of a promising young coach. A grand vision, inevitably of positive football based on youth will be stated, but delivering that in reality is much harder than in rhetoric.
Few will envy the decision makers in the days ahead.