I don't think there's the remotest chance we'll sack Mark McGhee before the end of the season but the board are going to have to make a pretty tough decision on his contract rather soon. He has indicated he wants to stay. So, options...
Keep him
The obvious against this is that we have frequently been awful this season, our record against the top five a disgrace, ditto the cups and - for whatever reason - a large chunk of our support just plain dislike him.
On the other hand, it's impossible to deny that taking Baraclough's squad to fifth was a great effort. Beyond that, as poor as we often are, we're not going to go down unless something dramatic changes in our form against the bottom seven.
More importantly, he has - albeit still too cautiously - shown a willingness to introduce the youngsters who are faring so well in the U20s right now.
Promote the assistant
It seems apparent McFadden is a Motherwell manager in waiting but less than half a season as assistant surely makes it way too soon. Beyond that, his latest public announcements suggest he hasn't yet given up on playing, however delusional that seems.
Promote the youth coach
The other classic move. Craigan showed little inclination of wanting the top job previously and it's doubtful if that has changed now. There's also a case to be made he's more important where is working on the long-term than being thrown into the results next week business of the first team - for the first time in ages, between him and Leitch (who now, incidentally, surely deserves a little credit after being slaughtered on his return?) we seem to have a youth system worthy of the name and it should not be risked.
On the other hand...if we are relying heavily on youth, who better to lead them than their previous coach? Lasley already works as U20 assistant, he can take over that properly when we nail his boots to the wall in summer. Ideally bump Hammell to U20 assistant and suddenly you have a 'boot room' system where the future is laid out and - in theory - we reap the benefit from some advance planning.
Bring in a new face
I've no idea who this would be though that's not a reason not to do it. Despite our financial issues, we're a top flight club of 30 years standing with a frankly astoundingly good run of finishes, one year excepted (3rd, 7th, 5th, 6th, 3rd, 2nd, 2nd, 11th, 5th for the record). We will still be an attractive option to coaches in Scotland and further afield, though restricted by the fact we can only consider free agents. On the other hand, there's always the risk we pick the next Baraclough....