Irvine is still in place. I think he's likely to stay there whatever happens 'til after the transfer window, otherwise JP will be pressured into spending more money. D & K seem to be set in concrete now on the staff.
Most of the names mentioned don't thrill me anymore than the one we've got and most of the experienced, established ones will not want to know under our existing arrangements.
Cosy and warm as it is, to think 'one of our own' will fix things is, IMO, naïve. We need somebody with a clear idea of what is to be achieved and a team of assistants ready to put that in place. As said above, Mel was never allowed to bring in a change to our 'sit back-hit 'em on the break/ keep possession in mf and ease the pressure' tactics we've followed for years now. I may be wrong but I wouldn't be surprised if D & K scuppered his plans.
This all sounds pessimistic, but that's how I felt since Al's appointment. I just hope that it all turns around, Val skips past fullbacks, Vic suddenly finds his scoring boots, Bobby becomes a world-beater, midfielders (I include them all) find a way to get past opponents and put telling passes and crosses behind defences.
I really hope so; just doubt it right now.