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Shocking for a manager to blame a few "bad apples" for his failings. Really cowardly. You win together and lose together - everything else should happen behind closed doors. Richie is embarrassing to himself and this club. A swift dismissal has to happen NOW. You cannot leave it for RF to have any role in personnel next season. Equally, the club has to send a message to players who will be rushing for the exit, that things will change and there will be an experienced boss at the helm. NOW!

I don't care, because that is pathetic - trying to foist blame on to unnamed players. If he was a decent manager he wouldn't have had that problem, or would have dealt with it. But that is really desperate stuff from him. Maybe he was the bad apple. Have some dignity foran and resign.

updates will be late today ... off to the game with the family where the little guy will be one of the mascots ..... hoping for some insane luck and a good performance to see us into the playoffs. On a positive note for today ... took a picture of the badge on next season's shirt and for those who did not like the 'pride of the highlands' on the logo (myself included) ... the original badge has now been restored and embroidered on the shirt. Hoping that all the players play for it today .

No matter what happens, let's show our appreciation to the players at full time. If we are down and many depart, we must show our appreciation for the cup runs, cup final win, top six finishes and the European foray. Even with the disappointment of this season, guys like Raven, Warren, Draper and Tansey deserve that from us all! Come on Caley Thistle!!

Football is a concept By which we measure Our pain I'll say it again Football is a concept By which we measure Our pain I don't believe in Tokely I don't believe in Hastings I don't believe in Dargo I don't believe in Wilson I don't believe in Hughes I don't believe in Esson I don't believe in Baltacha I don't believe in Brewster I don't believe in Rooney I don't believe in Draper I don't believe in Butcher I don't believe in King I don't believe in Sheerin I don't believe in Paterson I don't believe in Foran I just believe in me Me and ICT And that's reality The dream is over What can I say? The dream is over Today We were the dream weavers But now we'll be reborn We were the champions But now we're gone And so dear friends We'll just have to carry on The dream is over

...er, hum. Speaking of fickle fans, I have a confession to make. It seems I was a bit hasty in the aftermath of the County debacle in saying I wouldn't be back this season. I will - today! Some fans are just so fickle! Just down getting extra tickets - everywhere is almost full and plans are in place to start filling South stand too. Should be a packed hoose.

Sitting in the airport now enjoying a nice balanced breakfast of a sausage and egg bap with a pint of Guinness. Next stop the caley club. Come on the ICT

But we hope you go down too

I'm afraid so. The damage, of course, was done weeks/months ago. I just hope the mini revival over the last couple of weeks doesn't give the powers that be the excuse to stick with Richie for another season. I feel sure we will struggle , even in the Championship, with him at the helm.

Where do you start with why Richie Foran should be sacked. Well today he tried to deflect attention away from his own shortcomings and stated "ICT must get rid of TWO OR THREE BAD APPLES". The tactic of turning this into a guessing game & blaming players(again) is frankly quiet pathetic. Actually it's very cowardly to apportion blame on two/three mystery players, have the guts at least to stand up and name them. What a joke of a manager!. Had to give up listening to his cringe worthy interviews some time back. His constant team berating, contradictory statements & general drivel was just plain embarrassing. The club and fans deserve a lot better. Alex Fisher this years top scorer for ICT FC, it's a shame Foran couldn't see it earlier. After Fisher came of the bench at Ross County to score last December, his reward from Richie was to miss the next THREE MONTHS of football. He gave Henri Anier the next SEVEN starts and he scored absolutely nothing. One of Richie's bad apples? only he knows. Alex has scored SIX goals in the last seven games, & FOUR in the last three. Who knows if Alex had played those seven games would he have made a difference to us being relegated? Look at the numbers you decide. A manager who does not know his team is no manager at all! Barry Wilson made a good point today about Foran "You do not reward failure". That's also my opinion. I have no faith in Richie managing this club and hope the board sack him asap!

I'm sorry but I am just not buying the "3 bad apples" line, that's just more shithouse excuses from RF. Pretty much his whole mantra this season in interviews has been "not my fault, blame players". Yes the players have to shoulder some of the blame, as should the board for 1 for the appointment of RF 2 not having the gumption to sack him when it was clear to see relegation was a serious threat as early as December time. For me the buck firmly sits with RF for our relegation. Chopping and changing his line ups every week. Couldn't organise a defence. Different tactics, different formations hoping to stumble across something that works. Freezing out Fisher for most of the season, when turns out he was actually quite useful......shock!!! Really, really hope he is not there next season, cannot see a bright future while this man is still at the helm.

Well done to DD, a worthy winner, but you ran him very close Gringo. And of course, I'm sure I speak for everyone in thanking you, Gringo, for another well run, and enjoyable competition. This forum would be much the poorer without it, andI can only say 'thanks again' for the many hours you dedicate for our enjoyment.

So Foran how do you explain your complete mismanagement of our top scorer and fans favourite Alex Fisher. We could not buy a win during a terrible run during the winter but you still refused to play him and not only that you went out and blew the budget on 3 additional strikers in the window.

Yes, and in a lot of our better games, played really well. He didn't have to fight as hard as he did...I think it says a lot about him as a person how he put so much into the games.

Since this thread is about the game and not the league...I will say that for 15 minutes there we were playing some great football! the team that played against Dundee on Wednesday night didn't show up at all in the first half, but they defo did for a short spell of the second half. i will take this opportunity to call out the fickle fans who chear as loud as anyone else when Tanz scores (a lovely goal)...then feel the need to sing abusive songs when he's signing stuff for kids....get over yoursel guys - you would do the exact same thing in his position, anyone would.

I was trying to work out who they were based on selection policy. Unfortunately, based on who has fallen in and out of favour, that would suggest about 17 bad apples.

He should walk of course, but I think that statement is so cowardly, irresponsible, sour and damaging to the club and its players that it should seal any doubt and instigate immediate dismissal.

Can't really argue with any of the above. Sort it out behind closed doors. Don't air your dirty washing in public as some kind of justification for your own shortcomings.

I'm sure there are several small shareholders who would only be too willing for you to buy their shares right now!!!!

Utterly bizarre that Fisher was sidelined for so long.

I supported Fisher in the 'Fish v Walrus" debate earlier in the season and accept he has howlers but what striker doesn't! I had left before the players came back out, but if Tansey got stick, that is a disgrace and those involved should be ashamed of themselves. A very sad day, but probably inevitable for some time. As for the game, great to have 5000 home fans, highest since Astra game? If only we could get that every game! Poor first half and probably lucky to go in 0-0. There was flatness when word went round about the Hamilton score. Better second half, and to score 3 in 4 minutes at least meant there was some satisfaction on the sad day. When the MOM opens, I will go with Fisher, Laing and Tansey. I hope Fisher stays and becomes a target man. He and Boden could serve us well next season. Laing has grown on me, and is comfortable on the ball. What will change? Out of our hands, but we need decisiveness as we must hit the ground running next season with both playing and backroom staff or it will be another tough one. Bad apples? No idea, but the quote on the STV website implies it does not include any of the starting 11. Im in section D in the main stand, so in front of the Board. players sitting behind me included Fon Williams, Tremarco (still on crutches), Meekings, Ebbe and King. I didn't see Doran but he may have been there too. Gutted after the Eason, but I will be back to support whoever we have next season.

Foran was a great player for us but has been a lousy manager. He's taken a top six squad and relegated us at the first time of asking. Has lost all credibility with this "three bad apple" garbage. Funny how we waits until we're down to air his dirty laundry. Classic diversionary tactics from a guy who's clearly out of his depth in this role. Instead of slating players he'd be better looking at coaching colleagues who've slated him all season to anyone who'll listen. Despite the above the blame for today's relegation lies at the door of messrs Sutherland, Cameron and the Sutherland installed puppets on the board. Shameful mismanagement from parties who are entirely detached and uninterested in the footballing side of the Sutherland vanity project. Time for radical change from top to bottom.

**** off

Is it fair to see that this relegation was far less painful for the fans than the last one? Two reasons- 1. This one has been on the cards for weeks, whereas last time we'd been on the brink of safety for weeks. 2. This time we did what we could on relegation day itself but it was out of our hands, whereas last time we messed it up.

This season we have suffered from Board and management issues only!

Really can't work out who the bad apples are. None of the starting 11 as he expects to have 10 of them next season - I'm confused, Tansey is away to Aberdeen, Laing and Fisher don't have contracts and Billy will be away, that leaves 7! If he has to 'get rid' of the bad apples that implies they are contracted beyond this season (rules out Cole and King) - Mulraney possibly - who else?????? A last throw of the dice from Ritchie to keep his job - no need to come out and try and blame a few players. The person to blame is the manager, poor selections, poor tactics and he lost the dressing room. I fear for the future if the current management team remains in place for next season, could be another relegation fight!!!

He'd be a bad orange, no?

Again. Sums it up nicely.

Bizarre. A decent strong manager would have got rid of the bad apples. Sounds like more excuses to apportion blame anywhere but to himself.

If he cant handle unruly players he shouldn't be a manager.

I'm guessing (and it really is a guess) that an unsettling influence can be any age. However, it is surely the job of the manager to identify and deal with such issues at the time, not moan about them after the fact.

Just listened to his interview, surely he is delusional in believing he would get another season at the helm after his performance this season. Unfortunately the interviewer didn't ask him why Fisher played on the left wing in the first half. It sounds pathetic to point the finger at three players who let him down, he's the manager, his job is to manage not whine like he had no option but to accept the situation.RF is not up to the job even in the championship.

Hopefully that's the last we have seen of Foran as a manager.

We spent large parts of the season bemoaning the fact that we didn't have a goal-a-game striker. Turns out we pretty much had one all along. That fact on its own should be enough to see Foran handed his P45.

I'd be very surprised if the likes of Draper and Fisher are still with us in the Championship. Some of the 'old stagers' like Warren, Esson, Raven may stick around for another season, as, to be honest, their Premiership days are probably behind them now. It is rebuild time for ICT, starting immediately, I sincerely hope, with a new manager.

Yep, been saying that for months. The time for togetherness and getting behind the team is over, so with that in mind, let me get the ball rolling by asking Foran to GTF out of our club before he does any more damage.

Absolutely gutting. What an awful season, 9 points from last 12 just too little too late. We didn't have the worst team/squad but clearly the the most inept manager and board. Big changes needed over the summer if we're to have any chance of coming back up.

Put in a prayer at Ueno Toshogu Shrine

If you speak really nicely to the Minister, Kenny, I'm sure he would make an exception

Sorry about the late post but been working flat out. Luckily I was in Perth on Wednesday and Thursday so a nervous journey along the A90 turned in to the best away day I've had since the 3-0 at Dingwall last season. The fans were fantastic from well before kick off, probably the most vocal and supportive other than the cup semis and finals, even giving Foran support when he came out. Even before Mckay's early goal, he was unlucky a charge down just went wide, and to get a quick second was brilliant. The team then kept their composure, created a number of decent chances, and kept possession better than in recent times. For my money, the best 90 minute performance I have witnessed this season. Esson was steady, Mckay did well at right back, with Raven very good at left back, also adding cover to Warren and Laing at times. Warren and Laing bossed central defence. In midfield, Vigurs was immense, perhaps a bit lucky to just be booked, but had composure, urgency and passion. Draper was back to his old self. Tansey was up for it. Polworth had some good moments, whilst also covering Raven regularly. Fisher worked hard and took his goal well, but was out on his feet by the time he was subbed. Mckay took his goal well, pressed the Dundee defence and was probably also tiring when subbed. I thought Anier worked hard and put himself about, but he is not Mckay class, whilst McNaughton and McCart were put on to ensure we kept out Dundee late on. The players were all up for it, the crowd was fantastic. We need the same team and a large noisy support tomorrow. It's still a long shot, but at least we have a chance, however remote. Its my wife's birthday tomorrow and I was originally not going. She is now having lunch with her sister and I am now going. Wednesday was a great night, can we do the impossible? I don't know, but I will be backing the guys 100% regardless of what happens. If it does not go our way tomorrow, let's give the players a long standing ovation at the end. If many leave, they leave us memories of several seasons none of us dared dream about. Two finals, one cup win, three top six finishes, a trip to Europe. They deserve our appreciation! Come on Caley Thistle!!

Bad apples...................I guess we were bound to crumble then

Doubt the Builder will have any influence when KC goes More like the Crane man or the flesh peddler will pick up the club for £1 Pity all of these guys couldn't have pulled together for the good of the club rather than for their egos and we would be in a better situation than most clubs of our size.

Nor, if indeed these two young players were indeed 'bad apples', would a stronger manager have let them get away with it. So it sounds like a pretty pathetic excuse for his own incompetence.

Regardless of our wish list, these matters will be dictated by finances and not football.

2-0 to Hamilton now....season over!!

インヴァネス（そしてダンディー）への幸運。

Getting pretty miffed with the Anier abuse on this board. The guy hasn't set the heather alight, but he's by no means the awful player some fellow posters are making him out to be. Against Hamilton I thought he was one of the best players on the park. His work rate, defensive covering, supporting runs, strong hold up play under pressure and beautifully weighted through balls to our front men all went completely unnoticed by the mouth breathers who immediately screeched "Get him off!!!" any time he had a bad touch. His goals to game tally is poor, and he isn't a natural striker IMO - but to say he has no footballing ability is absolute nonsense. I honestly believe half the people who attend football matches and post on forums have never played the game before, even at pub level.

We will get a bus to wherever is required in Scotland to ensure no supporters cannot make a game.

Whilst many of us would have wanted Foran to leave weeks or even months ago, I think your last few words about Foran are totally uncalled for and not worthy of a member of this forum. Also, is it just me or do any others feel that writing a rant like that with no correct punctuation is at best laziness, or at worst , an indication of illiteracy?