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I appreciate people are getting excited by these signings but we don't really know anything about these players. Aside from Baird none have any real experience that we can judge them against and players straight out of youth academies are often very raw and unable to make an impact in first team football. Look at the example of Jake Mulreany, who generated a lot of excitement thsi time last year but didn't have as big an influence as anyone would've wanted. We should also beware comparing these players to the players we've previously signed from the English lower leagues and Academies. None of these guys have over fifty games in first team football, a couple (Elbouzedi and Elsdon) have never played first team football. Players like Hayes, Rooney, Draper, Tansey, Watkins, Tremarco all had far more experience, most of them had around 100 first teams games under their belts. They could be excellent signings and I hope they are but I'd be very surprised if, aside from Baird and Ridgers, more than one or two of these guys becomes a regular first team player.

Agreed. Although I am more than happy to pass judgement now on The Rangers revamped side .

Whether Drapers stays or not, this is the most radical overhaul of the squad we have undertaken in our history in a single close season. Very different from the last time we were relegated and retained our management and very nearly the entire first team squad including the prolific Adam Rooney. I hope that fans will bear that in mind and be patient without getting on the players backs early in the season if we do not get off to the best of starts. I would anticipate that it could take six to eight weeks at least for this new team with a new manager and a different style of play to gel and find their collective feet. We need to give this team at least until October before even beginning to pass judgement.

Absolutely no to the sale of Draper to RC. A derisory offer which is a total p*ss take on their part. We simply cannot allow them to progress at our expense. Make him a contract extension he cannot refuse, demonstrate to him and the fans we are serious about returning at the first time of asking and last season was just a blip. We do not need a huge squad so bringing in more inferior players just because we have freed up wages by selling him on is just plain nonsense.

Because someone needs to be in overall charge day to day. Kenny Cameron fullfilled this role but it doesnt appear that anyone on the board now wishes/or is up to the job.

Playing Clach Tuesday 7.45

Elbouzadi confirmed as having signed a 2 year deal.

What sense is that if the long term future is us banding about the lower leagues? If we keep Draper we have a chance of promotion and if he walks after then good luck to him, we could both part on good terms, or we would be in a stronger position to negotiate a new contract. If we sell him we get a minimal fee and not his true worth, we have less chance of promotion and he would be going to our rival and making them stronger. If County want him, make them pay over the odds because we would need that to replace him. If negotiating I'd be asking for £300k off the bat and no less than £250k ... enough that if we don't get promoted this term then we have something to fall back on next season. If they are not willing to pay that then he doesn't go anywhere and sees out his contact with the club but at least we wouldn't be getting bullied by county

I really hope not, but suspect you may be right - worth offering Drapes a contract extension, to show how much he is valued & provide a bit more security for him & his family?

I see Wrexham have officially signed Scott Boden so we can finally truly say cheerio to one of our worst ever strikers.

season loan this is the club press release:

We absolutely must not sell Draper. Simple as. 200k or whatever it is we'll accept for him is nothing in terms of what a sustained period in the Championship will cost us. He is by far our best player and someone we simply have to keep this season. Can we as fans show the board how desperate we are to keep Draper? We stood up over season tickets and look what happened. We just can't afford to lose our best player so late into the transfer window and the season kicking off in 9 days.

Caley Thistle manager John Robertson insists midfielder Ross Draper will not be sold on the cheap despite continuing interest from Highland rivals Ross County. Staggies manager Jim McIntyre is determined to land Englishman Draper, despite failing to meet Inverness’ valuation of the midfielder with his latest bid of £80,000. Draper has been one of Caley Jags’ most consistent performers in recent seasons, but is one of the club’s highest-earners following relegation to the Championship. The 28-year-old has two years remaining on his contract and Robertson says Caley Jags will not be pressured into selling him. Robertson said: “County have enquired, but their valuation of Ross is nowhere near what we think he is worth. “He’s a big player for us. The board have factored Ross and his wage into the budget, so we are under no pressure unless it’s a very substantial bid. “But it’s not on our radar right now. We don’t want him to go. Ross is aware of that.” Draper has made 201 appearances for Caley Jags since joining from Macclesfield Town in 2012, and was part of the Inverness side that won the Scottish Cup two years ago. Despite Caley Jags’ relegation from the Premiership, Robertson is confident Draper will continue to give his all for the club, and he added: “We will keep him abreast of everything that’s happening and as we saw again in our friendly against Brora Rangers on Tuesday night, his attitude is first class. “That’s why we’re happy to keep him. If any team puts in an offer that the board feel is acceptable, it will be looked at. But right now, they are nowhere near the value we expect for Ross. “We can’t and will never dissuade any club from making a bid for our good players. ” Ross is a very good player but unless it’s something outstanding, that we feel we can’t turn down, he won’t be going anywhere.”

Definetly-there can't be anyone on here who would be happy to see Drapes go, whatever the fee involved is! I'm suprised that no other club is in for him-kinda expected him to be heading along the A96...or down the A9 to Perth...glad he is still here, long may that continue!!

On the other hand, we could be optimistic and forward looking rather than dwelling on past errors.

Looks like a mixture of school kids and clach players, no wonder many stay away from preseason games... Planning Elgin tomorrow... Hoping for better than that