18 games played, we are officially half way through the season and 12 points behind the leaders Dundee.

If we win, 9 points (although very difficult) is an achievable target when you take into consideration we play them on 2 more occasions before the end of the season. Not to mention the psychological affect it will have on us and them going into the new year

If we lose.... I'm not a pessimist but I can't see us making up a difference of 15 points in the remaining 18 games. 2 games against Dundee to reduce the deficit to 9 but we are still requiring 3 weekends where we take full points and Dundee take none... to put that in perspective, I think we had 2 weekends like that so far this season!!! In the meantime we would have to win every other remaining fixture.... not impossible but very very very unlikely

I think if we lose against Dundee Butcher needs to make his plans clear, he needs to commit himself to the club for another season or leave so our next manager has the transfer window to build a team for next year. I don't want to read Rafa Benitez type interviews every week where the manager is clearly in denial and still claiming he can win the league where there is an insurmountable* defecit

* big word for Christmas :)

We should be fine with the money we banked in transfer fees for Vigurs (?75k), Black (?250k), Cowie (?250k), Marius (?400k) and Rankin (?250k). I know we should have got more but rather that than nothing.

Win or lose on Saturday, i would love to see Butcher stay and try to develop this team. I think that 27 points out of the first 18 games isn't bad going when you consider how many new, largely inexperienced players, he has brought into the team. I predict that we will pick up more than 27 points in the second half the season and finish comfortably in the top 4 without ever threatening Dundee's romp. To me, that would constitute a decent season in the circumstances, and contract extensions for the management team and a few of the young players would be in order. Unfortunately, as Caley D has outlined, financial problems may prevent us from building in this way.

We should be fine with the money we banked in transfer fees for Vigurs (?75k), Black (?250k), Cowie (?250k), Marius (?400k) and Rankin (?250k). I know we should have got more but rather that than nothing.

Are you winding us up "starchief"? I must have been asleep when the transfer figures were announced!

The league is already over as far as we are concerned. As I said on the Dunfermline match thread - we are 12 points (4 wins) behind Dundee. To catch them they will have to lose at least another 4 games this season. They won't.

Yes they will, they will prob drop more than enough points for us to win the league but then we would need to win nearly every game to do so and it's that part that is never going to happen. We will drop more points throughout the season and wont be close to to Dundee come the end I think.

For me its not just this Saturdays game thats important , Dundee, then County followed by Motherwell in the cup, the next three Saturdays will shape our season.

Confident?, no.

We should be fine with the money we banked in transfer fees for Vigurs (?75k), Black (?250k), Cowie (?250k), Marius (?400k) and Rankin (?250k). I know we should have got more but rather that than nothing.

Are you winding us up "starchief"? I must have been asleep when the transfer figures were announced!

That's what we should have received as a minimum.... fcuking disgrace that the 5 players listed we only managed to obtain a fee for one of them and then then that one (Marius) to sue us for every penny we made

If it wasn't my club it would be funny

Yes they will, they will prob drop more than enough points for us to win the league but then we would need to win nearly every game to do so and it's that part that is never going to happen. We will drop more points throughout the season and wont be close to to Dundee come the end I think.

No, they won't.

The league is already over as far as we are concerned. As I said on the Dunfermline match thread - we are 12 points (4 wins) behind Dundee. To catch them they will have to lose at least another 4 games this season. They won't.

Yes they will, they will prob drop more than enough points for us to win the league but then we would need to win nearly every game to do so and it's that part that is never going to happen. We will drop more points throughout the season and wont be close to to Dundee come the end I think.

If i were Butcher, i would put this post up in the dressing room somewhere and let them see it, especially the bit in bold as it would be motivation for them.

Come on, what is it with the negativity at this club nowadays, even i am confident we CAN WIN THE LEAGUE, now call it madness or whatever you like but i like to be positive.

COME ON LADS, YOU CAN DO IT!!!

The league is already over as far as we are concerned. As I said on the Dunfermline match thread - we are 12 points (4 wins) behind Dundee. To catch them they will have to lose at least another 4 games this season. They won't.

Yes they will, they will prob drop more than enough points for us to win the league but then we would need to win nearly every game to do so and it's that part that is never going to happen. We will drop more points throughout the season and wont be close to to Dundee come the end I think.

If i were Butcher, i would put this post up in the dressing room somewhere and let them see it, especially the bit in bold as it would be motivation for them.

Come on, what is it with the negativity at this club nowadays, even i am confident we CAN WIN THE LEAGUE, now call it madness or whatever you like but i like to be positive.

COME ON LADS, YOU CAN DO IT!!!

Good post Mahonio, we can only hope Butcher reads this forum.

The league is already over as far as we are concerned. As I said on the Dunfermline match thread - we are 12 points (4 wins) behind Dundee. To catch them they will have to lose at least another 4 games this season. They won't.

Yes they will, they will prob drop more than enough points for us to win the league but then we would need to win nearly every game to do so and it's that part that is never going to happen. We will drop more points throughout the season and wont be close to to Dundee come the end I think.

If i were Butcher, i would put this post up in the dressing room somewhere and let them see it, especially the bit in bold as it would be motivation for them.

Come on, what is it with the negativity at this club nowadays, even i am confident we CAN WIN THE LEAGUE, now call it madness or whatever you like but i like to be positive.

COME ON LADS, YOU CAN DO IT!!!

Good post Mahonio, we can only hope Butcher reads this forum.

I'm wi you guys here. I've never subscribed to the negativity around here, never will. Win the next two games and everything & anything becomes possible. I'm sure that scumdee are really looking forward to this one, what with the weather and away from families on christmas day etc. We won't get a better chance to get a charge going. Maintain that with our mutant cousinson ne'er day and Mahonio's right. Merry Christmas me hearties!

We should be fine with the money we banked in transfer fees for Vigurs (?75k), Black (?250k), Cowie (?250k), Marius (?400k) and Rankin (?250k). I know we should have got more but rather that than nothing.

Are you winding us up "starchief"? I must have been asleep when the transfer figures were announced!

Eh try ?100k for rankin, 100k for Cowie, nothing for black (bosman) nothing for Vigurs (released therefore not entitled to compensation)

Rankin Black and Cowie easily worth a million if sold at premium.

We should be fine with the money we banked in transfer fees for Vigurs (?75k), Black (?250k), Cowie (?250k), Marius (?400k) and Rankin (?250k). I know we should have got more but rather that than nothing.

Are you winding us up "starchief"? I must have been asleep when the transfer figures were announced!

Eh try ?100k for rankin, 100k for Cowie, nothing for black (bosman) nothing for Vigurs (released therefore not entitled to compensation)

Rankin Black and Cowie easily worth a million if sold at premium.

Sorry, I credited some posters with too much sense of subtlety

...it's like bronzey and goldey, except made of iron...

We should be fine with the money we banked in transfer fees for Vigurs (?75k), Black (?250k), Cowie (?250k), Marius (?400k) and Rankin (?250k). I know we should have got more but rather that than nothing.

Are you winding us up "starchief"? I must have been asleep when the transfer figures were announced!

Eh try ?100k for rankin, 100k for Cowie, nothing for black (bosman) nothing for Vigurs (released therefore not entitled to compensation)

Rankin Black and Cowie easily worth a million if sold at premium.

Sorry, I credited some posters with too much sense of subtlety

...it's like bronzey and goldey, except made of iron...

kwaaalitee dude!

Well, there you have it and Caley D has more or less put it in a nutshell.

Just a few more points, however:-

a. TB is not the team and therefore is not entirely responsible for all the negative results.

b. He knew he had a tough nut to crack when he came here and I don't think he would just walk away form ICT if he thought for a moment that , to better himself, he would have to leave ICT in the lurch.

c. In view of a. and b.(above) it must be acknowledged that, under the terms of the contract that he signed onto, both parties have reponsibilities to each other. i.e. if he thinks that he has done his best with the shambles that he inherited then he is quite entitled to EXPECT to be paid out in full for the remaining portion of his Agreement if ICT were to foolishly consider sacking him.

d.The pay out of the remainder of his contract to get rid of him would leave ICT not a jot further forward, and would simply add more chaos to the mix. In addition to exacerbating the negative financial picture/resources, it would merely add total confusion to the playing team and probably lead to a demoralisation of the players that would lead to more defeats . Also It would then be very difficult to get any Manager worth his salt to take over without another barrowload of money having to be paid out to him personally AND to allow him to rebuild with quality , expensive, players--which the club probably do not have , so then what?

Regardless of whether ICT win tomorrow or not, TB has to stay and will stay until the end of the season so, as I have said before, the only positive thing that the fans can do now is to support him ,and the team, to the hilt......and PRAY.

But,then again, :dunno: I'm only a Pimple. :P

Just enjoy the game folks , tomorrow, it could be a belter. C'mon ICT.

We should be fine with the money we banked in transfer fees for Vigurs (?75k), Black (?250k), Cowie (?250k), Marius (?400k) and Rankin (?250k). I know we should have got more but rather that than nothing.

Are you winding us up "starchief"? I must have been asleep when the transfer figures were announced!

Eh try ?100k for rankin, 100k for Cowie, nothing for black (bosman) nothing for Vigurs (released therefore not entitled to compensation)

Rankin Black and Cowie easily worth a million if sold at premium.

Sorry, I credited some posters with too much sense of subtlety

...it's like bronzey and goldey, except made of iron...

Oh sorry my mistake, I seem to have overlooked your rapier wit

For me its not just this Saturdays game thats important , Dundee, then County followed by Motherwell in the cup, the next three Saturdays will shape our season.

Confident?, no.

As far as the cup game goes we could be lucky. Motherwell are dire just now. Dundee haven't beat us in the league yet and County is a must win to save embarrassment. As for winning the league I think its now going to be very difficult though not yet impossible. Dundee will drop many more points but we must gain.

This is a tight league and nothing is over until it is over !!!

We still have to play Dundee twice so there's 2 cup finals that we should not need any additional motivation for and 6 points clawed back if TB and the players can outsmart Jocky and his lads. That leaves 6 points more to claw back. Look at the league table .... Dundee may only have lost 1 game but they have drawn 7 and each drawn match is another 2 points they didnt get !!! 3 draws and the 12 point gap is potentially gone.

Like other theories though, that 12 point clawback is dependent on ICT starting to string together some results and I fear it is our (and other teams) inability to be consistent rather than Dundee's alleged "class" that will see the title end up at Dens Park (or Firhill) come May. (I dont think County or QOS have the depth to sustain their challenges)

Nice to know that despite being away for 5 weeks, nothing has changed.

well if there is all this financial doom and gloom at the club,why was the undersoil heating on for the game at the weekend,if they couldnt afford it then it wouldnt have been switched on. undersoil heating isnt a requirement in the sfl and at a cost of 3k an hour to run (info from a very good source) i think this is quite a financial outgoing for the club that wasnt necessary. im with the 1's on here that say ''KEEP BELIEVING'' at least until it is not possible to gain promotion points wise.

?3K an hour to run USH :angry: - Your source is extracting the urine me thinks....either that or ICT are heating the whole of Inverness and that's why our finances are, allegedly, so bad.

If, as is being suggested, the finances are so tight and the club are operating hand to mouth then that would be the main reason as to why they would use it. Running it for a day or two would save them more money than they would lose from a reduced crowd at a re-arranged mid-week fixture.

?3k in total (USH, snow shovels, grit etc) to ensure the fixture went ahead would probably be a fair estimate. You only need to lose a couple of hundred off the gate and postponing becomes the more expensive option.

Nice to know that despite being away for 5 weeks, nothing has changed.

Porterfield ? or did you have to stay further afield

well if there is all this financial doom and gloom at the club,why was the undersoil heating on for the game at the weekend,if they couldnt afford it then it wouldnt have been switched on. undersoil heating isnt a requirement in the sfl and at a cost of 3k an hour to run (info from a very good source) i think this is quite a financial outgoing for the club that wasnt necessary. im with the 1's on here that say ''KEEP BELIEVING'' at least until it is not possible to gain promotion points wise.

At 3k an hour I would change energy suppliers.

Nice to know that despite being away for 5 weeks, nothing has changed.

Porterfield ? or did you have to stay further afield

well if there is all this financial doom and gloom at the club,why was the undersoil heating on for the game at the weekend,if they couldnt afford it then it wouldnt have been switched on. undersoil heating isnt a requirement in the sfl and at a cost of 3k an hour to run (info from a very good source) i think this is quite a financial outgoing for the club that wasnt necessary. im with the 1's on here that say ''KEEP BELIEVING'' at least until it is not possible to gain promotion points wise.

At 3k an hour I would change energy suppliers.

I very much doubt at ?3,000 AN HOUR that even the SPL wouldnt be happy with that! More likely to be in the region of ?50-?100 an hour.

According to an "Inditherm" manual the costs are nothing like that ! Inditherm is the type used at the Falkirk stadium and at Chelsea, not sure what we have but it gives comparison costs.

Data_Sheet___Pitch_Heating___Natural_Grass___GB.pdf

I think the point might be is other teams in a financially tight spot have, in the past, "forgotten" to turn their heating on so that it was all due to the mercy of the elements. Perhaps our willingness to turn the power on shows that while we may have no pennies to spend we are not in the lavvy pan yet.

According to an "Inditherm" manual the costs are nothing like that ! Inditherm is the type used at the Falkirk stadium and at Chelsea, not sure what we have but it gives comparison costs.

Data_Sheet___Pitch_Heating___Natural_Grass___GB.pdf

.To install that, the whole pitch has to be removed and then relaid,ours used a plough style machine which split the ground and buried a pipe in it afterwards to become a giant radiator, going by the TV coverage when it was installed.

IMO From looking at your attachment, the inditherm looks like an expensive bit of kit and I don't think that the 'salesman's' energy savings figures could ever be recouped. Due to the overall cost of the installation, the equipment, maintenance and lifespan,especially as it will rarely be switched on.

The installers must have also found an installation/manufacturing safety fault with the system, it may only be a SELV system but it cant be run at 50v all the way from the control panel the volt drop would be too great, so they must have 415v cables under the pitch and installed in series, thats my assumption anyway.

http://sport.scotsman.com/falkirkfc/This-f...kill.2647361.jp

So I'm glad we have a nice and simple low maintenance alkathene piping system,

To stay on topic d day for butcher, no.