In my opinion, now that it looks like ICT won't get a top six spot this season, it's time to look at what's needed for next season. For me -

Goalkeepers

Ryan Esson

Johnny Tuffey

Max Johnson

I think I'm right in saying that both Esson and Tuffey are signed up for next season. Obviously these are two class goalkeepers, so there is no real need in bringing another challenger for the number 1 jersey in. I'm not sure what the circumstances are with Max Johnson but he's still a fairly young and up and coming keeper. IIRC he may well be only signed up for this season but it be worth retaining him for another year and he also has experience to a certain level in playing a part in the Newcastle United reserve team.

Renegade's Verdict - No need for any new personnel, unless one of the three leaves.

Defenders

Ross Tokely (Right Back, Centre Back, occasional Left Back, occasional Right Midfielder + often used as a target man striker when goal is needed with time running out)

Kenny Gillet (Left Back, can be used at Left Midfield and can play at Centre Back)

Grant Munro (Centre Back, occasional Left Back)

Graeme Shinnie (Left Back, can also play at left midfield)

Chris Hogg (Centre Back, but can play at Right Back)

Chris Innes (Centre Back)

David Proctor (Right Back, Centre Back, Right Midfield, Central Midfield, occasional Left Back)

Stuart Duff (Right Back, Central Midfield, occasional Left Back)

Stuart Golabek (Left Back, has been known to play at Centre Back and even more occasionally at Left Midfield)

NB - Ross Tokely signed a one year deal at the start of this season, but has the option to sign for another one.

On the whole, a feel that Innes offers little in any capacity for the team and him leaving would not be a big loss. Golabek may be old but he may offer some experience and cover for certain areas. I feel that Hogg is a good defender and I'd like to see him stay put. Duff, I'm a little unsure about but perhaps does offer cover in a number of different places.

Renegade's Verdict - Punt Chris Innes. Try and bring in perhaps one more centre half, preferably one that has a great deal of height to challenge for a first team spot.

Midfielders

Lee Cox (Central Midfield, can also play at Right Back)

Russell Duncan (Central Midfield, has been known to occasionally fill in at Right Back)

Eric Odhiambo (Striker, Right Wing, Left Wing, Attacking Midfield)

Roy McBain (Central Midfield, Left Back, Left Midfield)

Gavin Morrison (Central Midfield, Left Midfield)

Gil Blumenshtein (Central Midfield, Attacking Midfield, Left Wing, Right Wing, Striker)

Nick Ross (Central Midfield, Attacking Midfield, Left Wing, Right Wing)

Johnny Hayes (Left Wing, Right Wing)

Blumenshtein has been either constantly injured or deemed not good so should not be retained. I feel that despite his bright start to the season, Odhiambo offers little to anything to the ICT squad. He may be quick but he has no first touch, no cross and not much else. His effort levels have also come in to question at times. McBain, like Golabek may be old, but I feel that he may still be able to provide a significant amount of cover and experience for the team.

Renegade's Verdict - Punt Odhaimbo and Blumenshtein. Possibly retain McBain. I feel that ICT should look for perhaps one more winger and a good ball playing central midfielder for next season.

Strikers

Adam Rooney (Striker)

Richie Foran (captain) (Striker, Left Wing)

Shane Sutherland (Striker, Left Wing, Right Wing)

Dani Sanchez (Striker, Attacking Midfield, Left Wing, Right Wing)

Obviously retaining Rooney is a big issue and if he is to go and strong goal scoring striker is desperately needed. I'd also look at keeping Dani Sanchez.

Renegade's Verdict - Try and retain all current strikers, but even if Rooney is to go, I'd still likely to see another one being brought in. Preferably someone of a Craig Dargo esque physique.

End of Loan

Aaron Doran

Alex MacDonald

Renegade's Verdict - I wouldn't complain if either of these two were brought back for next season.

Name in:

Red is signed up for next season

Green is not signed up for next season but efforts should be made to keep them

Blue is not signed up for next season and should not be retained

Pink is not signed up for next season but should perhaps be retained

So what's needed? IMO another striker (maybe two), a big centre half, a central midfielder and probably another fast winger is what's needed for ICT to have a good squad for next season. While I can't think of many names right now, the only one I definitely keen to bring in would be Gregory Tade, as he cover a number of positions and offers a bit of bulk and speed, a combination of two in one is not something that is currently present in the ICT team. Whether he'd come or not is another issue, especially with Raith being in with a chance of promotion.

What are your thoughts on what is needed for next season?

Edited April 7, 201115 yr by Renegade

And here's something to add on next signings and where they might be coming. I seem to recollect over a year ago when Boardroom Banter was still on the go, it was mentioned that ICT had a number of links with Australian clubs and we would see a number of young Australian players coming over for a trial. As of yet, there hasn't been any to come, but I wonder if that could change this time round.

And here's something to add on next signings and where they might be coming. I seem to recollect over a year ago when Boardroom Banter was still on the go, it was mentioned that ICT had a number of links with Australian clubs and we would see a number of young Australian players coming over for a trial. As of yet, there hasn't been any to come, but I wonder if that could change this time round.

I think the straight answer to that is no. To get a visa to play in SPL they'd need to have played at international level and I cant see too many Australian internationals playing outside the OF, maybe Hearts and English top leagues.

Not if they have a parent who's an EU national, as they could then apply for a dual passport. A couple of years ago, Hearts had quite a few Australians in the Under 19/Reserve squads (Rocky Visconte being one I remember, mainly due to his great name!) and I also recollect Simon Storey at Partick Thistle and later Airdrie. Danny Invinicible is also another obvious one. None of them have ever played at the required international level.

Edited May 21, 201115 yr by Renegade

I see Burton O'Brien has been released. Before some starting talking of cast-offs, he was released as Falkirk couldn't afford him. I've no idea if we could either but worth a look in my opinion.

He was beyond garbage for Falkirk with the majority of their fans delighted that he has been released. One to avoid I think.

I see Burton O'Brien has been released. Before some starting talking of cast-offs, he was released as Falkirk couldn't afford him. I've no idea if we could either but worth a look in my opinion.

He was beyond garbage for Falkirk with the majority of their fans delighted that he has been released. One to avoid I think.

Excellent for Livingston though, about 10 years ago...

Apart from left back and goalkeeper i think we're needing personnel in just about every department.

Not if they have a parent who's an EU national, as they could then apply for a dual passport. A couple of years ago, Hearts had quite a few Australians in the Under 19/Reserve squads (Rocky Visconte being one I remember, mainly due to his great name!) and I also recollect Simon Storey at Partick Thistle and later Airdrie. Danny Invinicible is also another obvious one. None of them have ever played at the required international level.

Cant speak of the first two but Danny has played at international level but that aside he has duel nationality and his Italian side qualifies him as an EU citizen.

From all the research I've done, the only form of international football Invincibile has playes was for U-20s back in 1999. He was called up for a senior friendly in 2009 but had not been and has not since. he is still yet to be fully capped for the Socceroos.

we could realy do with a right back would maybe see kevin mccann back there

thought he was quite good when he came just unfortunate with injury

I see Gavin Skelton has been released by Hamilton. Would he be a player worth looking at? Quite experienced in this country but is he a bit past it by now?

Skelton has had his day i think

No body.

Had a look at the list of out of contract players just now and a couple of names stood out. The main one that stood out was the American striker Eddie Johnson. Numerous caps for the USA but seemed a bit in and out at Fulham. I don't know what wages he'd be after but he is a big, fast forward that ICT could do with, especially with Rooney possibly being away. Would he come though, that's the thing. No harm in looking mind.

Another one I noticed who'd been released was the big New Zealand striker Rory Fallon. Just been released by Plymouth but I do seem to recollect him being quite good at the last World Cup.

Edited May 29, 201115 yr by Renegade

from the press and journal the first lot of signings will be signed next week

Doofers Dad

That wee Japanese fella--good ball control , cool under pressure and has a low centre of gravity. Perfect as a future prospect but wouldn't his mum have to come too? Thinks--perfect, she probably is an expert in Shiatsu and the boys would be energised like you would not believe.

His pants would have to be shortened though--they are dragging a bit and image is important these days.

What about Epeli Bola? He's pretty nifty on the wing.

Apparently we are being linked with Gary Irvine ex-St Johnstone/Ross County/Dundee/Celtic full back. Certainly aggressive, kind of on the small side but gotta be a better bet than McCann.

Irvine Link

Having most of the team all signed up for next season is great news. What with now only Rooney and Duff the remaining players yet to decide their futures.

Whilst I'd like to keep Rooney obviously, I'm sure we all would, I dont see it happening. He's likely to go on to better things. Though I would like to think he would guard himself against moves to Hibs (as good as a sidewards step) or Fleetwood (a much lower level (effectively non league) where he could be forgotten). If he gets a good offer from the championship or league 1 even then yeah, by all means it'd probably be a good move but anything lower would seem to be more financial reward than anything. And at 22 he has plenty of time before he has to worry about a big pay day.

On Duff, I'd like him to stay. Moreso for continuities sake as anything. But should he go, then I'd say a replacement right back rather than midfielder should be the priority.

With the loss of 3 experienced centre halves (Munro - still dont know why, Hogg and Innes) we only really have one recognised centre half at the club in Ross Tokely now. Proctor and Gillet can play there but I'd rather not see that. Ideally we need 2 additions in that department.

So in my opinion we need:

Right back x1,

Centre back x2,

Striker or Attacking Mid x1 (and if Rooney leaves, one of each).

They dont need to be all permanent, or signed as 1st team regulars but players need replaced. With Odhiambo, Sanchez and Bluhmenstien all having left, one replacement is definitely needed IMO (given the latter 2 rarely played). With Rooney likely leaving another striker will probably be needed there also. The centre backs are a must have. We have nothing there. This position worries me somewhat and I really hope Terry's got a few aces up his sleeve there.

So what do you think?

Could still do with another centre half even though Aldred has been signed up. One who's big and quick would also be nice.

I see in the P&J today Butcher says that ICT will have to go with a much younger and less experienced squad next season due to financial constraints. That just makes the reasoning to get rid of Duncan and Munro even more baffling.

Edited June 23, 201114 yr by Renegade

No, it makes it more understandable!

I see in the P&J today Butcher says that ICT will have to go with a much younger and less experienced squad next season due to financial constraints. That just makes the reasoning to get rid of Duncan and Munro even more baffling.

Where did you see that? ive just read the P&J and cant even see any mention of ICT

It's online a wee bit about it.

Here you go

With so many players leaving the club in the summer and only 2 so far arriving, is it time to push the panic button? The season starts in 4 weeks and we are very very short in a few areas, especially in defence. Is TB going to be announcing any new signings soon? I really hope so.