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

That'll be der knowledge from now on then.

Just saw on the BBC Website that apparently Butcher's budget for next season has been frozen to the same as this season. We may struggle to retain some players. Butcher hasn't spent much money since he came and I'm confident he can find bargains.

Just saw on the BBC Website that apparently Butcher's budget for next season has been frozen to the same as this season. We may struggle to retain some players.

To have the same budget next season is actually quite an achievement. Attendances and income are dropping, and I suspect most SPL clubs will have to reduce their budgets.

What worries me is that while all the talk with contracts has been about Rooney, where's the talk about Russell Duncan? IMO he's an extremely important player to this club and I'm sure many others will agree that the team are better on the pitch when he's there. Unfortunately he doesn't seem to be someone that Butcher has taken to at all and I fear that he will be gone in the not too distant future.

I see a County fan on P&B says that there is some rumours going round that Michael McGovern has signed a pre-contract with ICT. Can't really see that being true myself. McGovern has rejected ICT before and anyway there's enough keepers here just now as it is.

I see a County fan on P&B says that there is some rumours going round that Michael McGovern has signed a pre-contract with ICT. Can't really see that being true myself. McGovern has rejected ICT before and anyway there's enough keepers here just now as it is.

Can't blame him though. SPL vs fizzy pop 2nd division - no comparison. I think he'd make a good addition to the squad.

If we were to lose one of our keepers, and I think that's very possible, then there's far worse out there who could be brought in to fill the gap. Wouldn't see him getting a game ahead of Esson or Tuffey though, so he would be coming in as cover.

Any chance of Scotty creating a similar thread to that of last year, announcing who is out of contract at the end of the season and what their current status is. I know its still quite early but with our season almost over we will be soon finding out who will be staying and who's going. As of tonight we now know Innes will be offski. I think that leaves 14 players who are now out of contract at the end of the season, quite scary considering i don't feel theres anyone that bad in our team at the moment.

Here's one for the future.

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=5gDuRHEY6Xs

I believe Terry is hopeing to persuade Blackburn to give us Doran for next season. Until we know who is leaving then its very hard to say who, or what position, we need.

With Duncan offski, a new battler is needed in the midfield. Who is available of that sort, I really don't know. As Hamilton look doomed, they'll probably have a bit of a clear out, so would Simon Mensing do a job? Linked to come here before and is a bit of a battler in that region. He can also play in quite a few positions too IIRC. Would he be an acquisition worth looking at?

Alex Neil would be a much better acquisition than Mensing

Bet it's bloody Brian Kerr! He'd be as welcome as Brewster was when he came back.

Alex Neil would be a much better acquisition than Mensing

Was thinking that hearing him interviewed the other day. Alex Neil is a very good player and would be an excellent signing, as long as his recent injury problems don't become a recurring issue. I wouldn't be surprised if he has a few offers from clubs in more convenient locations for him, however.

I see John rankin is being released by hibs!!

Bet it's bloody Brian Kerr! He'd be as welcome as Brewster was when he came back.

I believe Brian has given up football.

The Inverness Courier is teasing an Adam Rooney contract surprise for tomorrow. Coul'd this be a one year extension?

The Inverness Courier is teasing an Adam Rooney contract surprise for tomorrow. Coul'd this be a one year extension?

I bet tbe surprise is that he hasnt been offered anything from us yet.

Bet it's bloody Brian Kerr! He'd be as welcome as Brewster was when he came back.

I believe Brian has given up football.

Several players have given up football and then come out of it. Butcher knows Kerr well and with us being in the SPL i wouldnt be suprised if he makes a similar move as he did with Duff.

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.

Anyone got their courier yer? What is the surprise?

There's a free packet of Smarties in every issue.

I see gregory tade has been freed by raith rovers. Prob due to wages - maybe a nice wee free signing for us??

If Tade is free and with Sanchez & Odi leaving, plus probably AR, then I agree he is an option - whether he is anything better than a squad or cover at SPL level is another issue. Wouldnt think that he would be considered as the attacking spearhead for next season. Although if his wage expectations are realistic then I'm sure other clubs such as St J, St M etc will be after him - he may not be keen coming this far 'north'

Besides the stupid decision in getting rid of Duncan and Munro, there's nobody that Butcher's getting rid of who I'd really lose sleep over. Odhiambo was not good enough, Blumenshtein was always injured and Max Johnson was never going to play anyway. Golabek, Innes and McBain are all getting on a bit. Hogg I would've liked to have kept but if he wants away then that's fair enough. The only one I would put into the "Maybe" category is Dani Sanchez. I liked him as he seemed quite good on the ball and offered something a little bit different. Again though, I won't lose any sleep over it.

Edited May 20, 201115 yr by Renegade