'Like a rat deserting a sinking ship' - If people leave a company because they know that it's about to have serious problems, or turn their back on a person about to be in a similar situation, they are said to be like rats deserting a sinking ship

'The grass is always greener' - This idiom means that what other people have or do looks preferable to our life. The complete phrase is 'The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence'.

"Strike while the iron is hot" - Act decisively and take your opportunities when they arise

"Out with the old in with the new"

Dependent on your perspective all of the above could relate to what is happening at Inverness Caledonian Thistle at the moment - possibly a mix of all four. I am really concerned that the club is losing its "identity" and the "togetherness" spirit that has served us well for many years. We appear to be becoming a mercenary operative and keeping issues behind closed doors which can only lead to further disdain and conspiracy theories.

There is no doubt that the reasons for some to leave are clearer - Tansey, Tuffey - but there does appear to be a certain current of discernment with others. Again I can appreciate that we will always be a feeder / selling club, have to survive on a limited budget BUT this is bordering on the ridiculous this season. The release of some of the local youngsters is also becoming more and more confusing

It is clear that, again irrespective of individual views, that we will have Terry and Mo in charge this year but that concerns me if we amass a band of untried / untested loanees, journeymen, the injury prone and the unknown. We are after all a SPL club. How are we supposed to feckin consolidate ? It also gives the dynamic duo the "excuse" for next season and the season afterwards.

At least we will never be as worried as they were in Sydney :

http://youtu.be/02HeUKygnZ0

Tade and Hayes contributed more than twenty goals in terms of goals and assists and we are losing both of them to competing SPL teams. We are relying on our manager to bring in players who can replace them and Butcher hasn't done as well as you'd like in the past few windows.

One blessing could be that we have players who hardly played last season who could step up and be excellent for us in Doran and Shinnie.

we are losing a good player and a great player. both of whom butcher brought in. just have faith he can do it again.

I'm scared to comment.

Last time I was worried was when Bobby Mann left..................now that was a footballer. But we replaced him and life goes on for the rest of us I'm afraid.

Who did we replace him with ?

Darren Dods?? Machine!!!!!

would love a player in the mould of Dods back with us now!

OK - not exactly a like for like but - jhesus - could you imagine that two playing together ? That thought has cheered me up !!

And a bit more after the official statement - well done Kenny

Caley Thistle chairman Kenny Cameron is stressing that the club has had 'a positive' response from several new players they are keen to sign.

The departure of Gregory Tade and Greg Tansey and the fact that Jonny Hayes' agent today says he will sign for Aberdeen have created spaces in the squad that manager Terry Butcher is already making progress on filling.

"Terry and Maurice Malpas have been working hard on prospective targets as we wait to see if our remaining out of contract players accept their new offers", said Cameron.

"I cannot say too much at this stage as potential incoming players are still under contract elsewhere, but several of them have responded in a very positive manner to our initial approaches and we are quietly confident of new arrivals.

"The number of new faces we require will depend on how many of our out of contract players decide to leave. But our management team are pulling out all the stops to ensure we have adequate cover for all positions."

The chairman added:"This time we intend to have most of the squad -- and all of them, if we can manage it -- in place for the start of pre-season training on June 29. It's very important that all our players gain the benefit of our pre-season training regime, something that quite a few missed out on last year.

"As far as our out of contract players are concerned, we have made the best offers possible in the club's current financial position. In light of the changes to the SPL rules, it is imperative that we cut our cloth to suit our income as we move forward."

What I would wish to stress is that I would prefer to watch a team with a sprinkling of yoof in it, preferably local yoof, mixed in with the journeymen and the experience - that is why I would have felt that Esson, Foran AND Tokely were essentials to keep on board. We could have / should have blooded quite a few last season instead of all the dodgy loanees. In my book the likes of Morrison, Ross and Sutherland (centre feckin forward) should be "shoe-ins" for next season and with the three aforementioned, the ones on contracts or resigning we have the core squad and then we look at where the deficits are - centre half, holding midfielder and goalscorer and then utilise the journeyman and loanee market.

It doesn't happen very often, but IHE has got it absolutly right!! Couldn't agree more.

No I am not worried, concerned yes, at the momment but bide a while 'till the new lads arrive. There is still strength in the skeleton of the team, with new signings and loanees T&M could yet come up with a very much improved side.

And to all those negativity minded rizzoles:-

Whatever the outcome of pre season selection give the lads a chance before slagging them off. Show a bit more support, be more positive with your posting get behind the team and give them a great deal more encouragement than you have done this season past.

As the catch phrase goes.............. every little helps............................ :love02:

So, let's see....

Butcher was criticised for getting us relegated coz he played Tokely at centre-back. Tokely should also not play for ICT again as he's 4th, 5th and 6th choice as centre-back. He's too slow, too rash and cost us a number of goals. Tokely should also stay as he's a great centre-back. Proctor also must stay as he's ICT through and through, even though he only came back after failing elsewhere. Proctor is terrible and should never play for ICT again. Proctor will be a great signing for Ross County - we should never have let him go.

Butcher should never have signed Golabeck as he was past his best. He should also sign Duncan after Ross County decided he wasn't good enough for SFL1, so went to Peterhead. Munro needs to getaefeck as all he does is hoof-the-ball. Munro should have never been sold.

Buthcer has ripped out the heart of ICT by not keeping McBain, Golabeck, Hastings and all those others that were no longer SPL quality. Meanwhile, he can't replace them with any quality. Which is why Golobart was never player of the year, we're desperate to get rid of Tade, Gillet and Hayes and we're expecting nothing from A.Shinnie or Doran next season. David Davis. Another failure. As was Tansey, which is why Motherwell were after him. What would Stuart McCall know about potential?

Hayes would be better off going to a club where it will be almost impossible to get spotted, as long as it's in England. After all, anywhere in England is better than the SPL. Meanwhile, we should try to sign Black from Hearts and get Rooney on loan from Birmingham. Even though we're desperate for any players with a hint of quality not to sign for any other SPL clubs, we will also bemoan the lack of quality in the SPL.

We have no money yet should be able to sign a load of great players for free, whilst acknowledging we can't compete with other SPL clubs, both in terms of finance and location. The likes of Eagle, Stratford etc prove this, even though they cost very little and we went up first time of asking and almost achieved a top six finish. We also wasted a lot of money on Tuffey...who we should offer a new contract to.

However, we should forget about that as we were almost relegated this season, finishing only a mere 14 points above Dunfermline and beating a Hibs side that spent vastly more than us. Nevetheless, we should be playing more flowing football on a budget far below the Brazil-like Aberdeen, who finished far above us on two points more.

Butcher should play Ross, G.Shinnie and Sutherland more. CTO begged for G.Shinnie to be dropped after a dip in form, although he shouldn't have been dropped. Gillet should have been brought back earlier too. Although neither Shinnie or Gillet should be played out of position. So two left-backs then. Ross isn't strong enough to play regularly and should be loaned out. We should also build the team around him. Ross played 32 games this season. Ross also didn't play much this season. Sutherland should get his chance. Sutherland did and showed he isn't the answer. Why didn't Sutherland play more?

We should sign more Highland players, even though we don't know any capable of playing in the SPL. We should though look to the SFL, even though Tade wasn't SPL quality, which is why St Johnstone are after him and he rejected us. But we should take a chance on SFL players to get us some goals, apart from Rory McAllister as he wasn't any good as a teenager but is a superior goalscorer to anything in the SFL 2 or 3.

We should sack Butcher and get Robbo in, even though, in a vote, CTO voted for Butcher above Robbo. A more experienced manager is the answer, such as Jimmy Calderwood, Jim Jefferies or Bobby Williamson - all of whom aren't the solution. A young manager with potential should be brought in as long as he's experienced as we can't rely on untried managers. If you think Butcher deserves a chance after doing better than expected two seasons out of three, then you're a happy clapper thinking everything is rosy in the garden. If Butcher doesn't improve the club's fortunes, then he should never have been hired.

Just as long as we're being consistent here.

You really need treatment - what you are doing is expressing the negative views of frustrated individual posters, rather than the realistic average. You have already totally misrepresented what I have said in the past. It is YOU that is now focussing on all the negatives !! The stress must be getting to you as this is a feckin football forum where the sharing of often diverse views and perceptions is the name of the game. You are really coming across as one bitter and tunnel visioned individual.

Chill out man and have a red wine with yer icon !!

Well, in my book Mr Starchief has got it spot on.

Starchief, :clapping:

We are consistently inconsistent.

So, let's see....

Butcher was criticised for getting us relegated coz he played Tokely at centre-back. Tokely should also not play for ICT again as he's 4th, 5th and 6th choice as centre-back. He's too slow, too rash and cost us a number of goals. Tokely should also stay as he's a great centre-back. Proctor also must stay as he's ICT through and through, even though he only came back after failing elsewhere. Proctor is terrible and should never play for ICT again. Proctor will be a great signing for Ross County - we should never have let him go.

Butcher should never have signed Golabeck as he was past his best. He should also sign Duncan after Ross County decided he wasn't good enough for SFL1, so went to Peterhead. Munro needs to getaefeck as all he does is hoof-the-ball. Munro should have never been sold.

Buthcer has ripped out the heart of ICT by not keeping McBain, Golabeck, Hastings and all those others that were no longer SPL quality. Meanwhile, he can't replace them with any quality. Which is why Golobart was never player of the year, we're desperate to get rid of Tade, Gillet and Hayes and we're expecting nothing from A.Shinnie or Doran next season. David Davis. Another failure. As was Tansey, which is why Motherwell were after him. What would Stuart McCall know about potential?

Hayes would be better off going to a club where it will be almost impossible to get spotted, as long as it's in England. After all, anywhere in England is better than the SPL. Meanwhile, we should try to sign Black from Hearts and get Rooney on loan from Birmingham. Even though we're desperate for any players with a hint of quality not to sign for any other SPL clubs, we will also bemoan the lack of quality in the SPL.

We have no money yet should be able to sign a load of great players for free, whilst acknowledging we can't compete with other SPL clubs, both in terms of finance and location. The likes of Eagle, Stratford etc prove this, even though they cost very little and we went up first time of asking and almost achieved a top six finish. We also wasted a lot of money on Tuffey...who we should offer a new contract to.

However, we should forget about that as we were almost relegated this season, finishing only a mere 14 points above Dunfermline and beating a Hibs side that spent vastly more than us. Nevetheless, we should be playing more flowing football on a budget far below the Brazil-like Aberdeen, who finished far above us on two points more.

Butcher should play Ross, G.Shinnie and Sutherland more. CTO begged for G.Shinnie to be dropped after a dip in form, although he shouldn't have been dropped. Gillet should have been brought back earlier too. Although neither Shinnie or Gillet should be played out of position. So two left-backs then. Ross isn't strong enough to play regularly and should be loaned out. We should also build the team around him. Ross played 32 games this season. Ross also didn't play much this season. Sutherland should get his chance. Sutherland did and showed he isn't the answer. Why didn't Sutherland play more?

We should sign more Highland players, even though we don't know any capable of playing in the SPL. We should though look to the SFL, even though Tade wasn't SPL quality, which is why St Johnstone are after him and he rejected us. But we should take a chance on SFL players to get us some goals, apart from Rory McAllister as he wasn't any good as a teenager but is a superior goalscorer to anything in the SFL 2 or 3.

We should sack Butcher and get Robbo in, even though, in a vote, CTO voted for Butcher above Robbo. A more experienced manager is the answer, such as Jimmy Calderwood, Jim Jefferies or Bobby Williamson - all of whom aren't the solution. A young manager with potential should be brought in as long as he's experienced as we can't rely on untried managers. If you think Butcher deserves a chance after doing better than expected two seasons out of three, then you're a happy clapper thinking everything is rosy in the garden. If Butcher doesn't improve the club's fortunes, then he should never have been hired.

Just as long as we're being consistent here.

So are you worried? I feckin am!

So are you worried? I feckin am!

About ICT yes a little but we will manage to survive be it in D1, or lower - least the football will be more competitive and not monopolised About the state, integrity and global perception of Scottish football as a joke - VERY!!!

To be honest I am just as worried with the finances of the club as our squad, we seem to be worse of in terms of budget than we were a few years ago. To be honest TB is having to compete in the SPL with a Division 1 budget. I think the days of part time football might not be that far away

You really need treatment - what you are doing is expressing the negative views of frustrated individual posters, rather than the realistic average. You have already totally misrepresented what I have said in the past. It is YOU that is now focussing on all the negatives !! The stress must be getting to you as this is a feckin football forum where the sharing of often diverse views and perceptions is the name of the game. You are really coming across as one bitter and tunnel visioned individual.

Chill out man and have a red wine with yer icon !!

Oh dear, did he have the temerity to disagree with you? As a summary of all of the viewpoints on this forum, I reckon starchief's encompassed things just about perfectly. Don't see anywhere that he's claimed ownership of all of these points of view, just reflected them. Bitter? how? Tell you what mate, rather than be narcissistic enough to claim all knowledge and rail against any opposing point of view, he's just thrown a pail of your own p*sh straight back at you. Never mind, you should be magnanimous enough to deal with it.

Even I cannot believe the "venom" of criticism against Mr Butcher voiced by sparchef and applauded by others. Terry Butcher has his faults but that condemnation post is way, way over the top.

Johndo you need a holiday. All I read into starchiefs post is all the various comments made by many posters on here since Butcher took over.

So, let's see....

Butcher was criticised for getting us relegated coz he played Tokely at centre-back. Tokely should also not play for ICT again as he's 4th, 5th and 6th choice as centre-back. He's too slow, too rash and cost us a number of goals. Tokely should also stay as he's a great centre-back. Proctor also must stay as he's ICT through and through, even though he only came back after failing elsewhere. Proctor is terrible and should never play for ICT again. Proctor will be a great signing for Ross County - we should never have let him go.

Butcher should never have signed Golabeck as he was past his best. He should also sign Duncan after Ross County decided he wasn't good enough for SFL1, so went to Peterhead. Munro needs to getaefeck as all he does is hoof-the-ball. Munro should have never been sold.

Buthcer has ripped out the heart of ICT by not keeping McBain, Golabeck, Hastings and all those others that were no longer SPL quality. Meanwhile, he can't replace them with any quality. Which is why Golobart was never player of the year, we're desperate to get rid of Tade, Gillet and Hayes and we're expecting nothing from A.Shinnie or Doran next season. David Davis. Another failure. As was Tansey, which is why Motherwell were after him. What would Stuart McCall know about potential?

Hayes would be better off going to a club where it will be almost impossible to get spotted, as long as it's in England. After all, anywhere in England is better than the SPL. Meanwhile, we should try to sign Black from Hearts and get Rooney on loan from Birmingham. Even though we're desperate for any players with a hint of quality not to sign for any other SPL clubs, we will also bemoan the lack of quality in the SPL.

We have no money yet should be able to sign a load of great players for free, whilst acknowledging we can't compete with other SPL clubs, both in terms of finance and location. The likes of Eagle, Stratford etc prove this, even though they cost very little and we went up first time of asking and almost achieved a top six finish. We also wasted a lot of money on Tuffey...who we should offer a new contract to.

However, we should forget about that as we were almost relegated this season, finishing only a mere 14 points above Dunfermline and beating a Hibs side that spent vastly more than us. Nevetheless, we should be playing more flowing football on a budget far below the Brazil-like Aberdeen, who finished far above us on two points more.

Butcher should play Ross, G.Shinnie and Sutherland more. CTO begged for G.Shinnie to be dropped after a dip in form, although he shouldn't have been dropped. Gillet should have been brought back earlier too. Although neither Shinnie or Gillet should be played out of position. So two left-backs then. Ross isn't strong enough to play regularly and should be loaned out. We should also build the team around him. Ross played 32 games this season. Ross also didn't play much this season. Sutherland should get his chance. Sutherland did and showed he isn't the answer. Why didn't Sutherland play more?

We should sign more Highland players, even though we don't know any capable of playing in the SPL. We should though look to the SFL, even though Tade wasn't SPL quality, which is why St Johnstone are after him and he rejected us. But we should take a chance on SFL players to get us some goals, apart from Rory McAllister as he wasn't any good as a teenager but is a superior goalscorer to anything in the SFL 2 or 3.

We should sack Butcher and get Robbo in, even though, in a vote, CTO voted for Butcher above Robbo. A more experienced manager is the answer, such as Jimmy Calderwood, Jim Jefferies or Bobby Williamson - all of whom aren't the solution. A young manager with potential should be brought in as long as he's experienced as we can't rely on untried managers. If you think Butcher deserves a chance after doing better than expected two seasons out of three, then you're a happy clapper thinking everything is rosy in the garden. If Butcher doesn't improve the club's fortunes, then he should never have been hired.

Just as long as we're being consistent here.

I think this is a brilliant piece of sarcastic posting, I laughed all the way through it, nothing could be further from the truth!!

You really need treatment - what you are doing is expressing the negative views of frustrated individual posters, rather than the realistic average. You have already totally misrepresented what I have said in the past. It is YOU that is now focussing on all the negatives !! The stress must be getting to you as this is a feckin football forum where the sharing of often diverse views and perceptions is the name of the game. You are really coming across as one bitter and tunnel visioned individual.

Chill out man and have a red wine with yer icon !!

Oh dear, did he have the temerity to disagree with you? As a summary of all of the viewpoints on this forum, I reckon starchief's encompassed things just about perfectly. Don't see anywhere that he's claimed ownership of all of these points of view, just reflected them. Bitter? how? Tell you what mate, rather than be narcissistic enough to claim all knowledge and rail against any opposing point of view, he's just thrown a pail of your own p*sh straight back at you. Never mind, you should be magnanimous enough to deal with it.

It was aimed as sarcastic responses to a sarcastic post fer fecks sake and a wee fishing trip at that - at least I hooked you and the odd one :lol: It actually does highlight the extreme negative comments that have been posted but detracts from some of the very positive and often realistic comments (as mine usually are with a rationale included) that are also made. The forum bit is spot on though and that is why diverse individuals get a say. Unfortunately the pail of p*ish has had its flight path diverted and landed on davie's napper - or nappy. :lol:

All the same starchief, if you've got time to write that, you don't fancy coming and doing my garden?