I could obviously post this in the SACKED thread...but I hate seeing negative thread titles about managers (in capital letters!) so here goes

 

1. So we had a bad run in March...but we had a great run in February; when we were unbeaten, why doesn't that count?, if everytime a club has a bad run they sack the manager that would see a couple of changes every season (like Fulham this season in the EPL)
    
2. Managers have to be allowed to work things through sometimes, getting out of a hole is often more instructive to a manager than a run where nothing goes wrong....sadly this too often isn't allowed to happen (in the EPL especially, yet Norwich and West Ham probably will stay up because they didn't panic and sack the manager)
    
3. Many posters on here have said that Terry Butcher didn't have a plan B..... given that our entire striking option for the last two seasons has been Billy McKay, and the board haven't provided any alternative, and most SPFL clubs know what to expect. Hughes is trying something different, but getting this to work consistently wont happen overnight
    
4. The likes of Marley Watkins and Ryan Christie (and Williams to a lesser extent) are being given their chance under Hughes. In additional Aaron Doran seems to be thriving under Hughes stewardship
    
5. Under Hughes we will surely finish in the top six for a second year running, which I think is a massive achievement. He does seem to have be able to maintain the team spirit.
    
6. We got to the League Cup final, and in my opinion did very well against the club second in the country (in a great run of form), I think Hughes can take some credit for that
    
7. All our key players seem to be very keen to extend their contracts, Vincent in particular was a good result along with Draper...the players must have some faith in Yogi?
    
8. A couple of 0-5 reverses are disappointing, but don't discount the fact we were so close to a Cup Final (does strange things to the mindset of a player), the manager can't do too much if key players who have been playing well all season make a couple of mistakes...it's a long season for a small squad. The same can happen to more fancied teams (Like Arsenal in the EPL, 0-6, 3-6, and a 0-5)
    
9. We won yesterday so surely everything is alright again....but seriously; stability is a good thing for a club to have, and provided the club do something about getting a decent alternative/additional striker to McKay (preferrably one who is taller, and can also hold the ball up) then I think Hughes should be in charge for next season and we will see what he is capable of. We should only consider a change if there is evidence that 'all the wheels have fallen off the cart', and that Yogi has 'lost' the dressing room

There rests the case for the defence, M'lud

Because he was handed a two and a half year contract only months ago and, whatever the level of success or failure since, it would be morally wrong and against the traditions of the club to terminate it so early.

In all seriousness.......as long as ICT keep their place in the SPL then Yogi would be meeting my expectaions. if we finnished 10th....then he is still meeting my expectations.....if we finnish top 6 then he is exceeding my expectations. ICT are no longer a big fish in a little pond.....we are in with the big boys. We need to be realistic about our expectations. For that reason, id have to say that just being able to stay in the SPL each season is sucsess for me

Russel Latapy left the sunny climes of Porto and a cushy number at Boavista for inverness, all at the behest of one man. I'm looking forward to seeing what this group of self-policing players can achieve with a managerial set-up that respects them enough to allow some freedom.

At last some sunshine in amongst all the doom.

Hughes should stay becos Butcher has gone.

 

Been thinking about this and it is way too early for stay and go threads. Would be good just to talk about the performance of the team and the boss praise it or slag it off without people getting too chimpy (see Steve Peters' Chimp Paradox) and calling for the managers head/defend him keeping the job. End of next season is only fair, no more posting on any of these type of threads for me - for a year or so anyway.

Be interesting to see how well he does in Summer Transfer Market but tbh, he doesn't need to do much business so I trust him to get right players in :).

I hope he manages to do what Aberdeen managed last season and pick up gems either on loan or free transfers, them getting in Flood and Robson was great business and has been rewarded with cup success and Europe for next season likely, Motherwell are another team who seem to do well and United getting Ciftci so maybe with a good transfer window, we can push on next season

With all due respect this season has already outdone last year in terms of success - against bigger odds! 

 

Get behind the whole club to see if we can secure a place in Europe or beat last year's points total - 6 to go to equal it. In retrospect, we lost our way because of the pressure of the Cup Final. 

And I wonder where Aberdeen would be this season without Flood and Robson?

 

When Barry  decided to come back to Scotland we could have nabbed him with great advantage because over the previous season he was outstanding with the Vancouver Whitecaps.

 

We knew he did not have many more seasons  to run and he was subbed  during the League Cup Final (out of steam?)but a couple of years with him in the team would have been worth a plug. Unfortunately he probably got a considerably higher wage at the Dons which our team maybe could not match, so that alone probably put him out of the running.

 

As for Flood  he has a few years left in him I think and he is a worker and a half...pity! Great footballer too.

Be interesting to see how well he does in Summer Transfer Market but tbh, he doesn't need to do much business so I trust him to get right players in :).

I hope he manages to do what Aberdeen managed last season and pick up gems either on loan or free transfers, them getting in Flood and Robson was great business and has been rewarded with cup success and Europe for next season likely, Motherwell are another team who seem to do well and United getting Ciftci so maybe with a good transfer window, we can push on next season

 

What's your recent inside track on Gary Mackay-Steven?  What are his plans?

What a wonderfully refreshing topic, well said E4C. 

 

The man deserves a summer to work on his own approach and get his own idea across to the boys, as well as bring in a few of his own signings, the latter shall be watched with great interest. 

 

Point 7 is the one that has hit home with me in particular. Vincent spoke to Hibs and Draper im sure would have had interest from other teams and both have committed their long term futures to be here. Having worked under Yogi since November I cant help but think he must have had some influence in their thinking. 

This is ridiculous.

The Hughes must be sacked thread has over 10 times as many posts... therefore Hughes must be sacked.

Some people never wanted him in the first place.  And they are not going to shut about it either.  Therefore Hughes must be sacked.

 

Now.

Sorry KB.....got to disagree. Hughes has a car parking space at front of the stadium so he must stay.

This is disgraceful Alex.

Is Hughes handicapped?  Does he have a disabled permit?

Why should he be allowed to park in the club car park?

Some fans didn't want him to be the manager so he should have to walk to work.

 

I didn't want him at first - therefore I think he should be allowed to take a bicycle to work.

But I'm not posting lots saying Hughes should be sacked therefore I AM WRONG.

Hughes should stay because he is a good honest laddie who likes to roll his sleeves up, it's just he's not had any lady luck yet but once the tables turn we will be basking in glory and all the doubters will say they loved and always wanted Hughes just like what happened after we won the semi final. We have Russell Latapy who left his family in Portugal came over here by himself while his family stays over there and he has a kid of like 5/6 so surely that proves they are dedicated to the cause of ICT. The reason we started of so badly was because we got left in a bad way we had just gotten some key players injured and suspended so what are we suppose to do before that we had a settled squad so we had to make changes so we can play matches.The reason we are playing badly right now is because we are in the middle of a transition between Judas and Yogi and right now Yogi is trying to get his idea's through to the team.

Because of http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-26716281

 

Apart from that, because it would be ridiculous for anything else to happen at the moment.

 

He has to stay at least till we find out where he's taking the team preseason

And I wonder where Aberdeen would be this season without Flood and Robson?

 

When Barry  decided to come back to Scotland we could have nabbed him with great advantage because over the previous season he was outstanding with the Vancouver Whitecaps.

 

We knew he did not have many more seasons  to run and he was subbed  during the League Cup Final (out of steam?)but a couple of years with him in the team would have been worth a plug. Unfortunately he probably got a considerably higher wage at the Dons which our team maybe could not match, so that alone probably put him out of the running.

 

As for Flood  he has a few years left in him I think and he is a worker and a half...pity! Great footballer too.

 

Barry Robson wasn't subbed in the league cup final. He blazed free kick over the bar near the end of ET and his sides 1st penalty in the shoot out, choosing not to celebrate it. I think in respect for the ICT fans.

 

Be interesting to see how well he does in Summer Transfer Market but tbh, he doesn't need to do much business so I trust him to get right players in :).

I hope he manages to do what Aberdeen managed last season and pick up gems either on loan or free transfers, them getting in Flood and Robson was great business and has been rewarded with cup success and Europe for next season likely, Motherwell are another team who seem to do well and United getting Ciftci so maybe with a good transfer window, we can push on next season

Of the one position we need. Just one, its another striker. Hughes to me has a fairly good record in signing strikers. They might not all be prolific but they generally tend to be good.

Where Grahame Barrett was not a great goal scorer, he was a good player. Just very unfortunate with injuries which really impacted on his career. He scored 11 goals in 55 appearances.

Daryl Duffy in my opinion was exceptional for Falkirk and one of Hughes best signings. 27 goals in 57 games is near 1 in 2 which most managers would take with both hands no problem. His overall record since leaving in 06 is not that bad either. In 328 club appearances he's scored 95 goals. Most strikers would be pleased with that type of record. Currently playing in India, if he's out of contract in the summer and Hughes were to go for him I'd be quite satisfied.

Pedro Moutinho. Another striker with a less than prolific goal record, Moutinho from what I remember was often praised by fans and media alike for his ability. Perhaps more of a Dani Sanchez/Juanjo type with his ability to unlock defences.

Anthony Stokes, signed by Hughes on loan for Falkirk where he was a revelation (14 goals in 16 games) and then again permanently by Hughes for Hibs, this lad knows where the back of the net is, despite an attitude problem (though never seemingly prevalent when Hughes is his manager.)

Alan Gow, his form for Hughes Falkirk won him a move to Rangers.

With 2 of these players having come from Arsenals youth set up (Barrett and Stokes), and ICT having a casual affiliation with Arsenal, I'd be interested to see if hughes is ably to utilise that to good effect. Even if he doesn't I'd be happy with his ability to find a player.

Mind you Hughes likes sports science and good training facilities. ICT don't have that. Hughes MUST go! Just when it was all looking so rosy there as well.

Although Daryl Duffy was a guy I thought would develop into a really class player, he's maybe lost his way a little of late. I just don't think he's what we'd be looking for.

There's a reason he's there - he's not good enough and it certainly would be no 'coup' to be signing him.

 

Decent scoring record as he has, I feel that at his age of 29, he should be at the peak of his career, not playing in the football backwater of India.

He's actually at the club that Claude Gnakpa was/is at! Maybe says it all!

 

But, I do totally agree that we need another striker!

That boy James (not sure his 1st name) from Hartlepool would be good signing but not sure his contract situation.

Thats place to look for Strikers IMHO, League 1-English Conference.

Sam Winnall at Scunthorpe is easily the top player in League 2. Likely be snapped up by a Championship side in July. One that got away!

 

Sam Winnall at Scunthorpe is easily the top player in League 2. Likely be snapped up by a Championship side in July. One that got away!

 

Interestingly enough, I seen an article where he criticised Butcher for the lack of game time he got up here.  

Although Daryl Duffy was a guy I thought would develop into a really class player, he's maybe lost his way a little of late. I just don't think he's what we'd be looking for.

There's a reason he's there - he's not good enough and it certainly would be no 'coup' to be signing him.

 

Decent scoring record as he has, I feel that at his age of 29, he should be at the peak of his career, not playing in the football backwater of India.

He's actually at the club that Claude Gnakpa was/is at! Maybe says it all!

 

But, I do totally agree that we need another striker!

True enough Duffys record of 15 in 73 appearances at his last English club, league 2 Cheltenham Town isn't great. He did well enough in his 1st year (13 in 42) before totally falling away in the 2nd year but in terms of a 2nd striker. Think Hughes may have brought him on loan to Hibs for 7 games before he joined Cheltenham too. He was at Hibs 2010/11.

I have no idea the quality of the Indian league, he has 11 goals in 19 there. But then the Scottish is not good anyway, so as a back up striker, and if he's on a free. Wouldnt be totally against it. Hughes seemed to get the best out of him at Falkirk in any case.

Thought I would bump this, considering we are second in the table, level on points with top and generally seem to be going in the right direction under Yogi with a stronger looking team that seems to have a number of players developing quite nicely

 

And also bravely on my part just before we play Celtic away next week.... given the last couple of results there, I would take a score draw as proof of overall improvement under Yogi

 

Steps away and waits for comments on tippy-tappy football and wayward back passes!

I am not the biggest fan of Hughes, but I have to concede, we are where we are through hard work an effort from management and players. I have been at all home and some away games this season and have seen a steady improvement. I thought yesterday was a solid, professional performance and we were the better team by some margin. I was a Yogi doubter, but may have to admit he and the boys are doing something right.

Edited October 26, 201410 yr by MuirtownJaggy