He has no idea about Football, he is the weakest link GTF

Richie Foran might have failed as first team manager, but to call him a fraud or a wage thief is harsh beyond belief. If the man is guilty of anything, it's accepting whatever contracts the club has offered him over the years (as a player, then manager). He can't be faulted for that. Your first loyalty is to your family - not your football club. If resigning means a financial sacrifice on his part, he'd be crazy to do so, and I don't blame him for holding on as long as possible. Ultimately he's just an employee doing a job to the best of his ability. If a new first team coach is required, it's up to his bosses to act - either cancel his contract and pay him every penny he's due, or negotiate and re-deploy him to a diminished but secure long term role (rather like Charlie Christie getting his Centenary Club job back). I thought the board was supposed to be full of business brains? If RIchie cannot be sacked for financial reasons, surely between them they can offer him a decent job worth 'walking away' for?  

It is my view that the present situation has gone way beyond the sacking of our manager and has now become quite incredulous with the silence defeaning. The must be something going on or we would have heard something by now which sounds paradoxical but possibly true. 

 

 

11 minutes ago, AlexJones said:

Richie Foran might have failed as first team manager, but to call him a fraud or a wage thief is harsh

Is it though? He like several players in our squad have picked up very generous salaries - if you consider Foran injured for 2 years and now failed managered, Doran out for 2 years and MacNaughton practically injured all year - now while some will say that nobody chooses to get injured  - what have they done in the background. What did Foran do for his 2 years, he may have done some coaching badges but as the man earmarked to take over from Hughes where was his involvement in the coaching during this time, I accept Hughes left soon than expected by Foran should have been better prepared by this time and had more experience. For certain individuals we get poor levels of return IMO. 

Like the Foran situation the fault with all this lies with the board making poor choices and offering contracts either through desperation or sentiment.

1 hour ago, bdu98196 said:

Is it though? He like several players in our squad have picked up very generous salaries - if you consider Foran injured for 2 years and now failed managered, Doran out for 2 years and MacNaughton practically injured all year - now while some will say that nobody chooses to get injured  - what have they done in the background. What did Foran do for his 2 years, he may have done some coaching badges but as the man earmarked to take over from Hughes where was his involvement in the coaching during this time, I accept Hughes left soon than expected by Foran should have been better prepared by this time and had more experience. For certain individuals we get poor levels of return IMO. 

Like the Foran situation the fault with all this lies with the board making poor choices and offering contracts either through desperation or sentiment.

Tbf both Foran and Mcnaughton have been seen helping with the dev league players when injured. 

27 minutes ago, old caley girl said:

Tbf both Foran and Mcnaughton have been seen helping with the dev league players when injured. 

Considering how bad we are in the Development league over the last few seasons they aren't bringing anything better to the party than the stagnant coaching team we already have. While we are all focused just now on the first team plight, the performances of the development team are shockingly bad (infact worse) we find ourselves lagging far behind Championship teams who should have lower budgets than us for youth & development teams, yet we cant get it right. This is emphasised by the fact our first team performers can be complacent and knowingly under-perform as  we have no depth at our club. Yet another embarrassment which will come back next season to haunt us when we haven't got enough quality at the club to get promoted. 

Have we all seen this one yet.

http://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/competitions/scottish-football/10860703/inverness-boss-takes-blame

Just heard Richie on the radio. He clearly has no intention of resigning. Shame, because I really admired him as a player and I thought he had the interests of the club at heart, but he's decided to lead us into the abyss. Will somebody somewhere take the decision out of his hands and then also accept responsibility for this horror show?

This has probably all been posted before but

We aren't having a bad season, we are having the worst season.  Unless we have some sort of stunning turnaround we are relegated and relegated as one of the worst teams to play in the top flight of Scottish football in decades.  Gretna, who were a bankrupt shambles in their top flight season, won five games.  That's the level this team are at.  

Every area has been a failure:

- Recruitment - Has Foran signed a player who has improved the team?  I don't think he has.  Maybe Billy Mckay but improving the team by signing him isn't exactly a managerial masterstroke.  We have signed bench-warmers, who bat about Scottish clubs trying to find a good season to get a few more contracts.  Guys like Brad McKay, Billy King and Henri Anier fall into this category.  While watching the game the other night Billy King forced a corner and I said to my mate that his agent will be putting that in his highlights reel when he tries to get a new club - that's all these guys are interested in and that's how bad they are.  We were starting Doumbaya in "must-win" games then we released him a day later, who is planning this?  

- Team selection - It's bizarre at times the sides that we are putting out.  I think that Foran and his team are over-thinking things, trying to tinker because they are panicked at what is happening.  In February we chanced upon a couple of good performances with a midfield trio of Polworth, Tansey and Draper but almost as soon as we found that we moved away from it.  To drop Draper and Billy Mckay for a derby game and then complain that we don't have enough "nasty lads" is beyond belief.  To make Vigurs captain is the same (we've got others just as bad as Vigurs btw).

- Coaching - The players don't know what they are supposed to do on the pitch.  What is this team's identity, how do we play, what are we trying to do?  Do we want to pass it, are we direct, do we want to play on the counter?  No-one knows.  We don't have anything underpinning lobbing players onto the pitch and hoping it works out.  This means the players don't have any confidence, it means they make mistakes, it leads to stupid decisions - the game on Friday we literally handed County three goals, the first goal and two penalties.  Terrible decision making but what help and direction are the players getting?  None.  We have poor players badly set up and badly coached.

- Organisation.  I've heard that the day-to-day running of things on the playing side hasn't been great, that there's been problems with training and that all isn't well behind the scenes.  We have a goalkeeper who lobs the ball in his own net every few weeks but we loan out our back-up keeper out without a clear option to recall him so are reduced to effectively bringing Esson out of retirement when we shell OFW out of the side for the second time this year?  We have the worst season in our history, have directors resigning and the response is to bring back our former assistant manager as a coach?  With five games to go when we are five points adrift?  It's ridiculous.

I'd be amazed if we sack Foran and it's dangerous times.  If we go into next season with the same rag-tag squad on far less money, our crowds will reduce.  If people think we are going to bounce straight back and go on a First Division tour then they need their heads examined.  Dundee United were in a better situation this season and they are in no way guaranteed to come back up.  I wouldn't be surprised for us to be nearer the bottom than the top of the First Division given our current form.

I don't really have much hope even if we did sack Foran.  Who are we going to bring in as a replacement?  If we'd got rid a few months back we would've been a more attractive option than a lot of other clubs now we'll be a floundering Championship club with a reduced budget and a demoralised squad and fanbase.  Best case scenario if he stays is that he shows a capacity for learning, we manage to keep together the bones of a competent squad and build on it.  I'm not hopeful.

What a post that is. 

*stands up and starts to clap*

20 hours ago, IMMORTAL HOWDEN ENDER said:

No chance that we will ever go into liquidation. 

Wonder if Rangers fans ever thought this back in the day. 

That about sums it up. Sadly. 

You can close CTO down now Scotty. ICTChris has nailed it. 

Anyone heard anything about RF being on rolling 12 months that can continue for 4 years and that the feeling is to see how he gets on until Christmas/New Year in Championship? 

20 hours ago, bdu98196 said:

Considering how bad we are in the Development league over the last few seasons they aren't bringing anything better to the party than the stagnant coaching team we already have. While we are all focused just now on the first team plight, the performances of the development team are shockingly bad (infact worse) we find ourselves lagging far behind Championship teams who should have lower budgets than us for youth & development teams, yet we cant get it right. This is emphasised by the fact our first team performers can be complacent and knowingly under-perform as  we have no depth at our club. Yet another embarrassment which will come back next season to haunt us when we haven't got enough quality at the club to get promoted. 

But thats totally different to practically accusing them as being wage thieves when injured. What other duties did you want to see them doing out of interest? 

5 hours ago, cif73 said:

Anyone heard anything about RF being on rolling 12 months that can continue for 4 years and that the feeling is to see how he gets on until Christmas/New Year in Championship? 

Which frigging Christmas/New Year are we talking about?

Was in a city centre establishment today and saw a couple of the players. 

Overheard one of them say it was Esson to blame for first goal. Not so sure it was entirely his fault. I think the on loan future 'Celtic ball boy' McCart was equally to blame myself.

Staff member later told me that none of the players frequenting that establishment like 'Foran the Failure'. 

My thoughts were 'no **** Sherlock'!!  I told the staff member it aint only the players that don't like him now. 

Edited May 3, 20178 yr by Guest

11 hours ago, old caley girl said:

But thats totally different to practically accusing them as being wage thieves when injured. What other duties did you want to see them doing out of interest? 

You seem to accept that sitting around taking a wage and not actually contributing back is acceptable? In the case of Foran, where was he on match days when injured - not in the technical area with JH learning from him, either up in hospitality or absent. Its fine to say 'involved' with the development squad, but how much they aren't taking on prominent roles, are they working with the youth teams - the messages from CC suggest not - what about community development & involvement, commercial activities or working with their SFA qualifications. Fact is at a small club we should expect our senior players to give more when injured especially those who must be considered top earners as they must realise that by not giving any significant returns its unsustainable for the club. Often we don't even see these guys at the games - nothing stopping them being around the stadium on match days interacting with the fans - they could even be in the shop or foyer to chat with fans, pics with kids or even sign shirts & merch - this is meant to be a community club and right now there's a lot more that can be done to bridge that gap.

16 minutes ago, bdu98196 said:

You seem to accept that sitting around taking a wage and not actually contributing back is acceptable? In the case of Foran, where was he on match days when injured - not in the technical area with JH learning from him, either up in hospitality or absent. Its fine to say 'involved' with the development squad, but how much they aren't taking on prominent roles, are they working with the youth teams - the messages from CC suggest not - what about community development & involvement, commercial activities or working with their SFA qualifications. Fact is at a small club we should expect our senior players to give more when injured especially those who must be considered top earners as they must realise that by not giving any significant returns its unsustainable for the club. Often we don't even see these guys at the games - nothing stopping them being around the stadium on match days interacting with the fans - they could even be in the shop or foyer to chat with fans, pics with kids or even sign shirts & merch - this is meant to be a community club and right now there's a lot more that can be done to bridge that gap.

As you say you dont know what their involvement is? Im not sure why you are making this a big deal? Weve got bigger problems than injured players taking sick leave! From what I hear from parents of youth players at the club the senior players do help out injured or not. It is also not their fault they are injured! 

As for Foran maybe John Hughes didnt want him in dugout? We dont know so you are providing a lack of evidence as to what role players take within the club , when not visible to us? 

On the matchday point I agree but I doubt they were ever asked re the potential activities mentioned bar maybe hospitality. 

 

Edited May 4, 20178 yr by old caley girl

11 minutes ago, old caley girl said:

As you say you dont know what their involvement is? Im not sure why you are making this a big deal? Weve got bigger problems than injured players taking sick leave! From what I hear from parents of youth players at the club the senior players do help out injured or not. It is also not their fault they are injured! 

As for Foran maybe John Hughes didnt want him in dugout? We dont know so you are providing a lack of evidence as to what role players take within the club , when not visible to us? 

On the matchday point I agree but I doubt they were ever asked re the potential activities mentioned bar maybe hospitality. 

 

I agree. It seems, sadly for him and even more sadly for the club, Foran, despite his best efforts, is turning out to be a very poor manager and it is probably better for there to be a parting of the ways.

However, as OCG says, that is no reason to suggest that he was 'stealing wages' from the club when he was out injured through no fault of his own and desperate to play.

There are more than enough issues surrounding the club to be concerned about right now without inventing new and spurious ones.

2 hours ago, bdu98196 said:

In the case of Foran, where was he on match days when injured - not in the technical area with JH learning from him, either up in hospitality or absent.

Foran went into the stand and sat with the fans, chatted to them, posed for photographs and signed programmes for supporters.

14 hours ago, Caman said:

Staff member later told me that none of the players frequenting that establishment like 'Foran the Failure'. 

Ouch. Can't really argue with it, though. If this is an indication of Foran's relationship with the players, then no wonder he peppers his terrible post match interviews with digs at them not being 'real men' and other barbs. It makes his position ever more untenable - would you rather try and keep our best players, or see them run for the exits whilst we keep foran to sign some 'real men', who we will then be stuck with after he inevitably goes?

9 hours ago, old caley girl said:

As for Foran maybe John Hughes didnt want him in dugout? We dont know so you are providing a lack of evidence as to what role players take within the club , when not visible to us? 

There is also the small matter of the rules ..... you cant just let anyone into the technical area ... 6 people max ... so that would have been Manager, Assistant, a couple of coaches, and likely doctor and kit person. 

Quote

Not later than 60 minutes before the start of a leg of a match, each Club will hand to the Referee and to its opponents a duplicate of the Team Lines for that club for the relevant leg. The Team Line shall contain accurate and complete details of the numbers, full player names in relation to not more than eighteen players, together with full names of the technical personnel to be seated within the technical area (subject to a maximum of six such technical personnel). The Team Line must be completed in block capitals, and signed by the club secretary or other accredited official. Upon such signature, such Team Line shall be deemed to be complete and binding on the Club concerned.

 

Just a quick comment about injuries. When they are bad enough they can have some devastating psychological  impacts that can also lead to daily depression, even deep, unquenchable anger. It's the constant pain and depression factors that are the hardest to overcome.

In the early days, just after the injury happens, just getting about within a small area , such as a home, is a constant struggle. Also being a usually very fit person these injuries can bring you down to a different level of challenge. " Why me?" is a question one asks on more than one occasion .Irrational, of course, but your mental and physical systems are altered because the effects of a bad injury restricts you in many different ways, ,reminding you of your vulnerability and new frailty. In this circumstance, just getting dressed and preparing to go out is difficult and the thought of going "all the way down": to the club is a major thought, even a worry.

When you are there (at the club, say), for sure the pain is likely to increase because you are moving around and the question is .." Am I inspiring anyone at all, and how long can I stand the cold and the drizzle, etc, etc? Oh well. next time I will stay at home and rest...etc.

Some of these injuries to our players have been really daunting and some DO take a very long time to heal and can re-occur at any future time.  And that's a buried  fear that  can nag at you even as time goes on. You think you are finally oiver the hump and one fall can just ruin your day.

Please go easy on injured players .I think most of them would much rather be  back on the park, playing for their team and their wage instead of hanging around waiting for a miracle to happen to  make their day.

 

10 hours ago, RiG said:

Foran went into the stand and sat with the fans, chatted to them, posed for photographs and signed programmes for supporters.

Aye pretty much every game.

7 hours ago, Scarlet Pimple said:

Just a quick comment about Richie's team selections. When they are bad enough they can have some devastating psychological  impacts that can also lead to daily depression, even deep, unquenchable anger. It's the constant pain and depression factors that are the hardest to overcome.

In the early days, just after the gubbing happens, just getting about within a small area , such as a home, is a constant struggle. Also being used to collecting eniugh points these gubbings can bring you down to a different level of challenge. " Why us?" is a question we ask on more than one occasion .Irrational, of course, but your mental and physical systems are altered because the effects of a gubbing restricts you in many different ways, reminding you of your teams vulnerability and new frailty. In this circumstance, just getting dressed and preparing to go out is difficult and the thought of going "all the way down": to the club is a major thought, even a worry.

When you are there (at the club, say), for sure the pain is likely to increase because you know what's coming and the question is .." Is Richie inspiring anyone at all, and how long can I stand the cold and the drizzle, etc, etc? Oh well. next time I will stay at home and rest...etc.

Some of these surrenders by our players have been really daunting and some DO take a very long time to heal and we worry they can re-occur at any future time.  And that's a buried  fear that  can nag at you even as time goes on. You think you are finally over the hump and one sloppy pass back can just ruin your day.

I think most of us would much rather be in the pub instead of hanging around waiting for a miracle to happen to  make our day.

 

Scarlet Pimple this wee tweak is what you should have said surely?

You make a fair point about injuries if they are major (breaks, etc) but you really need to stop molly coddling the players. Remember Richie needs real men 

Can't believe Richie's still in post and still looking for nasty guys to "man up". Sometimes it may be better to stop talking.