So I may be biased and protective of a player who was a real club man and a fighter (in many ways!!). He is getting a load of negative flak at the moment but if there was one person that I would pick to be in the trenches with me it is Dunc. He has been up against it from the off. IMHO scapegoated from the off and now taking hits for the bunch of self motivated morons who are the people responsible for bringing this club to its knees. Duncs main problem is that he has nowhere near the quality of players required to bring any footballing system to fruition. We currently have the worst squad of players that we have ever had - a mottley crew of cheap loanees desperate for playing time to progress their own careers. Unfortunately the ones with potential have picked up the injuries. There has been no consistency and I hazard a guess that most fans would have difficulty in picking a first X1. But what Dunc does bring to the party is pure passion and the Dunkirk spirit. The next two games are must wins and if Dunc can instill the passion and drive we will survive. And I am referring to passion and not from a skill or system perspective. Dunc needs to instill a "dogs of war" mentality and the players have to give the fans a degree of hope. So I am predicting six points in the next two games - however accomplished and escaping in 8th place at the end of the season.

24 minutes ago, IMMORTAL HOWDEN ENDER said:

Of course the buck has to be accepted by Dunc and Bollan as with any team. I really don't think that ANY other manager would have done any better. And what a load of ***** that Dunc was responsible for stalwarts leaving. If he keeps us up then it will be miracle in itself. And in regard to my "dogs of war" comment it refers to the term given to the Everton team that remarkably escaped relegation. I am simply saying that it is purely about pride, application and determination and Dunc has that in abundance. His summing ups appear more about detracting any blame from the players and trying to keep momentum and confidence going 

He's definitely keeping the momentum going it's just unfortunate that our momentum is in the wrong direction.

Regardless of the reason for players leaving Ferguson is responsible for the replacements and signing predominantly defenders when our biggest issue is at the other end of the park is on him.

The only person he's trying to protect with his delusional post match comments is himself.

Not sure who is the bigger troll here?

Regardless, absolutely outstanding bait from both Big Dunc in his rambling nonsensical interview or the equally daft Infertile Green Brigader I tip my cap to both. 

When is the next circus due in town  two candidates to dance about the big top in the car park me thinks. 🤡 🤡 

Dougal


 

 

Dougal is an April Fool 🤡

The more I see of him on the touchline I feel he is increasingly frustrated that as a player he could affect the outcome of games, whilst as a manager he has nothing to offer but menacingly glaring at officials.

6 hours ago, dougal said:

When is the next circus due in town

Highland Council offices are open year round, except Bank Holidays

On 4/2/2024 at 11:58 AM, bdu98196 said:

Are we really citing managers of teams only a few points ahead in the table with bang average results from better squads and more investment as saviours. You are being fooled by the media spin.

For the benefit of those who think options such as Davidson, Imrie or Brown would have been much better than Dunc.

Since Dunc arrived he's picked up 31 points, imrie 36 points, Ayr 32 points and QP only 27 points.

If someone has the time and wants to go look at the exact points per game of those managers - Davidson, Brown and Imrie - go ahead as I acknowledge they haven't all been in place the exact same number of games. However the clear indicators are that that are all pretty similar in terms of outcomes in this league - whether that's because you see them all as good or crap thats individual judgements but for me none exactly are standing out as options that would have brought massively different outcomes.

Also notable mentions to Dunfermline 30 points, Airdrie 33 points and Arbroath 11 points over the same timelines.

All of which makes the calls of Morton, Dunfermline and Airdrie having fantastic seasons at various stages over the season seem wild and very instantaneously focused.

10 hours ago, bdu98196 said:

For the benefit of those who think options such as Davidson, Imrie or Brown would have been much better than Dunc.

Since Dunc arrived he's picked up 31 points, imrie 36 points, Ayr 32 points and QP only 27 points.

If someone has the time and wants to go look at the exact points per game of those managers - Davidson, Brown and Imrie - go ahead as I acknowledge they haven't all been in place the exact same number of games. However the clear indicators are that that are all pretty similar in terms of outcomes in this league - whether that's because you see them all as good or crap thats individual judgements but for me none exactly are standing out as options that would have brought massively different outcomes.

Also notable mentions to Dunfermline 30 points, Airdrie 33 points and Arbroath 11 points over the same timelines.

All of which makes the calls of Morton, Dunfermline and Airdrie having fantastic seasons at various stages over the season seem wild and very instantaneously focused.

A good point, well made. We remain in 9th relegation playoff place and the others currently don’t . Even if we beat Arbroath on Saturday ( which I expect we will), we will still be 9th. 4 games left then to save the season. In Duncs we Trust?????????

5 minutes ago, CaleyCiuin said:

A good point, well made. We remain in 9th relegation playoff place and the others currently don’t . Even if we beat Arbroath on Saturday ( which I expect we will), we will still be 9th. 4 games left then to save the season. In Duncs we Trust?????????

Well he’s had 20 odd games to claw back the 5 point difference and we’re now only 4 points behind. 

12 hours ago, bdu98196 said:

For the benefit of those who think options such as Davidson, Imrie or Brown would have been much better than Dunc.

Since Dunc arrived he's picked up 31 points, imrie 36 points, Ayr 32 points and QP only 27 points.

If someone has the time and wants to go look at the exact points per game of those managers - Davidson, Brown and Imrie - go ahead as I acknowledge they haven't all been in place the exact same number of games. However the clear indicators are that that are all pretty similar in terms of outcomes in this league - whether that's because you see them all as good or crap thats individual judgements but for me none exactly are standing out as options that would have brought massively different outcomes.

Also notable mentions to Dunfermline 30 points, Airdrie 33 points and Arbroath 11 points over the same timelines.

All of which makes the calls of Morton, Dunfermline and Airdrie having fantastic seasons at various stages over the season seem wild and very instantaneously focused.

Ferguson has been in charge for 25 league games and won 31 points. An average of 1.24 points per game (PPG).
Imrie has been with Morton all of the season, 30 games, amassing 40 points an average of 1.33 PPG.
Davidson has been in charge for 12 games, collecting 19 points from 12 games an average of 1.58 PPG.
Scott Brown has been in charge for 10 games, bagging 18 points, an average of 1.8 PPG.

So Ferguson is clearly performing the worst out of those 4 managers on a PPG basis.

For context, Dodds averaged 1.50 in his time with us.

We haven't had a proper winger for the majority of the season, IMV that's basically the problem. But we do have a big strong battling CF in Samuels. Imagine him with Henderson on the wing.

Kerr as RB is defintely a step up from David Carson [and I like Carson, and its a shame he left as Right Midfield would be sorted] ...it's sods law and ironic that Welsh's replacement in Gilmour picked up a season ending injury. Fortunately Kerr has ably moved into CM and Duffy has come in and weighed in with a couple of important goals

Good to see Longstaff back, he just needs to put some decent crosses in for the next four games, only two teams have a better defensive record than us, so even a few extra goals will be the difference either avoiding the relegation play-offs or winning then.

After that who knows what happens next

 

As for next week, someone needs to kick Welsh just above the knee early in the game, just enough, so he spends the rest of it hobbling around.

As Friday 3rd May approaches I am reminded of a night in Perth when Ben Stein emotionally assured me that "It is inevitable that some defeat will enter into even the most victorious life. The human spirit is never finished when it is defeated, it is only defeated when it surrenders"

We should all remain positive

If results go our way and we finish 8th or above then Dunc has done what he was tasked which is avoid relegation and finished where many considered our expectations.

If we fail to get 8th place we go into the play-offs where he can still fulfill that objective, but brings us 4 additional games of football and thus reduces the often tedious downtime between end of season and the next lot of matches to get invested in (although we do have the Euros this summer).

 

16 hours ago, bdu98196 said:

If we fail to get 8th place we go into the play-offs where he can still fulfill that objective, but brings us 4 additional games of football...

 

I wish I was as confident as you that we could beat Montrose over two legs. 🫣

3 hours ago, Gringo said:

I wish I was as confident as you that we could beat Montrose over two legs. 🫣

Perhaps we won't need to ?🤔

Will always be a legendary footballer but became part of a self preservation society.

 

4 minutes ago, IMMORTAL HOWDEN ENDER said:

Will always be a legendary footballer but became part of a self preservation society.

 

I don't actually blame Dunc really. Clearly wasn't up to the job or what we needed. Should never have been appointed. His failing is stubbornness though. 

Which was one of his strengths as a player. We needed somebody who was more local and had a knowledge of lower league Scottish football. We loaned in too many who thought they were prima Donnas. Perhaps those who employed him were at fault??

2 hours ago, old caley girl said:

 Should never have been appointed. His failing is stubbornness though. 

Pretty sure that's a prerequisite trait for almost all managers though especially in football. Ever seen one to admit they were wrong or change tactics?

Unfortunately I think there is a reliance that Dunc had the contact to bring in players from elsewhere with Bollan knowing the scottish game especially lower leagues -Unfortunately  dunc underestimated the level and type of players and qualities needed and bollan is proven useless at management and coaching below this level.

At least Dunc is putting his pay off money to a good cause.

 

Would love to hear Duncs take on the Kelty situation. Something for his first press conference in pre season I suppose. I am still surprised he remains the manager given relegation, but understand finances and paying him off will have been an issue. I can’t think that he will be happy in a league where 7 out the 10 are plastic given how much he criticised them throughout the season. He has failed in management at two clubs now, maybe it’s his reputation he is trying to restore / protect more than anything else.

3 hours ago, CaleyCiuin said:

Would love to hear Duncs take on the Kelty situation. Something for his first press conference in pre season I suppose. I am still surprised he remains the manager given relegation, but understand finances and paying him off will have been an issue. I can’t think that he will be happy in a league where 7 out the 10 are plastic given how much he criticised them throughout the season. He has failed in management at two clubs now, maybe it’s his reputation he is trying to restore / protect more than anything else.

He is not staying to restore his reputation he’s simply stating because ICT are paying him big money!

3 minutes ago, IBM said:

He is not staying to restore his reputation he’s simply stating because ICT are paying him big money!

Exactly! No one else would have him! 

2 hours ago, IBM said:

He is not staying to restore his reputation he’s simply stating because ICT are paying him big money!

Not sure he is skint and money is not I’m sure his motivating factor. Making his way in the managerial world more likely is. I’m sure he could get better money elsewhere, but who else ( other than ICT), would give him a  managerial role , particularly after his failure at Forrest green.

Duncan Ferguson should have done the right thing and resigned after the Hamilton debacle. No pay offs , severance pay,nothing.

He should have held his hand up and admitted his failings when trying to build a team out of lower level loanees. This was an absolutely awful experiment doomed to failure and the financial repercussions are now coming home to roost.

We have lost a whole season of developing young players the likes of Bray, Hyde etc for what..... Relegation.

FFS I know we lost Deas and Allardice but the nucleus of a capable squad was still there.

Capable enough to avoid relegation anyway.