If a weeks a long time in politics then a month must be an eternity in football...that's certainly how it must have felt for the fans of Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Many will have been delighted to see the back of Craig Brewster, and I doubt we'll ever know the real reason he was allowed to sign 4 players shortly before being given the heave-ho from Tulloch Caledonian Stadium.

On the plus side, Terry Butcher was appointed to replace him and despite having less than a week left of the window he's made 3 signings which could prove vital to our survival.

Andrew Fraser gives us the low downs on the ins and outs at ICT....one of the busiest teams in the country in the January 2009 window.

The transfer window slammed shut at 5pm on Monday, with Inverness CT bringing in a total of 7 players during the month of January. They also sacked the management team who brought in the first 4 players and brought a new management team who then brought 3 players in. Here is a low down on the moves in January.

PERSONNEL IN

Filipe Morais (from Hibernian): The Portuguese midfielder signed for Inverness on the 8th of January from Hibernian after being released from his contract. Initially it was thought it would be a loan deal for the player, but it was later revealed Caley Thistle had actually signed Filipe on a 6 month deal. A product of the Chelsea youth system, he has had spells with MK Dons and Milwall before moving to St Johnstone on loan. He then moved to Hibernian on the 30th August 2007 where he made around 35 appearances. Ironically his last SPL game for Hibernian was against Inverness on the 23rd August which ended in 1-1. He made his amazing debut against Partick in the cup where he scored 2 goals and got the man of the match award. He played the next week away to Hamilton where unfortunately he did not find the net. He has been injured recently but looking to get back into contention soon. He has been given the famous no 7 shirt which Barry Wilson wore.

Thierry Gatheussi (from Hibernian): The Cameroon defender joined the club alongside Morais from Hibernian on the 8th of January. Signed for Hibs at the same time as Filipe and made over 20 appearances for the club. He has not featured this season for Hibs but came on as a substitute for ICT for his debut on the 10th of January. He started his first game for the club away to Hearts at the end of the month but was taken off injured after only 18 mins. Could be a useful addition to the squad and has been given the no 19 jersey. On a 6 month deal as well.

Pavels Mihadjuks (Ventspils): A rather surprise signing from Caley Thistle, but Brewster had managed to find a suitable centre back to add to the leaky defence. Pavels is a 28 year old Latvian defender who has suited into the ICT back 4 with the minimum of fuss. Made his debut against Partick in the cup and has since kept his place in the squad. Pavels scored his first goal for the club away to Hearts in the 3-2 defeat. He almost scored against Celtic at the weekend as well, but Boruc saved well on that occasion. Looks the player to replace Darren Dods, and hopefully Butcher can extend his 6 month deal beyond this season. Has been given the no 18 shirt which if I remember correctly, was the number Niculae had.

Richie Byrne (Oldham): The Irish defender was the last signing before Brewster was sacked as manager. Byrne previously had spells with Dunfermline and Aberdeen before moving down south. It did not work out for him at Aberdeen or down south with Oldham due to his persistent injuries. Brewster however was willing to give Richie a 6 month deal to try and prove his fitness. So far he has not featured in any games, but should hopefully get a chance during February. Featured in the reserve game on the 3rd February away to Kilmarnock.

Terry Butcher (manager): After the sacking of Craig Brewster in his second stint in charge, several experienced names were thrown into the hat to become new manager. John Robertson was the first name linked, but due to the experience Butcher offered, Robbo was not the No. 1 favourite. It is understood however if Butcher had declined the offer, Robbo was ready to step into the job. Terry Butcher’s name was linked with the club very early on, but it seemed he already had commitments that he was attached to. Other names mentioned were Ossie Ardilies who was quoted as saying he was interested in the job, Archie Knox appeared to be a favourite at one stage, Chris Sutton was keen on the job but at the end of the day, on the 27th January; Terry Butcher was announced as manager. After a successful spell with Motherwell it was decided he was the man for the job. Terry will continue with his Scotland assistant role but has given up his Setanta job. He has signed an 18 month contract along with his assistant Malpas.

Maurice Malpas (assistant-manager): After Terry Butcher was announced as manager, he wasted no time in bringing in his assistant from his spell with Motherwell. After Butcher left for Sydney, Malpas went onto manage Motherwell, but was eventually sacked and went down south to manage Swindon Town which unfortunately did not work either. He is happy to be back in football again, and delighted to be working alongside Butcher again.

Eric Odhiambo (Leicester City): The first signing of the new manager Terry Butcher, the English striker has previously had a loan spell in the SPL with Dundee Utd last season. He has signed on a 6 month deal after being released from Leicester City for free. He has actually never scored at professional level but almost did when he came on as a substitute on Sunday against Celtic with 5 mins to go. Butcher previously managed Brentford, where Eric was on loan at previously this season. He has been given the no 26 jersey.

Richie Foran (Southend): The club have been crying out for a striker who knows the way to goal in the SPL, and Foran might just be what we are looking for. Foran is best remembered for his time under Butcher at Motherwell where he scored over 20 goals in 90 league appearances (some of these as a sub). He has had loan spells at Darlington this season where he has also managed to get some goals before moving up to the Highlands. He made his debut on Sunday against Celtic and had the ball in the back of the net but unfortunately was a fraction offside. The no 25 could be the man we need to score goals and if the Irishman can find his SPL form again then this could help move the club off the bottom of the table.

Brian Kerr (un-attached): Butcher’s third and final signing of the transfer window was ex-Motherwell and Hibernian player Brian Kerr. Brian was released from Hibernian earlier this season. He already has 3 Scotland caps and moved to Motherwell in 2004, after rejecting Borrusia Dortmund. He signed for Hibs in 2007 but once Mixu arrived as manager, he was left out of the first team picture and was later released. Featured in the reserve game against Kilmarnock on Tuesday and is a vital contribution to the midfield now that Don Cowie has left. His experience would help the club survive relegation.

PERSONNEL OUT

Barry Wilson (Queen of the South): Barry was a hero at ICT and had recently had his testimonial year at the club, after having been at the club for a total of 10 years during his 2 spells. Brewster decided that he was no longer required even though he was looking for experience in his squad!! Gordon Chisholm was quick to sign Wilson and he has already looked the part scoring a couple of goals. Barry was linked in some papers as having a role in a new management team, but it did not materialise and he will continue in the 1st division until the summer at least.

Craig Brewster (manager): Brewster was sacked in the middle of January after a run of 8 consecutive SPL defeats which the club deemed not good enough. Even though he was allowed to bring in 4 players before he was relieved of his duties, the club were bottom of the league and things were not looking bright. After a 1-0 defeat to Hamilton, the board decided enough was enough and for the first time in the club’s history they sacked a manager. This was Brewster’s second spell at the club, but it just didn’t go to plan this time around. I hope Brewster returns to management in the future, but at the moment it looks like he might be playing in the 3rd division for the rest of the season.

Malcolm Thomson (assistant manager): No sooner had Brewster been sacked but Malky was also shown the door straight away. Normally if a manager is sacked, the assistant would take over until the board decided what to do, but not this time as they were both sacked at the same time. Before moving to Inverness for a second time, Malcolm had a spell with Chester City with Bobby Williamson, but jumped at the chance to re-join Caley Thistle with Brewster. I wish both Brewster and Thomson the best of luck in the future.

Rory McAllister (Brechin City): Signed from Aberdeen when he was under 19, Rory never really got going at ICT, and the club decided enough was enough and released him from his contract. Rory was giving chances but failed to perform in the first team, even though he could bang them in for the reserves no problem. Has moved to 2nd division side Brechin to try and re-ignite his career.

Don Cowie (Watford): Cowie had previously signed a pre-contract agreement with Watford last week but it seemed Inverness would be keeping him until the summer. Don however was keen to move South and so negotiations and ICT accepted a bid somewhere between £20k and £120K for the player to move now. He missed the game against Celtic so his last game was against Hearts at Tynecastle. Had a great first season at the club and his work rate is excellent. Could feature against Chelsea at the weekend!! Even though he has moved south he hasn’t escaped a relegation battle as Watford are currently in one as well!!

So January had 7 players in, a new manager and a new assistant. Out went 3 players, and a manager and an assistant. The board have invested money into wages for the experienced new players and let’s hope they have chosen the right ones to keep our SPL hopes alive. A busy transfer window and after looking at the players we have signed, I feel pretty confident that we have a good chance of getting some win on the board and moving up the table.