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I dont know if its been mentioned anywhere else on this forum, and I feel too shocked to troll through to see, but sadly I have just found out that Dave Grant, husband of Laura (L_G) lost his battle against cancer today. I think, knowing what all this family put into supporting our club, it is right and fitting that mention is made on our main forum. There are not many guys nicer than Dave nor many families nicer than the Grants and both my wife Aileen and I are deeply shocked and saddened by this news. We give our deepest heartfelt condolences to Laura, Alan and Lynne in these sad times. Rest in peace Dave.

"They" will have our end for their home games, including against us. We wont even sell our the south stand anyway the way things are going!

In regards to the seating, I wouldn't be surprised personally to see the current away end, to be the County home stand and vice versa.

Seriously? Did you watch that game? we bludgeoned Kilmarnock and only some great goalkeeping by Cammy bell kept it that way. We created a hatful of chances and took only one, so by deduction our biggest problem (although not our only one) is lack of a proven goalscorer. Given that we can't afford/sign/identify one right now, what can be done? Do you not think that butcher will be all over the place in the summer trying to find one? I do. So not bother next year on that basis - I think you might be cutting off yer proverbial nose to spite your proverbial face.

What is happening ? Losing two late goals at home to a poor side and going to the fated 12 points ahead instead of 14 - is it a sign. Is Granty Gudgie and his band of inbreds feeling the pressure. Has the bubble burst ? Is the bottle showing shings of shattering ? Surely history is not going to repeat itself ? I hope the feck not - it would be an absolute tragedy. Lets hope the next home game against the Bairns reaps dividends !!

Davie, in comparison to some of the defending produced in an ICT jersey this season, Grantie looks like Maldini and Beckenbaur's love child. Anyone can handle replacement just as long as what you replace it with is better than what you had!

Personally I feel we put too much pressure on these kids to win and we tend to judge them all on results. We shouldn't forget that they are apprentices on a learning curve and clubs are guilty of sending too many of them to the scrap heap too early. It doesn't really matter that we beat Aberdeen what does matter is what did each player learn from the game and all the other games we have lost. The important thing is how many of this squad has the potential to progress to the next level which unfortunately is the first team squad. The step up is too big so I would suggest considerstion be given to a national U21 or U23 level subsidised heavily by the SFA. The only alternative is to reatin those who have potential (a costly option to the club) and have an arrangement with Elgin and SHFL clubs for a season's loan to see if they can cope with the more physical game. My feeling is that if the game continues on this route we, as a club with limited resources, will not be able to produce our own talent and we will always be dependent on short term loan deals. Will this take us forward and secure our prem league future?

Getting rid of Vigurs was one of Butchers first mistakes. He can go missing in games but he has ability and chips in with a few goals to boot. Not sure we have many better in our squad & I'm sure he'll do fine in the SPL

Well... More goals conceded at this point in an SPL season than in any previous campaigns. A worse goal difference at this point in an SPL season than in any previous campaigns. Fewer wins at this point in an SPL season than in any previous campaigns. If this season's team were in a league table with the ICT side which were relegated in 2008-09, we would be below them on goal difference. That can't be a good thing, can it?

Butcher cannot solely be blamed for the lack of form this season. Injuries have been unbelievable, we have fallen into a bit of a slump since January but this is probably the first time weve looked really poor in the season, there have been countless games this season where we lost but were incredibly unfortunate. Butcher dosent know his best defence because all season he has never had the option of pick and choosing, it is only now that players are beginning to return from injuries but if you look over the course of the season he's never had the option of really picking a truely strong team and we are not a team that can afford to have depth in quality. But it cant be denied that given he was an international defender along with Malpas that the players should be performing better. Most of his signings have all made an impact at some point but i agree that maybe they havent quite shown as good a level of commitment that we would maybe expect and for that Butcher has to take some responsibility but the quality of players i think has been good, Golobart, Shinnie, Tade, Tansey and Meekings at times have all shown that they are very capable players. OTJ would have been a key player had he stayed fit, i have no doubts about that. Some players however havent but we cant pick and choose who we sign we have a budget to stick too. Those who havent will get punted and will be replaced, thats the way buisness will be conducted. Theres no point in asking from him to go cause even if we did he wont be sacked.....certainly unless things begin to go horribly wrong. I think the best thing to do is just draw a line under the season, Im confident we wont be relegated and the sooner we get our status secured the sooner we can play for who stays and who goes. This season has never really kicked off for a variety of reasons. All we can do is free up some space within the squad and retain what bits of quality we have within it. All i would hope is that we dont pick up injuries like we have this year and maybe that Terry is a bit more careful in the market and maybe aims to bring in one or two more experienced heads.

Sorry for going off-topic here, but herein lies the issue. Alex also mentioned the financial situation which doesn't help - he is completely correct on that. I think we should be focusing heavily on youth development, having a structure in place which sees the club work with other football clubs in the area to foster and develop an excellent youth strategy. To what extent does the club harness the Highland Youth Academy? While admirable, building up a fan base may be more about putting back in to the community and having involvement than special ticket deals. Any money the club can afford should, IMHO, be put toward youth development. Links with local secondary schools needs also be be encouraged and harnessed to work with talented youngsters. I think the management could do more to this end to assist. I find people having a pop at Nick Ross a wee bit baffling. The lad is still a teenager - yet playing in the top flight?! There is far too much emphasis in Scotland on having big, physically strong footballers - lacking in technique and a decent first touch. Nick Ross isn't a lumbering behemoth but has lots of potential. I think Terry Butcher cares immensely about the game and the club. For those of you calling for him to go - I'll agree to disagree with you. I would like to see more links across schools, clubs and the wider community though. The players help out in French classes - how about them taking after-school training sessions too?