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Eat Sleep Raven Repeat

Why is Raven not playing ? He came back against Aberdeen and looked as if he hadn't been away. The defence looks more solid with him. A bit more height to help Warren and Meekings. Shinnie could play in Foran's place, or in front of Tremarco. The three games at home under JH were all the same. Lost early goal, chasing the game, then losing another goal (except Celts), throwing on forwards, and never recovering.

That is a hallmark of teams managed by Hughes. Ask any Falkirk, Hibs or Livi fan.

Raven Raven, Raven, Raven, Raven Raven, Raven Raven, Raven, Raven McKay

Foran's being missed, there's no doubt about that, but not having him there is no reason for the players to be so unmotivated though. They didn't look particularly up for it yesterday and haven't really done so since the second half of the Aberdeen game. I haven't seen the heads drop after going a goal down yesterday like that since the Brewster days.

Having been away for a few weeks I have yet to see ICT play under JH. Whilst not my first choice, I was not unhappy with his appointment but from what I am reading there are some worrying signs. To be fair to Hughes, it is always difficult taking over a team that is doing well. If you go into a winning dressing room and immediately change things then you set yourself up for criticism if the level of performance dips at all. I think Hughes has taken the view that he wants to observe the set up he has inherited. That's fair enough but the dip in form which had been apparent before Butcher left has accelerated. Before Butcher left we had lost the fluidity of early season but still managed to win ugly from time to time. With the uncertainty of what the new manager wants and now with Foran's injury the form has slumped further and points are hard to come by. Hughes has now had plenty of time to observe the team and it is time to take some decisive action to stop the slide. We do have to be patient though. In my view, the success of early season was built on the midfield strength of Vincent, Foran and Draper. They were effective at breaking up the play and providing defensive support to allow Raven and Shinnie to press forward on the flanks. This in turn created space and opportunity for the forward players to create scoring opportunities. The loss of Vincent has been a significant factor in a gradual loss of form and we can't expect the same level of performance with Foran out, let alone Draper as well now. We are going to struggle in the next few games whatever Hughes does and this must be seen as an opportunity to give other players a chance and see how they perform on the big stage. Coaches may learn a lot from the training ground but you never know how players will perform in a match until they have a genuine opportunity on match days. Hughes will not be unaware of how we played earlier in the season and he will have studied all the videos. What worries me, therefore is why on earth Raven is not starting at right back if he is fit. Surely Hughes knows how effective he was pressing forward and how much better Doran plays when Raven is offering support? The experiment of playing Shinnie on the right must end. Raven is better at RB and in the absence of both Vincent and Foran (and now Draper as well) I feel we really need Shinnie playing in a ball winning midfield role. The limited use of subs is also perplexing - there would be a lot to learn by using subs earlier when certain players in the starting XI are having an off day. We also have to play to our strengths. Up front we have an instinctive but very small striker in McKay supported by Ross and Doran who are also small. The long high ball is clearly not the way to go. We need to stretch the play wide and play the ball to feet and into the spaces. It really isn't rocket science. In that context, one final point about the importance of Raven playing down the right is that most teams in the league are better defensively on the right than the left. IMHO Raven and Doran should be encouraged to expose these weaknesses, get behind the defense and drill low balls into the centre for Billy. Not only is this likely to be our most productive route to goal, it is also great to watch.

Yogi only applied for the job -these questions should be asked of Cameron -whilst it's clear foran is a player why was he given a 3year deal without a manager in place -stinks I'm afraid !! Yesterday we were absolutely howling and I'm sure everyone agrees but since you've brought it up can you name me one ICT fan who wasn't absolutely delighted when they heard Richie had signed a new longterm contract?

It's at the social club and it's taken along and hung at home games. Hoping to sort out a system for away games soon.

Well that'll save me half an hour trying every visit trying to read your writing!

I blame Dawson for his glass half empty attitude.

I have to post a bit of sympathy fer Yogi as this still feels and looks like a team in the Butcher mould and probably selected mainly by the old school. We have been hitting above our weight fer a few games which was probably noted by the Narcissist. To be fair to Yogi he is only getting to know the players. Having said that there must be a few things that are feckin obvious - and all started by Butcher. Shinnie is either a left back or a midfielder. Tremarco is a great squad player but he has not much of a clue going forward. County were in a line of teams this season who made no attempt to cover him and let him play free cos they knew he would not cause any damage. Shinnie is prone to making mistakes on his right foot or unable to deliver offensively. Raven and Shinnie is a no brainer and our central defenders would probably feckin agree. Williams is a feckin wide player not a midfielder - Draper is a fine holding midfielder but not a feckin playmaker - Toby is not up to the SPL - McKay must be so feckin fed up - Where the feck is Doran supposed to be playing and the same fer Nick Ross. Let's forget about Europe and blood Christie and Polworth. Pepper is another to give an opportunity to. The negativity on here is as bad as it ever been. We have a great chance of a cup final appearance this year. My criticism of Hughes is that he has not been more of a figure on the touch line giving peeple feckin laldy - I worry that he is being shackled - I would be shaking things up and aiming fer the cups. I actually felt that we were unlucky not to get four points over New Year. Sorry but Butcher has fecked us up by his favouritism and the only way forward is a cull !,

One of the most lifeless and unspirited performances. I left the stadium disgusted and embarrassed. What they heck was Hughes thinking?! Shinnie on the right ran it's course ages ago. Still no Raven. Danny Williams has done nothing since he came into the team and was utter trash yet again. Toby is about as much use as a chocolate teapot. Doran has never been good on the left ever FACT. Is it just a coincide that his slump in form coincides with Butcher leaving? He doesn't look like a man who wants to be here anymore. No fight, no passion, no spirit, no hope. Hughes tactically makes Terry Butcher look like Jose Mourinho. Wrong team selection, wrong tactics, and the wrong choice as manager, on the recent showings. Things need to change and change soon. Hughes's job is not untouchable.

Statement for League Cup semi Final 2nd February 2014 Caley Jags Together are pleased to announce that we reached a conclusion on the semi-final saga. It’s the best deal that we could have got for our fans under the circumstances, and we’re happy to tell you that because of help given to us by the Scottish Sun, ICTFC and the SPFL we will be able to offer transport on ten D&E coaches to the game for £10 per adult and £5 per child. We plan on-board events that will make this an enjoyable trip for any Caley Thistle fan. We’re also happy to tell you that ICT fans will be allocated the famous five stand, in response to a request by the club so we will have our own end of the ground. Ticket prices are £ 20 for adult and £10 for under 16’s. Under 12’s get in for £5. This makes for a really affordable day out to help our team to their first national cup final. We’re sorry that we couldn’t change the time or the venue or get rail transport, but we do think that we got the best deal we could and now we need you to support it. Book your seat online at [email protected] or by phoning 07951309504. You can also book and pay for your seat at the CJT desk in the sports bar at the stadium at any home game up to the semi-final date. We’ll give more details nearer the time.

I think we can forget about finishing above Hibs this season. (Or next, for that matter). Butcher has worked his magic there to bring about a quite remarkable transformation, even before any transfer dealings. Got to hope that St J don't find a run of form and push us out of the top 6. That would be a catastrophe.

Well, I for one am no happy about that performance. Another game where we went across the park or backwards. WTF, we needed a goal yet took our time to build attacks, all too few of them. I thought Toby did well when he came on. We lost our main threat and supply line going forward once Watkins was kicked off the park. Billy McKay might as well be playing somewhere else as we are not giving him any supply whatsoever. He was so cheesed off he resorted to taking throw ins. I hope Hughes can sort out our free kicks and throw-ins, as they are diabolical. One point from twelve in our festive games. The sooner Scotty fecks off back to Canada the better, he's a jinx. Disgruntled

Playin against the worst team in the league today and yet it was the most disgusting performance i've witnessed at tcs for 2-3 years !. Totally unacceptable. Whilst admitedly jh was not my 1st choice I think today was his make or break moment. Sorry but it will take improvement of epic proportions to get over this shambolic result ! Absolutely disgusted and embarassed right now......how can a team performing so well go to a team looking like relegation fodder ! Shocking. Sort it out jh or gtf !

We are going through a poor patch, but today also showed how much Richie Foran drives our team on the pitch.

HNY peeple! We are going to tonk County and demolish Dud Utd. and Yogi will be January manager of the month. You heard it here first!

Gutless performance, disjointed and wrongly selected team and the fiery performance we have seen from the majority of these players in previous derbies was nowhere to be found. Ross County for all their flaws as a side simply wanted it more, they pressed all over the pitch, were on to every second ball and when it came to aerial challenges they were the dominant team. Yogi may well have had no Foran or Vincent still to choose from and lost Marley Watkins early into the game but why oh why is he persisting with Shinnie at right back. He has been in charge of 3 home games that have seen us score only twice while leaking in 7. He has a perfectly good right back in Raven sitting waiting to get on - use him ffs! Williams im sorry to say will never be a holding midfielder. The boy is an out and out winger. Hasnt got the strength or tenacity for where he's playing. Think the midfield situation will need to be analyzed in the window. We are far too lightweight in there. Toby is not the most graceful of players but he at least put a shift in and was prepared to put a shot at goal when it came his way, something that most others seem to bottle out of when they got towards the penalty area. In some respects I have sympathy for Hughes - he is trying to win over a majority of people that didnt want him or even imagine him being in charge to begin with but he has only taken 1 win from 6. 3 of those games being against teams near the bottom. He needs to get this team back to winning ways or he will find what support he has will further dwindle, County didnt even have to play that well today. Got 2 lucky breaks and shut up shop for their first win in 11. We gifted them that game. Draper didnt help us with his red. Yet to see the footage but he seemed to lean in with his elbow. Bad time to lose our only holding midfielder. The boys really need to regroup and get back to the form both we and they know that they are capable of producing... Rant over

It's quite staggering how far back we seem to have gone under John Hughes, I personally don't think it's all done to Yogi either if I'm being honest Butchers hasty and somewhat secretive departure still makes me think things were far from right despite the fact we were up there with Celtic I know I get accused of being negative at times but the amount of negativity directed by some towards Yogi is ludicrous considering he's only just in the door a matter of weeks It takes time for a new manager to gel just look at Mr Moyes at Man Utd. It's always going to be difficult for a new man to come in when that club has been doing well As for calling for his head that's madness and it won't happen as he's just been offered a 2.5year deal, I doubt we could afford to offload him anyway Dougal

After that performance today he's had his chance for me......lack of effort against septic put on the back boiler but that today was a feckin disgrace. I'm seething......Adams must be laughing his **** off.......what a farce, motivation seriously lacking and he's hiding in the dugout and Duncan looking increasingly uneasy on the touch line. Substitutions later than Butcher and Williams still in the side.........apparently for 90 mins, did anyone notice his contribution. Nick Ross, Aaron Doran even Warren and Meekings seem to lack desire. Gone is the fierce tackling and we seem to back peddle and invite teams onto us.........and the constant back to the keeper WTF. Bottom six and even less fans order of the day me thinks!

Sounds like a terrible day at the office, but have to agree that to attempt to go a whole season with just the 'wee' man upfront, is not going to work every match (the opposition seems to have largely sussed us out), and with Foran out, there doesn't seem any other threat...last year we had Andrew Shinnie, who could open up quite a few chances on his own and set Billy up, he's gone and now Mckay really does need a decent target man to play off. However a few injuries are also now showing what a thin squad we have. I suspect with average crowds of less than 4000, the board maybe tempted to cash in on Mckay, in order to strengthen the squad, but then we'd need to find two strikers in the 'window'. I guess alot depends on how long Watkins, Foran and Vincent are out for.

Think I agree with posters above as Raven back in at right back, Shinnie back over to left Midfield too lightweight as Doran, Ross, Williams nor Watkins can tackle and win the ball back Now with Draper out, likely Warren to be out, we will be very lightweight against a fast moving Motherwell Need Foran and Vincent back in the team so decision is whether to bring in someone for short term cover or run with what we have Do we need another centre as Tobi does not look to have it, even although his playing time has been limited, think todays run showed his lack of ability to hold up the ball Passing today was lacking as in previous games too Is Hughes the right manager, time will tell but on these performances doesnt' look like it Need an assistant in too, Shearer standing on touchline does not give me any hope, cardboard cutout I think as shows he doesn't want to be there or is this another cost cutting exercise by the board? Attendance today very poor, no gumption shown by board to try and get fans to the game I have said before get a stand at Tesco in retail park and get kids in for a pound with dad paying proper price and get the seats filled.

We are missing Richie Foran ...

Id just say....we are slowly getting back to our natural place in the league. We have been punching above our weight this past season and a half.

#MalkyIn But seriously this is not english football we dont sack a manager after a few weeks and a few losses give him a chance it isnt even his team out there!

Yeah, maybe, but any team losing a derby at home will get flak, especially when that rival is the league whipping boy. Still can't understand it. It's not ok.

This is alarming - how can we go from clean sheet to leaky sieve??? I would like to see Yogi spending less time praising everyone and their dog at the club, and more time concentrating on tactics and restoring our fortress ICT reputation.

Typical negative garbage from you Dougal. CC couldn't break into a talented 1st team at Celtic and came back north to reinvigorate his "stuttering" career. Not a bottler, but a wise man with the balls to start over after it hadn't quite worked out at Celtic. Missing in big games - like his MotM performance in the 3-1 cup win vs Celtic? I think I'm right in saying that his stats as manager are actually quite good. Also, if rumours are true, one of the determining factors in quitting as manager was the impact it had on his family. A real man, putting his family first. Bottler my arse. Dougal, I think you should consider the impact of your posts before sharing them. Mr Christie jnr is likely to read this thread following his first team debut and your unwarranted, inflammatory and misguided comments will do him, his family, the players at large and the club no good whatsoever. You have, as RiG said, managed to turn what should be a positive thread into a sideshow of Dougal Negativity. If Mr Christie jnr turns out make half the contribution to this club that his father did, then he will have been a real success in his own right. He has the potential, and now needs EVERYONES support and encouragement to assist him in allowing it to materialise.

Even for the most tedious troll on here that's absolutely pathetic.

Trust Dougal to inject negativity into a positive thread. CC was outstanding for Thistle, for Caley and for ICT and even managed a wee cameo at Clach. Mr Inverness Football if ever there was one.

Harsh, unnecessary and somewhat inaccurate representation of 10CC in my opinion. One of ICT's greatest ever players and you portray him as a bottler - substantiated explanation required please.