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Having been at the game tonight, i'd like to make a few observations regarding team selection, shape and where I think we're going wrong. Where to start! Starting team and formation: Brill Raven Devine Meekings Shinnie Tansey Doran Draper Foran Vincent Mckay Yogi set up tonight much like the final on Sunday. The aim of the tactics being to let Doran and Vincent come inside and play off McKay whilst dominating the centre of the park with Tansey, Draper and Foran. The two 'wingers' coming inside opens the space down the two wings for Shinnie and Raven to get forward and provide the width. Tansey then sits deep with Meekings and Devine and aims to pick out passes from his own half. In theory a reasonable tactic which focuses on ball retention, high quality passing and clever movement. This means when attacking we effectively had three players at the back - Meekings Devine and Tansey. Tonight (in the first half), we couldn't keep the ball, the passing was poor (especially from Draper and Foran) and we were too static in the final third. A risky tactic to adopt from a team known for pace, work rate and counter-attacking football under Butcher. Both goals came from loosing the ball too far up the pitch, Motherwell playing it down the channels and breaking on us. This for me is a real worry as we didn't even make it difficult for Motherwell to score. Second half team and formation: Brill Raven Devine Meekings Shinnie Draper Foran Tansey Christie Vincent Mckay Second half was much the same but with Draper and Foran sitting deeper to provide a little extra cover for a open defence. Bringing on Christie helped improve our passing and movement but the same problem existed, we played too narrow and we lack the quality to open up defences with clever passing movements. Tansey was useless on the wing and looked lost, Vincent doesn't suit the role and Foran can't pick out a pass. What now then? For me, i'm very worried about Yogi's tactical decisions - the players don't look comfortable. We are not playing to our strengths, Mckay is not getting any service and when he is, it's balls into him with his back to goal and a defender on his back. When was the last time we saw a ball played through for him to run onto? Desired team selection: Brill Raven Warren Meekings Shinnie Draper Foran Watkins Vincent Doran Mckay I'm not necessarily slating Yogi's team selection but what I would heavily criticise is his tactical awareness in terms of playing to our players strengths. Why play Tansey and Vincent wide when it's so clear that neither of them have any pace to take on a man and deliver a cross? Why have our full backs become our main attacking threat? Why are we insisting on playing the ball to the centre backs from goal kicks? We are not technically good enough to play a ball retention/patience style of football. I want us to get back to what we are good at. A solid back four with two sitting in front and making it hard to break down. I want to see Doran and Watkins hugging the touchline offering width and for Vincent to get forward and run beyond Mckay. Lets get men behind the ball when defending, lets get forward in numbers when the opportunity comes to counter. My worry is that Hughes is changing the whole dynamics of the team. His tactics are not necessarily wrong and I hope that they will work but I have strong strong strong reservations i'm afraid to say.

From a psychological perspective many of the posts tonight are closely associated with the anger, frustration and despair that we eventually blew a great chance of winning the League Cup. Many appear to have the new ideal of a European place and nothing less will do. Some appeared to be expecting the possibility of two cup wins and a European place. Perhaps many of us have expectations on a massive scale. And remember that this is our fourth game in 11 days - 4 days after probably the most physically and mentally exhausting game in our history. And the we go away to the team expected to be in the top three and again we expect more.

Cant keep quiet any longer, usual suspects having a field day, they haven't a clue about football they just like to moan, groan and really all they are doing is making fools of themselves. For once the pundits were praising ICT, the way they were playing and the future they have. OK two mistakes, two goals down but the rest of the game we dominated, more shots were on target tonight, goals will come. We are top six now, plenty of points to pick up yet Have faith or go over the bridge and join your like minded friends.

Okay, so you asked the question and when people disagreed with you, you got annoyed at them. Don't ask if you don't want to know, and "if you don't like my opinion then TOUGH!" is an aggressive challenge, so don't say such things then cry when anyone takes the challenge. By the way, if you say you're about to shut up about something, try to last at least two hours before you come back to the thread. All in all, you sound just like the guy who started a similar thread about Butcher. I wonder what happened to him, and if he ever grew up.

So in other words..... get feckin real.

We got to the dizzy heights of 2nd place because we got off to a flyer with 16 points from our first 6 games. We got off to a flyer because we had a team which was basically what we left off with at the end of the previous season. Other teams then began to gel and play better and our way of playing began to get sussed out. Not counting the game at Hibs when Butcher, whilst still our manager watched from the stands, we lost 3 of the 5 games before he left. That included a home defeat to Partick and a 4 - 0 drubbing in Perth. A significant drop in form happened before Hughes arrived and that may well have more to do with what has happened at other clubs than what has happened here. If Butcher was still here, I'm not convinced we would be doing any better than we are now. All teams go through good and bad patches and I don't see any reason to hit the panic button yet. There is maybe a lack of confidence which is not helped by some of the rubbish posted on this forum. Without doubt we have a talented and settled squad and it is just a matter of time till the results turn our way again. With talent like Ryan Christine just beginning to blossom as well, I am very optimistic about the future.

You tease...getting our hopes up that you weren't going to be back and then posting again.

OK. I'll bite! I wonder what you mean by negative response? Do you mean folk not backing the manager or people not agreeing with you? Your original post is the single most negative thing on this thread. If you wanted to simply gauge opinion why did you not simply ask "what do folk think of John Hughes' perfomance as manager so far?" And please don't get huffy and take every comment disagreeing with you so personally. We all respect your right to express an opinion. But please, if you don't wan't an argument, don't make a provocative statement to start a thread! And for the benefit of C_H2, I don't think anyone on here is actually saying Hughes is doing a wonderful job, folk are simply saying it is far to early to judge him one way or another.

He was excellent in the second half last night. I feel that a few of our regular starters need a rest, I see no reason why Ryan cannot get a lot more game time with our current fixture pile up. BTW - same with Nick Ross too IMO.

threads like these make me realise why I try and avoid this forum as much as possible

I'd of really liked to have seen what Butcher would have done any differently considering our small squad and fixture pile up, especially since he's completely revolutionised Hibs failing side into this winning machine we see before us. I do wonder where this thread would have been if John's tactics, however negative they seemed, won us our first national trophy. I wasn't a huge Hughes supporter when he first arrived, but surely give the man time to get his targets in the Summer and then judge him. Top six for the second season in succession, a cup final, and a team all signed up on one of the smallest budgets in the Premiership. You can never please some people.

Who is up for the challenge of trying to sell out the home end. We all know the offers given by the club, we know a lot of people gave a lot of time to get things organised for last Sunday. Can you all do that little bit extra and egg on all that you know to attend. Its a season ticket match, they can all bring someone for free. If you were at the match its only £10 for an adult, £5 concession, and under 12 free. Its up to all of us to do something about this and to not only promote the sale of tickets but to see it through and from sales lead to sale. Some people mentioned that they didnt see the flags on Sunday, weather permitting, if I can get my way then they will be passing over every section in the ground on Saturday but each section needs a good turnout for this to happen.

Used my Season Tickets to collect 3 FREE tickets today. I've got one occasional fan coming along with two 'new' fans for the day! Three supporters who would otherwise have stayed away - lets all give it a go! I think this thread deserves more discussion than Should Hughes be Sacked.

Tell them that only one can have a contract and they must battle each other with pugil sticks on top of the Kessock Bridge. Winner gets a contract. Loser signs for Fort William.

I'm sick of the lot of you, you are all sacked.

From what I seen of him last night he is better than Gauld! (it was only 45 minutes I know but still...) To be fair I haven't really seen much of Ryan Gauld, only game that stands out to me was vs us in the quarter final and he didn't really produce much in 90 mins. Maybe the scottish media over hype him who knows. GMS is over-rated IMO he has the skill but nothing much to him. The point I am really making before I get sidetracked is that ICT could benefit to a similar set up as Dundee United. They have young boys like Andrew Robertson (who was superb in the 5-0 game) John Souttar all very young lads playing first team football. We have the likes of Ryan Christie, Liam Polworth, Adam Evans, Ali Sutherland (maybe next season) that could get a massive benefit of little bit exposure in the first. I am sure as hell it wouldn't happen if Butcher was here but John Hughes is very impressive when it comes to young talent.

Id say that for a club of ICT's stature, avoiding relegation IS a sucsesfull season. Anything above 8th is an exceptional season

It is absolutely ludicrous that this is even a thread. Were people not calling for butcher's head when we were 15 points behind Dundee in the first division? Look where he got us. I don't know if anyone watched the BBC Alba replay of the Motherwell match last night, but in my eyes we played some very encouraging attacking football - especially when christie came on - and in my opinion we were extremely unlucky not to come away with a goal or two. I hope to god that Hughes proves all of you idiots wrong - and i definitely will not be surprised if he does!

For a team that can't buy a goal and has become so shaky in defence sixth place is not out of the question which, whatever the view of the happy clappers, I find disappointing from the position of being clear in second well into the season. The one bright positive from the last two games has been the potential shown by Ryan Christie on the big stage. There has been good news on players' contracts in recent months, maybe the best news of all would be to get this young man secured on a three year deal.

Was a stand out when he came on yesterday. Gave the team much more drive going forward, and was taking on defenders like nobody else in the team. Surely deserves a start soon. A few guys need a rest.

How about a goal once every 8 hours of football?

We are playing through a major back log of games with the smallest squad in the league. Is it impossible to think that fatigue and the mental drain of playing such a massive game just 3 days before could be a reason? I knew this subject would come up if we lost the final, I just didnt think it would be almost immediately. He needs time. Time to get back to a regular routine with the players, to get over the cup final, and to try and establish a formation and style that is to his liking. The players dont seem to have a problem with him. Since his appointment 4 players have committed to long term contracts...that says to me that people want to play for him. I would urge fans to show patience. He needs to get to the end of the season. Re group in the summer, build a solid long term plan, bring in a few signings of his own and as many have said get a chance to put his own "stamp" on the team. Regardless of what was thought of his appointment that has all been and gone now. Hes the manager of my team and unless we are bordering on past the point of no return him and Russ have my full support. Top 6 is secure for another season. This season will play out and only after that should we start keeping a more watchful eye on the performance and progress of our managment team.

In my view, it was astonishing that Hughes was appointed as manager given his record. His inability to speak in anything other than cliches didn't inspire any confidence either but appointed he was and on a two and a half year contract at that. Given that, for all sorts of reasons not least because it would be morally wrong of the board to jettison him so soon after showing such faith in him, it is right to give him at least a year and a half, that is to say until the end of next season. Personally, I think we can put aside ambitions of cup finals or top six finishes but the players we have at our disposal should ensure that we stay in the top league whoever the manager is. If at the end of next season there is no sign of improvement the matter should be seriously considered but, for now, whatever our reservations, he is our man and we should back him.

Right let's get the tin hat on and think this one through properly. Firstly the results have not been pretty on the eyes however multiple times I have watched ICT under John Hughes we have actually played good football. Dundee United at Home and Ross County at Home were the only ones I really had cause for concern with. I can't really comment on the 5-0 game vs Celtic as I wasn't there. Aberdeen at home, sure we fell down quicker than a house on fire but after half time we dusted ourselves off and got back into the game where we were close to a point. Last Sunday, sure bitterly disappointing to lose a major cup final but we took Aberdeen all the way to penalties despite having a game the Wednesday before and Aberdeen were fully rested. That game came down to penalties which is nothing more than a lottery. We are quick to pass the blame when things go tits up but let's cast our mind back a couple weeks. We passed Ross County off the pitch at their own stamping ground and won 3-0. The Semi final we were so close to leaving Easter Road with nothing with 9 men but we didn't and got through via penalties. Beat Hearts 2-0 at Tynecastle in very difficult weather conditions. Now, it's easy to say Terry Butcher had control of the team for the first half and got us Top 6 but what he didn't do was get us to a major cup final and credit has to go to John Hughes for that. Nobody knows what would have happen if Butcher was still manager but we have to move on such as life. I wasn't a massive John Hughes fan and I still think the club missed a trick with Paul Hartley and co coming to the club but John Hughes realistically should be given till next season to put his on 'stamp' on the team. The next two games are massive games for us if we want to finish as high up as the league we can.

Maybe if you want to use Aberdeen or ex Aberdeen you should maybe consider Fergies start at Man U. If you lot were on MU's forum at the time, no doubt you would have had him ... 'Lost the dressing room' ... 'lost the fans' .... ' lost the plot' BUT the boy did good! Well sort of good anyway! I however am concerned about our goal drought and our silly mistakes at the back but rather than sack the man, I would prefer to see less teeth at the dugout and more fist waving from him. He does come over as a players pal and that is not always a good management platform.

Partick Thistle should be a win. Dundee UTD will be a challenge, not as optimistic about that one, but I hope we have learnt our lesson. Can beat St Mirren. Motherwell is a 50/50, just depends what team shows up. We've shown that we can easily outclass Ross County, just have to get our heads up a bit. Honestly, I believe our issue right now isn't entirely Hughes' fault. Look at the end of last season, sure it wasn't as bad as it is right now, but it wasn't great. We just don't have a big enough squad to play all these games in hand, a league cup final run, a Scottish cup quarter final AND storm on for Europe. We need to be wise this transfer window and bring in some back ups. Billy needs some competition and a break, as does most of the team to be honest.

We were in second place clear by 5 points when he came in and already in the semi final of the league cup, which we got through against the worst team in the SPL on penalties. Dress it up however you want, the fact is Kenny Cameron has made a terrible appointment, the media blackout during the process and the assistant manager farce was just the prelude to what we will see between now and May.

Thanks for your post. If we all say no then nothing happens. If we all try a little bit then a little bit more turn up. If we all work at this then together we achieve. North stand fan your target is to get just an extra two in to the stadium thats all I ask of you. This is a test of fan power and to see what we can achieve if we all pull together.

From what I seen of him last night he is better than Gauld! (it was only 45 minutes I know but still...) To be fair I haven't really seen much of Ryan Gauld, only game that stands out to me was vs us in the quarter final and he didn't really produce much in 90 mins. Maybe the scottish media over hype him who knows. GMS is over-rated IMO he has the skill but nothing much to him. The point I am really making before I get sidetracked is that ICT could benefit to a similar set up as Dundee United. They have young boys like Andrew Robertson (who was superb in the 5-0 game) John Souttar all very young lads playing first team football. We have the likes of Ryan Christie, Liam Polworth, Adam Evans, Ali Sutherland (maybe next season) that could get a massive benefit of little bit exposure in the first. I am sure as hell it wouldn't happen if Butcher was here but John Hughes is very impressive when it comes to young talent. Now you're talking! Whether it is under the managerial vision of John Hughes or a.n other, a vibrant, cohesive youth policy is the way forward for I.C.T. Both Aberdeen and United have worked extremely diligently in nurturing and promoting youth and their endeavour in this department is now paying dividends. What are the options? Bring in high numbers of young English players and hope we strike it lucky with one or two? No. How about paying out transfer fees for "good" players? No. Well, lets "grow" our own. In the present u-20's and u-17's potential and talent abounds. A no brainer! It's definitely the way to go. Blood the youngsters in and also gives some of the first teamers a well deserved break.

From what I seen of him last night he is better than Gauld! (it was only 45 minutes I know but still...) To be fair I haven't really seen much of Ryan Gauld, only game that stands out to me was vs us in the quarter final and he didn't really produce much in 90 mins. Maybe the scottish media over hype him who knows. GMS is over-rated IMO he has the skill but nothing much to him. The point I am really making before I get sidetracked is that ICT could benefit to a similar set up as Dundee United. They have young boys like Andrew Robertson (who was superb in the 5-0 game) John Souttar all very young lads playing first team football. We have the likes of Ryan Christie, Liam Polworth, Adam Evans, Ali Sutherland (maybe next season) that could get a massive benefit of little bit exposure in the first. I am sure as hell it wouldn't happen if Butcher was here but John Hughes is very impressive when it comes to young talent. Now you're talking! Whether it is under the managerial vision of John Hughes or a.n other, a vibrant, cohesive youth policy is the way forward for I.C.T. Both Aberdeen and United have worked extremely diligently in nurturing and promoting youth and their endeavour in this department is now paying dividends. What are the options? Bring in high numbers of young English players and hope we strike it lucky with one or two? No. How about paying out transfer fees for "good" players? No. Well, lets "grow" our own. In the present u-20's and u-17's potential and talent abounds. A no brainer!

I agree that Ryan Christie should get the nod on Saturday. From the live reports from last night it sounded like he added a bright spark up front which was lacking in the first half and that's a very good positive to take from last night's game. I have watched Ryan Christie many a time in the U20 home games and always stood out to me to have the potential to make something out of himself. If you take the leaf out of Dundee United's book, we could have our very own Ryan Gauld in the shape of Ryan Christie.

Obviously a first ever cup final followed by a midweek game down at Motherwell is a totally unfair comparison, but I wonder if the respective ICT turn-outs have seen the biggest percentage disparity in consecutive crowds, anywhere, ever?! 7,800 fans, followed three-days-later by 53. That's around a 99.3% drop! Not to worry, the 0.7% of us that were there made the most of it and still had time for a beer or two!

Will a win demonstrate just how far we have come on since Yogi took over?

Let's just ignore the lynch mob then maybe they will go away

His team selections and tactics disappoint me hugely. He clearly doesn't do his homework on his opponents at all - when Aberdeen were 4-0 up at half-time against us, it was because he hadn't considered how to deal with Pawlett playing through the middle. Playing 4-4-2 against Celtic and Dundee United was clearly a disaster waiting to happen. He failed to restore Gary Warren to the team last night despite the fact that neither Meekings nor Devine would win an aerial battle with John Sutton. And Vincent on the wing?! He has ditched a 4-2-3-1 formation that worked, and which our squad is set up for, in favour of first 4-4-2 and now a 4-1-4-1 which leaves Mckay isolated and bereft of support, and makes us absolutely brutal to watch. We have gone from being a side who scored goals, conceded few and which played good football to a side that can't pass, can't defend and can't score. Yogi was given a winning formula by Butcher. Why on earth has he tried changing it? The only explanation I can think of is that his ego dictated that he had to make changes, so it was 'his team' and not Butcher's. Let's face it, he won't last beyond the end of next season. My concern is that we keep him on for several months after it is clear that he's not the answer - a la Brewster - and we end up relegated as a result.

I agree. Sacking the manager at this point would be wrong and against the ethos of our club either at this point of the season or any time in the course of next season unless we find ourselves adrift at the bottom which I hope, with the players we have, is unlikely. In my view, as I've said above, the time to review matters, will be at or towards the end of next season. The one part of your post I would take issue with is 'he wasn't many peoples first choice'. If you look at at mammoth 'New Manager' thread he wasn't anybody's choice until he was appointed. However, he was the choice of the board and for that reason they and we need to back him now.

Any relation to Charlie Christine? She's her daughter

Did not even bother to read this thread. I wonder why ?

Surely if we are in a major slump now would be the time to refresh the team with the likes of Greenhalgh, Williams , Tremarco and Christie. These players deserve a chance when the usual suspects are under performing week in week out. Let's try and create competition for places no guarantees of a first team start One glaring feck up Hughes has to hold his hand up to was not replacing the two front players who left mid season, to go with one recognised striker for half a season is unthinkable. Surely funds were available from Butchers compensation.

For the record, at the time Butcher left I was delighted and I suspect form the excitement on these boards at the time most other people were as well, I never sensed any sort of disillusionment after he left. It was the right time for him to go and it was the right time to bring in somebody new to stop us being complacent and falling into the trap of having terrible downturns midway through the season, which we had for all but 1 of Terrys time in charge (when we got promoted). Nobody in defence of Hughes should ask 'what would Butcher have done differently?', Butcher wasnt an option, he had left.

For a team that can only take 7,000 to a cup final top flight managers are not queueing up for the job we are in the top six a having our best season ever . Some people on here need a reality check.

Should Butcher be blamed ?

Hughes was never my 1st choice and even though results have been poor lately he needs to be given time. He has inherited a squad that was playing well but wants to put his own stamp on the team. He needs to be given time to bring in hi own players and create his own team. If the team is struggling at Christmas, then think about a change at the top. To suggest it now is just ludicrous

Our form in the last 6 is not exceptionally worse than any other Last updated: 15.03.2014 at 18:49 Overall Home Away Pos Team Pld W D L F A W D L F A W D L F A +/- Pts 1. Celtic 6 5 0 1 15 2 3 0 0 9 0 2 0 1 6 2 +13 15 2. Dundee Utd 6 4 1 1 13 8 3 0 1 9 6 1 1 0 4 2 +5 13 3. Aberdeen 6 3 1 2 7 7 2 0 1 3 2 1 1 1 4 5 0 10 4. Partick Thistle 6 2 3 1 11 8 2 1 0 7 3 0 2 1 4 5 +3 9 5. St Johnstone 6 3 0 3 5 5 1 0 1 3 1 2 0 2 2 4 0 9 6. Motherwell 6 2 2 2 14 15 2 1 0 10 6 0 1 2 4 9 -1 8 7. Inverness CT 6 2 2 2 4 7 0 2 0 0 0 2 0 2 4 7 -3 8 8. Hearts 6 2 1 3 7 12 1 0 1 2 3 1 1 2 5 9 -5 7 9. Hibernian 6 1 3 2 8 11 1 1 1 6 7 0 2 1 2 4 -3 6 10. Kilmarnock 6 1 2 3 9 13 1 2 1 7 8 0 0 2 2 5 -4 5 11. Ross County 6 1 2 3 7 11 1 1 2 4 7 0 1 1 3 4 -4 5 12. St Mirren 6 1 0 5 6 9 1 0 1 2 1 0 0 4 4 8 -3 Sorry guys my pc skills are not the best Last updated.docx

You forget to mention the complete hammerings, the goal drought of 8 hours, the drop from clear second due to relegation style results, the background of the management team for not getting out of holes, the only home win being against Stranraer (after a replay), being unable to see which tactics work - all of this with the best team we've ever had. We can (and we will I'm sure) go on with Hughes but are we really saying that, with this team, avoiding relegation next year is success??? Do you believe Yogi is the best manager we can get? Do you think he will improve us next season? If so, then carry on believing. If not, why not cut our losses sooner rather than later. We don't need Yogi to get his team embedded. All we need is a decent manager that recognises how to play a strong squad. That's not Hughes.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAH good trolling

Are you serious? You were willing to give Hughes time, do you think you have achieved that? Why was cup final reached before Butcher left, Hughes was in charge at semi-final. Hughes was a defender, correct, you got something right. Have a lie down man ffs.

Thats what happens when we go for the cheap option for a manager

Hello all , first of all I am a Aberdeen fan born inverness but moved 1981 to abz and have supported them since , so hope I don't get kicked off. first of all 2 fairly serious r .t.a,s one on a90 Dundee one north of j 5 hope no one was to badly hurt "caused mayhem on roads"now on to the footie ,I thought all players gave there all. and I enjoyed the game.No way were the 10/13k regular abz fans expecting an easy time before the match our bets were on what was the final outcome. x t +pens .just think you guys /girls should be proud of your team well done well played.hope you enjoyed our display . 7 went down on fri day to start setting it out joined by 50/70 on Saturday. big effort . great to be part of a final without the (big 2) so well done and hope your team gets to another final soon. by the way all the best to the I c t fan who was sitting behind us, brave guy but fair play he never held back shouting on his team.but do not think I would have chanced it.good luck with the rest of your games.( unless your are playing against us) cheers