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I've steered clear of posting on CTO since I voiced my severe concerns at Hughes' appointment and was criticised for not giving the bloke a fair crack of the whip. Well, we've now had a fair dose of him and I believe it's apparent to all but the happiest of happy-clappers that Hughes is clearly the wrong man for the job. Hughes inherited a team sitting second in the league with points and games in hand with confidence sky high. Fast forward a few short months and we've seen the team implode in front of our eyes. Poor tactics, bizarre team selection and the trademark inane/incoherent post match comments have become the gut wrenching norm. I was at Tannadice on Wednesday night and it's clear that certain players ggare scared to do anything positive - rather than direct attacking drives into space they repeatedly check inside and pass sideways or backwards. John wants to play like Barca but we have a squad who are "good honest laddies" who we know can be extremely effective if we stick with the tactics adopted in the first half of the season. Poor Billy was clearly knackered, lacking confidence and in dire need of a break. Others appear emotionally fragile and likewise in need of a rest. Alas, Yogi seems incapable of reacting to factors which are clear to us mere mortals. The sequence of passes which lead to United's second goal on Wednesday was nothing short of footballing suicide. We were playing a team with their tales up comprising some of the nippiest players in the league, as such it would be no disgrace for us to keep it simple at the back and avoid a repeat of the Scottish cup quarter final debacle. Clearly this doesn't fit with the Hughes ethos and we see good honest pros exposed by the tactics enforced by Hughes. Poor Nicky Ross started almost every game under Butcher this season but Hughes doesn't seem to fancy him at all despite the repeated media platitudes. He insists on playing three players (Drapes, Tansey & Vincent) who are grafters but don't offer a great deal of creativity or service to Billy. He then expects them to pass like Iniesta.....utter madness. Mark my words if Hughes is in the hot seat next season we will be fighting relegation come May. He shouldn't have got the job in the first place, his negative tactics cost us a League Cup win and are ripping the heart and soul out of the side. I just hope someone in the inner circle has the guts to hold his hands up and admit that a mistake was made and a change is needed - sooner rather than later.

Forever in our mini shadows...

The difference between Pat Fenlon and Terry Butcher is that Fenlon was trying to avoid local derbies against Hearts next season. Butcher, the true Ranger, seems desperate to keep the derby next season.

For me, the team is basically running on empty in many positions just now. Mackay for one looks dead on his feet and maybe Meekings/Vincent as well. Again, it has to be remembered that several of these players are probably playing their first full season at this level and may now just be starting to struggle so giving them a rest and playing other players may ne necessity IHE, not giving up on the season. I thought the changes yesterday gave us more energy and pace in the team and we looked well worth the 2-1 lead. However, when Tansey went off, we definitely started to sit back, again is that due to tiredness, either mentally or physically, I don't know. Sending off did alter things although I thought Watkins did okay playing at centre forward and worth a try to give Billy a rest. For those moaning about having 2 wingers and not playing them, Watkins and Williams, lets be honest, neither of them have really set the heather on fire recently when given the chance so I think the suggestion that playing both of them would be beneficial us not proven by the evidence. I know I will be shot down in flames now but some posters but I think some of the postings just now are amongst the most negative I have seen on this site, and this is causing division amongst posters on the site. It seems to be that those posters who did not want Hughes are seeking any and every opportunity to be negative, that is their right, but this is not helping. Had anyone suggested the current scenario for ICT at the start of the season, Top 6 and reaching a cup final, we would all have grabbed that with both hands. Yes it has gone a bit pear shaped but let's not kid ourselves, we have been punching above our weight and it is now coming home to roost.

Does anyone know how much it costs to hire a plane?

Brill Raven Devine Warren Shinnie Draper Polworth A WINGER Christie A WINGER Mckay

I attended an U-17 game for the first time today and have to admit to have been thoroughly entertained. I.C.T V Ross County games have served up great entertainment over the years and this match, although at a younger age group, was no exception. Pleasingly, ALL the good football was played by I.C.T. and the result reflected their dominance. The I.C.T youngsters, on this showing, served up a fast paced pass and move game that the young County counterparts just couldn't cope with. Superb stuff! Well done to the I.C.T coaches and players!

Absolutely fail to see how peoples accents are relevant tbh.

4-0

starchief I am glad you admit you are negative, there might be some hope for you. Your replies to Huisdean :- 1 would loved to have Hughes succeed............(.past tense, written off ) his background suggests nothing better, accept that or want a change before the damage is permanent........( obviously you have no faith in his appointment you want him out no quarter given,........................................................ (don't give him time to sort things out and put his stamp on the Team.) 2 not the start of the season / on the basis of keeping our squad,................................. (no it is nearing the start of the top six battle and he has inherited a fantastic Team. a team disastrously let down by a manager who deserted them when he bottled out of trying to keep the success going when he new in his heart the squad was already beginning to suffer and the games were piling up) Will struggle next season too....................( So little faith in a squad of players still learning the ropes in the SPFL and do you really believe they are so fickle to take the first opportunity to leave the club) 3 Why was he hired or words to that effect,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,(He put his case to the Chairman the Chairman liked what he heard and is now awaiting fruition of what he outlined in his plans, he is the person who has the right to pass sentence. ...........not us..............We can state whatever we like about what we feel but it should be constructive not damning if we are going to be of any benefit to the situation ).

Someone must know him as there can't be many that have such an accent amongst all the incomers Dougal

Kingsmills you must be the No1 negative poster on the site these days, I'm pretty surprised you are so anti-yogi when you consider your hero was Jim Leishman Yogi is here for the entirety of his contract in the boards eyes that's why he was offered a long term contract, I very much doubt we could afford to sack him at present even if it was justifiable Sad thing is Yogi and Russell possibly read this site and it certainly doesn't send out a very nice welcome to Inverness to either of them Butcher saw the start of the decline that's why he bailed out and now Yogi has had to pick up the pieces so the least he deserves is some time and that would be a year in my opinion Anyway Brora can win the title at Keith next week Mahonio Dougal

Lorne and tattie scone. Brown sauce. I saw what you did there.

Team selection was positive in the selection of Christie & Polworth, more than happy to see these guys get game time. The defence is worrying though, the pressure is telling every time we get a pass back now you feel the worst. Along with the St Mirren 2nd goal I feel the defenders are not so confident with Deano compared to start of season. They seem to be caught in two minds a lot, shall I pass back or hoof it out. They were all so strong & positive at the start of season and need to get that vibe back asap. Games are coming so thick & fast at this end of the season, we don't have the flexibility I think to rest so called key players.

Not even Ross Jack and unlikely to in future considering Jack has been away from Elgin since january.

Tremarco In at left back and Shinnie wide left.

Would you suggest that those of us who are alarmed at just how quickly things have gone downhill in the last few months pretend to be happy or would you be satisfied if we merely kept quiet and left the forum to the happy clappers ? No i do not suggest any such thing, but I do suggest a bit more realistic approach should be made instead of all this negative stuff that is being poured out time and time again by the negativateers it is boring, non-constructive and giving ammunition to all the other clubs' supporters. what happened to the togetherness attitude and the backing the club through thick and thin. We have been extremely unfortunate over the last number of games we could have won every single game....we didn't I know that but it wasn't for the want of trying................. Now you try being a bit more positive before bitterness sets in, you may enjoy your football more.

I couldn't fathom why he was appointed in the first place. He has an utterly uninspiring CV and, in my view is unconvincing in what he says and is certainly unconvincing in what he's done. However, the fact is, like it or not, he was given a two and a year contract very recently and I believe that, having backed their man,the board now have a moral obligation, to give him at least next season to try to prove himself.

Lorne and tattie scone. Brown sauce.

Europe? Seriously?

Does one now require coaching badges to offer an opinion ?

I note that Hughes said that he subbed Mckay because he was absolutely shattered. I'd wager that he was so exhausted because of the limited support he is now getting and all the extra work that he is having to do to chase aimless balls thumped over his head and hold the ball up before his team mates get anywhere near him to support him. It's no coincidence that as Hughes tinkered with the formation and style of play the goals for Mckay have dried up. Four goals in all competitions since January compared to seventeen before.

OK, let's try this one more time: DO NOT TRY TO SQUEEZE 5 CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS INTO THE TEAM! Brill Raven Warren Devine Shinnie Tansey Draper Watkins Christie Williams Mckay Esson, Tremarco, Polworth, Vincent,Evans, Doran?, Foran?

If we can't compee with St Mirren how do you expect to compete with Motherwell who are a top 3 or top 4 team, messing about with kids. We need to park the bus

My odds are on us finishing 6th.

What about brill? Made an excellent save in 2nd half but generally looks completely lacking in confidence. His kicking is absolutely woeful. Our team really has self destructed.

Can you explain how playing it slow and narrow through a congested midfield is more open and attractive than breaking with speed down the wings?

Starchief - why on earth do you bother posting on this forum when all you do is be totally crass, negative and obnoxious? Like so many others you don't savour the fact that the club have again achieved a top six finish and are striving to compete with far bigger and better supported clubs than ours? We all desire a hugely talented and pacey wide player but, apart from an inconsistent Dorans, we do not possess the like. Therefore we have to look to players who can create openings through the middle with good movement and clever vision. Christie seems to possess both but that matters little to you as long as you can have a poke at the current manager. As an ICT fan since the merger I was thrilled today to see Shinnie, Polwoth, Ross and Christie on the pitch and would go as far as to say that they were among the top performers for the team today. But that will no doubt be TOO POSITIVE for you and your Tansey at centre half comment sums up your approach to the attempts of the new manager to play a more open and attractive system.

Not good enough for this level

What's the problem? http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26694264

Agree with most of Hislop's points, but disagree on Watkins. He chased down and pressed the St Mirren defenders into a few mistakes and looked dangerous on the break. Billy McKay needs to be rested, he's running on empty.

What the problem with the happyclappers about John Hughes on here is : 1. They think he has a track record of turning around corrosive, terminally bad form. 2. They're right good honest laddies who roll their sleaves up and dust themselves off for the last dance back at the well to go again. 3. The think defenders taking 3 touches to make an 11 yard pass sideways is slick, imaginative football. 4. TOGETHERNESS!!