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I too really want Hughes to succeed - if he's learnt from Dungwall that's to his credit. But some people on here seem to resent any view that doesn't reflect unqualified support. What's a forum for? Surely any manager would expect fans to discuss his tactics and performance, give praise where due and criticism likewise. And yes Absent Friend, he was under pressure - those boos against Motherwell weren't for the players.

Why do you have to qualify your statement about folk being right to be upset by the chants? It comes across as though your only reason for condemning the chants is because it shows the club up in a bad light. I think everybody else who has expressed distate at the chants has done so out a feeling of compassion for a fellow human being. The fact that it paints the support in a bad light is very much a secondary consideration. And why use the derogatory word "bitching" for folk who are demonstrating a bit of human decency? It is also getting rather tiresome that you continue to badge everyone expressing concerns on this issue as hypocrites because they (in your view) are doing nothing about it. Well actually they are doing something about it - they are letting others who are in a better position to act on the matter know their concerns so that they can help to prevent it in the future. It seems perverse that you blame us and call us hypocrites yet seem to have no words of criticism for the inaction of the club in doing anything preventative following the previous match in Dingwall or for those present at the match who were paid to ensure people's behaviour was in bounds. And whilst I'm at it, I would also comment on your earlier statement criticisng folk who offer critical comment but who don't get actively involved in helping the club. There are a lot of folk who for a variety of reasons are unable to do so. Many folk just find a little time to read and contribute to this forum as a welcome distraction from other aspects of their often very stressful lives. They may work long hours in a stressful job, they may have permanent carer responsibilities, they may live too far away to be able to help, they may be disabled or ill, or they may give generously of their spare time for some other cause. You have no idea what their personal circumstances are. To criticise these folk for not actively getting their hands dirty for the club is, to be frank, offensive. In any case, it is surely preferable to take the time and voice a concern on this forum than say nothing at all. Remember that these folk are actually helping the club by giving those at the club their views. These views should be helpful to you personally in your role with the club as it provides hard evidence about what supporters are thinking. We all know you do a lot for the club and I applaud you and am grateful to you for that, but if you want others to help in a voluntary capacity with the club you might find more success in getting recruits if you didn't convey the impression that you think those of us voicing concerns in the best interests of the club are all lazy hypocrites.

Previous season I've looked at the early rounds of the Europa League, seen some of the team names and thought "how the hell do you pronounce that?!..." I love the thought of someone in Finland, Lithuania, Cyprus or wherever looking at "Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC" in the fixtures and thinking "f**k that!"

Reading this thread reminds of the old saying 'Fools criticise a job half done' Now it is my opinion that it was not just County that strengthened their team since the start of the season and if so called pundits on here cannot see that the opposition is playing better now than they did at the start of the season, then they are indeed fools. We did start well.... against weakened sides .... however these teams have all knitted now, especially Aberdeen, Dee Utd, and Ross County.. just to name three! Maybe now this topic can be binned as even BT were on about the fans not happy with the manager and I feel this is unfair on the manager, players and the more knowledgeable Board but most of all on the majority of fans of ICT who have more wit than come on here and spout utter nonsense, when a playing plan is unfolding. You lot resemble youngsters going on a journey and start shouting "are we there yet" before the car is out of the drive! Give it a rest .... you did not get your choice of manager ... get over it!

Botheration and even stronger words to that effect. Now I cannot attend as working until 5pm. Blast and........ Not happy.

Have you tried Google maps?

Sometimes, when in a hole, it's best to stop digging.

I think Yogi is the ideal manager for our club. He's a down to earth guy, he doesn't like the long ball, he NEEDS this job, he has inherited a squad who seem to get on with him, he has given first team football to another TWO youth products (three home grown players in our squad is a massive achievement for a club which does not have the money to contribute to the programme) he's the man we can afford financially. he doesn't carry any obvious baggage by the end of this season he will have a squad playing the way HE feels is the way forward - with or without wingers money permitting ( the boards responsibility) he will do his best to sign players HE feels can do the job HE wants done. I really have confidence in this guy, I don't expect him to achieve overnight but I do believe he will get there. I also have realistic targets for our club - regular top six placing - anything else will be a bonus! Please stick with this guy - support him - make him feel wanted - make him feel a part of the family some say we are. We used to chant Butcher's name ( a man who kicked us in the teeth) and he responded in his usual way - wouldn't it be a nice gesture to treat Yogi in the same way? I'm sure his grin would be even wider!!!

What rubbish football is one of the oldest sports started off on grass and that's the way it should remain there is enough of a plastic issue going on already without adding to it by installing an artificial surface Ask any decent player and they would prefer to play on grass no argument If the day comes that top sides start laying these pitches you will see thousands of supporters walk away from the game and never return Artificial pitches what then? Venders going around selling hot dogs and popcorn? Karaoke for pop star wannabes at half time? Scottish football is fast becoming a circus on its own without trying to quicken the process Dougal

Summer footballs the answer. Warm weather. Everyone happy. Winter break. Christmas. Everyone happy.

Didn't find much sweetcorn then

Although I normally wouldn't argue with the sentiment you expressed, I don't think it was necessary to put it like that on this thread. It comes across as a bit pompous and self righteous to me, and that you are just defending the comments you made earlier when you called folks cowards and hypocrites for not taking direct action against the inappropriate singing.

Strikes me that far too many people seem content to sit quietly at the time of these problems...offended, but not so much that they wish to take action themselves...and then come on to the internet and moan and complain that others aren't doing anything.

As a loyal caley fan I was completely mortified at our fans singing about brittains wife jumping off the kessock bridge. Having a newborn baby Is hard enough without depression. This girl has been through hell and as a mother I cannot imagine sitting at a football match listening to mindless idiots singing about my personal and very difficult circumstances. Shame on you all !

Fully intending bringing it up at tomorrow's CJT board meeting Davie.

As Alex says, 2nd or 3rd would do it, but that's almost certainly beyond us now. But your scenarios for 4th place are spot on. I can't think of any other possible circumstances barring some unlikely UEFA Fair Play allocation. Just checked the Fair Play situation and Scotland are 9th with only the top 3 associations getting a club in, so that's gone! Wouldn't write us of just yet. We need to play all the teams and can take points of any of them. All those above us will drop points to Celtic and to each other so I think things will be a lot closer than they look at the moment. Here's my theory: Celtic take15 pts. We take 12 pts out of fifteen. The rest can then only take nine. Lets say Aberdeen take the 9 that would mean only 6 available for DU and Motherwell and St Johnstone. St Johnston take 3 from DU and Motherwell takes 3 from St Johnstone but lose to DU. Final Standings Celtic...............103pts Aberdeen..........72pts Inverness..........64pts Motherwell........63pts Dundee U.........57pts St Johnstone....51pts Simples really........................................now how to get that 12 pts.

Finland, Cyprus......who cares we'll be there. I couldn't even say Charlton at 10.00 the night of our pre-season friendly lol

I guess we've got to get used to long posts from DD now that he's retired...(!)...and, I feckin' love 'em!

I wouldn't consider most of what is on this thread negative at all. A few have certainly had it in for Yogi from the start and will jump on anything to justify their pre-conceived views but I think that most share Macduffer's view that they really want Hughes to succeed. I don't know why there are so many people who interpret criticism as negative. Criticism is made to draw attention to things you think are not right and much that has been on here is not just criticism, it is constructive criticism in that it is giving positive suggestions for improvement. Of course nobody likes to be criticised, but the best managers and the best performers actually welcome it. Indeed, processes of objective criticism of individuals are key management development tools. It is only by being honerst about the moments that are, as you put it it, "less than sterling" that you can properly identify and analyse weaknesses and address them to improve performance. Personally I think Hughes has the potential to be a very good manager indeed, but the Motherwell match was the most alarming 90 minutes of football I have ever witnessed and I make no apologies for saying so. What is negative is to refrain from criticism when things are not as they should be. That's a sure way to mediocrity. Let's applaud the team when they do well but equally let's criticise when criticism is due. Of course, some of the criticism offered will be good and some will be complete rubbish but most will be made with the best interest of the club at heart. If the manager and the players at this level can't use criticism to analyse their own performance then they really have no business being here. Just to illustrate the point. If you want someone to go from A to B and see them setting out on what you believe to be the road to C. What do you do? Do you, like me, say "Woah! where are you going? That's the road to C" or do you say nothing trusting that the person knows what they're doing. If you take my line they may say "thanks but there's a short cut to B this way" or they may just say "So it is, thanks for letting me know" Either way, the "criticism" is welcomed and they get to B in the end. Of course they may just ignore you and insist it is the right road and then end up with egg on their face when they get to C but at least you are no worse off than if you had said nothing at all. If you say nothing at all there may be a short cut but equally the person may end up at C and be pretty annoyed you saw them going on the wrong road but said nothing.

Mantis, have you any inkling who the 7 'mystery' teams are that have reportedly indicated they're wanting to (or have indeed applied to) join the Lowland League? Curious as to whether any of them are from the Juniors?! (Wonders if there's any way of splitting the thread in two so we can get on with laughing at Cownty) P&B thread here covers it Gets interesting around page 10

If the club could afford it I'd be all for a Fifa standard 4G or hybrid. I've played 11s (not at any great standard) on both surfaces over the years and always reckoned the standard of the games played was far higher when played on a decent new 4G pitch rather than on grass. No dodgy bobbles or massive mud patches to negotiate meant you could concentrate on what you were going to do when you got to the ball and not have to worry about whether it will reach you and if it does take a first touch to control it. the most modern of pitches don't leave burns when you slide and feel just about the same to run and pass on. Obviously better players than myself, and there are millions, would have the skill levels to be able to cope with these fluctuations in pitch quality. but imagine they didn't. imagine they could play a game on one surface as they had on the last. Would the overall quality not improve? if we lived in a country where our pitches (at all levels) could be guaranteed to stay good throughout the long season then grass definitely. But we don't and games can easily get cancelled and end of season games can descend into a farce and be won and lost by a errant bobble just when it matters the most. The EPL have a good standard of pitches through the season as they have the resources to keep them that way. We don't and we should make use of the technology that is available. the first option should always be grass but where it can't last the season artificial is just as good.

Plastic pitches a bit like mergers then ?

Poor Fraz just back from Easter Road in what seems a right foul mood I wonder why that is? Dougal

You sure you were listening to the right players as our game was on BT Sport, not Alba! Not sure what will happen with the pitch over the summer, but the club are painfully aware that it's not in the condition they would like it to be. I heard a while back that the groundsman wants to go to plastic. It might suit the game that Hughes wants to play, but it wouldn't be my preference to be honest. Why's the pitch taking such a battering this year by the way? I don't remember seeing it look so poor in a long time as it did at that Stranraer game (looking a bit better recently mind). Top surface of the pitch (about 2 inches) was replaced last summer. As I understand it, when you do that you're advised not to play more than 25 games on the surface over the following season. By playing U20's games on it (and with training on it as TB insisted on doing) it went beyond that pretty quickly. Moving U20's games to another pitch also means we lose out on money from the SFA as they don't pay as much "development" money if you don't use the same pitch as the first team....something we've had no choice but to do lately. With the advancements in artificial surfaces I don't think it would be a bad thing. Doesn't really matter what we think of them, it's what the players think. In terms of cost, I don't think there's much between digging up the complete pitch to re-do it from scratch and putting in an artificial one....but that's kinda academic when you don't have the funds to do either!!!

Could it possibly be that they are a bunch of jealous, vindictive bestards ?

At a home game v Celtic, there were supporters in the North Stand a few rows in front of me buying soft drinks quite a few times during the first half - it then became apparent that they were not ICT supporters (no cheering for ICT and, by the v signs given to the Main Stand towards half time)and then it became obvious they were topping up their soft drinks with alcohol secreted within their clothing. Although several persons around me commented, only I went forward to speak to the nearest Steward. He wanted me to point out the persons! but I told him I didn't have a yellow jacket, nor was paid to do his job, but for him to use his eyes and spot them - although I did say whereabouts he should be looking. From that moment, if looks could kill I would have been dead, the stewards gave me such bad looks, until, eventually, the "fans" lifted their half bottles to their soft drinks and were spotted and evicted. It is very difficult for fans, especially ladies, to go to stewards and complain, as they are then noted and could be victims of abuse.

I too am a Yogi doubter who, despite the difficult times at the begining and middle of his tenure, expressed no similar doubts about Butcher. I too think Hughes is a decent amiable enough man and I'd be delighted to be proved wrong. There seem to be those who view expressing concerns about how the manager is going about his business and about his previous history as being somehow disloyal to the club. No such thing, whether we are right or wrong, the vast majority of us comment in what we sincerely believe to be in the club's interests.

There is another point being missed but one that was mentioned by the players being interviewed on Alba after the game. They both mentioned the difference with using width at Dingwall but stressed that the pitch there allowed them to play that style whilst the state of our own pitch is a hindrence. Its sad to admit but the Dingwall pitch was in far better condition on friday night than ours was last saturday.

Wasn't able to get to the match but I am hugely encouraged by the reports and the little one sees on the highlights. The previous week was one of rather alarming developments with both what we saw on the pitch and heard off it. I don't think I have ever been as exasparated about the way a team has been instructed to play as I was against Motherwell midweek. It does sound as though Yogi has listened to criticism and hopefully he will be comitted to using width as an essential part of an exciting passing style of play. Clearly Doran was hugely influential yet again. IMHO Doran is the player around which the play revolves when the team play well. The more I see of Watkins the more impressed I am with him and have long been an advocate of Shinnie as a central midfielder. Comments about Billy being burnt out seem to have been found to be misplaced, with a bit of width and drive the chances were coming and Billy looked pretty sharp for his goal. With Draper back and Tansey replacing Vincent further forward I think we have a line up capable of playing a style of play which is perhaps, as CaleyD says, a compromise bewtween the Butcher style and the vision Hughes has. This balance seems the right style for the very talented squad we have available for next season and all the ingredients are there for a really exciting end product. It will be interesting to see whether Hughes sticks to this for the rest of the season or tries to add in other elements of his longer term vision too soon.

Yogi has been saying for weeks that he wanted to find a balance between the old style of play and his ultimate vision for the team...last night he managed that. I don't think he's deliberately abandoned the use of wingers in previous games...you need two of them fit to play that system for a start...and I also don't think we played them in the same manner as we did under previous stewardship. Aaron & Marley did a lot of squeezing in towards the middle which gave Carl & David ample opportunity to get down the flanks....often unmarked, with space and time to pick their final ball in to the area. The biggest plus for me last night was how well we coped without Ross & Richie in the middle of the park. I'm an advocate for having a couple of bigger guys in there to break up the play and win the physical midfield battle, but Greame and Greg did a fantastic job and offered pace from the middle which caused C*unty real problems....actually think Graeme may turn out to be a better central midfielder than he is left back, and he's one of the top left backs in the country. Billy was still dropping back a fair bit during the game, but when he did someone else was pushing up to take his place and preventing the C*unty back line pushing out on us. What's more, as a team we were constantly pushing further up the park and breaking from defensive situations in bigger numbers. Huge confidence boost for the squad and manager to finally get some just reward for all the effort. No idea where the lads found the energy from to go at the pace they did for 93 minutes, I'd be surprised if any of them moved far from the sofa this weekend. Two week break from matches (for most), but they'll be back in for training on Monday and with some time to get practical sessions in I can only see us going from strength to strength in the final 5 games of the season.

You keep this up, Dougal, and you may become a favourite poster.

I hope they ban seats as well then.

They had enough on with ICT beating everything on the park, without us beating everything off the pitch too.

Flares - were you still wearing them in 1994?

But I would take the responsibility becos I am one of the most law abiding, politically correct, mature and righteous individual in our support.

I think the best way to really kill bad taste chanting, apart from getting Agent N or IHE in about the offenders every time, is to drown them out with shouts and songs supporting our team and sing-along (for longer.. ) at the right ICT songs so that these "loons" understand what works to get other ICT fans singing. Out-sing/out-shout because as a support we all have the voices to do that to self police a minority amongst us . I'm not condoning in any what was sung, but I do believe it was a minority singing this and what happened was we as a support all went quiet because we didn't think it was inappropriate. i don't think we'll ever stop this sort of stuff by force - finger wagging, threats, 4rse kicking, etc.

Agent N gets to work:

This needs to be stamped out now, I would imagine that people know who was involved in this, name them. I will be asking for a ticket next to the singing section at the next game in Dingwall, and I will 'self police' if this happens again. If people think something like this is wrong, people should take action If in the unlikely event these people every manage to form a relationship with the opposite sex and actually persuade someone to let them reproduce I sincerely hope this never have to suffer this terrible illness.

Im not one usually to take offence. I think the world has gone too soft on petty things, like the throwing about of the term racism and bigot everywhere. BUT, i do think that singing about a mother who is struggling with the birth of a baby is in very bad taste. mabye these dickheads who were singing about it, will go thro it in years to come....and we will see how amusing it is then!

The content of the song is very difficult to look past .Its an individuals opinion . This took the shine of an otherwise brilliant night and the fans were exceptional best atmosphere for weeks .The result was the icing on the cake I agree we must not let a few idiots spoil the occasion but their idiocy and ignorance should be dealt with.

Watched the match on BT so it was not clear what was being sung. If what you say is true then the perpetuators should be singled out and put out! The behaviour of some of these young men and children is a disgrace that does nothing for our reputation. I have watched, along with stewards and police, as the mob chant/sing foul and abusive phrases but nothing is done. I know we need to keep our numbers up but do we really want these people in our ranks? neksor

It was my birthday yesterday and I wished for a win...I got it Tactically perfect (how refreshing), Shinnie in the holding role proved shrewd. While the welcome return of wingers worked well. Watkins and Doran were top notch. For me though pick of the bunch is Tansey, he controlled the middle of the park. Hardly put a foot wrong and was unlucky not to bag a goal. His best game since his return so far. Chuffed for Billy, finished well and was so unlucky with the chip, he would have deserved it. This was such a great end to whats been a miserable week. Now all we need to do is play like this against everyone else. On wards and upwards from here I hope.

Watched the game on BT Sport and I was very impressed. I read Yogis post match interview on the BBC which he makes reference to the games at County and Aberdeen where we ripped them apart and won quite comfortably. Now in each occasion we played with width even though the County game was a 4-4-2 which must tell yogi that he used two different systems in our two best performances of his tenure and yet they both worked because it had width, pace and drive. I said on another thread that if a passing game is what he wants then brilliant but the Barca ticka tacka i find boring compared to the more direct and fast paced Bayern. I would rather see games like tonight where we play with width and drive into that space then try and pass pass pass in congested areas with no room to go so fair play to Yogi. I know most people are gunning for him but he isn't stupid and surely he must watch recent performances (if he dares) and then watches tonight he must surely keep this from now one. But enough of Yogi and the past month it has been done to death tonight was great. Adams has no case for penalty and the disallowed goal looked offside in both phases of the play so they dot have a leg to stand on. Tremarco was lucky even though he got the ball which may have saved him but the amount of chances we created was great to see and hopefully we play like that until the end of the season i am sure we keep ST J of our backs and maybe pinch 4th which we know may still give us a European chance.

Just in from the game and what a game it was! All players involved had a tremendous game and have much more fight and desire than Ross County did. Credit to John Hughes for playing two wingers tonight and what an absolute joy it was to have Aaron Doran back in the side. Marley Watkins played superb tonight and pretty much turned Ross County 'Greek God' inside out. The most thing I was happy about with tonight is that we were playing narrow and wide. There was another thread today and I went on to say that we need the happy medium of both narrow and wide - tonight I felt we got that. I really can't wait to see Aaron Doran's goal again. ICT love a good goal outside the box these days! After restarting the second half and we conceded, I was thinking back to the St Mirren game and mindful of the Motherwell game only being a mere 3 days ago, I said to 'Old Caley Girl' "I don't think we are going to score again" couple minutes later Billy Mckay pops up and scores a brilliant goal. I was left with egg on my face but I don't care because ICT got the three points tonight and deservedly so! Listen, tonight was really good and the fans were superb as always. We totally outsang Ross County for 90 mins tonight, let's keep up this unity because end of the day the players are fighting tooth and nail every game and they deserve this. Let's get rid of the Yogi bashing and push the team forward for the fourth spot and possibly enter Europe via the back door. Superb tonight, great 2-1 win, also not forgetting it's 2-1 in the series of Highland Derbies too! Down with the Jambos! :ictscarf:

Glad to see Aaron back ,what a cracking goal had my doubts ahead of tonights game , Well done ICT for proving me wrong :ictscarf:

Brilliant result for everybody - especially Yogi. It takes a brave man to take a step back, realise his mistakes and play with width. Doran was superb and the snap was back. Same again for the rest of the season and we'll continue to make 20 chances a game!

Aye, sack them all eh, sack feckin everybody, you are so full of shyte, grow up will ya.

a dim buffoon

I told you, you shouldn't have bought your pc from the Dingwall Tescos