Leaderboard

It's not as straight forward to say that we did fine without his goals earlier this season so it doesn't matter he's away now. His game wasn't just scoring goals. He was still playing in those games where he wasn't scoring and contributing massively to the team. We won't just miss his goals. We'll miss his hold up play, his tireless running, his ability to link well with team mates. Yes other players can perhaps cover but can they do it effectively? Will the team be overly stretched as a result?

You would think we were bottom of the league the way a lot of folk on here are speaking. That or we were Billy Mckay FC. He's at Wigan now deal with it. We have goals in the team and we are 3rd because the team got us there not one guy. He doesn't need replaced we need to play to the strengths of the players we have. As for saying the club is actively trying to stop us getting into Europe that is a total joke. And our younger players are in a Development League if I'm not mistaken where individual development is more important than the standings in the league. But aye our club is doomed because we never signed a random below average guy that is deemed to be a striker in a small transfer window just to appease all the Football Manager fans we appear to have.

I can see the drama now with Gollum and his vanishing spray. Hi will be brandishing it as if it were a light sabre and use it for the most dramatic effect possible. Could the spray be used on the ref.

Don't get me wrong we are a very well run club. But we do make a mistake now and again (like everyone and everything). It seems to some people on here cannot accept that no-one is capable of making any error at all inside TCS. Regardless if they're nice people and all doing they're best (which I;m sure they are). There is a large group of people frustrated by lack of communication regarding Mckay leaving, not bringing anyone in and the ongoing contract situations. All they want is an official statement from the club. Defend the club on everything at all costs.

Not sure if it was this thread or the one specifically on Billy Mckay but I recall one poster stating that his goals weren't that important anyway. If we took away Mckay's goals this season we would be 11 points worse off compared to where we are now. He's played a major role in getting us where we are now and I think a lack of a replacement of giving fans justifiable cause for concern.

Or even...Come on the Jags !

People said last year that we would struggle without the leadership and drive of Foran when he got injured, however we seem to be doing ok. Football is a team game and as a club we have a squad, it not and never has been a one man team, Billy was an important player but he is gone and with the performances and results this season there are probably at least 11 other squad members on here cited as being great this year so I'm sure as a club we will cope. As posted earlier we were still scoring and winning when Billy went on a barren run after scoring in the opening wknd, so why without him can we not still do this?

In that case, ask him directly on the lack of communication on Foran and Brill's injury, and on Raven and Meekings' unease at the lack of a contract offer....

I think it is time we took stock and analysed what happened here. Nobody died! But reading some of the near hysteria on this thread, one would be forgiven in thinking someone had died! We lost our striker in the transfer window, probably a few months earlier than we expected him to go. A striker by the way, who apart from in the last few games, had scored precious few goals in all of 2014. Yet we still managed to achieve a good league position in 2013/14, and are on track to better that in 2014/15. No doubt I'll be branded a 'happy clapper' for even suggesting this is still possible. A lot has been talked about contingency plans. Maybe there was a plan to get a replacement in before the window. I don't know. Maybe Yogi expects Foran to play a part before the end of the season, and/or he feels there is sufficient talent in the squad to cope without Mckay. One thing I was surprised about was letting Mckay's cover, Sekajja, go a few weeks before Mckay. To me this reinforces my view that Mckay moving in the window was unexpected. But it is clearly down to Yogi now to manage the resources he has to ensure we maintain momentum for the rest of the season. That is how we will judge him, and I, for one, expect him to succeed. Looking to the future (next season onwards) it is clear that significant effort is required by the club to ensure that at least Meekings and Raven stay. Hopefully Watkins too. I think losing two stalwarts from the defence would be an even bigger challenge for us than losing Mckay. Anyway, onwards and upwards, starting with a good cup win at Partick on Saturday. See some of you there!

combination of factors I think ... in Piermayr's case he went on trial with Chicago who rejected him and then Colorado came calling when they had a bit of a defensive injury crisis just weeks into the season. They appear to have remembered him from a game where he played against them during his trial with Chicago. I think its also likely Andreas Herzog (asst coach of USA) and former coach of Piermayr might have had a word ... or perhaps he just has a good agent who managed to make the most of padding his CV especially the fact he was an U21 international and his "positional versatility" which is a big thing in MLS given the salary cap. The links below do mention his versatility and the last link is an interview where he mentions turning to Herzog for advice. He suffered an MCL injury towards the end of last season and his (contract extension) option was not picked up by Colorado. He no longer appears to be on Colorado's squad list but due to the vagaries of MLS, Colorado retain first right of refusal if he does sign back with MLS. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/04/03/scrambling-defense-colorado-rapids-sign-thomas-piermayr-target-second-additi http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/04/02/colorado-rapids-announce-signing-austrian-defender-thomas-piermayr http://www.coloradorapids.com/news/2014/09/country-boy-piermayr-loving-life-colorado-and-mls As for Proctor, I am actually a little surprised that Proc did not tout himself around a few MLS teams, or maybe he did without success (?) but I would have thought his versatility in DEF/MID might have got him a roster spot as depth cover in the same way as it got TP a contract. Having said that, he would count as a foreigner in MLS and teams are hesitant to use the limited spots they are allowed for bench players and the Piermayr signing was an emergency in Colorado's case. In Dani's case, I think he may be a victim of circumstance and timing. MLS has a lot of good/speedy athletes especially those who fancy themselves as wingers and with the various drafts just being completed and teams now in pre-season a lot of players are "in camp" for most MLS teams right now. His chance may come yet .... USL/NASL teams dont typically stand in the way of a player when MLS comes calling .....

I'm afraid Januarys will always be shitey if we're doing well! Were a small "selling" club, so will lose good players to wealthier teams. We might be p!ssed off with our lot, but Hamilton have done even worse. Not many fans of Scot Prem teams are very happy - Celtic and Aberdeen were the only winners. Hamilton, however, have a million pounds in the bank to ease the pain...more once the development fee for Stephen Hendrie is added.

so basically the same level that David Proctor was playing at at FC Edmonton. There is a bit of a pedigree surrounding FLS. They were members of the original NASL in the 70s, and also competed in its successor, MLS, as 'Miami Fusion' for 4 seasons (1998-2001). They rebranded themselves back to FLS in 2010 to compete in the newly revamped second tier of North American football (the new NASL). There is a lot of Brazilian influence at the club with Romario and Zinho being former players (and manager in Zinho's case) and with Ronaldo (the Brazilian one, not Cristiano) being confirmed as part owner - and possible part-time player - back in December. Wonder if he is hoping he might get a little stepping stone to play alongside Kaka at Orlando FC or to sign for Beckhams yet to be organised new Miami FC (if they ever get approved for a stadium in downtown Miami).

Dani Sanchez has moved to Florida and signed for Fort Lauderdale Strikers. Their website describe him as 'veteran' - he's recently just turned 30! http://www.strikers.com/news/detail/uuid/cai8al05d2df1j8xf9rdjflr9/strikers-sign-spanish-midfielder-dani-sanchez#.VNNydWdybDc

If you look at just two recent examples, I doubt we would have got more than a draw out of the St Mirren and Kilmarnock games without Billy. His goals in those games were exceptional, and if anyone (like Malky MacKay) had seen those goals I have no doubt they would have said sign up immediately. I was expecting him to go, it is just a great pity that it couldn't wait until summer, since he was really hitting a scoring streak, and we have our best chance to finish top four. So i think it is likely that some games will end in draws, not wins, without his ability. He's been such a stalwart for us, I will miss him and his great attitude and application.

Collum!!? Don't think I'll bother making the 640 miles round trip in that case FFS.

We lost our only striker, we may have to get by for now, we may find a gem in the team who fits in well up front, we may have to wait to see who can be brought in. That's about it really. In the mean time Come on the Caley. Together we believe.

You can't know that...because if Mckay hadn't been playing then someone else would have and we have no way of knowing what they would have contributed directly in terms of goals.

Spot on RIG but let's say that Marley Watkins gets a knock on Saturday and is out for 2-3 games ? What would have happened if we didn't have Ryan to come in for Deano ? Do we not have "cover" for most other places on the park ? Call me old fashioned but the position at other ends of the park are essential. Every team needs a steady and reliable goalkeeper and a goal scorer. I also felt that last season one of the reasons that we fell away is that we were relying too much on Billy and he got washed up. Anyway I will hold back until the end of February becos we really need to stay in the Cup and there really are NINE possible points up fer grabs. This could be another unbeaten month. And that would give us time to find some kind of cover and would leave us sitting relatively pretty - especially in the League and hopefully through to the QF 's, a favourable draw and the third semi on the trot. It's a funny old game.

The hype over this Ferguson lad is unbelievable ... how many appearances and goals has he scored in the SPFL?? ... and he should be thrown in and expected to replace a 20 goal a season striker.. no pressure then!?! When he doesn't meet these expectations I'm sure no one will get on his back like they did with Rory McAllister We have received a transfer fee for one of our players for once (although undervalued) so the board should have invested this. Yogi had gone on the record to say he expected to lose McKay and Shinnie so no doubt has handed a list of possible replacements to the board and instead they have used the Mike Ashley approach - pretend to look for replacements to appease the fans and actually do feck all and wait for the clock to run down til it's too late. Butcher as good as said it last time we missed out on Europe the board believe it will be too expensive so are actively looking to avoid it. I'm sure they think this as having the best interests of the club at heart but it is completely short-sighted

Aye, best not sign a striker, in case they turn out to be another Billy Mckay or Adam Rooney!

Yes I It does look as if he had a tall.. column.. of reds to explain.

This was almost an excellent post until you said Roy McBain was one of our best ever holding midfielders!!!

Forever In Our Hearts

There are dozens of examples of top players starting out in one position and transitioning to a completely different role (Bale, Henry, Ronaldo, Mascherano, Matthaus - just off the top of my head. Even just looking at our own club - Jim Calder started life as a centre forward, but ended up being one of our best ever goalkeepers. Dennis Wyness started as a midfielder, but ended up being our all time top goal scoring centre forward. Roy McBain started as a winger, but ended up being one of our best ever holding midfielders. Ross Tokely started as a striker, but ended up being one of our best ever right backs. Graeme Shinnie started as a left back, but also excels at right back and central midfield. We're too obsessed with categorizing footballers in this country. We have plenty of talented attacking players with pace, skill, vision and an eye for goal - all the attributes required for a centre forward. There's no reason whatsoever why Marley Watkins, Ryan Christie, Aaron Doran, Nick Ross or James Vincent can't play up front. We should focus on footballing ability, not artificial labels. Thankfully we have a manager who looks beyond narrow 'specialist' positions and looks to be trying to develop well-rounded footballers with full-spectrum knowledge of the game. I hope he succeeds. Let's give him a chance.

It seems to me that this is a tipping point for the club. We are where we are (which is punching above our weight), but do we continue to develop and grow as a team and as a club or do we drop back to what might be seen as a natural level for a club with our resources and fan base? It is also a tipping point for the manager. He took over a team that was 2nd in the league and was fortunate to be able to retain almost the entire squad for this season. He has also been fortunate that with the exception of Foran we have been relatively injury free. This is where he starts getting tested. I've said it before and I will no doubt say it again, but with The Rangers, Hearts and Hibs all out of the picture, this season and probably next offers a unique opportunity for success and a European place. Whilst I am all for sound financial management and adopting policies with the long term viability of the club in mind, I do think we should be seizing the unique combination of having a brilliant squad and weakened opposition to achieve something we may never have the opportunity to again. A European place might not of itself bring in money but it would bring kudos and make this a more attractive proposition for future players. It would, of course, be brilliant for the fans. What concerns me is the lack of information and the generally negative vibes coming from the club at this time of great opportunity. When interviewed after the dismal draw against County it was put to Yogi that we have a number of other players who are capable of scoring and that we might might not miss Billy too much. Yogi responded by saying that we certainly will miss him as he's a natural born goal scorer. From that one can assume that he doesn't see Billy's departure as being something that can be fixed from within. That being the case, what efforts were done to replace him? After all, they knew there was a very high chance he would be going. Yogi has previously stated that he would not be bringing anyone in unless he felt they were better than we already have and would strengthen the team. Yet it seems that the only player we know of who was pursued was a 30 year old squad player from Southend. That hardly sounds like a ringing vote of confidence in the players we currently have. Nor does it sound like a professional effort at replacing a player who they almost certainly knew was off. It does, however, seem like an admission that the club thinks we need to bring a striker in. In the interview Yogi also blamed the pitch and said that they would need to make changes to the way we play to cope with the stickier pitches at this time of year. These days, if the pitch is a mud bath the games gets postponed. If the pitch is deemed playable then it is exactly that - playable, and professional footballers trained in crisp passing of a football should be able to pass the ball on a soft surface. What is the point of completely remodelling the playing style if you then abandon it at the business end of the season because the pitches are soft. Soft pitches in a Scottish winter! Whoever would have thought it! He went on to say that we have been good at keeping clean sheets and that we need to keep doing that and nick the odd goal at the other end. That sounds very much like letting other teams come on to us and then punting it up the field for Marley to chase. A bit like what happened against the bottom team in the league on Saturday. The rest of the season sounds like it could be fun! Of course, if you want to keep clean sheets you need to have a good defence. We have that at the moment, but for how long? We know Shinnie is away next season but what of Meekings and Raven? We understand that Meekings wants a one year contract and the club wants a longer one so it should be something that can be sorted out easily enough. But the longer it goes on unresolved then the more likely it is that other more cash rich clubs will offer Josh a longer contract for more money and, much as he may want to stay for other reasons, he'll be off. As for the David Raven situation I have to confess to being baffled. He has been repeatedly quoted as saying he wants to stay but has not been offered a new contract. I find it almost unbelievable that the club would not have offered him a contract but yet to the best of my knowledge they have not refuted what Raven is saying. It really is imperative to get these two players and others who are out of contract at the end of the season signed up as soon as possible. The money we got from Billy should help as should the money we will get from a decent league position. If we can't do that the position will be looking grim. We have just lost arguably our most important player and will lose our acting club captain at the end of the season. Unless contracts get signed soon we could lose 2 more key defenders who actually want to stay here, and possibly others as well. In the meantime, we did not strengthen in the window and we have no word of anyone coming in for the new season. We have also yet to see anyone come in on a loan basis who does anything to strengthen the team. After over a year, we have yet to see any evidence of Yogi being able to attract players to the club who are as good as any of the current first team squad. Obviously I would not expect the club to make public announcements about the detail of contract negotiations or which players may be being chased with a view to summer signings, but I would expect some general information of what is going on. We may get some good news on contract extensions very soon, we may get news that players have been secured on loan or on pre-contract agreements and we might find that the change of tactics is to press the opposition harder and play football in the opponents half (Greg Tansey thunderbolts and Nick Ross nipping in to pick up the pieces - that sort of thing) but the vibes we are getting suggest otherwise. Which way is the club going to tip? Onward to an early season European campaign and a challenge for honours next season, or back next season to a bottom six survival scrap? Come on ICT - it's time to show the fans that the contingency plan involves a drive for the former and not resigning yourselves to the likelihood of the latter. We have a great squad of players at a time when the league is as weak as it has ever been. It is a time of unprecedented opportunity for the club so please, let's seize this opportunity and let's see some evidence of ambition from the club.

It's quiet in the main stand today

Humpty would be no use,whenever he goes down he just goes to pieces.