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I find the above by DD quite puzzling. If there was ever a beautiful illustration of taking a collection of unattributed and, in some cases only half utilised, stats to illustrate what amounts to a delusion (a preconcieved idea, fixed and not amenable to rational examination or alteration) regarding Hughes, that's it. Please, please abandon the anti-Hughes agenda DD, almost everyone else has. Or give me a rational basis to agree on. Let's look at this; our success flattered us. Over the course of a season, you get the success you deserve - luck eventually runs out. That's what makes a league competition so difficult, and success in one prized. You don't get lucky. Hughes happened to be "in the right place at the right time" Has he done nothing to influence matters? Actually, he completely altered the style of play from the Butcher era and initially the team suffered. He brought in people who could play that style and is building on that - managing. It's his side, not Latapy's. His signings are no more or less successful than his predecessors. I could dig out the excoriating criticism levelled at Billy Mckay on this forum as an example of this. However, on the basis of a couple of pre-season games you are willing to categorise recent signings as a "mixed bag". I'll wait. There are genuine questions as to us requiring an out and out striker (on the grounds that one might have capitalised on the many chances we created against Astra) but one of sufficient quality to gel quickly, be fully match fit and be guaranteed to hit the ground scoring would be beyond our means. They generally cost in excess of £250K minimum. You quote 52% possession averages as being "hardly what you would expect" Can you tell me where that figure lies in relation to all other clubs in the league? In isolation, it means nothing. I know that you are worried by the dearth of goals that we score, but I'm sure that you will agree that the difference that you identify between 1.36 and 1.67 goals per game, averaged over a season, is statistically insignificant. You also can't compare a "year and a bit" against a season. It has to be like for like. As for this year's league, it may or may not be stronger and we may or may not suffer injuries. Neither you nor I know. Hughes has added to the squad - Wedderburn, for instance looks like adequate cover for Draper, a player previously seen as indispensable and that will help when injuries intervene. By the way, you omitted to mention injuries to Brill, Vincent and Raven that impacted upon their seasons and ours. Overall, we were lucky, but not that lucky. I agree that Ryan Christie is a marvellous talent, to be nurtured and progressed. He is not, however, a one man band - if you recall there were games that he struggled to impact upon and that was to be expected. Finally, the league was what it was. You can only play the teams that are there and I'm sure that supporters of Aberdeen, Hamilton, Dundee and Celtic would disagree that any of the teams that you mention would have offered more than them. Hamilton, for instance,were in the league because they beat Hibs fair and square for the privilege. And please, Rangers making the league stronger? Did you see them last year? They were nothing more than a tired old orthodoxy struggling vainly for any kind of relevance in a game that has passed them by. They would bring nothing to the premiership. There you are DD - they are my thoughts, nothing more. I'll await this season in expectation, hope and a genuine belief that we can replicate the league achievements of last year. And I'll give Hughes the credit he deserves if it happens.

After the euphoria of a top 3 finsh, qualification for Europe and winning the cup, I'm glad to see some some sensible expectations here. PerfICT and RiG sum things up pretty well but I think we are more likely to feature at the bottom end of the table than the top. With the success last season many people confessed to eating humble pie regarding Yogi. I have to confess that my humble pie is still firmly in place at the back of the freezer and I remain unconvinced. Of course last year's success was brilliant but I think it is unfortunate that so much of the credit is directed at Hughes. I think our success last year flattered us in relation the general level of performance but nevertheless was rich reward for the club as a whole - to the Board who have managed the finances of the club responsibly over the years and to the backroom staff and volunteers who have done so much to make the steady rise of the club possible. Hughes just happened to be in the right place at the right time and was lucky. He was lucky for a number of reasons. He inherited the best squad of players this club has ever had. It is this squad he has used during his more than one and half seasons here and it afforded him huge stability for his first full season. We were remarkably injury free last season. True Foran was absent throughout, but with the rest of the squad fit he would have been struggling to feature in the starting line up. The season saw the emergence of Ryan Christie from the youth ranks. He became increasingly influential and his value to the team is reflected in the number of bigger clubs keeping tabs on him. The league was the weakest for years. There was no Rangers, Hibs or Hearts. Motherwell and Kilmarnock were significantly poorer than usual and Dundee Utd hit the self destruct button half way through the season. And if truth be told, apart from the semifinal all our ties in the cup were against struggling clubs and we generally struggled to beat them. I'll come back to Celtic later. The record books will show that Hughes has taken us to our highest ever league position and won the cup, but some of the stats behind that paint a bit of a different picture. Looking back over the last 3 seasons and splitting them into the pre-Hughes era and the Hughes era the facts for the 3 league campaigns are these. Points per game: Pre-Hughes 1.61 : 1.49 Hughes Goals scored per game 1.67 : 1.19 Goals conceded per game 1.39 : 1.19 Goal Difference +14 : 0 Given all the positive factors going for us last season, I struggle to see how these figures demonstrate the significant progression of the team that some would have us believe. What is particularly worrying for me is the dramatic drop in the number of goals scored per game (and that was when we actually had a decent striker!) I know we were awful in the 2nd half of the 2013/14 season but last season we only managed 1.36 goals per game compared to 1.67 in the final year and a bit of the Butcher era.. Hughes has radically changed the style of play with an oft repeated emphasis on possession, but are we actually keeping possession? The fact is, our record on that is no too good either. Over the course of the league season last year we averaged only 52%. Hardly the sort of figure you would expect of a team which focuses on possession football and which finishes 3rd in the league. This is why I worry about the coming season. We are focusing on possession even though we are not actually that successful at it and as a result we create very little in the final third and score very few goals. I worry even more following Latapy's departure because I do sense that he was trying to advocate a more positive approach. It is worth saying a quick word about playing Celtic. We do pretty well against them and I think the reason is that they expect to dominate teams and simply try to play through any team at Scottish level. This leaves space behind them which suits a counter attacking style of play. It probably particularly suited Shinnie, Watkins and Mckay who, alas are all gone. We manage to do well against Celtic because when we win possession we are in a position to get behind them. Other teams sit back against us and we try to patiently play a tight passing game through them. Occasionally it works and it can be great to watch but for long periods we get tedious sparring in the middle of the park interspersed by a panicky back pass or two. What I'm saying is that we are at risk of being found out this season. We have lost some key players, the league will be stronger and we may not have the same luck with avoiding injuries this season. This season we will really see what Yogi is made of. Does he have the ability in the transfer market to adequately replace those who have left? Signings made to date look a bit of a mixed bag on first impressions, but time will tell. Will he be able to persuade those he wants to stay to extend their contracts beyond the end of the season? Will he find a way of introducing a bit more creativity into his style of play both to create both more chances and better entertainment value? Unless the answers to those questions are "Yes", then we will struggle this season and gates will fall.

I still have prize money waiting for 5 winners of the ‘Time of First Goal competitions’ from the bus convoy. I know two of their names are Shona MacGillivray and James Vallano and the other 3 should have winning slips with the 0-0 result printed on them. Can anyone that knows Shona, James or any of the other 3 who did not get their prize money in Romania please get in touch with me so I can get their money to them. We managed to reduce the cost of the coaches so we have £640 left over which, after discussion with CJT, we have decided to donate to a Romanian charity on behalf of ICT fans. We are currently trying to establish which is the best charity to give the money to but it will be one that helps homeless children or orphans - I will let you know the name of the charity as soon as we decide and will make sure that ICT fans get some recognition for the donation. Finally – thanks to everyone who made the trip and contributed to a fantastic few days in Romania. Hopefully we can do it all again next year – maybe someone else will be stupid enough to book the first minibus next time……

Now 2-2 away to West Ham. Perhaps puts our performance in perspective.

I have no anti-Hughes agenda. Of course he had a significant contribution to the success of last season, but what I am saying is that there were a range of factors in his favour which should be taken account of in forming expectations for this year. We all have our opinions but in debating points can we please base our arguments on what others actually said and not on what you may have liked them to said. I'll just respond to a few points. I say he inherited a great squad of players and you say "His signings are no more or less successful than his predecessors". Could you please tell me who all these players are that he signed and who were such an integral part of our success last year? You state "you are willing to categorise recent signings as a "mixed bag". I'll wait." What I said was "Signings made to date look a bit of a mixed bag on first impressions, but time will tell." So I'm doing what you are doing - and waiting. "Time will tell". Then you ask "You quote 52% possession averages as being "hardly what you would expect" Can you tell me where that figure lies in relation to all other clubs in the league?" Well the average for the league is obviously 50%! A meager 2% above that does not really sound like a top 3 team basing its game on possession of the football does it? You continue with "but I'm sure that you will agree that the difference that you identify between 1.36 and 1.67 goals per game, averaged over a season, is statistically insignificant." Well, no! I won't agree. That's nearly 20% fewer goals! Fans come to see goals so I hope it is not 20% fewer fans also. That would be very significant indeed. You then say "And please, Rangers making the league stronger? Did you see them last year? They were nothing more than a tired old orthodoxy struggling vainly for any kind of relevance in a game that has passed them by." But The Rangers are not going to be in the top flight this season! What I am saying is that the league last year was weaker than previously when Rangers, Hibs and Hearts were all there. I am also saying that I believe the league will be a little stronger this season than last. But yes, Rangers were rubbish last year although you will recall they still managed to knock us out of the League cup because of our negative approach to the game. Finally you say "I'll await this season in expectation, hope and a genuine belief that we can replicate the league achievements of last year. And I'll give Hughes the credit he deserves if it happens." Whilst I don't share your belief that we can replicate last season's top 3 finish, I agree with the rest. If we do have a top 3 finish the humble pie will be taken out of the freezer. I trust that if we don't make top six you will be humble enough to revise your opinion of just how far forward Hughes has taken the club.

I still do not rate Aberdeen as a Team....a really good squad of individuals but not a Team....They were very fortunate to get second place .....but for one poor spell that we had, we could have taken second spot.....I like the way our team is building....a good poacher required then we will be the ones pushing the Millionaires I feel this will be the year of the Highlanders with our neighbours clinching a top six too.

Astra will be disappointed to only draw against a side who were taken to penalties by the no-hopers from Malta Seriously though, it is dreadful that the side that qualified through the fair play rule have had a player sent off in each of the last 3 Europa league qualifiers. If big Sam was still there they would have sailed through no problem.

I think the team I'll go with is - Esson* Raven - Meekings - Warren - Williams Draper - Tansey - Wedderburn Doran - Lopez - Christie * I think Fon Williams will start. I'd play Williams at left wing back thus allowing Christie to tuck in and directly support Lopez. Doran would be a more orthadox winger. Wedderburn and Draper filling gaps for full backs forward runs. Tansey pulling strings.

I want an improvement on last year so winning the league should be our target (failing that I'll settle for my usual 11th place and a cup run)

seems to have come from here along with this commentary ..... translation courtesy of Google ! http://www.giurgiuveanul.ro/stiri/video-suporterii-echipei-scotiene-inverness-ct-au-sosit-la-giurgiu/

I can't understand this attitude of "We need a goalscorer but they cost £X thousand and we don't have that so nevermind". We paid £30,000 for Rooney and a similar amount for Iain Stewart. Hardly megabucks. Mckay was free, so was Wyness, so was Ofere, so was Paul Ritchie and so was Craig Dargo. This is the season we need to show if we're willing to make the step up and top six should be the aim.....no, the expectation. There's nothing worse than this whole "shiny happy people holding hands, we're just happy to be here and hope we stay up" mentality and we should be beyond that now. There's nothing more negative than just being happy with just staying up. On the whole though, I'm quite optimistic about this season. As we saw in the Astra games, we've still got a strong base of the squad but we desperately need a goalscorer. If we find one, we could surprise a few people again this season. If we don't, it could be a frustrating season, but we should still be able to make the top six.

Yogi seems like quite a fair manager to me, if players come in and do well they keep their place. Wedderburn was very good over in Romania, so it would be harsh to drop him. Thinking a little outside the box, I wonder why big Drapes has been pigeon holed as a holding midfielder. I've always thought he did a lot of good work in the final third, and always poses an attacking threat. Now that we have another good holding midfielder, perhaps we could consider pushing Drapes further forward?

I don't think (m)any of us expect to repeat the dizzy heights of 14/15, for the reasons you outline. However, I think you are very unfair on Hughes to attribute that success to him being "lucky" and "in the right place at the right time".

While i do see where you are coming from in a lot of that post I think calling Yogi "lucky" is a bit harsh. At the end of the day whatever team you inherit you need to get the best out of them, keep team spirits up and get them winning games. Our best season to date proved he did that. I also have concerns for this season but I also had them for last season, lets hope we are pleasantly surprised once again.

My main hope/expectation for us this season is to maintain our status as an established 'Top Six' side. Without a doubt the departure of Graeme Shinnie, Marley Watkins and Edward Ofere were always going to make it difficult for us to replace them very quickly given our resources but I feel the additions we have added so far will be of good quality once the season is well under way. The main thing to remember is that we still have a large number of players that won the Scottish cup last season, so in that respect we still have a good stable squad that can do the business on the pitch. We were defeated by 1 set piece against a European side who in previous knocked out Lyon in last year's europa league qualifiers. End of the day, I and many others will know that the players have what it takes to repeat another successful season and will give it 110% as per.

Fabulous effort DBJ, also nice to know that some less fortunate Romanians will benefit from our trip. The buses were a great crack, and who knows how we all would have managed to get back to Bucharest after 11pm without your sterling efforts. So big pat on the back. The whole trip was a great experience, with a really impressive display of support. The team really put in a shift as well, for those not there I can assure you the effort and energy and focus they displayed was tremendous. They were only undone by the bit of fortune Astra got in Inverness. They were no mugs either and we should be proud we went toe to toe with them in our first European adventure, and without our best former players. The Romanians we met were friendly and always willing to help, the beer was good, the food was excellent, the place is cheap for us and they have a wonderful country, from the Danube Delta to the Carpathian Mountains. So a resounding success. Bring some more on.

He also inherited the strongest squad in our history. I'm not questioning his coaching ability. Just expressing apprehension that our transfer policy, which has served us so well, seems to have radically changed.

It's only a matter of time til Garry O'Connor gets a mention! We wouldn't be able to afford the fee Selkirk would be after..

A man without ambition is a poor man. An ambitious man will work for low pay if he knows he can prove himself and improve his wage given the chance.

I don't see a problem. If a player has not received a "better" offer it will be because clubs feel he is not worth the kind of money he is looking for. If a player aspires to play at a level warranting that kind of money then he needs to prove himself. He will only be able to prove himself if he gives 100% to the cause and develops as a player. He might even like it here and decide to stay (if offered an extension)!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-33719976 Mental!!!!!

As always, i will be happy avoiding relegation. if we can achieve that, then that, in my eyes, is a decent season. I will probably take pelters for this, but i believe last season was a one off, facilitated by a much weakened "Top League" AND i dont think we will see another season like that for manys a year. With Hearts being back in the league, it makes it that bit tougher this season. So, with that all said, i think if the lads can make the top 6, that will be a big achievment. I reckon Celtic, Aberdeen, Hearts and Dundee Utd will all finish above us this season, So 5th spot would be a target.