Leaderboard

When you go (down) will you send back A letter from Alloa Take a look up the railtrack From Dumbarton to Cappielow Sportscene no more Dingwall no more Full time no more Foran no more.....

This has probably all been posted before but We aren't having a bad season, we are having the worst season. Unless we have some sort of stunning turnaround we are relegated and relegated as one of the worst teams to play in the top flight of Scottish football in decades. Gretna, who were a bankrupt shambles in their top flight season, won five games. That's the level this team are at. Every area has been a failure: - Recruitment - Has Foran signed a player who has improved the team? I don't think he has. Maybe Billy Mckay but improving the team by signing him isn't exactly a managerial masterstroke. We have signed bench-warmers, who bat about Scottish clubs trying to find a good season to get a few more contracts. Guys like Brad McKay, Billy King and Henri Anier fall into this category. While watching the game the other night Billy King forced a corner and I said to my mate that his agent will be putting that in his highlights reel when he tries to get a new club - that's all these guys are interested in and that's how bad they are. We were starting Doumbaya in "must-win" games then we released him a day later, who is planning this? - Team selection - It's bizarre at times the sides that we are putting out. I think that Foran and his team are over-thinking things, trying to tinker because they are panicked at what is happening. In February we chanced upon a couple of good performances with a midfield trio of Polworth, Tansey and Draper but almost as soon as we found that we moved away from it. To drop Draper and Billy Mckay for a derby game and then complain that we don't have enough "nasty lads" is beyond belief. To make Vigurs captain is the same (we've got others just as bad as Vigurs btw). - Coaching - The players don't know what they are supposed to do on the pitch. What is this team's identity, how do we play, what are we trying to do? Do we want to pass it, are we direct, do we want to play on the counter? No-one knows. We don't have anything underpinning lobbing players onto the pitch and hoping it works out. This means the players don't have any confidence, it means they make mistakes, it leads to stupid decisions - the game on Friday we literally handed County three goals, the first goal and two penalties. Terrible decision making but what help and direction are the players getting? None. We have poor players badly set up and badly coached. - Organisation. I've heard that the day-to-day running of things on the playing side hasn't been great, that there's been problems with training and that all isn't well behind the scenes. We have a goalkeeper who lobs the ball in his own net every few weeks but we loan out our back-up keeper out without a clear option to recall him so are reduced to effectively bringing Esson out of retirement when we shell OFW out of the side for the second time this year? We have the worst season in our history, have directors resigning and the response is to bring back our former assistant manager as a coach? With five games to go when we are five points adrift? It's ridiculous. I'd be amazed if we sack Foran and it's dangerous times. If we go into next season with the same rag-tag squad on far less money, our crowds will reduce. If people think we are going to bounce straight back and go on a First Division tour then they need their heads examined. Dundee United were in a better situation this season and they are in no way guaranteed to come back up. I wouldn't be surprised for us to be nearer the bottom than the top of the First Division given our current form. I don't really have much hope even if we did sack Foran. Who are we going to bring in as a replacement? If we'd got rid a few months back we would've been a more attractive option than a lot of other clubs now we'll be a floundering Championship club with a reduced budget and a demoralised squad and fanbase. Best case scenario if he stays is that he shows a capacity for learning, we manage to keep together the bones of a competent squad and build on it. I'm not hopeful.

So, with us apparently doooooomed, what does next season look like down the divisions? Most of the answers will be known in the next 10 days or so, with some being settled this weekend. First, the bottom of SPFL2. With one game left, Cowdenbeath are 3 points adrift of Clyde and Berwick, and face a trip to Elgin, who still have a chance of a playoff spot. If Cowden fail to climb off the bottom this Saturday they will play off against East Kilbride or Buckie, who are tied at 2-2, but EK have home advantage and play on the plastic. At the top, Arbroath will be champions if they win at Stirling or at least match Forfar's result at home to Annan. SPFL1 is where we begin to take an interest. Livi are champions (insert vomiting smiley here) and Alloa, Airdrie and Brechin should make the playoffs. East Fife have a slim chance of sneaking in, for those of us who are too young to remember our only visit to Bayview Stadium in 1998. In the Championship Ayr appear to be doomed like us, so we will not get a nice trip to the Ship Inn . Yogi's Raith Rovers may need to survive the playoffs, but they can finish 8th if they beat Ayr and St Mirren lose at Hibernian. I'd much rather see The Midden go down but this is unlikely since Jack Ross took over. ICT will get a first ever visit to Dumbarton's stadium, whatever it's called these days. Obviously Hibs will pass us on the way up and that leaves a playoff involving Falkirk, Utd, Morton and team 11 from the Premiership. So: prediction time. We are doomed and the Championship next season will comprise : ICT Falkirk Morton Utd Livi Alloa (but possibly renewing hostilities with Yogi at Stark's Park instead) St Mirren DAFC QoS Dumbarton

That won't be far off. A frighteningly tough league with half a dozen sides with resources similar or greater than our own. Personally, I think if we are going to have any realistic prospect of escaping at the first time of asking we are going to have to have a competent manager with experience of that division. Maybe someone in the Gus MacPherson mould.

Like it or not in terms of achievements and silverware he is the most successful manager we've had but comparatively, no he's not the most 'quality'. I don't think I claimed that he was.

I agree. It seems, sadly for him and even more sadly for the club, Foran, despite his best efforts, is turning out to be a very poor manager and it is probably better for there to be a parting of the ways. However, as OCG says, that is no reason to suggest that he was 'stealing wages' from the club when he was out injured through no fault of his own and desperate to play. There are more than enough issues surrounding the club to be concerned about right now without inventing new and spurious ones.

At least next season we'll get more Saturday 3pm games.

As you say you dont know what their involvement is? Im not sure why you are making this a big deal? Weve got bigger problems than injured players taking sick leave! From what I hear from parents of youth players at the club the senior players do help out injured or not. It is also not their fault they are injured! As for Foran maybe John Hughes didnt want him in dugout? We dont know so you are providing a lack of evidence as to what role players take within the club , when not visible to us? On the matchday point I agree but I doubt they were ever asked re the potential activities mentioned bar maybe hospitality.

Please note our away game to Dundee is moved from Tues 16th to Wed 17th now (incase DUtd have a play off game) - so for those of us who have asked for time off work or made advanced travel plans we get screwed over again for a match that hasn't even been decided as yet. As ever amazing planning from all sides.

Is it though? He like several players in our squad have picked up very generous salaries - if you consider Foran injured for 2 years and now failed managered, Doran out for 2 years and MacNaughton practically injured all year - now while some will say that nobody chooses to get injured - what have they done in the background. What did Foran do for his 2 years, he may have done some coaching badges but as the man earmarked to take over from Hughes where was his involvement in the coaching during this time, I accept Hughes left soon than expected by Foran should have been better prepared by this time and had more experience. For certain individuals we get poor levels of return IMO. Like the Foran situation the fault with all this lies with the board making poor choices and offering contracts either through desperation or sentiment.

There is also the small matter of the rules ..... you cant just let anyone into the technical area ... 6 people max ... so that would have been Manager, Assistant, a couple of coaches, and likely doctor and kit person.

I always thought it was going to easier to get out of the Championship at the bottom end rather than the top. If the board don't get themselves and the management situation sorted that will be a distinct possibility - the list of our opponents next season highlights that dismal thought. It promises to be a difficult season and we could easily end up further down the pyramid with highland derby games against Peterhead and Elgin!

Ouch. Can't really argue with it, though. If this is an indication of Foran's relationship with the players, then no wonder he peppers his terrible post match interviews with digs at them not being 'real men' and other barbs. It makes his position ever more untenable - would you rather try and keep our best players, or see them run for the exits whilst we keep foran to sign some 'real men', who we will then be stuck with after he inevitably goes?

Foran went into the stand and sat with the fans, chatted to them, posed for photographs and signed programmes for supporters.

4 May 2017 And again! In another early kick off this morning Ryan Williams scored the winner for Ottawa Fury v Edmonton in the Canadian Championship.

You seem to accept that sitting around taking a wage and not actually contributing back is acceptable? In the case of Foran, where was he on match days when injured - not in the technical area with JH learning from him, either up in hospitality or absent. Its fine to say 'involved' with the development squad, but how much they aren't taking on prominent roles, are they working with the youth teams - the messages from CC suggest not - what about community development & involvement, commercial activities or working with their SFA qualifications. Fact is at a small club we should expect our senior players to give more when injured especially those who must be considered top earners as they must realise that by not giving any significant returns its unsustainable for the club. Often we don't even see these guys at the games - nothing stopping them being around the stadium on match days interacting with the fans - they could even be in the shop or foyer to chat with fans, pics with kids or even sign shirts & merch - this is meant to be a community club and right now there's a lot more that can be done to bridge that gap.

As a shareholder and co-owner of F.C. United of Manchester, I have seen the benefits of supporters owning or part-owing their own football club first hand. Another example of a perfectly well run community ownership programme, would be the 'Foundation of Hearts' group as well. This thread excites me and I hope once CJT get their house in order, this is something they will pursue in the near future and put a definite motion on the table for us to sink our teeth into.

You can close CTO down now Scotty. ICTChris has nailed it.

Wonder if Rangers fans ever thought this back in the day.

While this may be slightly off topic, if/when we get relegated, there is a chance to start afresh with many things next season. Getting back to a more "local or Scottish squad would help and I refuse to believe there are not some players in the Highland League who could step up albeit part time or full time. While I accept that fans may not turn out in the same numbers as this season, the club will really need supporters to back the team. Boycotting the team because RF/The Board haven't resigned next season will only hasten any demise. There is a 1 in 4 opportunity to get promotion either directly or via the play offs which wasn't their previously so better odds than previously to get promotion. All of this does come with a huge caveat however in that the board/manager must get their planning right in the summer and that is the part which worries me most.

I can not for the life of me work out why Foran is still in a job to be given the title of worst manager in British football why will the Board not sack him? they sacked Brewster when he was not delivering the goods but things are much worse now than they were then so why wont they sack him? I dont believe for a minute theres no money and the money they made with the cup run and sale of Ryan Christie has all gone theres more to this than we know about. Any respect i had for Foran as a player is gone for his arrogance at not quitting when its clear to everyone but him and the chairman its a disaster he will still have his expensive motor and his holiday in the sun when poor staff at the club may loose their jobs. The appointment of Malpas was nothing other than to shut the fans up after Dundee were seeing to be trying to stay in the league and sacked Hartley why if Malpas was brought back to help with much needed coaching was he sat in the stand on friday night? Mistakes were made last year lots of them firstly appointing Foran as manager (the cheap and easy option) secondly getting rid of Deano he was and is a far better goalkeeper the OFW but we know that decision was all about the money the club get from international call ups how OFW does get called up is bemusing thirdly making Warren captain sorry he is a liabilty not a player who leads by example he is a red card in the waiting every game Fourthly giving Vigurs a 2 year contract look how much better he played when he was on a short contract this year he has been lazy and slow nothing to bother for he now has his 2 year deal I could go on with the rest of mistakes there has been plenty of them CC was right the writing was on the wall years ago hence why the likes of Shinnie and Watkins got out quick enough cant say i blame them im sure we will see Tansey back to his best at Aberdeen with good coaching and facilities i for one wish him all the best i cant stand Aberdeen but if i was offered the same job for 3 times the money i would not have to think long about that one. Until Foran is replaced as manager me and my family will not be buying ST because were in for more of the same next year or worse because i bet nothing has been done about signing players for next season until its confirmed where we all know were going to be so you can bet were in for signing some unwanted dross/injury prone players.

There is no way Richie will be in charge next season. If he was i would dread to see the amount of season tickets sales that would be lost.

You were binned for this post at the time ... seems like you were right on the button ... that negative like count needs reversed.

A lot of posters must feel highly embarrassed with their contributions to this thread .

Foran ain't going anywhere, say what you want about Richie but he ain't no quitter I reckon he's already been told that he will be leading the team in the championship next season and that he probably knew before taking this job that relegation was a distinct possibility at the start of this campaign A lot of folk were seething about the way Hughes left but I think Yogi had a good idea what was coming Dougal

Richie Foran might have failed as first team manager, but to call him a fraud or a wage thief is harsh beyond belief. If the man is guilty of anything, it's accepting whatever contracts the club has offered him over the years (as a player, then manager). He can't be faulted for that. Your first loyalty is to your family - not your football club. If resigning means a financial sacrifice on his part, he'd be crazy to do so, and I don't blame him for holding on as long as possible. Ultimately he's just an employee doing a job to the best of his ability. If a new first team coach is required, it's up to his bosses to act - either cancel his contract and pay him every penny he's due, or negotiate and re-deploy him to a diminished but secure long term role (rather like Charlie Christie getting his Centenary Club job back). I thought the board was supposed to be full of business brains? If RIchie cannot be sacked for financial reasons, surely between them they can offer him a decent job worth 'walking away' for?