Leaderboard

Agreed. Neither of our last two managers had good contacts or knowledge of the lower divisions for finding new talent. Robbo, thanks to his passion for the game has extensive knowledge of the game from youth level upwards. So I am very hopeful that he can built a third generation ICT to rival the last two. No doubt there will be lots of ups and downs, and maybe more of the latter first, but now he's in we have to give him a bit of time and support to get it right. Sure, some people have reservations, but that would be the case whoever we brought in, and at least a decision has been made relatively quickly so he can get on with it, rather than an extended period of uncertainty which has happened previously.

Normally think you're on the money with ICT ... stuff .. but I'm not sure how you could say Sheerin has experience, recent or not, he's managed at Arbroath (done well mind you) but managing a team demanding promotion would be a completely different ball game. I love Sheerin, probably my favourite player at ICT over the years but I'm delighted he didn't get the job until he at least has one more managerial position. I'd have hated to see him bomb out Lennon? Maybe.. but has done nothing since leaving St Mirren and dived at Alloa "After gaining just five points from their first sixteen games of the 2015–16 season, Lennon resigned as manager of Alloa Athletic on 7 December 2015" - Wiki I didn't even have Robbo on the radar but it was obvious that we need an experienced manager after we decided to take an utter punt on Foran, who had absolutely no experience at all, at any level, anywhere. I thought Butcher was a shoe-in but hated the way he left us ... Robbo does "know the club" which is the normal cliché with ICT managers but I can definitely see reason behind his appointment ... and a feck lot more sense than putting Foran in charge, which a lot of you seemed delighted with at the time and look at the mess that got us in. Need to look at the pros and cons ... there are definitely more on the side of Robbo than anyone else on the bookies list and I can't think of anyone better... except Hartley but he doesn't seem to be interested. First post in a while but I am much happier Robbo at the helm and the thought process behind it, compared to last year. I still think we were in the wrong about Yogi and should have backed him at the time, even if it meant going into a bit of debt to speculate for a bit... no excuse for how he reacted but it was a by-product. We should never have put Foran in charge but we are where we are now and for me the best chance of getting back to the SPFL is to have a manager with experience, someone happy to be in Inverness and capable of attracting players up North ... I think we have that. Onwards and upwards

We might as well stop analysing the pros & cons of the return of Robbo - he's back & that's it... Lets just get behind him & the team - personally, I am feeling a lot more positive about next season than I was before !!

The very fact that Robbo went to east Fife appears to indicate how much he loves the gemme. Methil is a basic one-street town which, at the time I watched East Fife every week, was more or less there to service the coal ships. Wellesley colliery was a big ticket item in the books of the National Coal Board at that time and the Royal Bank of Scotland in Leven supplied a massive amount of paper money once per week for the workers' wages --we had to work overtime in the evening once per week without extra pay to service this entity. The manager of this colliery lived directly opposite to us in Methil and a nicer couple you could not meet. but, truly, there was very little of beauty in the district. The team that I saw, however, was quite well supported and I did see some very exciting games there which did whet my appetite for more in the future. . So footie must be in Robbo's blood and he must have yearned for it to take that job. It also shows how diversified and non-critical a gentleman he was and probably is to this day. i.e. He's a mature man now and deserves the nod. Let's give him a big cheer and get on with the game as someone else said on here. I think that you are going to be surprised at what happens this season on the park.....Stay the course dearies and cheer him on. Yep, life can get non-tejious don' it?

Scottish football is full of ideas that never die and this is one of them. There is no evidence that this would help young players develop and it takes well-supported leagues that contain teams who develop excellent young players and turns them into warm-ups for rich clubs reserve teams. In terms of their size and wealth clubs like Hamilton Accies and Livingston have been far more successful than the Old Firm in producing young players. Of the Scotland team who played on Saturday there were two Hearts youth products (Gordon and Berra), two Celtic (Tierney and Mulgrew), two Dundee Utd (Armstrong and Robertson), two Livingston (Grifiths and Snodgrass) one each from Hibs (Brown), Hamilton (McArthur), Middlesborough (Morrison), Aberdeen (Fraser), Wycombe (Anya) and Norwich City (Martin). Of the two teams (the Old Firm) who will be the Colt teams there were two players, one of whom, Mulgrew, is pish. Consider the vast sums of money spent by Rangers over the years on youth players and facilities and they have less success than Livingston. Colt teams really sum up the sort of discussion we have about football in this country - there are many, many things that make German and Spanish football produce better young players than in Scotland but the one that is picked up and hammered, over and over again for years, is B teams, 'Colt' teams. It's something that is pretty simple to explain and understand but actually shies away from the real reasons why young Scottish players don't do as well (not enough quality coaching at a young age, not enough facilities, lack of structured national programmes etc). The current rules say that B teams can't be included above the fifth tier of Scottish football. I think that's fine - we ourselves used to have a 'B' team in the North Caldonian League and there are other teams who have the same. The idea that you could have reserve teams squeezing out professional sides is a joke. Of the teams in last season's Premiership us, Ross County, Hamilton Accies, Rangers and Partick Thistle have played in the lower half of the league system in the last twenty years.

I'm with you on this Biggin.

Much is being made of the fact that Robbo has not managed in many years, but he has not been out of the game working within the Hearts set up and I would prefer him to Sheerin who again has not managed for a few years. Robbo will know of some good youngsters who I am sure he will probably bring in as well as some experienced players, and I think his name and stature in the game is more likely to attract players than that of Sheerin ( I have nothing against him) Many going on about the cheap option but remember our financial situation do you want to have what we cannot afford and finish up without a club, and the only way we can help that is to get out and support the club and yes most people on this Forum do that , but where are the missing thousands that can attend cup finals!!!! maybe we should be encouraging them to come along So lets all get behind Robbo and get the team back to the Premier League where we belong

He's said he wants to play fast attacking football, exactly what Foran said when he was appointed. I'd quite like a manager who said "I want to play slow, defensive unexciting football" just for something different.

Or maybe he just didn't get the job.

Some insightful posts on this thread so far.. I agree with Huisdean who mirrors my thoughts on Nick Ross. A tidy player with some nice passing but not a guy who was consistently keen on surging forward mit der ball . As for Mulraney why would he be any more successful than hitherto. He didn't seem to like running forward into danger with the ball and when crowded out by defenders he didn't seem to know what to do with the ball....like cutting inside. He needs encouragement and being taught more by a real Pro (J.R.?) His crosses were far from exciting and rare too. Clever on the ball but also hesitant and ended up mostly NOT contributing dynamically. After the big buildup we heard about his talent before his entry to the team it was wholly a bit of a climax for me when I actually saw him in action. Hot and cold, eh? Polworth --I think his role could be expanded. He is an aggressive player and if John Robertson can encourage him I think he could be a very effective mainstay of John's team. I have always liked him because he likes to get forward and contribute with some vigour. Slot him in to midfield and let him attack. Vigurs-- er, not sure about him for this season. We need someone in midfield who will take the game by the scruff of the neck and get "in aboot them" so to speak. Vigurs likes to carry the ball into an empty space and then pass it quickly but not always with great accuracy though and rarely to the wings? Of course when he gets a chance he can surely belt it. Andrew Shinnie--great player but how could Caley afford him?

It's simple fan power whether verbally or on social media made the board change their mindset and every fan who contributed by stalling buying tickets should take a bow Hopefully now the present board will at least think before they act in the future Im sure the club will honour the paltry few who had already bought their season ticket before the change of heart with the discounted refund Caley 100, Huisdean etc no need to thank me Dougal

An underwhelming appointment in my opinion but we need to remember we are no longer a top flight side so someone who knows the club, knows the support and who has previously lived in Inverness are all positives in my eyes The important thing now is for everyone to get fully behind Robbo and give him our support as this is possibly going to be the most important season that ICT have ever had Without doubt he has a huge job in front of him and I just pray he gets sufficient funds to get players in because without investment there will be no hope for an imminent return to the SPFL Anyway I wish him all the very best Dougal

Robbo had proved his dynamism before and INMHO to appoint him was to make sure they had a steady hand on the tiller. The club sure needs that in view of the recent catastrophic events. Once the ship stabilises then we are open to fresh ideas and progress. A point to Biggin (above), For him it's obviously........ Biggin the Beguine........OR..."Let's get on with it , then, and let's get started"..

Robbo back, onwards and upwards. No sense in analysing it anymore. Let's hope we get some news of some signings and let's hope to actually hear more from the club in general! Its been said a few times but the general communication between the club and the fans has been next to non existent! Now that we have someone leading from the front let's hope we see and hear more activity, especially concerning the rebuilding of the team. I'm very excited for the new season.

Less rain.

He is working for the SFA as their head of coach education

I'd be staggered if Andrew Shinnie came back. Far far far too good for this level.

Shinnie back would be a tremendous signing

Green dot for The Long Man, spot on for me...

Were those colt teams in the league taking up promotion slots from other sides? I've zero interest in watching my team play what is ultimately a reserve side in what is meant to be a competitive league.

Maybe, although I can't really see Warren & Raven moving on - both are older & settled in Inverness. If Draper stays, that is a huge bonus & fair play to him if he does as he would be an asset to most premiership teams. Vigurs said (I seem to remember) that he would stay - a pre match interview on caleyjags tv near the end of the season. Fon Williams - if a club was willing to pay money for him, I would think they would let him go. He is an excellent keeper but his form was a bit erratic last season (to say the least)! Would be ok with Cammy Mackay & Daniel Hoban methinks - who knows, if Dean Brill became a free agent again...! The core of the squad is good, just need to add firepower upfront (Scott Boden seems to be the main striker left....!), hopefully Robbo will use his contacts to dig out a rough diamond or 2.. Hoping Polworth can step up & fill Tansey's boots...

You could be right, but comments made by some last season indicated that the manager wasnt listening to his coaching staff so I wonder ..... I dont know the guy, it just seems there is a lot of vitriol pointed in his direction with little substance behind it. Here's hoping Robbo can assess his staff and make sure he has confidence in them and if not, that he can tell the board he needs replacements. Robbo does have an account on here and he posted from around 2008-2010. He was also in regular contact before that but not posting publicly. I do seem to recall however that Donald Park indicated that he was the tech savvy one and Robbo was a bit of a computer dinosaur ....

Im happy about this appointment. (rewind one year and i was saying the same thing). Im happy to see Robbo get another crack at the job. Im looking forward to a good season with him at the helm. Am i remembering correctly...but at one point, didnt Robbo have an account on this site, interacting with fans (after he had left the club)?

I wont pretend to know anything about Managers, but I feel like contributing my two cents. I was there when Robbo led us to promotion as a young lad and I hope he brings vital experience and can make this league very interesting with us, Falkirk and Dundee UTD. HOWEVER, when you read his interview he says it wasnt even on his radar and he had a good gig going at Hearts, he will be up for the challenge but it sounds like ICT did all the running, That worries me a bit. I hope im totally wrong and this season will be really good for us. Crossing my fingers.

Welcome back Robbo! I'm actually quite excited by this, I know he hasn't done much in a few years now but I still think he has a better pedigree than Sheerin. We can start looking forward to the signings now and only a couple weeks until the friendlies start rolling in. I had a worry that we wouldn't be good enough for top 4 this season but I'm now confident Robbo is the man to get us there in what will be a very tough league. He brought in some excellent players last time and I don't see why that would be any different now.

Hey, if Robbo is a success again, then great. And I'll be rooting for him in the same way I would have done for any new manager (unless Brewster had been brought back for a third go!!!) But how many 'political' appointments as manager tend to be successes? Not many. I would rather our manager was an outstanding candidate, rather than somebody's mate. And there is nothing on Robbo's recent (or not-so-recent) managerial CV to suggest he was an outstanding candidate. The whole process raises concerns about the way Inverness Caledonian Thistle is run. And I think that it's pretty reasonable for supporters to focus on those, as they are likely to have a big impact on the future of the club.

There may be legitimate concerns but, rather than focussing on those, why don't we just give the man a chance ?

Personally, I'm happy with Robbo coming back - he ticks most of the boxes for me. Bit of a left-field choice, mind.. 1). He is (obviously, given he lives here!), willing to be based up here, 2). Not an untried manager - previous experience at this level (again, obviously, given season 2003-04!), so less of a risk. 3). Enthusiastic & keen personality. More so than some of the other candidates mentioned! 4). Has, I think, a genuine affinity with ICT & the Highlands in general. In short, someone who is a good 'fit' for us. Would have been happy enough with Sheerin, but maybe Robbo is less of a 'risky appointment'? And Danny Lennon, who is, probably, a decent manager, didn't exactly fill me with excitement... Welcome back Robbo!!

All in all I think we are on the up. Now it is the Fans turn to show a united front.

Richie Foran

that is a surprising record.....but the boy is still a plonker. Should have been sent off on Saturday, but the early booking did effect him. By the way, even though he is a proper one, I agree he probably is our best midfielder

We've just got an old manager back, I just don't get this fascination from some fans to want previous players back as well Too many people live in the past when its the future we should be concentrating on Dougal

So Hibs, Spartans, Stranraer, Stirling have all had colt teams in the past and no one bats an eyelid. What is the difference here? Is it just a hatred towards the OF? I don't get it.

While I would be happy if Storey came back, would not want Nick Ross back. Didn't do a lot for us on a consistent basis and not exactly a roaring success at Dundee,