Leaderboard

It's all from the modern coaching model. The large majority of the teams at the Euros are deploying it. The style is widely criticised at a number of League 1 and League 2 clubs. Gone are the days of Pele and winning by scoring more goals than the opposition. But Scottish League one is a step too far and there needs to be an acceptance that it didn't work last season. Of course you want a solid defence. But do we go with 3 solid central defenders and wingbacks poised to attack. Add in a holding midfielder if you want. But the main aim should be toy attack quickly, use width and always look at a final shot. Certainly shore up the defence - and we are well on the way to doing that but unleash the pace of the youngsters. So this season should not be about unleashing the dogs - it should be about about unleashing the enthusiasm and pace of youth.

It is not remotely the same. The fact that Morrison still has a charge against the club is part of the uncertainty that is stopping people putting money into the club at the moment. I don't want my money going out of my pocket and then going straight into his pocket when the club goes bust.

No acknowledgement of the fans who have become increasingly disillusioned by other matters since this initial demand was made? Treatment of Ridgers, Doran and other players? Failed promises of improved communication? Failure to deliver new away kit as promised? No sign of the investment that was imminent when asking for season ticket and merchandise sales to tide them over in the short term till they got that done? Late accounts? 27 months to notify of a director resignation? Bringing in loan players from down south despite that apparently being unaffordable whilst overlooking local options? It's becoming more and nore apparent that the CEO may be the biggest problem but he's far from the only one and there are many more legitimate reasons for fans to be reluctant to put money into the club just now.

That would still be subject to confidentiality. The thing is that it is open to both sides of the contract to make the length of the notice period publicly available. The fact that it hasn't been made known will be because one or both sides of the agreement wish it to remain confidential. Given that money will flow into the club when Gardiner is out of the door, it is clearly in the interests of the club that the CEO's leaving date is made public and that it is as soon as possible. Those at the club responsible for not releasing this information are not acting in the interests of the club.

There are 2 problems with possession based football. The first is that it is difficult to execute effectively and the second is that it is generally boring. When you are faced with 11 opponents between you and the goal, it is easy to play the ball from side to side and backwards, but not forwards. You need to have team mates who are in space; you need to play the ball firmly and accurately to them; they will probably be in less space than you were and are likely to be closed down, so they need to have an awareness of what other teammates are available to allow the ball to be moved on quickly. To be effective the players need to have excellent awareness of the movement around them and to be able to consistently play the ball accurately with the right weight of pass. Those attributes are certainly worth coaching because they are of value in any style of play, but they are essential if the plan is to pass the ball through the opposition. You only have to watch England in the Euros to realise how difficult it is. They have some of the top players in the world but yet they are struggling with it. The players themselves are capable enough, but being asked to play in a slightly different system and with different teammates, they are simply not demonstrating the form that they show at club level. A big advantage of possession football is that your opponents see less of the ball and therefore will find it harder to score. So if you can use it to create opportunities yourself, it becomes a winning formula. It becomes less of a winning formula at lower level because the players are not so skilled meaning you lose the ball more often and don't create as many chances yourselves. What England are also demonstrating is that unless you are executing the system well, it is incredibly boring to watch. In terms of entertainment value, it was far more enjoyable watching Turkey playing. They probably produced more excitement in each of their 5 games than England have in all of theirs combined. ICT fans will no doubt have a range of opinions on what balance between success and entertainment they would like to see from the team, but my point is that our level, a possession style of football is not only boring to watch, it is also less likely to win us matches. Dunc out, Fraz in!

With all that’s going on behind closed doors and reading bits on other threads about changes on the board and not recorded I am not renewing until the club and those running it make a clear statement as to what’s happening and who will be running it. I will purchase a ticket on a week to week basis and more than happy to support the team.

Just don’t understand why club does not release when Scott gardener is leaving. I am sorry will not buy a season ticket until he is gone as don’t trust the club that he is going.

I have the same thoughts. I think if no new investment is found then we won’t have a Club anyway. The ST money is to my mind not for investment in youth or local players but just keeping the Club afloat and paying the current bills. I have still not renewed as I don’t know what my money is going towards. I will wait and see the CEO situation and who will run the Club after that and if there is any new money coming in. My fear is that if the current failed management team do get money to spend, then a load of loanees come in again and the youth we were promised would get their chance are sent back out on loan. Who is in charge and who is making the decisions affecting the Club??? I won’t renew until this is clearer.

I’m not making any criticism here, but there does seem to be a bit of an anomaly that a company with a known history of financial problems which has been hovering on the brink of insolvency for weeks can continue to make advance sales of services to be provided for the next ten months - and that if the company collapses, reimbursement for any payments is the responsibility of a third party credit card provider, despite it being known at time of purchase that there was a significant chance of that collapse. As I said…just an observation and no criticism or complaint of an arrangement which appears to be playing a significant part in the efforts to save the club.

Normally (I'm my limited experience) things stay confidential because it is 'commercially sensitive' and could be detrimental to either or both parties. The length of someone's notice is a nonsense in this regard as it is literally impossible to keep confidential. If SG leaves after 4 months, everyone will know it is 4 months long, if he leaves after 6 everyone will know it is 6 etc. It will be apparent regardless, the only difference being that if was shared, it could help the club in the short term and would have zero detriment to Gardiner in any way that I could see. ETA- it's of course quite possible that SG is just being petulant and the club have to do things by the book as he would love for something to slip so he could take legal action. He absolutely seems that kind of person. Perhaps I've worked in the lower paid public sector for so long that I take it for granted that things are open to scrutiny at all levels and your pay and contracts are public knowledge, you are accountable for every penny you spend etc.

Having a chat with a friend re STs and I said one of my reason for not renewing is I don't feel confident that my money is safe? This is obviously in addition to the SG issue. Anyone else the same?

Heard from a mate Duffy was the pick of the 3 trialists. now if only more people could accept that gardiner IS leaving and purchase season tickets before the season starts we might be able to get him on board before some other team does.

Was impressed with MacKinnon and Duffy today. Unfortunately Fergusons hands are tied financially but would be good if some funds were freed up to allow offers to be made. Was happy with way team played

Another encouraging display and result for our young team . Well done boys !!

Allegedly, it's all claims and bluster. Let's wait before getting too excited and see what percentage of the public claims actually are followed through.

Both already do play for ICT but a bit young yet for the 1st team and also the wrong gender

I have relegated 100% less clubs than Ferguson. Give me a 3 year deal on 4k a week and I'll give it a bash. I have my UEFA Grassroots Leader Award and will do my C- Licence if ICT pay for it too. ETA- already live local in a Tulloch house so no need for expensive additional housing costs.

Also could put on a Credit Card which should give further protections.

For anyone worried about losing their money just pay game to game.

I don’t understand the reluctance for the Club to put a date on the resigned CEO,s departure. I also have worries about the current management team having already failed to keep us in the Championship over 30+ games. But it seems like we are stuck with those proven failures! At least his son got a job though, whilst good players and staff were cut out!

Scott Gardiner can explain the situation clearly to potential investors.

We had Haspell on trial last season. He later signed for Queens Park.

Well said bbb! I’d go further with Scotland. Our game, those running it, players, media and fans have been deluding ourselves for decades imho and we simply continue to serve up the same tripe, and hope somehow this will work next tournament, next tournament, next t…………..! Our game : It has been in steady decline for some 30 -40 years now. I go back to Bremner, NcNeil, Law and Jordan era, but I’ll place the last benchmark at Souness and Dalgliesh days. Whilst other so called lesser countries have improved there game (Isreal, Cyprus, Iceland etc- {teams we would have certainly get the better of}; we have slowly but steady got poorer in the standard of play and ability). Is it Coaching, lifestyle or mindset ? I don’t know but it’s clearly not working for me. Those running the game : The blazers at hampden. Too cosy, amateurish and paid too much to be minded to change the game. League /Clubs: Stuck with a two team league. They dominate and starve all other teams in the country such that they remain in a comfortable stupor. The result is stagnation. Club boards: All finance driven such that maximising the financial return trumps everything else. As such not loosing for most clubs becomes the norm. This chokes adventurous play as the risk of loosing is greater using this style imho. Managers/Coaches: demands for results dictates that stopping goals against is above scoring again for most teams. Scotland were on the same standing as Portugal in the 70’s. Look at their players ability to ours now and tell me we’ve not went backwards! Players - Average to poor for the most and lack the basics for most Scot’s players in ability, mental and physical application. (Simple trapping the ball is beyond many). Too willing to elevate their our game above their true abilities. Media: again part of the problem. They have a cost life and feed of the product and pump out rubbish most of the time. Overrate our players most of the time. Superb this, world class that. Not enough critical focus on poor play when witnessed. Fans : Less attending games as other more comfortable and exciting alternatives are available. Average play had become acceptable! Continue to be easily drawn into the Scotland next-time show. I wish I could present a more positive outlook from me on the Scotland team and game in general, however watching what I consider to be the worst team at the Euro’s, I felt I could not let it pass without having a kick at the whole thing, hoping against hope the next time will show any improvement!! Rant over!! bc

No. But he'd be cheap!

Dunc out, fraz in. do you think fraz would keep his 100% record. ps I am with you on the boring style at the euros. its was over for me when Austria, turkey and georgia went out. wont mention the team from the north of the UK, absolutely pathetic. Totally out of their depth.

Sorted. No offence meant.

I first shared this quote a few weeks ago from Reading FC’s supporters’ trust. They have had a fairly similar situation to us regarding financial problems, regime change and potential new investors. “We recommend that anyone purchasing a season ticket considers using a credit card for added security. “If, for any reason, the Club cannot fulfil the season ticket, paying by credit card ensures that you would receive a refund (pro rata) under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974.”

Got any family members who’d be willing to have a go at playing for us?

I'm not a car designer but I know what I like and what I don't like when it comes to performance and style without being able to build one.

The club also had a deal involving ILI for use if carparks which fell apart when that company changed hands. Absolutely nothing has turned out the way we have been told by club representatives. It's worse than being told nothing as they are clearly being very contrived in when and how we get the little information we do and it's all been misleading. If this is happening with fans then it's very likely happening with potential investors as well. If these potential investors do actually exist. Enter stage left...

All very shady I think

Simple really. WHEN Gardiner leaves, people will buy season tickets!

Yeah I agree that it's going to be boring football, mostly because there seems to be no aim in how we want to attack. I have no problem playing defensive, but there needs to be a plan for how you're going to get goals, be that utilising set pieces, counter attack with pacey players on the shoulder of defenders, a big target man to hold the ball and bring in players around him. With us it's commit 3-4 players to pass around the press of 2 opposition players, get to the halfway line and realise everyone's been commited in our half to play the passes.

From the P&J: Ex-Ross County midfielder Adam Mackinnon (No11), 21, was the main focal point as he was one of three new faces pitched in to Saturday’s friendly at Championship Raith Rovers, which ended in a late 1-0 loss. Former Rothes centre half Callum Haspell (No2), also 21, and left-back Flynn Duffy (No3), 20, who was on loan at League Two Peterhead from Dundee United last term, were also handed starts at Stark’s Park. The imminent departure of defender Nikola Ujdur, who has been linked to Queen’s Park, might free up funds for Ferguson to make signings. Last week, the manager said he also needs a third keeper in the door, but cannot afford to add one right now.

Some positives today were Newman made some really good saves, think he'll do just fine this season, and Savage and Devine looked pretty solid together. Negatives are the formation feels too defensive for even counter attacking football, leaving Brooks up front isolated, then when we had Cairns and Brooks up top we refused to give them service. I get the impression we want to play this passing game up the park and around teams, but we get into the other half we leave too many behind and we get crowded out.

Let’s get behind the lads today.

"We hope that our loyal fans once again will rally to support the Club!" Well we might be inclined to dig deep and support the club if there was even the slightest effort to be transparent with us rather than the ongoing cloak and dagger routine regarding the imminent investment that was indicated to the Supporters Trust back in mid June. A firm date regarding Gardiner's leaving date would also buy some goodwill. As it stands I will not be renewing our season tickets until such time as there's clarity on the above issues.

Just added to the original card at no charge

I suspect it's because they know the majority of fans won't be happy about the length of his "notice period".

'If France were playing in the back garden I'd close the curtains' Alan, Seems it’s not just us ( obviously at a different level) how about we go for this guy after the euro’s if our job becomes available. Didier Deschamps Nothing to do with Ken Dodd and the Didier men ! i was at every home game and a few away last season and I thought we could have gone for more goals when we went 1 up in some games. But alas I was never an English div 1/premier league player, a coach or a caretaker manager at a premier league club. OH and never got asked to go to Madrid with Carlo. Maybe some who think Dunc should leave, change his ways, has no plan B etc could advise on their post what THEIR football pedigree is. Easy to criticise, much harder to do the job. Ask Harry Kane.

I agree totally Alan but unfortunately we are stuck with him