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Last season with arguably better players DF didn’t manage to keep the team in the Championship. Not only that he got rid of battlers ( Welsh, Carson), who he didn’t like for some reason and sidelined the likes of Ujdur, Davidson, McGregor etc. Over 30+ games we saw the team slip further & further down the league until the inevitable happened. He claimed throughout that we were playing well and kept quoting the defensive record etc. How blind is he to the fact that all of that is irrelevant if every other team in the league has better results. He then ( as far as we understand), doesn’t speak or engage with players after relegation when he is the manager! This season with arguably a weaker / developing plus older players in a challenging league I fear will not learn from last seasons disaster and bring in loaners when he has a budget and repeat the same mistakes! He is getting off too lightly given all the other financial disasters we face. If the supporters trust and press don’t ask the hard questions he needs to answer, then who can. Cant blame fans for feeling so detached from the club. I have lost any faith in him I might have once had. Never spoken with him and he might be an ok bloke, but as a manager & coach at our club, he has already proven he doesn’t have what it takes!

Why oh why do some of our 'fans' feel the ned to barrack certain players. Savage is a decent player at the start of his career and from when I have seen hime he has looked pretty good, quite why, when the club is in a perilous position some feel it necessary to undermine a player who could be key to our survival or progress is beyond me. Liam Polworth got some poor treatment and that I suspect would have helped his decision to leave [and how we have missed him...and Vigurs as creatives in midfield]. Remember if players who play for us were top top players who never made any mistakes they wouldn't be playing for us. This is a make or break season where our survival hangs by a thread...lets not shoot ourselves in th foot by alienating players

This news does not ease my concerns about the future of our club at all. Firstly, I assume that if the Americans are being negotiated with on an exclusivity basis, the other 2 potential foreign investors have somewhat less than the £2million the Americans are reported as offering. But £2m is not going to get us out of the mess if, as reported, ex and current directors are owed £2.1m for repayment of loans. Money is required to pay off other creditors, pay the wages, strengthen the squad and make improvements to the structure of the stadium etc. It only serves to further emphasise the sheer contempt the club has had for the supporters and shareholders of the club. If these directors felt it necessary to put that sort of money into the club on a loan basis, then they should have convened an EGM at that point to appraise the "extended family of the club" of the gravity of the financial situation. Presumably the club were relying on the Battery Farm and Car Park scheme to bail them out and allow them to continue as before. A bit of honesty at an EGM and a call for people to work constructively might have resulted in alternative ways of generating an income stream to keep the club afloat, perhaps moving towards community ownership. It is the loan debt to the former chairman and other directors which is the single biggest threat to the future of the club. It is a debt which should never have been allowed to develop and which, if the creditors have any goodwill towards the football club, should now be written off. With those loans written off, then the club could have a promising future with a £2m injection.

Thanks for the report IHE. You have summed the situation up perfectly. As fans we need to separate our thoughts about the club’s situation from how we feel about the players. The players need and deserve our full support and we need to understand that the younger ones may make mistakes whilst they will all be affected by the uncertainty at the club. I’d heard that Savage was a target at Brora so it’s disappointing to read that it was the same at Annan. He needs our support in the same way as the others do, but it’s good to hear he had a good game.

Newman *** Rarely tested but looked solid. Strachan *** Looked raw and needed support of those around him. Not scared of going forward, Davidson **** Huge improvement in what I have seen before. Devine **** Gawd do we need to keep him fit Savage **** Appears to have become some fans boo-boy. On today's performance totally undeserved. Always in space and looking to go forward. McLeod ***** MOM - first time I have seen him and very, very impressed - Roddy MacGregor + Gilmour ****Solid as ever Bray *** Some great touches and full of energy but may be better utilised centrally. Longstaff *** Ran and ran, some great touches - so left footed - play him wider left. McKay ** Sorry but he was the weak link today. NOT a forward any more. Our Harry Kane !! 20 30 minute man. Brooks *** Plenty of pace and energy, Could/should have had a hat trick. Needs big man up beside him, Now if we had Goss we would have options and walked it. Ref was poor and allowed too many fouls to go unpunished. Positives - I attended in the belief that this report would be a total slagging. We were the better team, we played the better football and we did not deserve to be beaten, We were quicker going forward, we tried to use width, we tried to hit the bye line. Some of the forward thinking 1-2 touch football was a joy to watch. We worked for 90 minutes. We looked solid at the back. Negatives - Oh jeez many of our final balls and finishing was shocking. OK we made the chances but blew them all. There were a number of occasions when we played the ball back when there was a forward ball. Some of our support are still in the boo-boy category and lets get rid of the dynasty but lets support those on the field - including Dunc. I bet there will not be many of the blindfolded agreeing with this report. On reflection I actually did want this to be a slagging, ended up pis*ed of with score BUT encouraged by the performance.

My thoughts too. There's no way ICT should have been relegated with that team. A load of loans, with only Cammy Kerr looking better than what we had (and that's only because we had to replace Carson, so we wouldn't have needed Kerr if he had stayed). Negative tactics against teams worse than ourselves. Good players like Roddy, Austin Samuels and Carson bombed out. Our record goalscorer being played in midfield to incorporate a non-scoring loanee. The capitulation was down to Duncan. Any decent manager would have got us beyond relegation, but ICT did exactly what they did with Foran. The business side was ultimately down to the chair. But I don't support a business. And even with that business model, it was still down to the manager that I blame for relegation. The team was good enough!

It depends what we are talking about here. It’s not just one person, if you’re trying to take any of the blame off Dunc you’re wrong. For me, who’s only really interested in what is happening on the park, I think he’s got to be up there. He’s getting a free ride this season though with what’s happening off the field.

Board Director Panos Thomas has been quoted by the Courier saying “Directors are working tirelessly to attract new investment in the club. Indeed, there has been welcome interest and I would ask everyone for their patience as we progress matters.” I wonder if this sudden breaking of the silence is to dampen down expectation following what Ferguson said at his pre-match press conference. Thomas's words don't exactly suggest any kind of deal is imminent. Indeed they don't even imply there are any meaningful discussions going on at all. He then said, “We are delighted to see youth being given a chance with several Academy players featuring in the squad and we are confident the team is ready to face the first challenge with focus and commitment." Yeah, right! This from a Director of the same Board who only recently were "delighted" to announce a move of our training base to Kelty. This move would have virtually disenfranchised our Academy players unless they were willing to move away from their families and friends and relocate in Fife. And this far reaching decision was made without any discussion with those who it would most affect. Thomas goes on to say, “Invaluable will be the support of our loyal fans, including those who will be travelling to Annan tomorrow, and everyone else in the extended family of the club throughout the season. We need you to stay with us as we strive to improve the financial stability of the club.” I will certainly stay with the team and support our local youngsters, but no Panos, I am not going to stay with you and your colleagues after all you have done to tear apart the "extended family of the club". The financial stability of the club will improve when those responsible for the current instability are out of the door.

Pele for taking the Aberdeen job.

We were 5-3-2 with Bray and Strachan as wing backs. Devine, Savage and Davidson three centre backs. Gilmour McLeod and Longstaff in midfield. Billy and Brookes up front. I was very impressed with McLeod in midfield. I thought Strachan and Bray did OK too and seemed to gain confidence as the game progressed. Not so impressed with some of our senior players who really should be stamping their authority on a game like this. Gilmour was disappointing for me but not convinced he's fit. Savage continues to slow the play down too much which drives me nuts. He did however go up the park a few times which was a bit more positive. We should have won as we had 5 or 6 good chances but unable to capitalise. Same unwillingness to shoot as last season. Ferguson suggesting he had to hook senior players with 15 to go but I thought this was too much when we were chasing the game. Least said about Ferguson Jr the better.

You're a point ahead of all of those who appear not to have realised the new NPL season is up and running!

Actually sounds quite encouraging.

Don't forget friends, Last season we had a honking league cup start to the season with only a win vs Bonnyrigg and Defeats from Dundee, Dumbarton and Airdrie! And with a lot of better players than i feel we have now. So losing League cup games is quite the norm for us, In fact if you look back the stats we fail to qualify on a frequent basis, Now i'm not saying we should accept today's result with a shrug of the shoulders and think that it's just us, But once again its the worrying trend of poor conversion of chances to goals. I'll be going along next Saturday to the game and hope that this bunch can click and give us hope for this season.

If we can get money to pay Ferguson's apparently ludicrous salary plus keep us full time, can we not find the money just to get rid of him?? He clearly is no manager and is much more likely to lead us into League 2 rather than the Championship....

Meanwhile a goal and an assist for Roddy MacGregor who our Manager clearly didn’t rate last season.

It looks as though Ferguson is still going to insist on playing negative football this season despite it proving a disaster last season. What will it take him to realise the error of his ways? We definitely need a fresh manager with fresh ideas.

Best of luck to the team today in their cup game against Annan Athletic. There are so many worries just now, but at the centre of it all are a group of players who just want to play football, so get out there boys and Gie It Laldy today. C'mon Caley

You should have a word in his ear.

We'd dump him

What if he was a convicted felon whose surname rhymed with chump, hump and stump?

Jeepers. Have you hired a writer highly skilled in diplomacy and pragmatism.

Very pleasing start to the season .Great effort and very unlucky not to have come away with a win . Well done to all . Looking forward to what’s to come .I must say the welcome we were given by Annan FC was exceptional and looking forward to our next visit in 4 weeks .

I interpreted it that “exclusivity” meant that they are the only party the club is actively talking to at this time, and that there will be no active discussions with the other interested parties unless this deal does not go ahead.

MAGA baseball caps on sale on Saturday!!

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/administration-threatened-inverness-caley-thistle-33236611

Despite asking fans to support the team in Annan………. Panos himself was not there.

The support is rubbish when he’s not there as well to be honest. It’s a good excuse though.

There is not many of them so I wouldn't worry. The longer Gardiner stays the less support the club will get.

SPOT FECKIN ON - Very close to what I would have said if I had been interviewed.

Perhaps that we should add that one shot hit the post, one shot hit the crossbar and two were desperate blocks by defenders.

Going off good old Google, the distance between the stadia is: Stranraer 254 Annan 240 QotS 234

DWH, not having a pop at you but It’s been said by others on here that this season in league 1, survival would be success. The manager leading us to the championship this season I am afraid is pie in the sky. not sure what a manager can do with young players who may not be ready for this level. We will just have to wait until they hopefully mature, become better players and we get a few games out of them before they are picked off by other clubs. things may change of course if he gets a couple of quid to spend before the transfer window closes end of august. Maybe get an end of career player like cloughie did at derby when he bought Dave Mackay. “Probably the most imaginative, brilliant, inspired thing that Brian Clough ever did was to sign Dave Mackay for Derby County. Probably the most surprising thing that Dave Mackay ever did was in agreeing to join the Rams. The football world was astonished when the man who was already a football legend in two countries threw in his lot with Clough’s developing team at the Baseball Ground in July 1968.” a famous Scotsman once said you win nothing with kids. It’s up to ours to prove that wrong the way Neville, beckham, scoles, butt, giggs etc did. Obviously us at a lot lower level. today Falkirk beat Dundee Utd. St Johnstone scraped through against the mighty Brechin. East Fife pumped big spending Morton who have signed 9 new players including 2 or 3 of ours. Our stats from today’s game shows yet again where we fall down. When players cross the line, it’s out of the managers hands, players who train full time should at least be working the goalkeeper. Shots Annan Athletic 7Inverness CT 10 7 10 Shots on target Annan Athletic 4Inverness CT 3 4 3 Shots off target Annan Athletic 0Inverness CT 7 0 7

Started last season led by a donkey and it seems this season is no different. Oh, and when is Gardiner leaving?

No changes at the interval and we were very close to an equaliser two minutes into the second half as Adam Brooks saw his initial effort hit the post and the rebound fell to Calum MacLeod in the box. Alas, his effort came off the bar and Billy Mckay couldn't quite scramble the ball in. Meh! Keith Bray brought out a save from the keeper and Aidan Smith did likewise at the other end before being booked a minute later for a late tackle on Charlie Gilmour. The hosts continued to dish out the rough treatment and Quitongo was booked minutes later for being late on Bray. Brooks continued missing the target, shooting wide after the hour and he would be replaced by Robbie Thompson for the last twenty minutes. Thereafter a spate of substitutions and one of them, Calum Mackay, had an effort saved by Jamie Smith. A late header by Ferguson never troubled the keeper and it was defeat in our opening match. FT: 1-0

Got excited when BBC text commentary said Penalty to ICT. Got suspicious when it then credited Newman with drawing the foul to win it. A minute later it was corrected to say free kick in our half.

Ferguson has said we will build from the back, so the tactics will be the same. However, with our youngsters, whilst we must accept that they will make mistakes in games, there is plenty enthusiasm and pace. We should play to our strengths and, from what I saw in the Clach and Nairn games, that’s using the pace of guys like Bray, Thompson, Mackay and Brooks to stretch teams and make space that we can exploit. We need to play to the strengths our players have, not try to fit them into a system that doesn’t suit them. I look forward to hearing the post match views of those who have travelled all the way to Annan, and hope they have an enjoyable day.

Oh those memories I think it will be the same turgid football as last season simply because that’s the way Ferguson wants to play regardless of who we have in the team.

Well I'm on ma way with Mrs IHE and the grandkids - who have never seen ICT get beat!! Watch out for a no holds barred report later.

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

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.

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.

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.

'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.

Must agree with so many of big cherley’s comments on the national team - couldn’t believe or understand why the media in general were saying it was the best Scotland squad we’ve ever had, absolutely talking out of their backsides!

....and on the flip side I don't think I've ever started the season top of the pile.

Did you have to post the standings Gringo? I don’t think I’ve been bottom since I started doing this.