Leaderboard

Oh for a bit of pace when we gain possession in midfield. Why must the players stop, turn round and pass the ball backwards or sideways when a quick forward pass would be much more effective

There's no way he's taken that paycut voluntarily, I don't care how it's been reported. More likely he's been told its happening or he's out but they'll let it play out that way in the media. Regardless, doesn't change my views on him. Anything less than a win today and he has to be out, never wanted him from the word go anyway and nothing he has said or done has changed my views. Might be a good coach but he's a terrible manager. Much easier to train/coach players when you've a manager dictating how you coach rather than you doing it all yourself, the proof is in the pudding. He's the clown thats not realised the circus has left town.

We held it together to see out a win. Not a great second half. I was fearing one of their many long throw-ins would ultimately end up with the ball in our net, but fair play to our defence, they stood firm. Good argument for the defence today. Rest of the game plan still needs work. Too many passes when one or two is suffice. Shoot on site, not look for the pass! Again we need Mackay running in on the goals, not deep in midfield. Take the win, positives and move on!!

"On the line to speak to Alan, is our next caller . . . . Scot fae Dundee !"

Oh that was a loooooooong second half, but what a great feeling to get the win. Well done, lads. I thought DF was going to give the ref a doing at some points, but I also thought he enjoyed getting carded and had a kind of swagger about him during 'chats' with the ref. I'd forgotten how good 3 points feels, Onwards and upwards.

"Limited penetration" What sort of movies have you been watching big Shirley.

Is this a sign from Johndo as he watches over us. James Nolan, who was born in Chorley, has come to us on a season long loan from Manchester United youth. He's a versatile player from defence to attack. Subject to international clearance, he could be available to join the squad today for the home game against Queen of the South.

I've got a good feeling for a win today, c'mon boys you can do it .

Trust in Dunc climbing the table and only one win off the top.

Delighted to get first league win of the season. However that referee was absolutely shocking.

A game to forget other than the result. Win will be a good lift for the players and hopefully something to build on. Officials were some of the worst I've ever seen. Ferguson being sent to the stand was a joke. He got a bit animated but nothing worthy of the two yellow cards. Two new signings didn't look rusty from the little we saw of them and Nolan was looking to make some runs in behind so may provide some attacking threat. Both Duffys going off injured isn't great and Allan also appeared with his thigh strapped with ice after being subbed.

Created more than enough moments across the game to have won comfortably if we had any cutting edge up front (story of the last 4 years). If a team is to play possession football quality on the ball is critical. We lacked this too often. Woeful officials

Phew, we won!

One more centre half then I think we can really throw off these shackles.

We desperately need to start wining. With big Dunc taking a wage cut will this make him more disinterested than he usually is....I judge his interest by his 'thoughts' in interviews. Anyway, hope there is a big crowd to get behind the lads and show gratitude / support / thanks to Mr Savage.

3 points but wow that was poor. Good to see Billy score from a cross into the box. Second half was a very hard watch. I’m delighted we have a team to support but not enjoying the games.

Fergusson MUST STAY!!

If only we could get a couple more defenders then we might, just might, be able to avoid relegation, like last year. I'm so glad we're giving Dunc a second chance to prove negative football is the way forward for full-time teams in part-time leagues.

Think this will be deserving of its own thread as details emerge of the sheer state of our finances ... but let me start controversially by saying THANK YOU to Ketan Makwana ! The utter nonsense of your 'takeover' bid, the corporate phygital gobbledygook coming out of your mouth or your linked in page, and your history at companies house woke up some of our giants of the past in Messrs. McGilvray, Sutherland and Savage. You were the straw that broke the camel's back, the final grand scheme that saw all of our CEO's cards collapse, that one domino that started the progression that will surely see more dominoes fall. I want you nowhere near our club, but you can take heart that even without buying the club with imaginary money, you may well have played a part in saving it. Clearly the reality of our situation is far worse than even the most cynical fan expected now that we have had some straight talking from Alan Savage and it all started with the idea that 77Ventures were random new owners overnight just a few weeks ago. But onto the main focus of this thread - the money, or more specifically the lack of it or of any oversight on that front. AS went in just 3 days ago and in that time he has discovered that we are not £300K adrift, that quickly ballooned to £450K then £700K and now closer to £900K. We don't have new strips FOR THE TEAM let alone the fans, because we have not paid the bills, and we apparently have a pre-order for £120K of strips sitting with Puma as part of that £900K. Given that the average cost of a strip is around £50 retail that's 2400 strips, but profits on these are decent so do we really have upwards of 3-4000 new strips waiting to be sold once we pay for them wholesale first? Not having strips for the start of the season is right up there with not having seats for the Tynecastle stands and having twice as many as we get at the stadium on a good crowd day, sitting in a container somewhere is as ludicrous as it sounds. I am sure AS will discover all sorts of 'anomalies', unexplained or lets say 'less than optimal' spending as he goes through the accounts with a fine-tooth comb, but my ire on that one is directed back at the board. How in f*** was there no oversight on this. SG did what SG was there to do. To operate as the CEO of ICTFC. The fact he seemingly did that without a shred of governance is not his fault. His performance and ability to do it correctly and economically should have been something benchmarked on a regular basis by the board. Did he have no performance reviews since 2019? If not, why not? Thats not a failing of SG, that's a failing of the board. Red flags have been around for a while. I recall the comment about Ryan Christie buying footballs for the youth team and I think that's what Charlie is referring to in today's article in the Courier which is well worth a read. The last three days with Alan Savage and now acting CEO Charlie Christie have seen more public communication from the club in 3 days than we have experienced in the last 5 years since the former CEO was put in post. https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/sport/this-club-for-far-too-long-has-been-losing-too-much-money-358498/ A few great bullets raised by Charlie: He is confident that working alongside Savage, it will lead to the club having a brighter future. The staff get frustrated too and a lot of that has been from resources. He, as academy manager, has had to do without things that were needed. The mood at the club has been great since Alan came in. Some of the staff don’t know him. He is fair, but demanding - and very professional.. He will want a paper trail for everything, as there should be. He will want more corporate governance in his time at the club and I don’t think that's much to ask. It is good for any business to have that. That’s what he’ll bring. We’re all delighted because we feel it is a step in the right direction. Watching the ill-feeling towards individuals at the end of last season, it is not good for Caley Thistle. It is something I’ve never seen. Fans have a go at managers, myself included, after poor performances. That goes with the territory. But not what we witnessed last year at times. Hopefully that’s dead in the water now and we can move on. I like the comments I have heard that some creditors are already paid, and the things Charlie mentions in that article. I especially like the comment that the mood at the club has improved. there are many hard-working and crucial folks down there doing thankless tasks who do not need to be micro managed and for them to finally be able to exhale and maybe show what they are capable of is a relief. We do have to get back to basics, we do have to stop all the pie-in-the-sky bullshit and the loss of money hand-over-fist. We do have to put football first and try to get out of this league and back up to the Championship and hopefully over time, the Premiership. One step at a time, one obstacle at a time, and all in a sustainable or responsible manner. With Charlie and Alan Savage at the helm now, I think this is a good start to the process but let's not stop looking inwards. The CEO was allowed to do what he did for many years, and those who allowed that, or didn't bother to look at what he was doing also need to take accountability for that.

A quick look at the league table shows we have scored 3 conceded 3 - and it will surprise absolutely nobody that no team has scored fewer than us and no team has conceded fewer than us either.

Or even a wee run forward themselves with it.

No sign of Jack on the bridge - is he back in the stadium - I've no idea what he looks like, but I hope so. Who I did see was Pele Patterson having a fag outside the main entrance before the game - I wanted to ask him if he was going to be the next manager, but I chickened out.

Apparently Joe Malin got injured - sods law.

At least we are ahead but we are so slow getting forward its not looking like there will be many goals in this with goalmouth action at a premium. Bit of pinball for the goal but it ended up in the net. Big shout for a home penalty after a shove in the box but ignored by the ref.

Oh great! Another defender!!! Just what we needed ... We need a striker so Dunc signs another defensive player ... Has Dunc got a head injury from all those years of dropping the nut? Dunc you can't win games if you are not scoring goals. He really needs to go now... this confirms that Dunc hasn't got a clue what he is doing. Bring back Foran ... at least he had some idea!

I’d like to see Brooks get a run in the team. He has pace and movement, and is not scared to have a shot.

Not getting any strikers in means Dunc can give his son more game time.

and the buck stops with you Mr Ferguson. YOU are the manager whether we like it or not and the players got treated like sh1t on YOUR watch. Now just F*** Off with the self-pity.

He’s definitely a great prospect but, at his age, getting game time is important. He’ll be training with us and playing every week, rather than being on the bench or not even making the squad. For me, it’s a good move now we’ve a larger squad as he and Nixon will benefit from regular competitive game time and hopefully it helps them both become future first team regulars for us.

Good that he’s agreed a pay cut to help the club. However, I note he says: “For me, it is all about player care – looking after the players as best we possibly can. “That’s not really happened.” Absolutely. Is he taking any responsibility for the disgraceful treatment of Aaron Doran, Mark Ridgers et al? With SG out maybe he’d be able to talk about that (and blame SG for his own inaction if that’s correct), but he’s not mentioned it.

Potential new investor lying at anchor infront of the stadium this morning 'Elysian' Super yacht with owner John W Henry on board. Had a look at Aberdeen last week, Lossiemouth yesterday and Inverness today.

So, he can't manage his own personal finances as well as a football team....

I wouldn’t be surprised if his salary is the lowest of all Managers of full time teams in Scotland.

Connal is a decent Inverness lad and was with Clach before heading over the bridge. He stood head and shoulders above his peers for most of this time

For the reasons I provided. It’s simply a poor investment of time, energy and money (even if it is AS’s). Better to move on and concentrate on improving the club professionally (both on and off the park). I know DF was/is SG’s ‘man’, and there are valid reasons to question his managerial capabilities. He knows he is under the focus of our new interim CEO and if performance and or results are not at an acceptable level, then I am sure we will have change.

Yes CbP, tend to agree but I would prefer AS would not go down this ‘road’. I would prefer a settlement was reached and we paid SG to disappear quickly (he will reappear somewhere else {England} i’m sure). My reasons are: # SG will want to keep his name in the limelight (Kahwana like), so his name and image of a ‘hard and demanding businessman’ in the sport world is ‘out there’. There are enough like minded individuals out there that care only about siphoning money out of clubs (Glazers spring to mind), that admire these attributes. It wouldn’t surprise me any if some future connection or venture with good old Ketan appears. # I would like AS to give his full attention to making ICTFC an attractive and sound investment for an appropriate and long term group or individual. (Anders Povlsen my ideal type). Wasting energy over a long drawn out legal battle in Court dilutes AS’s time on this matter. It also serves SG purpose above. # The costs for fighting any legal case submitted by SG will only go one way, and that’s up!! I can imagine the fun lawyers would have insisting each of the over 7,000 unopened emails are debated over in the minuscule detail to defend some abstract and completely irrelevant clause of corporate law. Cut our losses now and ‘heave’ SG. Give him the 70K to ‘get rid’! # Any legal case will inevitably drag the members of the Board into the quagmire. ‘I said this to XX, and he agreed’. No ‘I only said this’, and thought it was clear what I meant ….’ It’s just a mess waiting to hear the starting gun. God knows there are a pile (if not all) of the KK Board backers I’d gladly dump now, but I just can’t face more of these people pleading insanity!! # Lastly and more importantly for me, it’s time to close the door on the past 5-7 years of incompetence and self-interest, and move onto a new and hopefully brighter chapter of the club’s future. Let’s pay SG his 30 silver coins to see the back of him for good. Can’t think of a better way of insulting SG than starting with a victory on Saturday.

Personally I thought AS looked, (understandably) absolutely shattered on the news today. I hope he takes a relaxing break as soon as he feels that the time is right, because the last few weeks would be exhausting for anyone and he really deserves it.

Maybe he can pay him with a couple of thousand over-ordered shirts

Interesting to compare the Courier’s coverage of this morning’s press conference with the club’ statement from Panos! Courier : The club needs, and deserves, certainty after five years of huge losses, chaos, confusion and (ex-CEO) Scot Gardiner.” ICTFC : The Club needs and deserve certainty after 5 years of huge losses, chaos and confusion. Courier : “If these entrepreneurs are prepared to deal with £150,000 of the loanees who want payment, I will deal with the £70,000 Scot Gardiner thinks he is owed.” ICTFC : Mr Savage said if these entrepreneurs deal with £150,000 of the loanees who want payment, then he will deal with the remaining £70,000.

The forensic auditors reporting back on the losses

Thats not a statement, its a text message or Twitter post Like the content though

From the club website just now: “Amicable deal has been struck that saves club from administration all stakeholders should be delighted” Alan Savage says it’s a great result and hopefully we get another one on Saturday. Interim Chairman Panos Thomas has also expressed his delighted and is hoping too for a good result on Saturday.

Latest from Paul Chalk at P&J is that Alan Savage is in "no rush to sell the club now" and "as long as I pay the bills, why do we need to dash into anything? “For better or worse, the club is under my control, probably for quite a while. The mission is to do it game by game". Alex Ferguson has not provided any financial funds to the club but has offered advice. The transparency is almost frightening compared to the clandestine dealings we were subjected to over the last few seasons. This man is an absolute legend.

A couple of key comments in that article for me .... That was the basis of the Canadian interest I presented to the chairman back in 2019. They did not want to buy the club, but wanted to assist in the youth setup, possibly lend players to the club to develop them for their home club, or for a possible sell-on in Europe. They would also use their extensive media and entertainment experience in North America to help them with commercial advice and/or ideas. ICT would be one of a number of clubs they intended to work with in various continents with the aim being that they as the parent club would benefit from all of the relationships in some way. ICT did not respond to the person, then COVID happened so it may not have come to fruition anyway, and the opportunity (as well as that person) have moved on now so that ship has well and truly sailed. However, this sounds similar, and if that's the case here, and the interested party wants a football relationship that can be symbiotic in some fashion and bring something to the table for everyone then this could indeed be great news. It's definitely better than an out and out takeover by an equity firm that's for sure. This speaks volumes. We know he has already stuck £200K in last week to keep the lights on, but pumping more money in seems to suggest some level of confidence under all the rocks he has overturned during his audit.

Will we never learn? The dream of outside investors with big pockets is a much trodden path for small teams, very few, if any, which benefit, and many are left ruing the day they signed up. We have just escaped a potentially catastrophic example, no need to rush into a repeat. By far the best way forward for teams like us is to build a sustainable model, not dependent on outsiders who have far different motives and reasons for 'investing'.

I presume the emergency loan keeper has gone back to Clach as we have our 16yo on the bench instead?

Well that was a waste of an hour. They said a few times that this interview was coming up, it never happened, nor did they ever say that it would no longer be happening for whatever reason.

I’m not sure he’s as wealthy as you might think, having been declared bankrupt 10 years after he retired.

Sounds like Alfie Bavidge will come in tomorrow if the P and J article on the Connall signing is anything to go by so if that's the case then it's definitely been a successful window which then heaps the pressure on the gaffer to deliver results . I wonder where the extra money for one more signing than expected came from because at last week's press conference it sounded like DF was only able to sign 2 more which was Paul Allan now Allan yet we're still close to Alfie Bavidge