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Match after match David Raven puts in a great shift. Team now starting to gel and he is an integral part of this team. Where are we going to find a suitable replacement for him in January? It would be a travesty if we started relentless climb up the table only for it to fall apart if we lose him. Surely a compromise can still be reached.

A 4th clean sheet in a row, an away win against the favourites for the title and no less than 19 shots with 10 on target. Hopefully the fair weather "fans" who deserted the team in their droves can see that if they stick with the team, they will see us climb the table playing good positive football. I liked the interview with the manager. Upbeat but still very grounded. He accepted a poisoned chalice when he took on the job but it is looking increasingly that he has what it takes to stop the rot. A big "well done" to him and the team.

A few weeks ago there was legitimate cause for concern based on poor play and poor results. Now there is legitimate cause for optimism based on better play and better results. Surely that has to be welcomed by everyone getting behind the push rather than bickering about whether fans were justified in posting criticism at a time when such comments seemed to have some justification. We are all fans of ICT, some are happy clappers who will never criticise no matter how bad things get. Others prefer to air their concerns and criticism. It's called free speech and this forum would be a very dull place without it.

When's secular pacifist day?

One in four homeless people in America is a veteran. This belief that they truly support them is nonsense. The flag waving and pre-match anthem is a smokescreen and done to drive recruitment after the falling numbers of those signing up after the Iraq War.

The way things are going I'd be pretty surprised if we don't win the league.

On the bench. There's absolutely no reason to change this team whilst it's been doing so well. Caley Stan is right to pick out Chalmers. Despite being a total jobber for most of the season yesterday he was really excellent. Seemed to be playing on the left flank ahead of Tremarco but often pulled inside to tighten up the centre of the pitch. He has improved massively from his very timid showing at Dumbarton and long may it continue. Same for Donaldson who I wasn't overly happy about us signing but again he's been proving me wrong. Very simple but effective defending, seems to have stopped trying to playing 40 yard Hollywood passes out for a throw in and instead is concentrating on just winning headers and tackles and then, if in any doubt, putting the ball in to touch. Very similar to Darren Dods. If these guys keep things up a lot of folk, myself included, will be eating humble pie and I hope that is the case. Because I love pie.

Seriously!!. The plain fact is that our level of performance in most games was not as bad as some people thought but individual errors were costing us. These errors are being hugely reduced and confidence is returning to the team. Confidence, more than anything else, has made the difference, not what you have stated.

I've not read the article yet but I alluded to something earlier in the thread. In light of the kneeling before NFL games, it was revealed that the US government paid the NFL in 2009 to play the national anthem before games and ramp up the nationalistic, militaristic side to it with fly pasts, parades by the armed forces and all that type of thing. This was done in order to recruit more people to sign up after the numbers fell big-style after the horrors of the Iraq War. It's completely phony and nothing to be replicated in Britain.

It's not a national event - Armed Forces Day is in June. I think Renegade and Kingsmills are correct to broaden the topic to raise concerns about US style jingoism. The feting of military personnel is dangerous. It's used by governments to stir up nationalist fervour and provide public support support for imperialist foreign interventions. To those who say they'd be happy to support a similar day for nurses or teachers or whatever - you're not being asked to. Only armed forces. Why?

I hope those calling for the head of JR are feeling a little embarrassed now! Absolutely delighted with the way the team are going and gelling, all credit to the manager.

I know what you mean. Some walloper started a fans boycott thread!!!

what a result. I would have taken a point before kick off. Never thought we would come away with all 3 and another clean sheet. My weekend was well and truly made with this result!

Imho we'd be better off with 0 directors. Their decision making over the past 2 years has been abominable!!

Unfortunately there are people whom have their own agendas which conflicts with the progress of the club. I am certain JR is giving 100% and will prove himself given time and support.

When i first saw Joe Chalmers prancing along the Forthbank touchline i thought he looked like a dud of Vetleesque proportions. At full-back he was frequently done for pace and appeared to have a complete lack of positional awareness. When Robbo moved him into midfield that night his sanity was questioned by most of the travelling support - Chalmers offered nothing positive there, misplacing passes and getting in the way when we tried to create openings down that side. Since then, i've caught a couple of glimpses of his fabled sweet left foot, but seen little to question that first impression. Until yesterday. Yesterday he was one of our best players, making a number of interceptions in midfield, retaining possession well by playing simple balls into Vigurs and Polworth, and getting to bye line on a couple occasions including for the excellent cross that led to the corner for the opening goal. Did anyone see this coming?

You can see the way they are becoming a team by the way they all celebrated the goal. Hopefully it will give Jake a huge boost too.

All 4 combined brilliantly to produce a wonderful team goal. But what I like most about the goal is the way the guys seemed to focus their congratulations on Mulraney. He's taken a bit of stick for having no end product but he got the assist for this and I think that is maybe his first. For his team mates to react as they did will be really important in helping Jake utilise his undoubted skills as part of a team. That might be the best goal we score all season, but if it marks the transition of Mulraney into a team player, it might also be the most important.

Where do they do these days, now that the Portland Club is a mosque? Also, I am not aware of any crank organisations ever doorstepping the Armistice Sunday parade which is a far higher profile recognition of our armed forces than a football match.

I don't see a single post expressing negative views towards the armed forces. Some, however, do take issue with a particular group of individuals being given preferential treatment when other equally, or perhaps more, deserving groups do not.

Can i get a gold star for saying i seen it stan . Commented on his pace against morton and felt he done well tucking into centre defence. Someone else also called out trialling him to midfield. I am so positive and happy clappy though i think i said elsdon was the new maldini and Robbo was making a really positive climate in the club. . . As meatloaf would say 2 of 3 aint bad.

Sad to hear, he'll leave us with some fantastic memories and good times.

It seems from some of the reaction to this tongue in cheek post that some people lack any sense of humour.

Think that ship has sailed Raven has said in press he intends to move back south in January to settle in time for his daughter starting school next summer given the way he has been treated by previous 2 managers and present cant say i blame him IMO it will be a sad day as he is a truly lovely guy and who cant forget that moment at Hampden

No.

Hmmmm Dumbarton was worst Ive seen in a long time. However its great to see improvement and long may it continue

Well you give yourself a big pat on the back and have a word with your GP if you really believe that constantly attacking the club and team on this forum is finally delivering good performances. It is John Robertson and the players who are turning things around with massive help from the away support. It will be interesting to see what happens when they play in front of the boo boys at home.

Another

100% agree with that. I have no time at all for people who associate supporting armed forces with supporting unionism/rangers - I'm all for the armed forces day but I'm certainly not a Unionist or a Sevco fan!! As said already, why are we criticising the club for initiatives to get more people through the turnstiles? Other days should be held - we might increase the fan base that way, rather than doing these initiatives all at once.. As a side note - my Wife is a Nurse (who goes to the occasional game) & she thought the armed forces day was a good idea...

Two thoroughly impressive performances since our players and coaches started playing WWE on the sidelines. Fingers crossed Robertson did a Peoples Elbow on Coll Donaldson on the bus home to inspire us for next weeks game.

Well done BB, I left that one for you

Curtis Allen scored in a 2-0 win over Dungannon swifts yesterday

Don't worry. Sportscene show highlights of certain Championship games. Oh, I forgot, for some odd reason, they stopped doing so two seasons ago.

Am i allowed to call it an unbeaten run yet dad. Got told off last time.... Really pleased that the hard work john has done changing clubs climate of fear and bullying has started to show on the pitch. We may have the best guy possible to get jake to deliver an end product. His ten years of youth work will help. Over the moon for Chalmers as I seen something in him from the morton game where his pace had doubled from preseason and his deliveries were accurate and tackling strong. Might be one of those seasons where multiple players score ten goals but noone gets a real high tally and that is a little concerning. Next real test is dunfermline and whether the home crowd can support and nurture the team .

Wrong thread? I trust you're talking about United's inept performance yesterday rather than the dugout punch up at the TCS 2 weeks ago.

Negative. Dougal is a great driver. Apparently he drives some........ negative....... fans up the wall. C'mon Dougie , give it to them, post a "funny" and bring at least a smile to our faces. Today's the day! Yep, the turning point with a rejuvenated team has been reached and our new Manager will be very thrilled and supported by this win.

This is a national event, supported by many companies and organisations. The club should be applauded for participating. I am sure they would do the same if national events are arranged for other worthy groups. On the park it's been a good day, can we just move on and focus on the positives in the lead up to next week's game, please.

Spot on ol' Gringers, great shouts that I wimped out of too ??

Want to say a Hugh Thank you to Lady F. She has very kindly just called me and told me she has a programme for me and she is sending it free of charge. I am blown away with her kindness. She is a true fan and a special lady. Wish there was more people in the world like this. I promised I would donate money to charity on her behalf and post the receipt on this forum. Thank you again.

So good to see some of the new guys starting to make the difference...some confidence is starting to flow. I've heard good things recently about Chalmers, Trafford, Bell and Donaldson (and Oakley and Cooper to a lesser extent, not sure what happened to Seedorf but he sounded a prospect as well). Of last seasons signings Mulraney at last sounding like a half decent player. Was watching some old video today of a game a few seasons back when Partick beat us at home 1-2....in that game Doran looked a real threat, be great to see him back in decent form in the new year to add some momentum, it would be like a new signing

Any at all is too much.

I personally don’t have anything against such an event or the armed forces for that matter but it’s the type of character these events attracts is the issue Far right groups like the SDL, local supporting orcs,loyalists, unionists the orange order all try and jump on the bandwagon and use the armed forces as an excuse to meet up for a good bevvy and possibly cause bother Like Rene says it should not be exclusive to the armed forces and other professions should also have their day Dougal

No, there are some people very concerned about the prospects of a second successive relegation and the potential consequences of that for the long term future of the club. That said, as I've said before on this thread and elsewhere, the current manager needs to be given a bit more time to try to turn things around, and there have been some encouraging signs lately but we can't possibly afford to repeat the mistakes of last season.

I don't see why the military should get a day all of their own and others don't. What about health professionals, fire fighters, police officers, coast guards and aid workers? If the club are going to have money off days for different services then fair enough, but I certainly hope the club aren't intending to go down the militaristic, jingoistic, Rangers-style Forces Day of flyovers, tanks lined up in the car park and all the rest of it.

I was sitting beside a Celtic fan who had managed to sneak himself a ticket in the main stand. It was great seeing him go mental at his teams inability to break down our defence that night. One of my favourite moments as an ict fan.

Are we attempting to become Sevco of the north? Why? Dougal

Probably one of the most sensible comments on this thread - couldn't agree more! What a happy memory that night we knocked Celtic out of the cup at home, I was there!

I'm a little uneasy about the title of this thread - calling for a club employee to be sacked from his job having had little or no time to prove himself. There is little doubt that Robertson knows the game and it is simply unfair to conclude, at this early stage, that he is not suitable for the job. To make it worse, those calling for his head are ill-qualified to make such a career-changing decision. I'm reminded of how he successfully plotted the downfall of a high-flying Celtic team who had just beaten Liverpool in a European competition, arguably a greater feat than that achieved by his predecessor over a Celtic team in disarray. You don't just lose that tactical ability! As Scarlet said, "Sit tight". And enjoy the ride!

I don't think that we will finish bottom this season and thus be relegated automatically. Fortunately for us, Brechin appear to be out of their depth in this division and will probably occupy that place. However, under the current manager and coaches, I can increasingly imagine us having to play off to avoid successive demotions. That will be no easy task as, unlike the Premiership, these play offs are not rigged in favour of the side from the higher tier. I don't think action needs to be taken just yet but if things do not improve substantially over the next half dozen matches or so a decision has to be made. However, there will be a financial dilemma. Can we afford to terminate the contract of yet another manager ? Or, given the consequences of carrying on regardless like last season, can we afford not to. It was a strange move and a huge gamble to appoint a manager who had been out of the game for a decade and who had failed in his last two positions. Sadly, as he seems a decent and personable man, it looks more and more like that gamble has backfired A club of our size has no divine right to success and a place in the top league but I do think we have the right to expect better than being humbled and humiliated by Dunfermline and to suffer successive losses to Livingston and Dumbarton.