The Mantis

Dougie, I refer you to my previous answer regarding Souness. Souness and his band of brothers were universally despised in the same way as Lennon was last season. Those you refer to as 'the people' are widely despised, mainly because of their triumphalism and arrogance, but they would not have ascribed sectarian motives to this, neither now, nor back in the days of Souness. The other lot (or 'not the people' as they could perhaps be called in a reference to a once famous fanzine ) seem to have a problem separating sectarian motives from other motives. And no, I'm not excusing the actions of a handful of lunatics who see fit to send bullets or attack Lennon in the street. Thankfully, to most of us it is just a game.

I don't really see any difference between Lennon and Souness. If somebody had managed to get on the pitch and give Souness a well-deserved swipe across the pus, nobody would have been claiming sectarian motives for it. BTW as Lennon claimed that he felt 'something brush his ear' then technically he was assaulted, but in practice the guy only intended to assault him, but never quite made it. In the same way that if you get caught with a carload of white powder which you thought was cocaine but turns out to be Vim, you get off

Oh aye forgot about that, was trying to describe his mincing running style to Naelifts the other day

It is indeed the legend that is Darran Thomson. Haven't spoken to him yet but I'll probably see him tomorrow and pass on the hero worship of all the happy punters on this board.

So, we lost to Ayr. Big deal. Here's a look back to totally different (happier?) times. Who's this turning out as a trialist for my wee team Whitehill Welfare?

So it was 'we' at the start of the thread, now it's 'you'. So nobody on here sees these major problems? Only you o wise one...... Read your first post again, which definitely invites a slanging match. You slag off everything including ourselves the fans. The problem with you, since you deigned to move up amongst us, is that you think you are doing us a favour. Don't patronise us as if we have heather coming out of our ears. And learn something about the club's history. It's obvious in some of your posts that you haven't bothered. The fact is ICT probably has the smallest budget in the SPL and we do what we can to stay there. There was plenty of attractive attacking football in the lower divisions. We know Scottish fitba is shyte. If fitba is a big part of your life you should have researched it before moving up. For most of us ICT is part of our life - not a lifestyle choice.

I went into Stornoway to watch the Rangers game in the Lewis Bar. I was feeling particularly shyte that day with flu-like symptoms and could have done with just lying down rather than perched on a bar stool. Plenty of bluenoses who arrived about 2 mins before kickoff and cheered when Rossco got the red card. After 2-0 they lost interest and chatted away with their back to the screen. Didn't have any ICT gear with me apart from my hat Was dying for us to score so I could find out if anybody else was supporting us, mind you they would probably turn out to be tims anyway

ICT coming out

Aye and bring back Pat McGinlay for him to deck. We played them in a SC replay since then, on Sky and a poor support of about 30.

Hey you'll make him cross

Wouldnae look forward to Livi after getting murdered by them the other week. Would fancy East Fife, I think we only ever played there once in div 2. Also never been to Berwick for donks. We could get another 'Berwick 18' or whatever it was called. Nah, C(o)unty away

Culduthel I green dotted you as I agree with the sentiment (even though I had to fix your quote ). You too Rene. Sorry you young lads, can't fault your optimism, but anybody who is old enough to remember Argentina 1978 is scarred for life

Feckin patronising gloryhunter. Ta ta then.......

Ah yer life will never be the same again big man. When yer uncle Mantis telt ye to keep it in the ballop ye never listened Congrats big Ross and the Greek goddess and the wee bundle.

I knew there was only one Scotty Davies but IHE had me wondering there :biggrin:

I've tried making predictions in the past but they're always crap - you can never really get much idea till the first round of 11 fixtures is over. So instead I'll say what I always say - I hope the Midden take the drop. Partly because getting there is a hassle especially if Rangers are at home, partly because of the whole Rosscoe thing, partly because of the arrogance of their fans at our place the year they went up under Tom Hendrie, partly because of their crappy new stadium and all the parking restrictions. Difficult to judge if Danny Lennon is improving as a manager - this year will probably make or break him. Killie's hard to get to as well although it's a better day out for us. The Pars and Saintees are good trips for us but wouldn't shed too many tears if one of them went. Easter Road is always a highlight of the season for us along with Tynecastle so it would be unthinkable for them to go and a big loss to the SPL.

Remember being there at the New Year when the announcer forgot to switch the mike off and we were treated to all the half time drunkenness 'live' from the Clach Club. Another time the announcer was a bit miffed at the poor gate and said 'They say Caley are moveen to an all seater stadium. Judging by their support today it's a three piece suite they'll be needeen' Unfortunately I never saw Mackles race the whippet though.

Have to agree with Dougal :laugh: :laugh: that Ross's final days at the club really have to be at CB. Have to point out to Dougal that it's only 2 years, not 3, since we took the drop which makes a wee difference. Even if Meekings wasn't injured, what I saw of him at the weekend suggests he's not ready yet for the SPL. Could be a good one for the future though.

Reminded me a lot of the Fleetwood game last year. Opponents with a point to prove, on their home patch, ICT missing a few players, also a few new faces needing to gel. Last season didn't turn out too badly.

I saw the pie too At half time I was so hungry I had to go and risk a mince pie. It was passable but cost me ?2.10. ?10 to get in too. Don't you just love it when these diddy clubs hike the prices up when a big club comes to town

Well it's my daughter's wedding tomorrow so I'm expecting nothing louder than sweetie rustling at Livi please as I'll be a bit delicate. Especially as Naelifts will be buying me nips all night.

Congrats. Who says nothing happens in the close season?

I lub you all....... Youse can all buy me a at Livi on Sat. Not retired yet but winding down as from August. Mon and Tues off every week

Got my usual 3 slots - sorry for the delay.

The HL is probably poorer than the EOSL these days. Edinburgh City putting Clach out the cup twice? In the old days it would have been 5-0 Caley. Same with Caley v Spartans who have run away with the league for 3 years.