The Mantis

I thought it was one of those cups that county could enter.

I think ICT's basic last season was in the region of £650 p/w but there was talk of the players getting a pay hike this season as a reward for last year. What about Utd?

Saw Eric at Peebles early on in the tour. I think he comes back this way at the end of his 64 gigs. Poor old Naelifts had to give up his ticket due to last-minute English visitors dropping in  :015: :015: :015: :015: :015: :015:

Eric's stuff has moved me far more over the years than Dougie Maclean, but his best years are well behind him now.

I've never paid much attention to the Stranglers since the good old days with a black leather jacket all gobbed on. Gave up after the Men in Black. Are they any good these days? I heard the single 'Norfolk Coast' and thought it was awful. Saw Hugh Cornwell at the Edinburgh Festival last year though, pretty good.

Just discovered Regina Spektor after seeing her at T in the Park. Lost out on a ticket for Edinburgh next Monday, on eBay last night.

Dods is a decent player but mid-table in the SPL is as good as it gets for him at 31, unless his agent is fixing up an English club for him.

So a 2-3 year deal at yinitit IS a meal ticket. Say he trebles his wage (but not his win bonuses  :015: :015: :015: :015: :015: :015: :015:) and gets a signing on fee from the grocer. That's not bad.

Surely the ticket price will be dropped against Dumbarton anyway, to some sort of compromise between div 3 and SPL prices. That's what usually happens, after negotiation. No disrespect to Dumbarton, but who's going to shell out 20 quid to watch that? Even the Tims cut it to £10 when they played us in the 4-2 game at the t*ttied*me.

Aye, Barry Robson  :015: :015: :015:

Edit: maybe it's Peanut I mean. Whoever got him the red card anyway  :017:

Would have preferred an away tie as we've never played there. Also less chance of the players getting complacent.

Did Wa*ker mention hats by any chance?

And the t-shirt wearer aka Vic never complained about the music and the craic from his two fellow travellers  :015: I thought it wis barrie.

First time ever I saw Morgan, he played LB in the first win at Easter Road (2-1) last season when Brew got sent off.

I remember thinking in the first half that there must be about 1000 Buddies in the far away stand, mainly clustered towards the left side. In the second half there seemed to be a lot more. So my conclusion is, another 500 wandered out from the pub at half time and got in for nowt  :017:

According to the Herald's pull-out section Falkirk hardly have a team this season, everybody's been released. What's the story there?

what we should clap him of in silence ?? 

Wot?

Sorry, but that's sanctimonious b0llocks.

Nope, just my humble opinion. But when Charlie used to get stick playing for Caley he used to ask whether people thought players performed badly deliberately. I don't really care if people boo the team off after the final whistle but I draw the line at barracking individuals during the game, as it probably reduces the chances of them winning it. Just my tuppence worth and not worth the argument. Hope that doesn't sound too sanctimonious.

Besides, all I heard when Golly finally came off was a smattering of applause from around the tunnel.

From where I was in the North Stand it seemed about the biggest cheer of the day, and three of us in the car were of the same opinion. Whatever....

If Ross Gypo want to enter the HL who are we to stand in their way.

I'd have to see Falkirk, United and the Pars before making my mind up. Fair play to the Saints after all the gubbings we've handed out to them, but I can't help feeling, when they get round to their end of season video, this will be one of the few highlights.

We were truly shocking though. No width at all. Barry was lost without Rossco to support him (and too often he was having to come back and help out in our box anyway. If we could unearth another 25-year old Barry we'd be lucky indeed). Is Caff just not allowed to cross the halfway line or what? He's fine as a centre half, and maybe I dreamed this but did he used to play in midfield with Hibs? He's not a right back IMHO. If Ross is unfit no wonder Proctor wants a transfer if he can't get a game.

On the other flank we're used to Hasteens working with Royston or Morgan or even Richie Hart. Golly and Rankin hadn't the understanding together to make any impression.

Central defence is one of our strengths but they were operating a free gift system today. At half time I honestly couldn't see St Mirren scoring until they got the first gift at 1-0. After that there was only one team in it.

Middle of the park, any other day Russeldinho and Blackie would have got some support for their efforts. Even Denzil was back helping out most of the time as he got so little service, and Dargo was isolated up front looking for long punts to run on to.

This was truly embarrassing and maybe the St Mirren fans have got a false impression of the SPL standard. BTW did half of them get in at half time for free?

Golly had possibly his worst game in an ICT jersey, and the guy must be feeling suicidal, but there's no excuse for people cheering when he was subbed.

Fitness Suite? Don't worry about it! It's just gone the way all other terminology has in education.

Pupils have become Students, The Remedial Department has become Support For Learning, asking kids questions has become "Assessment is for Learning",  the timetable has become the Curriculum for Excellence..... and the ricketty old weights machine in the corner has become the Fitness Suite!

Aye Charles, just a hint of weary cynicism creeping in there, though I bet you love it really. You cannae have many years left I'll wager, less than me at any rate....

Where's the Coias anyway?

Tell me about it....

I'll be going up there next Friday for 5 days. The day after I arrive, ICT just happen to be playing at the most accessible SPL stadium for your average Shetlander. Not accessible enough for me of course......

Mee, you'll appreciate the following:

Last time I was up there, Chris Stout's Faither was celebrating his 50th, while at the same time his sister was 21. They decided to have a joint party.

Now the usual thing is- hire the village hall, get some sandwiches made up, salmon spread, cucumber, that sort of thing. Hire a band or a disco.

In this case they did hire the hall, but the buffet was a table about 20 yds long covered in seafood. The whole village of Sandwick was out the previous night fishing for it, so we had smoked mackerel, squid, a whole salmon, crabs, smoked piltocks, etc etc. Instead of a band, they just got people to do guest spots, so we had Chris Stout, Gary Petersen from Hom Bru, Filska, etc all doing a massive session on stage. Then when it broke up about 1am, everybody went back to the Stouts for mair bevvy & music.

My nephew's getting married in October. The wedding's on the Friday, then the second one for friends & family is at the house the next day......

Although we featured on Sky, the cup 'run' was appalling by our standards, going out in the 4th round to some nonentities from Maryhill (see Foxy thread  :015: :015: :015:)

News just in- full Summer Wine Crew turnout  :party01:

You've been lying low recently, some bugger cut the legs off your bed?

You up tomorrow oh winged one?

I had three phone calls last night, the first was George M

George Michael?

Not to mention the sitter the fecker missed against Partick. That cost us big time. And before anybody says it, I know it's a team game and all that.

I'm sure it's a typo though, if you read the whole 12 teams details, I'm sure they meant us to be 7th. You should see how many players have gone out of the other squads without replacements, especially Falkirk.