Libero

Heart says top six, head says avoid relegation. Should always be the first target of our season to stay in this league

You just described Ryan Christie. Unknowingly I had just described Ryan, I do think however that this would be the sort of striking addition that Yogi would want to make to the squad. I don't think it augers well for the season if we are almost entirely reliant on having Billy fit, in form, and most importantly still at the club! I can see how some might think that having the likes of Vincent, Doran, Watkins and Foran in the squad may cancel out the need for another striker but for me not one of them would be a viable option to cover any long term injury or spell where Billy wasn't producing up front. I don't buy this view that a manager doesn't want buy a player just to sit on the bench. Countless thousands of players are signed with the proviso that they are being signed on the intention of being cover or at the very least taking on the challenge of displacing the favoured striker. Most SPL clubs have 4 strikers in the first team and there's no way all of them will start of the time so they must be willing to take their share on bench time. We have one senior striker at the club going into the new season which worries me, im quite amazed that that this hasn't been addressed yet (I still have a sense/hope/dream that Yogi will sign a couple of strikers to offer cover) unless Yogi's sole intention for this club is to play for 0-0 draws.

Don't know why folk think a big striker will arrive. Doesn't really fit in with Yogi's preferred ball on the deck, through the middle style of play. I think he eventually will sign striking reinforcements but it will likely be a player who can hold the ball up, good technical ability and be able to link play with others

No real new developments by the sounds of things. Doesn't sound like Yogi really knows how he wants to supplement the squad yet. IMO opinion we could do with 1 more striker with a reasonable level of experience to challenge Billy and provide cover and maybe 1 other young striker to provide back up in an injury crisis. I haven't been overly impressed anytime ive seen Marley playing up front, at least yet anyway. I would certainly hope that he can grow into the role. The only other position that might need strengthening is RB, cover for Raven would be good although we have a few players who can play there if need be full story here: http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/Sport/Football/Hughes-facing-dilemma-over-new-faces-14072014.htm

An article in todays P&J reporting that Hughes is looking to strengthen the following areas - right back, centre half and up front dependant on who is available. Good to see he has identified up front as an area needing strengthened. Will be interesting to see if he can get new faces in quickly. The sooner the better IMO in order to let them settle into the squad before the season starts

FT 4-0. Not quite clear whether the third goal was Dorans or an og from the clach player Trialist striker looked quite good. Worked hard, had a good touch, held the ball up well and seemed to link well with the other lads. Think he would be a useful addition as back up. Don't think he'd be quite ready to challenge Billy for a start quite yet

4-0 shinnie

3-0. Own goal for a clach defender from a Doran cross

Brill ? Devine. Meekings. Tremarco Watkins. Polworth. Tansey. Williams Christie Trialist

Looks like a youth player at right back

Trialist just scored into roof of the net from 10 yards 2-0

1-0 Danny Williams. Team all recognisable apart from no 7 playing up front for us

We have a trialist striker training with us at the moment, no idea on the identity but looks like featuring at Clach tomorrow night http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/Sport/Football/Hughes-set-to-look-at-trialist-striker-against-Clach-30062014.htm

Bit of an update on summer signings/if any: Pretty sensible approach however I really do think we need strikers to help/challenge/push Billy McKay full story here: http://www.highland-news.co.uk/Sport/Football/Inverness-Caley-Thistle/Budget-wont-be-blown-for-any-player-Hughes-25062014.htm

Given that Aberdeen have started pre-season training already and have their first pre-season game tomorrow I would imagine that the bulk of McInnes' shopping will have been done. I certainly hope so anyway Still think this whole Shinnie thing is nothing more than idle speculation from journos looking to fill column inches

Arquin got 4 goals in 16 games but also went AWOL after an international break No thanks to Slew or Arquin De Leeuw would probably be one of the only players from over the bridge I would say would improve our squad

Claudio Cannigia? Claudio Reyna? Fraser Forster possibly after this World Cup

Find the notion that Aberdeen are going places quite amusing. Realistically the only way they can improve on last season is by finishing one place higher in the league. Winning a cup and finishing in the top 3 is the best they, or pretty much any SPL club outside Celtic, can hope to achieve. Looking at European competition the way Scottish Football is at the moment I would expect most of the SPFLs representatives to be bumped out after a couple of games. The only ones likely to go any further MAY be Celtic but more than likely they will have whimpered out by Christmas as well

I think the inference that Aberdeen will use this sponsorship deal to pay transfer fees is the sort of leap that most journalists thrive on. I will be amazed if any club in the SPL pays a transfer fee this summer, outwith Celtic of course. I still firmly believe that this whole Shinnie scenario is journalist speculation and rumour. Another paper today says that the money from their sponsorship deal will go to repairing parts of Pittodrie and further enhancing the youth set-up.

Yeah. I get the impression from the chairman that the days of other teams nicking our players on the cheap on for free are gone. It certainly seems like the club are wanting to be proactive in protecting its assets and i'm all for it. Stewart Milne may be willing to give Aberdeen some money to buy players but I seriously doubt whether he would sanction a 6 figure deal for one of our players nor even 2. Even with only a year left on Billy's and Graeme's contract I would hope and have a strong feeling that the club wouldn't entertain sub 150k offers for either. Especially when you consider the like of James Collins at Hibs cost 200k

Would love to have Hayes back but cant see it. Hayes is being used as a 'model' for the new Aberdeen kit this season so would have thought it would be unlikely they would use him to promote their new strip if he were to be leaving. Incidentally I think the Shinnie link with Aberdeen is pure and utter fantasy. Our chairman has already said it would take a very special offer to let any of our players move this summer. £30k is an absolute insult as far as Shinnies current ability and potential go

Stanton has a cracking wikipedia page, I wonder if its been doctored

Dont think many of the players at HIbs are any better than we have at the moment. The only players I think would add decent competition/back-up for the team would be Stanton and Heffernan

Looks like the club are not looking to sell any players during the close season. Clears up any unfounded speculation in the press recently over Graeme Shinnie http://ictfc.com/news/club-news/1297-no-for-sale-signs great to see the club so quick to dismiss any rumours

Delighted to hear the club openly come out and dismiss the speculation regarding Shinnie. Milne can take his '5 figure sum' insult and try his luck elsewhere http://ictfc.com/news/club-news/1297-no-for-sale-signs