Tree

Is Foran not a striker?

For the second home game I have left baffled by the fact that we have waited so long to make any changes?? Circa 70 minutes played before we try a change of shape and then a sub a few minutes from the end. We only played with 10 men for most of the game with Doran offering nothing other than a few air shots. Watkins drifted in and out of the game but we need some physical presence up from. A good number of the players actually had reasonable games but for most of the match we were toothless and lacked a killer touch. Aberdeen get one chance and punish us. I suppose it shows the difference in quality? After the last few weeks it looks as though Hughes either does not know what to change or simply can't be bothered, Possibly harsh but there is ample evidence to support this. Also, what was with the Stewards showing Aberdeen Fans to their seats in the home section of the main stand. When challenged by a fan all they seemed to offer back was "its what their ticket says"??

Que comments regarding Narcissism from IHE

Doran is a bit heavy at the start of every season he has been with us. He then tends to slim down by the middle of the season and puts a bit more weight back on by the end. It is the case however that he is our player feared by most opposition fans because he can provide something out of nothing. Baffled by the suggestion that we should get shot of him based on the scales rather than what he does or does not produce on the park. He is however a mere amatuer in terms of carrying some beef when compared with Bobby Mann

Not sure if I like the collar......

Malpas in the Scotsman on 13th Nov 13 - “I want to be at a club that’s got a chance to win trophies. Caley Thistle have got a great chance this season, but I just felt the potential here is far greater. “I’m a football guy who likes being on the training field and the facilities here are unbelievable. And it’s not anything to do with money. It’s about the things here that Caley couldn’t give me. That’s why, as soon as Terry asked me, I said yes." Potential to win Championship Trophy and the things Caley couldn't give....................lower league football

Thomson is not better than the players we have and is also injury prone

I see the cover for the new seaons tickets is a photo of fans at the Cup Final. Some dubious sights and a less tolerant person would take issue with some of the 'offensive' faces on display

It is not just midweek that cheaper tickets have been made available for. In all occasions there has been an insignificant increase in attendances and on the evidence it is a convenient excuse. All clubs are broadly suffering from a reduction in crowds and apathy seems to be part of the problem. The main issue I would suggest however is the preceived lack of entertainment and from speaking with people who used to attend this related to the wider experience and not just what is happening on the park. I suppose it is easier for many to get a higher quality offering via TV.

The stadium design (even internally) is not great and the club had to spend money very soon after completion to make changes to the architects layout. That said, many of the issues with the main stand are created by having to cut construction costs to meet the budget (not helped by a significant six figure claim being submitted by one of the Contractors a day after they signed the contract). This led to the uncovered sections and even the roof being curtailed. The above not withstanding, a number of features of the ground were dictated by the need to mitigate daft fears of stakeholder. For example, ships were to get blinded and confused by the floodlights and one of the reasons the main stand was positioned was to mask this being a problem. I am sure however if the ground did not have to be conceptually designed with a 10,000 capacity in mind something more compact may well have resulted.

The team was obviously missing a few players and this affected the team choice however we looked unbalanced until Vincent was taken off when at least we seemed to have a natural shape. Have yet to be convinced by Vincent though he started the pre-season very well but one thing for sure is that he is not a wide midfielder and his instincts take him to the wrong places continuously (can't fault his willingness to keep going though). Baffled why we did not just start Doran wide right (where he eventually finished the game) and Nick wide left (where he started the season). Best players were Tremarco and Devine followed by Shinnie and Raven. Ryan was a bit patchy (which is what you get with young players) and Doran huffed and puffed (may just be too many pies though ;)) however his shot showed why fans of other teams fear him as he has the ability to change the game even when he is not on a good day. Strangely given how much I rate Warren I am now starting to think that a Devine/Meekings central partnership may be our strongest. Great place to be in to have three solid guys in this area. Finally, Billy needs to make up with whoever has put a bad luck curse on him. On another day he would have had a couple of goals but deflections went against him.

The stands are and always were permanent but the seating is of modular form.

Lovely weather and looking like a poor crowd

It is clear that there are two distinct camps forming on this subject, however there needs to be a realisation by many that a) everyone is entitled to a different opinion and without this being the case a forum such as this becomes nothing more that a love in and b) there is a significant issue facing the club in that many (and not just a small few) appear to be resigned to next season being a disaster and are not intending renewing season tickets. Whilst it may well be a justifiable statement to say, as a few have, that fans should support their team irrespective of results and performances this is not going to influence the many I have spoken to who have taken the decision to not renew next year. Home crowds are continuing to appear to fall and though this started prior to Yohi arriving our performances at home are not helping. There are a number of factors which support either opinion however it may be of interest for people to know that Richie was on the interview panel and Yogi (at the time) was the players preference also. Will removing Yogi solve this. Again possibly not, however it has to be justifiable (given the number of thrashings and tactical issues) for people to ask the question.

You sure you were listening to the right players as our game was on BT Sport, not Alba! Not sure what will happen with the pitch over the summer, but the club are painfully aware that it's not in the condition they would like it to be. I heard a while back that the groundsman wants to go to plastic. It might suit the game that Hughes wants to play, but it wouldn't be my preference to be honest. Why's the pitch taking such a battering this year by the way? I don't remember seeing it look so poor in a long time as it did at that Stranraer game (looking a bit better recently mind). The pitch has been poor the past few seasons with the grass becoming very tufted and bobbly as a result.

Adams showing what a bellend he is as usual. Quality comments from Charlie.

Any suggestions how to play a fast accurate passing game when the pitch is in the state ours is in?? As mentioned before, this is just the same as he peddled at his previous teams where it did not work either. How this has been missed by the Board is beyond me (will have to start dusting off IHE's "Muppets" quote shortly )

Dimensions inflated just like their crowds!!

At the moment a significant loss in income resulting from a reduction in season ticket sales appears more pressing.

Radio interview after match when your team has just been beaten - the perfect time to laugh and joke re Gordon Marshall's abilities Clearly Richard Gordon has picked up on the issues and his comments suggests that he is, privately at least, just as baffled at the mess the team is now in.

I don't think the issue which many have is simply due to just losing games. I don't think I have ever been at a ICT game when the crowd started showing frustion at players after only 5 minutes (even in the darkest Brewster and Baltacha days) . This frustration is really due to perceived tactical issues and also I believe reflects the fact that just 6 months ago we were feared by just about every team in the league. Not we are soft at the back and have to rely upon long shots for goal chances. Many (in spite of what you, I or anyone else says to convince them to the contrary) will simply not attend to watch the current style of football. IHE, and I am sure others, seems to be picking up the same vibe from people he knows and it is appearing inevitable that our core crowd will drop from 3,000 downwards. The people I am talking about have in most cases been season ticket holders for over 15 years.

Why is any of this a surprise? Same story as before. Why did the board give him the chance to destroy things with the same style which has failed elsewhere? Interestingly (probably should read worringly) out of the dozen or so people I have spoken to only three may renew their season ticket if Hughes is here next season? Possibly a very expensive mistake and raises questions regarding the direction the club is looking to go.

This forum will be much less fun if we have to stick to facts Don

Under 12s on a school night! They should be in bed

His lack of games for the last 15 months suggests an attitude issue anyway