EWS

Who were they?

I thought you would have known Charles, that Charlie has said that they will be using the fact that there were players that he moved for that would not sign for us based on Geography alone, and so we gain a hardship due to our location. I believe he will be taking that angle.

No offense, but Inverness Castle is the stupiest idea for a nick name I have ever heard. Do we need a nick name really? I quite like being referred to as the Caley Jags, which I take as our nick name. Though I suppose: The Crofters The Great Washed Ballistics (I quite liked that one) The Northmen (although we aren't the most Northern club) That wee small diddy team that somehow manages to survive and beat those so called big teams week in week out.

Check your soure as one of them maybe have been Rangers Where were you last season? Under a rock?

He was named in the Star of all papers, however I can't remember his name! Yesterday's edition!

I suppose the title is really the question of the topic. Are you happy with what Charlie has done over the summer. No home friendlies (although that was because of Elton John), no defeats in any of the frendlies (although whether or not that is a good thing, considering the standard of opponent), 2 signings and being linked with other players. Now that we know that one of the Austrians and Marsh will not be signed, does Charlie have enough time to get in that CB to replace Dodds that we need. It seems that Deano will be good enough to replace Dargo, and Niculae may be useful either as a striker or as a midfield. I feel really confident this season, and although I doubt we will push for a European place, a top 6 is a real possibility this season. We have a strong team, and although we still need to get that CB, here's hoping we bring in someone good. What are your thoughts?

This hasn't been mentioned as far as I can see, but Virginmedia are now offering free Setanta with their XL TV Package, which is a rather good deal for me seeing as I was planning on purchasing Setanta for the coming season!

Yes I am, the players aren't really having to work very hard, and as such may be at a lower level then they should be for the first days of the season. We haven't played one biggish club. Even Falkirk got Ajax.

Good to see that the pitch survived and is in good looking condition!

18,000? Not quite that many, probably nearer 16K. Yeah he did wrap himself in a Caley flag, and was also harping on about how the SPL wasn't all about Rangers and Celtic and that what we have done is fantastic. He was good, but as a showman, Jools Holland is better!

Was there not an CIS cup match in our first half season in the SPL where we got to play it at home and use the terracing?

With that idea you speculate that it comes with an adult season ticket, so thus garuntees that you have a kid and an adult at a game, hopefully bringing in one more.

That part there suggests you are referring to the recent newspaper stories. My thoughts on drugs are not in line with a communities, so thus I don't really have any place to comment.

What you have done there is directly reference the event that myself and Scotty have said that just cannot be done. You have narrowed down the discussion instead of keeping it broad.

I don't think it is any secret that cocaine usage amongst football players is a problem in Scottish football. Because it is removed from the system quickly, it makes the perfect drug amongst sportstars. With Gordon Smith saying that he wants mandatory drugs test for everyone, I think he has recognised that there is a problem within football. I'm kind of split on this topic. Part of me wants to say 'Out of sight, out of mind' and part of me wants all users to be banned. I sometimes think if it isn't affecting the players ability then where is the harm? We hear of stars in other professions with drug problems, they are splashed all over the tabloids and what usually happens there?

The most important word you use there is 'allegedly.' Until that 'allegedly' turns into 'did' then this forum cannot comment and cannot allow people to comment on the matter especially when it involves an ICT player (as it does in this case). Like I said, I would welcome a discussion on players who take recreational drugs and the morality behind all of this, but if it cannot be separated from what a player has 'allegedly' done then the admin of this forum cannot allow the topic to remain open and in public view. As far as we know, the player might have done nothing wrong and it may be a case of in the wrong place at the wrong time.

He is now involved in running the Walkers business and the last I heard he was involved involved in schools football as a coach of Strathspey I believe.

The admins have explained why they cannot allow this to be up for discussion when the facts are not known at this time. I have read 3 different reports in three different newspapers and all of them say different things. The Daily Record claims it was cocaine. The Sun claims it was either cocaine or speed The P+J claims it was cannabis. I have read a report that he was caught in possession after being reported and I have read that he was in his car looking for something when he discovered it. Until the facts of the matter have been released, and are not just heresay, then the website (which acts as the official forum for ICT) cannot under any circumstances put itself in a position where they may be cited for libel, defamation, perverting the course of justice or any other law. This topic will be discussed at some point, and I have intimated to the admin that I would like this topic to be discussed. However, at the moment it cannot because we do not know all the facts and all we have are rumors. The personal life of players has always been one that has come under scrutiny, and one that this website (as long as I have been around) have decided to actively take a stance against discussing. Yes this topic is going to promote a discussion on drugs and sporting heroes, but until we can separate the private life of one of our players and the topic of drugs in football the admin are going to continue to stick to their guns I feel.

Just bought the paper. Apparently Setanta have the chance to show 3 live games that weekend, and the third may be the ICT vs Rangers game. Although they admit that there isn't a 'cat's chance in **** of getting Rangers to play in Inverness on a Monday night.' Apparently this is because it is unfair that Rangers fans will have to travel to Inverness on a Monday night. I for one would not want this game to be shown on the Monday as I intend to come up for it.

I read a headline on the Evening News here in Glasgow that mentioned something about Rangers fury at Monday night switch for this game. Anybody know of any more details, or am I going to have to go buy this paper?

Ah right sorry. Didn't know that.

Just so you know, apparently it is illegal to reproduce the fixtures.

Rumours? It is just one guy on a message board. No chance of getting John Sutton as I said in a different thread. I fear that we will be plundering the lower divisions for a striker, and one that won't be able to do the job. County are a no go for any decent strikers, and it is going to be hard enough convincing a decent striker to move up to Inverness over any other options that he gets. I can see us sticking with Bayne, Wyness and Rory for next season. With that Buchanan lad added in.

That is two players we have offered 'record-breaking deals' to and two players who decided that the pastures weren't good enough at Caley. If he does go to another SPL club, then I will look forward to Tokely, Munro and whoever may make up our defence kick seven shades of **** out of him. I guess money talks in the end, which is a sad state of affairs over where you are most likely to be happy and play. Caley are an emerging team who are slowly developing into a feared team amongst our other SPL competitors. As for a replacement, if we couldn't afford to keep Dargo, I very much doubt we will be able to afford someone like John Sutton.

Anybody got any links? Or any idea where he is going? If he goes to St Mirren I will scream.