Stevie

Sandy, I can appreciate what you're saying but to continue the debate further, the odds in my opinion are stacked against Inverness, many neutrals had ICT as their banker to go down. Why ? Basically because:- 1)As i've already said, we've got the lowest average gate, you may not read much into that but it generally spells doom and gloom, hence the one with the least money will invariably depart the scene. 2)It's obviously connected to the first part but if you look back to the Inverness team of 2002/03, they were unable to get out of the 1st division. If you take Dodds as a straight swap for Mann We've added Dargo but lost the very effective Barry Robson. Very little change otherwise. Now personally I feel the team unity, (a group of players which unusually for nowadays have stuck together) is the reason this team has surpassed itself and the reason ICT are in the position that they are. The teams we are competing against are able to go out and sign up guys like Burchill, BARRY ROBSON, Allan Johnston, Steve Lovell etc etc. Inverness meanwhile can do very little in this department. The group of guys that ICT have, have performed miricles for the club, personally I find it hard to criticise them. Criticising the club remids me of a story about a rep, who worked for a firm who liked to think of themselves as progressive. The poor guy doubled his turnover in his first year, added a further 25% in his second, in the 3rd year he was barely able to make any increase in the previous, and the company put the poor guy under so much pressure he resigned. The bloke had done all he could but it wasn't enough.

Granted, ICT didn't play very well today. Don't worry Motherwell ain't any better than us, we beat them heavily @ Fir Park a couple of months ago. A fair bit of moaning going on, on this board about C.C. and certain players though............UNBELIEVABLE ! We're sitting 7th in the Scottish top division, personally I think it would be great if Inverness were at the top but if you stand back and take everything into account, 7th is great. We've got the lowest average attendance in the SPL, like it or lump it that generally means you're the bottom of the league. Inverness might, one day, grow into one of the bigger SPL clubs, I don't know, but meantime I am thourghly enjoying their well earned high status. I obviously hope that in the future the pessimists don't have to look back and say "hey those days were great, wish we'd have appreciated them more"

St. Mirren, on the first day of the season apart, Alex. :007:

Listen folks before you start, I do get out plenty, I've got a decent social life, honest. I thought however that I'd share a wee statistic with you that I stumbled across whilst looking at one of last seasons programmes. After being on the wrong end of a 3-0 doing from Falkirk(26th October), at home, Brewster decides to go to Ibrox pairing Duncan & Black together in central midfield for the first time that season. ICT's form, which had been little more than decent, took a fair old turn for the better. The Ibrox encounter finished a very credible 1-1 draw, and it would be March before Russell and Blackie (playing together) would taste league defeat ! In between this, Inverness were beaten at home by Rangers but Liam Fox took Blackie's place that day. Perhaps Duncan, as his holding, spoiling role suggests does invaluable, and basically unseen teamwork, maybe they are the best pair for the middle. What do you think ?

Naelifts, sounds like a classic case of "nostalga ain't what it used be" Were there not some poor games back in Division 1, 2 or 3 ? Do you not think that in years to come, you will fondly recall the 1-0 win at Ibrox or Rankin's late double against Falkirk etc.etc. ? Often, of course, you can get a more exciting game at lower level, simply because errors are much more commonplace. On the other hand, at the highest level you can get games which are not so exciting, because the players are at a higher technical level. Classic example being this years World Cup, some bland stuff on show. Hats of to you for all your travelling, and I'm sure the great memories you've got will be overtaken by even better ones from the present

You're right, I doubt Bayne will ever be prolific, but he gives us something that we otherwise don't have, That being the target man option. Some folks don't fancy it, personally I do. Joe Jordan, to use one example was anything but prolific, but a fantastic striker nonetheless, creating endless chances for his partner and other team mates.

I think you're a wee bit harsh on CC Metalgecko. ICT are imo doing a **** good job of consolidating their SPL place. Immediatly after the results I'm disapointed at drawing with Hearts and Aberdeen but after a wee while I look at the bigger picture and say, hey look how far the team has come. Ideally progression will continue, but right now we shouldn't neccesarily expect to beat clubs like these.

Correct. We've been pretty lucky so far with the injury and suspension thing. That will undoubtably change. A fine state we'd be in if we're struggling for players whilst Richie is strutting his stuff at Peterhead or wherever. If Charlie must send guy's out on lone then it can only be younger guy's going simply to get experience.

The Craig Gordon save from Blackie's header was unbelievable.

I'm a great lover of statistics:- 2005/06.- Inverness p15....pts18 2006/07.- Inverness p15....pts19 Well done Charlie (and the players of course) for the continual progress of the incredible phenominin that is, ICT

I see the logic in your statement kencar, but although Hearts may well play with 3 centre-backs, it would be highly unlikely that they would put anymore than one man on Bayne. Should be remembered as well that the big fellow played particulary well at Tynecastle earlier in the season, scoring into the bargain :003:

I think the superb goalscoring exploits of Dargo and Wyness around about the turn of the year has a lot of fans yearning for the partnership to be reinstated, and I can understand that. For me,however, Graham Bayne is the most underrated player at the club, he gives us something that the other two can't. Call me old fashioned but I think, especially in the SPL, you need an ariel threat, a centre forward who is targetted from crosses etc. I firmly believe Bayne to be one of the best centre forwards in the game. I recall reading an article by Jim McLean stating that if you analyse goals you'll find the vast majority come from crosses coming into the box, personally I'd stick with Dargo and Bayne for just now, Denzil, McSwegan and Rory will get a chance through injuries or suspensions before long. Regarding the general idea of changes, I agree with much of what "The Mantis" says, we've come through a particular tough spell of games, Easter Rd and Parkhead are the hardest places to go at the moment.I wouldn't be bothering with much alterations. Having said that I don't think we can afford to leave Blackie out.

Think you've probably got it right Harry

Just had a look at the official website, it says UNRESTRICTED VIEW seats are now sold-out. Just restricted view seats @£21 left

I'm 99% sure it's ticket only. I've got a similar problem. I wont know until Friday if I can get off work in time, trouble is I don't stay near Inverness therefore can't go to the stadium to get my ticket, and obviously they can't send me one at short notice :008:

Apologies if I've missed the obvious, but why is Alan Morgan so far out the picture ?

Any defeat is disappointing, a defeat at Easter Road to the current Hibs side is no disgrace, and by all accounts we've played reasonably well. Certainly the BBC's radio coverage described a few chances, and their goalie had to be in top form. Good luck to Michael Fraser at Parkhead.

Very interesting IHE. If my memory serves me right Booth was a pro with a club like Charlton ? a good few years ago. He's summed up things fairly well in his brief time watching ICT. A couple of things I wouldn't agree with :- Whilst he likes Bayne, I don't think it fair to say he was like a "headless chicken" Don't really fancy the thought of Barry Wilson in the playmaker role , I might be wrong but I cannae see him strutting about in the Hartley style. I think Barry was born to be a wide player, albeit he's lost a bit of pace. Interesting nonetheless. :021:

I wouldn't like to see anyone dropped from yesterday. Blackie on the bench for me.

Fantastic news. :021: Grant Munro, for me, is an even more important player than Dods. The guy has slowly grown in stature over the last 2 or 3 years to become the excellent defender that he is. A great signing by Inverness. Similarly, Bayne typifies the club. as far as I'm concerned, he's the first pick up front. McBain, I'm happy to see sign the deal. He maybe wouldn't make my first team, but he's been a great servant and will remain a good squad player to have.

Aye it was a sore one to lose that goal so late but I suppose that evens the score from the late show at Pittodrie earlier. Another fine performance from ICT in my opinion. Graham Bayne WAS ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING. I said it before he scored, I really thought he did everything a target man centre forward is expected to do and more. I can understand folk wanting to go with 2 footballing strikers, **** Wyness and Dargo proved last season with their goalscoring exploits, what they can do, but for me Bayne is a must to start. Also thought Barry Wilson was excellent and Rankin gets better with every game.

Aye, the narrow Celtic victory has made the chances of 2nd place pretty slight. It'll be brilliant though if a victory tomorrow night at least puts us on equal points with Hearts.

After much thought this is the line-up I'd like to see. Apologies to McBain but I think Richie can give us something extra. With the absence of Blackie, I think Duncan must play in order to give the midfield a bit of bite.

Ended 4-2. Paterson under pressure :001:

David Pleat is like the Archie MacPherson of England, he talks absolute pish but is tolerated because he is an old senile bar steward!! HA HA ! Aye and he seems to think he's the new "Dixon of Dock Green" with his "evening all" at the start of the game. Showing my age there a bit :010: