Bridge_Ender

I would go to 4-3-3, solid defence, an able midfield and the pace of Hayes and Eagles on both sides getting the ball into Foran to get in among defenders with the midfielders coming in to collect any follow ups. Tell the team not to be shot shy and the chances will be flowing. Esson Tokely Bulvitis Munro McBain Cox Duncan Stratford Hayes Foran Eagles Subs: Allison, Proctor, Ross, Sanchez, Rooney The pace of Hayes and Eagles is what Butcher has hung his hat on for the attack, these guys will play and I've been happy with what I've seen so far. Once they settle, they have the potential to rip this division apart and provide the ammunition for the striker.

As someone who has watched the team since our first ever game, today was the most horrible, nervous, anxious, disappointing and painful experience I've ever had watching ICT. I can't believe some of the posts on here tonight. The negativity is understandable but I thought the players gave EVERYTHING yesterday. An hour with 10 men and with even a dusting of luck we could have been safe. We started the game fantastically and could have been 2-0 up in 10 minutes! I'd have taken today's scenario and performance (if not the result...) in January, that's for sure. So, it wasn't to be and it's back to Division 1. Listening to Butcher after the game was hard, the guy was hurting and it was clear the players were too. Anyone who criticises the guys who went up the tunnel at the whistle need to have a word with themselves, why would you want to show your emotions in front of 6,500 people?! I don't know who will be in the team next season, that'll all become clear soon enough. What I do know is next season is now the most important in the history of the club. I believe that how we react to this will shape how the club will perform for the next 10, 15, 20 years. In Butcher and Malpas we have the leaders who are capable to building and making this club stronger. We'll be back and we'll be stronger for it. As for next season, lets enjoy the trips to the real football grounds, decent admission prices, Highland derbies (and 12 easy points!), seeing some of our young talent flourish and become senior players, and a decent cup run would be welcome to! Bring it on!

Never met MT myself but a good friend of mine played under him in the Rangers Youth set up and rated him as the worst coach he had ever had. Totally clueless, training would usually revolve around the same set of exercises and drills and an awful communicator. There was apparently an incident when Rangers kids played Aberdeen at Pittodrie and one of the Rangers players made a run at a throw in behind the defence to receive the throw. MT went crazy on the touch line, screaming at the player to get back on-side, before one of the parents in the crowd pointed out that you can't be offside at a throw in...

Even the match report on Radio Scotland pinpointed the 'malaise' and that we are lacking any sort of ideas. Go Now Brewster

I've not posted on here for a while as I hadn't been able to get to games for a good bit. I've seen us a few times this season (including today v St Mirren) now and it simply does not improve. 1) Tactically we are dull, predictable and completely empty of ideas. Our creative players are being stifled/aren't of the quality required. The strikers are one dimensional and the easiest for defenders to handle (what centre half doesn't relish a good battle with a big striker?? We have 4!) 2) We are nowhere near as fit as we were. Munro looks overweight, McGuire looked unfit today. Hastings got caught out of position and couldn't get back 3/4/5 times today. When players were out of position they were simply jogging back and the whole team looked like they only had one gear. The lack of pace in the squad is embarrassing. 3) Substitutions I simply don't understand. Black taken off today, for McBain?! Roy has been great over the years but Blackie can make things happen, McBain is cover at best now. Imrie off for MacAllister? Rory did ok but surely iy would have made sense to hook one of the strikers (either one, they are all carbon copies), get Sutherland on one side, Imrie on the other, Cowie supporting the striker with Black and Duncan protecting the defence. 4) No passion. This is completely unacceptable in my opinion... This was a must win game today and each player went through the motions. No one looked hugely motivated and that is the Managers fault. Brewster and his clown of an Assistant must go. Now. We are a team limited on ability but on todays showing we are lacking ability, fitness and motivation. A change of manager can change 2 of these factors and affect the 3rd. I'm sure this will have been covered a 100 times on here. However, as someone who has watched us home and away since day 1, I won't be spending my hard earned ?? and free time while this pair are in charge. Whether this makes me less of a fan in some peoples eyes doesn't matter as until the board act we will be like lambs being lead to the slaughter.

The Boswell Just a 10 minute stagger from Hampden!! Kid friendly too, beer garden... Hope to see some of you there anyway! Will see what I can do about a free first drink :023:

Where are people heading pre-match?? Just a bit of shameless advertising - I manage the Boswell, a mere 10 min stagger from Hampden! Anyone ICT fans making their way down are more than welcome in either of our bars, the restaurant and also the beer garden if you require some al fresco refreshment!

In fairness, how many of these 40+ appearances have been for more than 10/15 minutes?? Alright, at the moment he doesn't look great. But he's 20 ffs! Apart from the complete one offs like Rooney, Owen, etc. how many guys that age are setting top leagues on fire?? Did Rooney not have a completely shocking goals ratio at Man U? Look at the names of the guys who went to u-20 World Cup, a squad he narrowly missed out on, and tell me how many play as much as he has? He has been thrown in at the deep end and alright, hasn't set the world alight, but the potential is there and the constant sniping from the stands at a youth team player is unreal! Out on loan for 6 months/a season then see the difference with some confidence and belief. He's got it, just not yet.

Few of us heading to the Cell on KIlmarnock Road (just round from the Shed) pre match, anyone else going? Its free entry (definite bonus!) and they've got all the usual stuff going on, sounds like a good laugh.

The argument with the kids always seems a bit blunt to me... Caley surely suffer from the same problem that has faced amateur sport in the Highlands for a long time, in that the kids come up through the ranks but once they reach 18 they leave, be it for Uni or whatever. Obviously not everyone does this but I reckon the majority of my age group have and probably pursue the fortunes of the 'big' club they supported... Although as the last generation who will remember the Highland League days maybe we will be the last generation to have a 'big' team as well as an Inverness team? Here's hoping... What do the club do community wise for the kids anyway? Do we have youth coaches into school, free tickets, players running coaching clinics with secondary school teams, etc, etc? Genuinely wanbting to find out and not having a go!

Sprawled across the sofa with a black coffee as this game is being played at my equivalent of about 5am... Often wondered how I'd cope with big games back in Scotland when I emmigrate... guess I'm about to find out...

Not going. Too expensive, impossible kick off time and a distinct hate of being ripped off. We play Celtic 3/4 times a year, it's nothing special. If the club want to squeeze every penny, fine. Will watch it on Sky. TiredOfBeingRippedOffICTSC

Fraser is potentially a great ICT keeper. If he is half as good as Campos we will all be singing his name from the rooftops. Watch this space as far as 'Ike' is concerned.

Not exactly a big name signing but I reckon it would be a good one for our needs. Bullocks pretty experienced, ok he isn't the best but he's not shocking either. Mike stays as first choice but he does need experienced competition and Bullock would provide that. I'd be happier knowing Bullock was on the bench than Jon Smith, for the simple reason he has experience and is proven at this level

Really not too bothered about Dods leaving... he wasn't particularly brilliant when he joined us, alright, he's had a couple good seasons here but he's been surrounded by solid defenders and a top notch keeper. I'd be more worried if Munro or Hastings left to be honest. As for conflict of interest, absolutely. McCaffrey has to play in the cup game and if he does well, keep his place. An ideal opportunity for Charlie to prepare for next season and have a valid excuse for dropping Dods. Opportunities have to be given to those guys who are staying. What do we gain from keeping him in the team?

Hastings physical presence?! Caff surely has more of a presence than Hastings! t Tokely has struggled so much recently we should be looking a new right back, never mind trying to accommodate him in a position where his mistakes would be even more obvious and taken advantage of.....

Whatever happened to the Tennents Sixes? Did anyone here ever go to one? I'm watching Indoor football on Eurosport at the moment and it seems like a good day out, loadsa football, family focus, fans nip away for a beer between matches, all good fun. Something that would be a good end of season event I'd say, in the SECC, a couple a pitches set up and a good days end of season football with focus on fun. Bit of a fun day for fans and players both

... has apparently signed for us. BBC Football Gossip

Atmosphere on Saturday was great, as I've said already. We must have the most pedantic supporters in the Scotland, not content with trying not to be tagged with Rangers we have to deny any involvement with either one of Caley or Thistle for fear of upsetting anyone. Also within the PC brigade we have those who reckon our fans can be too loud, scare the kids, if you sing you're a casual... etc.... etc... I don't really sing at games, used to in lower league games when most of the chants then were Caley based. Since that group has dispersed over the last few years (pre-BENI or whatever that annoying guy with the drum decided to call it) the PC brigade has taken over and we seem to have this confused identity of a family club who want a great atmopshere but no loud shouting or swearing, thank you very much... Is it any wonder attendances are down?? Who would want to go to Caley Park after reading threads like these?!

I'd take Levein or Burley. Whole thing leaves me a bit disillusioned with Scotland..... again....!

I'm sure he played and maybe even coached with Utd in the 80's. I'd be gutted if Smith chooses Rangers, and it looks like he will. F**k him, he's gonna make his bed and when it implodes around him, as it will, he has to lie in it. It ain't the 1990's, with Celtic flirting with going out of business, Murray throwing the megabucks around, players way above the Scottish league standard coming to play here because of the ££££. It's a different league Walter and one you will be able to do sweet FA in with this Rangers squad. 3/4 years turnaround perhaps but would he get that amount of time? Nae Chance!

Thought they were good craic, was sitting near them and definitely an improvement on other games I've been to. Lads were up for a laugh, sang and enjoyed themselves. If people didn't like them, then move... Also, if you're complain about singing 'inappropriate' songs then maybe you need to decide whether football grounds are the best place to go? I'm sure we did sing 'the Caley boys' to tune of 'Billy Boys'. Not heard it for years though which probably isn't a bad thing given the alignment with Rangers... Wasn't it a Caley favourite pre-merger if I remember right?

Great result, team looked up for it, happy tonight! Here's hoping it ain't a flash in the pan, congrats to everyone involved tonight!

Tedious, yes. Topical, definitely. I've said my piece already, let's see how CC goes over the next month or so. If the slump continues and the quotes remain similar, I seriously don't see a future for Charlie as manager. Which would be a helluva shame.