Scarlet Pimple

As you know, there is more to Dougal than meets the eye. I think that the sudden (as it appears) staff clearance is most likely to be related to finances and so on. Have any staff mentioned that they have not received their money on time, or at all, recently? I really hope not but that would be a killer if it has happened...?

That goal he just scored in Ireland a day or so ago was a very neat lob from the wing which he latched onto perfectly before it even touched the ground.Tmed beautifully. No hesitation, caught it and belted it towards goal in one beautiful movement and there you go . . Wow! I am very hopeful that Darren will not onl be a good player but will fit in perfectly with the boys in the squad. i.e Now we have a great group of lads.

The games I've seen on my computer between Caley and Ross County have been great and very good entertainment . Have a great evening and enjoy. And that includes Moray Jaggie..... Cheers,, S.P. ............… in a very cool Wild West of Canada.

Yes, It could be that our offer will not be sufficient to lure him away from his home berth. Looks like Derry will get him. However, if you really want to get-on in this world then you often have to make brave and bold decisions about leaving home and moving on in the world. I hope he feels that this is an excellent opportunity for him to move to Scotland and once again be favoured by a possible future try out for a bigger team than Caley as he progresses. Timidity + Derry will not be good enough. If he fails again in Scotland to impress then he can always go back to Ireland and spend his days there. What an opportunity for an aspiring lad by coming over to join ICT. If he is as good as is reported then when we get back in the Top division his prowess will shine and he could get a big move..But it's entirely up to him now.

Meaning?

Well , Moray Jaggie , what makes you think that I know what is going on in a fan's head before a game? If that is my opinion , why is that arrogant? If a fan is interested enough to go to a game occasionally does that not show he or she is a fan? Maybe he is an old fan but maybe a new fan or maybe an 80 year old codger like the Scarlet one who is very interested in the fate of our team but might not be so sure that making the journey to Dingwall is a must for him? For them it might turn them into not a real fan but a surreal fan? Who knows? Just enjoy the game.

looks like our regular commentators have run out of steam. I am an even bit more stoic and just let things unfold. A return to the Premiership , though, does seem a bit more remote this season. However , having defined the problems then perhaps we can devise a way out but probably this will be a very gradual uphill climb.

Moray Jaggie., I don't usually question members about their expressed opinions. ...to which they are definitely entitled, But Just what do you find negative or denigrating to ICT in my above last post?

Some negative comments on here from the odd person/fan. Look on the bright side chums. This could be a cracker of a match. If it is not on the telly then it will be their loss not ours.-- our real fans will be at the game. If we want to go much further in the tourney then we have to beat them somewhere along the line. Look on the bright side.... this is going to be our day and a big win from our team of young lads who are playing well with good ball possession and passing.

Bride--the name is in my memory somewhere from way back in history. Something to do with King Bride . Was he a Pictish King and did he live up at Craig Dunain , or both, way back when? Where is IHE when you need him? . You lived up at Craig Dunain did you not? I am sure I am on to something here.

Maybe they eat oysters to improve their saxophone drive..?

If the Board of ICT think that changing horses in mid-stream is not a good idea then "Sit tight and pray" may be the answer this season. All newer Managers need to be given time to "bed-in" and really get a grip on their player roster, and the actual state of the financial picture re the club, before they make a dynamic (and possibly costly) move. Oh, and loyalty should surely play a part in any well-run organisation ? People need time to weather storms , bed-in, invest and try out new ideas. With the apparent lack of money available at ICT these days surely the best strategy is to sit-tight, back the Manager and spend wisely rather than in desperate fashion. And no more contracts like that made available to Richie Foran who was a great player but apparently had little or no experience in Management whereas John Robertson does. JR is also calmer and more of a thinker than I believe R F was. Stay the course appears to be the best strategy for ICT at this time . But they must bring on the dancing girls, or SOMETHING , at half time !!!!!!! -----because this is ENTERTAINMENT folks and if they want more fans to come to games then they must cater to families and bored bodies freezing on the terracing. EVEN Summer football would be an advancement. Standing in freezing weather and chittering is never going to be a recipe for success.---- IMHO at least.

And, if I am not mistaken, Yogi left us under questionable circumstances? Here today and gone tomorrow, like? .

I like you, IBM! Ha! Ha! Thank you , you are a real gentleman. Golly Gosh --I'm rumbled. I already knew the score by doing exactly what one of you likely lads suggested. And I was so discombobulated (in a nice way , mind you) that I thought I would just remind you that you just have to be nice 'cos you will have to meet me on your way down when I am still mindlessly drifting upwards. I was just reading the BC world news online and drifted into an article about Ross County and found it really interesting. However, frankly, speaking, I did not expect that score line, bejabbers. The next three games will decide our fate and just to show you how nice the Pimpernel family can be ,here is a nice read for you lads and lasses to weigh up en masse. We are going places ..Yes! . https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/scottish-championship/table

W H. In case you are still not aware of it I live about 5,000 miles away from Inverness and if you are up for it can you please advise the COUNTY scoreline . Thanks!

What was the County score?

Looking carefully at the overall financial position , changing horses in mid-stream is folly. Robbo is probably doing the best he can with very limited resources. If an injection of funds is expected at this point then from whom would all this money come from? It does look as if the Board members are not inclined to inject personal money into the club or is my understanding of this situation not correct?

I have to say that I do empathise with Robbo and his challenges. He seems to have the right spirit and ,let's face it, he took over a dying duck. As to motivation I am not sure that he quite has all the marbles lined up in a nice row but how do we know anyway, unless we ask each player individually of their opinion of Mr. Robertson ? And are some of them really old enough to fully comprehend what his ambitions are and how he will try to achieve them when he is now drafting in the younger set? After all, a Manager who even tries to spend money wisely can still come a cropper through injuries to players , one bad transfer and trying to make sure all his changes are fluid and work? But liking a man for his efforts will probably not cut it in this ICT situation where we are still wondering if anyone on the Board has any real football smarts or are just there for the ride so to speak. Frankly I am also wondering if many other Managers in this division also have the same frailties and lack of money that plague us. It seems like a disjointed framework all -round and not likely to change radically before the season ends. And not at all, season to season , UNLESS a large sum of money is injected into the mix to galvanise the major changes needed that are readily apparent. Comments please?

That was quite a read and leaves me drained. It does raise the question as to whether or nor Robbo is the Man for the Job? But, if so, then who is and where would he or she come from? Unless there is a dramatic rise in effort and an upped tempo then this season is a bust. Many parts of the Ross County game showed us up well but that too faded and R C were in command again by the end of the game and accordingly won that game. A winning team does nor fade or throw in the towel because the spurts of energy and effort has a fading spell. They keep at it and that is why I ask..."are they as fit as they should be for professional players or are they very young boys who need a lot of encouragement? " The team seems to be disorganised and lacking solid direction --either that or the players we have just won't be able to handle it?

Ryan Dow--great set of teeth but his ice blue eyes could preface a steely warning stare waiting to break out to stop the opposition in their tracks. Looks fit though? Anyway hope he might be a hard running player who can get the ball into the area of the net for someone NOT to miss a good chance to score ?

I looked at IHE's remark again and I think you are right about the target of his thoughts. So relieved 'cos I like the grumpy old sod, I really do. Our promotion Bucket? Well you just never know. I see Celtic are slipping and the Rangers gave them a pasting lately. Good , A bit of humility from Celtic's officials would be encouraging.

No problem Buckett. It takes all kinds to make a world. Without the darkness you would not be able to see the bright light and what it shows up. What I do remember about the Whitecaps was once when Willie Miller ran almost the length of the pitch to score a great goal and that was a real highlight for me. Cheers! And a very happy and productive New Year to you and yours.

Comments noted IHE. Somewhat nasty are they not? Ever thought of contacting a member quietly and off-site to discuss your challenges? You are a smart guy and knowledgeable but getting in too deep with sarcasm and rudeness will not serve you well. Over and out, Biggles.

OOPS ! Well that is disappointing. Not yet seen the video but it sounds as if there may be a lack of an ability to direct the ball accurately and near misses don't count I'm afraid. I was just reviewing Mantis's video of the Morton match and that's also the fact --too many reasonable chances over the bar or just plain not on target. The boys seem to be playing very well but truly the finishing needs a lot more work. e,.g Why so many balls too high and/or over the bar or, whether left or right, missed the goal completely. Maybe instilling a little more composure might work? I don't think it can be solely Robbo's fault but he should be making the boys practice shots on goal, definitely. And then practice ...and practice...…

Satan---natas far as I knew.