Scarlet Pimple

If Ian Black is the consummate professonal that he should be, there is not really a reason why he should not fit into the International Squad at any time. If he has consistently been training for years his body has become acclimatised to the rigors of same and his heart and his lungs will have adapted to this.That is what conditioning is all about isn't it? It's up to him as to whether he is willing to train hard continuously -- as a true professional would--or let himselrf go. Football is football and if he owes it to his team to play to the best of his ability and at the highest level of fitnesss he can maintain for his age. It's also up to the fitness trainers to ensure that he pulls his weight in the fitness department and I am quite confident that Rangers Newco will be anxious to ensure they win every game in a canter to make absolutelty sure that they move up the leagues quickly again. Unless , of course, he is an absolute idiot and looks upon his sojourn at his new club as a holiday bonus or something. In which case it won't be long before he is back to painting....

No one can say a player blighted his career and it was "a mistake", in retrospect. First of all no one can truly know all of the reasons whay a Player may leave any club and move on. Every move he makes broadens his outlook on football and also on life so a mover always benefits one way or the other. If he did not do as well as some people had expected maybe the influences on him would have been the same no matter when he left//moved. Folks, never be afraid to try something new--what you gain and what you lose always depends more on your attitude and outlook (positive or negative) than on outside influences--which you always have the option to change by another move. :love02:

Last year I received a letter from a relative in Inverness here in Western Canada that took only three days to arrive. Now that is something else and obviously the U K postal service were doing their job very well because the Canadian postal service leaves a lot to be desired, Consider these incidents: 1. I posted a small, ordinary calendar from Vancouver to Inverness last year. The cost was $13 and it took 10 WEEKS to arrive. Shock and awe! I asked the postal person how much expedited post would cost before I paid it and she replied --oh, you mean for arrival within ten days? Yes I said, more than a little astonished that it would even take that long. She looked at me and said..$54 ......and they had to pick up Mr Pimple off the floor since he had fainted on the spot. The next big deal for me re the post office in Canada was to post a vital document to the U. S Internal Revenue Service in Austin Texas. I figured that Registering this would ensure delivery and I was also told that I woudl get a signature upon delivery and I could track the letter online,The cost was $16 for a small letter. I got neither service. eventually. It took 4 days for the letter to be sent less than 100 kilometers to the U S Border and another 2 days for it to arrive in the sorting Office in Los Angeles (S. Wesernt U. S.). I was able to track it to this point and thereafter the trail went dead. Alarmed, I got in touch with the Canadian Postal service and they started an investigation--2 months later I am still awaiting the outcome. Looking up the website I then noted that getting a signtaure in America for delivery should have been another $2 but the Canadian lady never told me that. I now know that the document was delivered but I bet , even if I live to be 100, I will never hear from either the U.S.or the Cdn.postal Service again unless I continue to bug them to death. So, welcome to the Canadian post ofifce where workers get to go on strike for a huge pay raise, all outstanding debtshave been eliminated by jacking up the cost of stamps and service incredibly and is now privatised and making millions of dollars in profit, the service has deteriorated a lot and you know the rest pf the story. Laurence, Amazon does not charge shipping and handling fees as far as I know when the overall order is over $25 so why would they suddenly start imposing fees on you, pray? Very hot weather here now , chums, over 94 in the shade the other day--could not believe it--almost as bad as Scotty's place in Toronto recently. And he has a greater humidity to go with it I believe.

Well-written article and it's his opinions so he is entitled to them . However, my opinion is that a 2 rating out of ten, or even the hint of a 1, is too low--C'mon, that's just hitting below the belt for effect. I asked C.B. to send me an Oxford English Dixshonary and, yes, he's right---Naive is not spelt naieve....shoot! Thank goodness none of us are perfect...........except the Pimple, of course.

Did you kinow Jimmy Clitheroe mabasfc--or, better still, did you ever hear of him.? Now when you come back doon tae earth after yer wee visit don't forget tae tell yer pals that there are some verra strange Heelaners up in yon yar hills. And some are pimples frae Canada, no less. All wrapped up in the red maple leaf flag and sic a pretty sight. Are you not fed up with them in your capital bringing their big Mooses (no it isnae meeses or mice) to charm the locals. Thon Moose is small compared to the real thing, Maba. Why, in the wild West Grizzlies are twelve feet high and Moose about twice as long and tall as that. Some greedy enterprenurs got the idee that getting some of they Mooses intae the Calgary Stampede and hitched to the chuck wagons would draw in more of the current 300,000 spectators paying upwards of 300 million dollars per season but when they got up close they just as quickly changed their minds and set them on camels instead. I Guess when their buddies called them fearties then they got the hump..... :love02: no pun intended, like......

Aye IHE --and it was called a "number 5 football. and it was made of solid leather. Goodness only knows how the players could get that ball off the ground on a rainy day, let alone send in a nice, high, curvy "bend it like Beckham" high one into the goalmouth..eh? Yes, you are right about the lace. Get a high one coming down at you , all rain-sleeked an' all, and belt you on the forehead with the lace was enough to put you off yer tea , so it wuz? Now the balls seem to be so light that even goalies can score.

Interesting article here by the Vancouver Sun re Barry and his attitude. http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Barry+Grouch+worthy+Oscar/6999431/story.html

David Proctor remarks that MLS is more of a possession- soccer type of game compared tp the SPL. He say the pace is slower and passes are more sideways than forward, as in the SPL. Almost exactly what I said in a post recently in the Barry Robson thread I think. Barry will fit in well here in Canada since his somewhat slower pace (he's over 30 now) will mean he can use his experience to good effect. I am looking forward to tonght's game on TV against Real Salt Lake, weather is great out here --finally-- in the West and the pitches look good too. Hoping to see Willie Miller and trust he is up to speed now and will make a difference in the goingp-forward department. Good luck to D.Proctor. He was often maligned but was an honest player who IMHO always did his best and did a real turn for ICT. He will probably earn a nice paycheck and will like it over here .Hope he does well.

That's maybe why --- Hassli has his moments but is often seen to be missing. Hope he fits in though. At least when we next meet we will know what to expect from him. Just teasing Scotty.

All right the,n I won't tease you. No, Barry and Kennie are not holding hands but are now accredited players for the Vancouver Whitecaps. Barry has already score at least twice and is already looking very comfortable in his new role at his new club. And, signed recently, Kennie Miller intoned to the local newsmen hordes that he has always wanted to play in MLS and has come to a great city and a great club. and feels that he welcomes what he thinks will be a great experience. Well, Kennie, all praise for diplomacy and, frankly, what I personally detected as genuine feelings but Vancouver will not be great until they can bea Toronto handily and win the MLS title. Anyway, that's nice, let's hope he has not lost his pace and his trickery 'cos the 'Caps sure need a more direct approach. Their midfield play looks accomplished and classy but where is the aggressive forward motion and hustle? And if I see one more sideways pass that looks morte like an "after you Claude", or, more accurately, an "O.K. I don't want to risk losing it by passing forward" pass I will (like Violet Elizabeth Bott---Charles, you will remember her from Just William as I recall) just scream and scream. I have just looked at a video from the Caley Park in 1996 when Caley beat County handilin a derby match and the players on view were really fast as heck and knew exactly where the goal was. What great skill and exciting footie. But this crap that we do have to put up with nowadays lacks guile, effort, energy, forward thinking and ....and....well guys and gals, you get th3e message. Good luck to Barry and Kennie though. I think they will help this team along the direct road to greatness, Scotty, are you scared, like? C'mon, you are so, admit it ...........

Itchy--what's that font, I like it. Knowing of course that you are the font of all knowledge.

Hope so too. that is one heck of an injury. And the fat lady sings..."it's not over till it's over" t=That injury can come back to haunt you many years later. But he was under the knife early and got top attention so if he is careful he should be alright.

Also, once in the SPL, the effect of pride in accomplishment beomes more pressing and the other influence of "keeping up with the Jones's " then comes into force. It's rather like a compulsive gambler who has a wee bit of success--he keeps on spending because he loved the way it felt when he first won and feels sure it will come good again--and soon.

Inertia relating to the presence ot the OLD FIrm has been the order of the day for years and yeas rand years.Everything has revolved round their presence and undue influence . This may have brought an element of stability to all the other clubs but the real situation is cruelly revealed --let one fail and chaos results because ther sense of independence has been nullified.Too much reliance on big brothers' control and influence has prevented them from flourishing on their own. Now the chickens are out of the coop and the unbalanced state of Scottish football and the SPL are revealed for all to see starkly. Doncaster and his gang of self-serving dopes are desperate to solve the IMMEDIATE problems on his/their terms. But once a temporary solution has been agreed you can bet your bottom dollar that these people will be just as desperate NOT to change the status quo thereafter, for the long term good of the SPL. They are shooting from the hip on a seemingly daily basis but what about permanent and necessary re-organisation? Silence is golden and so are the salaries of these bozos. What a farce.

Yes! Dougal . Surely your tongue was in your cheek when you posted such uninformed drivel. I respect ever body's rtight to express their opinion but this is total codswallop. When Barry has been on the ball his experience shows and, as I said, he is rarely dispossessed and one always has the feeling that something good will happen . How can you be honest when your knowledge of MLS soccer (at least you have used the correct North American term for football) is virtually non-existent. Consider this : At Toronto the other night a mere 19,000 fans drifted in to support the team which is not ranked very high at the moment in the standings and in Vancouver the regular attendance is about the same. Wouldn't Caley thistle d=ie for numbers like that. Like it or not, the North American sports are heavily backed with huge money and MONEY TALKS,PARDNER. Further,they don't half know how to promote the team and these efforts make the plinky plonky music at the Tulloch stadium pale into the shade . Have a look doughty Dougal at the Vancouver Whitecaps website and see the variety of video and audio outlets and services tha they provide. You mark my words, within ten years the MLS will rule the world of soccer. http://www.whitecapsfc.com/ Then go to the Toronto F C website and check that one out.

The only comparison with Rangers that has any creibility musrt surely be the colour of the shirt. If you discount Terry's past adventures in a Glasgow tinted blue, of course. All I can think of to say is....ACH!

I agree and that is why I am sitting on Scarlet and not allowing him to say a worrrrrrrd.

Och, let's be glad he is chirpy and spirited but just ask him nicely if he can spend some of the savings on razor blades and show up for training looking a wee bit more professional.

He is right on one thing --this may be, or have been, the one golden opportunity to make decisive and far -reaching changes in the structure of Scottish football. His sad-sack pronouncement, with all kinds of tones of bitterness and negativity running through it, could be what he feels is a preparing of the fans for a major downsizing of the structure of the club. Because this is a knee-jerk, almost petulant, outburst verging on panic with a very ominous ring to it which surely does not reflect the view of the whole Board.. I am scared to say any more. Celtic F C., who have more to lose than the other, smaller clubs, should be encouraged to consider sharing their huge income with the other clubs to ENSURE that clubs like ICT do actually survive. Otherwise they themselves may very soon go the way of Rangers, because there will be few "major " clubs to play against and THAT will be the end of them because the Englanders have already turned them down --emphatically. This crisis was coming anyway and Rangers monumental faux-pas merely hastened it.

Alex , you are too bl..dy quick on the uptake for a mere Pimple. I was only testing you and you did not disappoint me. Scarlet 's got egg on his face, Scarlet's got egg on his face...Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! As a peer seer, I predict that MacKenzies will continue to play a major part in the development of this site well into the future. Where is IHE when you need him Scarlet? Caley D, be kind to Canadians. We try hard and sometimes we are WINNERS--like at the last Winter Olympics. Hoch! Hoch! And Scotty--the man who always talks common sense.And pictures don't lie either do they Scotty.? Just wqait until Tporonto is next in vancouver --it will be a different story. Martin Rennie is a thoughtful man, doesn't rant and scream on the touchline. But not infrequently has a word in the ear of the touchline official and then seems to soft-soap him wit hand gestures of resignation and compliance. He's a wee smart one, this. Thanks for the info, guys. Thurso, huh? ------------ Who would have thunk it...?

Last night's game against Toronto F C was Barry's 3rd outing for the Vancover Whitecaps. In this game I felt that he was just beginning to show his stuff and even starting to take command of the game's flow. In general he is a calm customer and rarely is he dispossessed of the ball. He seems to have the calm ability to drag a player with him and then turn away form him to go in the oppoisite direction, seemingly losing him completely along the way. I never saw him before this and so, having heard a lot about him, I was really interested in his performance.It seems he left Caley thistle in early 2008 and I was in Inverness in that year but the games I saw there at Tulloch were the first three at home for the 2012-2013 season, not at the end of the previous season. I think what stands out is his calm confidence. It almost seems as if he is not bothered about anything but, not surprisingly, he does make some very accurate passes and some are long distance, far-seeing wonderful passes. He also has a mean shot and is not afraid to have a go from distance. He certainly was a bit unlucky not to score last night.And one of his corners very nearly led to a goal, just evading the onrushing head of one of the Whitecap's forwards by inches. At 34 , however, I can't help but wonder what the 'Caps really had in mind bringing him in--maturity? Yes. Steadying influence? Yes. About 3 years maybe left in him? Yes? But, as Scotty correctly muses, this league is developing fast and is attracting some interesting talent from overseas--Beckham, Thierry Henry, et al, and is blooding some very athletic and up-and-coming raw, new talent from the USA and many other countries so it may soon be time for Barry to retire. I think his main influence will be as a steadying, linking type of factor in this team. The team plays some excellent passing stuff but does seem to have difficulty in penetrating close to goal. The wings are rarely used to put the full backs under pressure and draw defending players out of the middle. So much so that I think a sea change will be required in coach Martin Rennie's views to open up opposing defences. Like many "modern" coaches he seems to be a slave to the jingoistic formations of modern time and lacks the flair to foster opportunism --maybe this would be a bit risky but it sure would be a lot more exciting than just playing one lone striker up front all the time. Martin Rennie is Scottish but from where, or what, his playing background may have been, I know nothing. Can anyone help here? He speaks well in interviews and seems to be able to assess his team's performance, etc. accurately enough but I think that this team still has a ways to go to wow the fans.. The pace is fast enough but there is always that lag in time getting the ball forward and rushesup the park are never that exciting...and it's all down the middle. I feel that the challenge is that the game is being overpowered by tactics and player positioning by numbers--if it is not a 4..3..3 then it's a " diamond formation with Willie Wombat as the spearhead".... etc. etc. Blah, blah but no reallty active wingers on sight. No Willie Johnston playing for the former Whitecaps at the corner flag, taking a swig of beer from a bottle handed to him by a well-meaning a guy in the crowd, then taking the corner and....... SCORING!! WHEEEEEE! Barry looks the calm part and once he gets more time to get fully up to to speed re fitness then it looks as if he could do very well here.

Darren mattocks? No! He's not like that..can't see his name on any of the shirts...... I thought that Dunfield was going to have a herat attack after he scored that terrific goal. Shoot, they shoudlhav ekeot him at Vancouver. He scored for the Whitecaps in the first game of thelast season and i hav enever herad such a cacopany of noise from the capacity frowd. Talking about crowds, Scotty, what is the Toronto stadium capacity? It looked a lot less then full last night and there were a lot of empoty seats there, I suppose being very low int he league eventually does that to a team. But I see them climbing up the ladder soon.Gritty performance ast night. At the end they sure looked the fresher team.

Luis Silva for ICT? Dunno about that but if Barry Robson can play for the Vancouver Whitecaps then maybe an MLS'er can come over to Caley Thistle. But is Silva a bit petulant maybe?. Well-taken goal though.He was substituted later on but that was for an injury wasn't it. Scotty, I was quite inpressed by your Toronto side last night. For goodness sake, what do the Whitecaps have to do to beat this team away from home.? Toronto is a hard working bunch of lads and I was really surprised how they came on in the second half. The Whitecaps play a great passing game but have you norticed that they (and other MLS teams ) rarely play the ball out wide to wingers and the old-fashioned game we used to see where the wingers hared for the byeline, and cracked the ball right across the goalmouth crying out for a touch in, seem to now have been relegated to the past. All this ****y passing through the middle and rarely any goalmouth incidents. One player I would love to see playing in a Caley shirt, though, is the Whitecaps Korean International at right back, Young Pei Lee (Y.P.Lee on the shirt). Athletic, highly skilled and rarely puts a foot wrong--such an otstnding and cultured player. Doubt if Caley could afford him though. Toronto played very well and in a very determined way int he second half. But you have to hand it to the 19-year old Darren Mattocks (black guy--aren't they all in the MLS nearly?) who scored the Whitecaps second with a huge leap up, where his feet were level with the defender's shoulders, to slap the ball into the net with his shoulder. I think this lad has a real future if he keeps scoring the way he is doing and his confidence must be soaring. I enjoyed thta game last night although there was a lot of stidgy stuff but the tussle was absorbing. As for Barry Robson I have made a few comments there in a separate thread. The old master showing his experience and cool. Early days but he could make a real difference .

Bewildering - and that's before the season has even started?

That's what we are looking for-character! I feel certain that Mr Draper will.. fashion.. his own niche--o=tyerwise it may be... curtains... for us both.