Scarlet Pimple

With an apparently significant increase in the number of fans showing up then that's a very encouraging trend. And a terrific performance and win surely should convince more folks to help the team by showing up and giving strong support. Could be we are on the way to further glory..?

Eagle for Caley which part of South London do you live in? Are you familiar with Streatham? In my early twenties I bought an old, but good-looking, 1935 MG , which cost me 100 pounds in a Streatham garage and drove away chuffed. Then it broke down on the same day. I took it back to the garage and they gave me 50 pounds back. ie First lesson for an impecunious youngster. :--- don't spend all your money unless you have a very good mechanic who lives vey close to you at home.

Alan, it's probably because he's getting a bit older and needs his blood to be up and running more quickly to get him started. Or perhaps he also doesn't want to risk further injury by being too violent in his exercises from the get-go?

Whew! Really don't know where the blame should be levelled with so many conflicting opinions. Letting a manager go in midstream could, however, be the final straw against getting promoted . Looks as if Robbo should be allowed to stay until season's end and then the club could take time in selecting the new Manager if thought to be needed.

If, as it appears to be suggested above, Robbo is negatively commenting on the performances of the players in public , I hope he changes this strategy. All that is, or will be, doing is attempting to divert attention from his own imperfect management techniques which necessarily are therefore being ignored by these players? That kind of conversation should be intense between him and the individuals and very constructive and helpful to that player. Especially if he is avoiding the making of constructive remarks to the players' whose performances he finds wanting. That's his job. If he must publicly belittle their individual performances then how does he think that he can manage the human beings who are doing the actual work on the pitch? i.e encouragement is a great strategy for him and will gain him greater respect unless the player involved is lazy by heart and won't co-operate....at which time it's "sayonara, buddy" and off he goes.

It's a move in the right direction, Especially when there seems to be little other meaningful advice from our fan base.That should sum it up. And therefore these two gentlemen should be given the courtesy of heartfelt appreciation and best wishes and support for the future. As for Mr. Robertson, some hefty encouragement is now in order! He has a contract and the terms must be met on both sides . Currently, continual support seems to be favoured over dismissal for obvious reasons. Even with the best support, the best team sometimes stumbles unexpectedly. Encouragement is necessary now to improve the atmosphere in the dressing room and negative criticism must be measured and done privately, neither in front of the other team members nor in public. It's easy to blame the manager but.....time will tell.

Well, IHE, at least you are off the sherry and onto milk, lad.

I do like you IHE, something that is not unknown to the great unwashed on here. Smile. But sometimes I don't get what you are referring to? Would that be the Podcast by any chance? Or is it all just blethers through a mist of sherry fumes...?

Not anything to laugh at now I am afraid. Robbo looks lost and doesn't seem to know where to turn. Notice that his criticism of players, either in general or individually, is not strong. And he seems to be unable to decide what to do to get the players to respond and share in his near-depression. In short, does he feel now that the players are not strong enough to "take-it" or not talented and/ or MOTIVATED enough to change? If so, then player morale is very low and individually the general attitude may not change until the manager either gives them a strong lecture or tells them that in general their own jobs may well be in jeopardy if they do not keep on trying.

Jack--not always a good idea to go …"back" , like.!!!

Well, if Robbo goes, even to Hearts (which I doubt) , who would you suggest we put in his place? I can hear your disappointment...I'm even a wee bittie depressed myself. Maybe Robbo has just run out of ideas.... whatever the reason his slip is showing (at least for the future) and perhaps a change IS required to get the team back on track. Was the "flu bug a causal factor in this defeat..? Sigh.....

Checking of handbags? Why on earth would they waste time doing that? Isn't that a severe violation of privacy as well? Maybe if all the girls wore it upside down on their head that rule might be changed.? This guy would not remove his gear for anyone. And if he brought his beautiful horse with him he could always get him to kick in the door or summat?

My comments are confined to Robbo's statement to the media which I listened to a few minutes ago. He did sound "down" but not ultra frustrated or even furious and I don't recall him saying anything about making significant changes? His comments as usual were a commentary on the different plays of each team and the different circumstances faced by each team which, at this point, are already well known to the fans that attended. Exceot that he offered no solutions as to why the team did not win. He was subdued but nothing he really said resonated as being of tremendous concern or why the team failed to contain D.U. and also put them under continuous pressure. Frankly he seemed confused as if, in his mind, his team were a good team but, FOR SOME REASON HE COULD NOT FATHOM , THEY DID NOT FORGE FORWARD AND GIVE AS GOOD AS THEY GOT? What springs into my mind, however, was what were the instructions he gave to each player and what roles were discussed? Even if I like John Robertson the question does arise in my mind as to where he is going to go from here,? And whether he is the man-for-this job? It's a cruel world and a team without oodles of resources is already up against it even if the manager may not be the right fit. The comments about the assistants on staff are noted and perhaps the team needs a change there. Or the obtaining of outside professional help may, at least, be investigated . to deal with player motivation, training routines and so on.

Boris then plays for Partick Thistle?

I don't think that Robbo would necessarily succeed to the levels that Hearts prescribe . He has a steady and rewarding billet here at Inverness and I think he is held in high regard so he should really consider staying for at least a couple of more years and concentrate on getting us promoted. THEN he will be in much higher demand and can leave on a high note if he wants to. Mind you he may also really like to stay on at Caley Thistle because his job will likely to be much safer here in Inverness ESPECIALLY if he gets the team promoted.

Accentuate the positive and deny the negative. And this seems to be Much Ado About Nothing Much. If you really try to give credence to this type of situation through a negative attitude or observance stance, etc.... then what are you contributing to the betterment of ICT? Isn't there some other subject that can be discussed on a much more positive plain? Especially at a point in time where crowds are sparse to dismal and our future is far from clear either financially and/or the associated possibilities of either further promotion or decline for the club...…..eh? And when an older Fogie like me reads this I must admit to ennui and the start of the dreaded Caley depression spiral. Instead, when you feel down about things over which you really have little control, then get some pals together and go round the doors to rally support for the team. I bought and ran my own business before I retired and when I changed my job to do so in Canada I realised that I had to succeed by my own efforts and gave myself one year to achieve this --and stayed 29 years. And loved it--the freedom, the challenge, the successes and mastering of failures by moving right along was a challenging but really stimulating journey. Of course, doing excellent work also helped. But perseverance is key and POSITIVITY is, above all, the stimulus for you to succeed, regardless of what other folks are up to.

Whew! Remarks on here today are deflating. Yes, McCart has always had promise but to blame him so soundly for putting the ball out for a throw -in seems harsh. First of all he's human and will make a mistake. Secondly, It may have been a lethal play but there must be other factors involved as well :- e.g. where were the defenders positioned to stymie the opposite team getting possession? When the throw -in was taken who was marking the throwees? So maybe coaching of him and other players must be improved and the fact of a better performance being essential must be inculcated into their minds. But--it's a team game and maybe it was just an overall low performance situation? And, therefore, perhaps Robbo must put his foot down and warn the players that this is simply not good enough and changes will take place if there is not a much better and thoughtful effort. He has a tough job but he's the boss and must instigate a bit of ruthlessness into his job if he can't get through to the players either making bad mistakes or not putting out the effort...…? For the sake of the future of our club he has to goad the players and then encourage all of them after they respond. No response? ......Then bring in other players and show them who is boss. What else can you suggest, eh?

20,000pounds? A miniscule reward? No! Any sum of money now should be music to the ears of the bankers of ICT. Beggars can't be choosers and overdrafts have a tendency to get larger and larger....unless the interest is paid each month and the deficit is cut even a wee bit. So, if that sum cuts deeply into the accumulated interest then IMHO, that's great news. And the fame of our team winning again cannot be underestimated , especially to the fans who hitherto have not exactly been coming to the Caley park in droves.

I agree with Gringo that the swearing lowers the class of the PODCAST. Otherwise it's just outstanding and clearly the contributors are well versed Caleywise and very smart cookies as well.

Never mind these guys Alan. Just continue to be your own , entertaining self, and you have my vote. Then all you have to do is avoid things like sarcasm and negativity then Bob's yer Uncle (he used to be mine but he died of old age) and Billy is yer goat.

Alan, you area a bit of a card. But interesting and a dedicated , knowledgeable fan. Yep, Festus, "keep it simple Sam " seems to be a very good advice. I think,,,,

Garrincha--please advise exactly what you mean by the words "prioritise the team". My feelings are that , even pro-tem, if the costs of sustaining the youth don't lead to any kind of revenue return on the money invested by the club then you must terminate that process. Sorry,but "needs must when the devil drives". And right now this is a desperate "prune root and branch" scenario. No half measures. Don't necessarily believe the nice words of incomers to lull you into a false sense of security. Ask for specifics and demand proof of intentions. You have a current situation where, apparently, no specific plans or deals currently exist or are in the pipeline for any shareholder or incomer to fund the losses and/or the club on an ongoing basis. So how do you propose to run the club unless crowds get much larger? Waving your hands in the air and saying "oh,something will turn up" doesn't work when the chips are down and the club has no plan for this situation to improve. The product is good but the punters won't show up so support through "thick and thin" doesn't loom large at the moment. So there is no other option but to sharpen your pruners and get busy supporting only stuff that has an impact on the revenue stream and the product on the park. All expenditures other than salaries must be reduced very quickly and on an ongoing basis. If you don't see that as a reality then go to the bank and ask for an extension of their credit-line. They will not get it unless the club offers additional security by way of guarantees from wealthy individuals or the provision of items such as bonds or investment paper of real value. Severe pruning of expenses is the answer and/or the addition of other revenue earners such as a canteen with an outside access point for half-time bevvies--i.e if none exist at the moment. or..setting up a raffle each fortnight for sale of tickets as they enter the stadium,etc.

The reports of the home fans' despicable taunts must be answered severely by Ayr United Board (note that I said Board and not just the Manager). Failure to do so should lead to a complaint to the SFA if the latter still exists in Scotland. Appalling behaviour and the local newspaper should make a comment notable only for it's strident calling -out of such fans. I have never heard of such callous and contemptible behaviour as this at any other public event. I'll quit whilst I am ahead and as I remember the desolation I felt when my mother dropped dead in the house many years ago from a stroke.....!

Request urgently that the fan base make a (substantial) donation to the club with a specified minimum amount and a specified minimum number of donators. Then also quote the total target sum required which, if not reached, can trigger a return of all monies donated and received to that date. WITH INTEREST. Why? Because as soon as the target is reached they can work out a deal with an insurance company with terms that the company will refund all requested returns of money donated to the club to each applicant, if the club cannot pay them back, if requested to do so within a specified number of years.--say 2-3 years. The premium might be fairly high but if it was sufficient to cover the returns then it would probably be worth the club's taking on the responsibility of returning the individual donation as and when requested AFTER the specified number of years has been reached. By then the donator may not need or want a return of their donation so …. that's just human nature, especially if they have not missed the money going out of their pocket anyway. Sounds corny? Then firstly ask the club to consult with an insurance company before putting the final touches on the deal to show the fans that they mean business as an alternative to going bust. Then, if all requested returns are repaid as agreed upon within the specific 2-3 year timeframe, the club are left with the remainder of the donations in hand and at that point they are no longer under any obligation to return any of them. Everybody benefits:- The loving Fan base gets an emotional charge from helping ICT over an emergency situation. The club works hard to make changes for the better and sets up a joint once per month club and fan discussion event and works hard on encouraging the youngsters to take an active interest in the club with the club working hard itself to make direct contact with the local schools on ventures that can hardly be turned down because they make common sense . Or they can fail...…?