Scarlet Pimple

O.K. I've found it on the main web site. However the payment went through but there is a stoppage now and the information to me is that it's taking a long time to go through. However I am now finally through to the play-video page and have entered the password given to me by Donald previously . The video has started to play showing the players exiting the tunnel and then has stopped completely and won't respond to clicking on the lower left white arrow head. There was also a white arrow head right in the centre of the video but it disappeared quickly and so no access from that position. I guess I will just try again.......

Can someone please tell me at what time (GMT) this match starts in Inverness? Is it 6.30 p.m. by any chance. Then I can have my payment done and my cup of coffee to hand . Tahnks. S.P.

Yap. It's a funny old world isn't it...?

Yes, and it won't be long now--the clock is tic-ing.

And the BBC seems to agree with all that above..... http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/39000462

Interesting thread. Rangers are in the doldrums right now and maybe we should ease up on them a wee bit. After all, games against them are remunerative for us. And so, hopefully, there will be a packed house tonight. The past goings-on have brought them to their knees and if it wasn't for the ex-Whitecaps player, Miller, strutting his stuff at the ripe old age of close to 40, then what do they really have to offer? Not passion and honest effort that's for sure. Ibrox is in freefall and a shambolic situation reigns there. But we should remember "There but for the grace of God go I." After all, based on our good record in the Premier League to date who would have thunked it about our current freefall from the giddy heights? "Yep, Festus, thar she blows !"

http://www.raithrovers.net/raithtv?vid=52 John Hughes expounds on his philosophies with regard to footie in general and his new club. Interesting video! Who knows where this club may end up. He sounds highly motivated and rested. Enjoy.

Why did he say something that might seem like a real denigration of Richie? Was it a slip of the tongue or big-headedness or just a rush of blood to the head I wonder. For a man in his position it must look like a touch of sour grapes, eh? Either way it is a classless thing to do, lacks forethought and could come back to haunt him. When Mr. Hughes was at Hibs (which in itself was a short enough tenure wasn't it?) I used to tune in to my radio after 5pm to make sure I did not miss his often very amusing and pithy comments which at best were really entertaining. But the way he left ICT was not very cool, apparently, and this legacy is always going to haunt him in my mind. The fact that the struggling club were left on the hook for his substantial salary was a nasty piece of jiggery-pokery because he seems to have taken his time getting into another position. However, I really can hardly see him engineering this move for that reason alone except that if the benefits of such were not clear enough to him at the outset then he was not the smart enough character I had assumed he was. Let's leave it at that. But Raith Rovers reminds me of Kirkcaldy where I had my sinuses washed out which was, like the toon, not cool either and this is surely a comedown and a half for him because this is hardly a top flight club...not like East Fife, like, which I once supported.. Unless getting off the Caley dole and into any club is his best move and option to date without which he is hardly ever going to get his foot on the future ladder of success and a return to the game he must love along with us. Talking about the terrible twins I was listening to Terry Butcher on the wireless the other day commenting to his buddy game reporter or commentator and, boy, did he sound good. I have no time whatsoever for T.B. but he does appear to know his football inside out and seems to be doing very well at the BBC.

I was recently watching the video of the Rangers V Celtic match when Celtic just ran away with it and the score was 6-2 or close think. Strangely enough, for all his faults Joey Barton was one of the outstanding Rangers players. Pin-point passing that never seemed to go astray, loping all over the pitch without running himself ragged and getting into a position to be available for a ball. I never saw him dispossessed etc. and the other Rangers players never seemed to stand out, whereas he was cool and commanding. Such a pity his off- the- field antics appears to have nullified his obvious on-field experience and skill. My point is that we won't have to deal with him now and Rangers confidence must be at a fairly-low ebb. If we play with continuing heart and intensity we could win this game........

. Wow, that's a huge and very encouraging surprise. If there is a monthly subscription I would prefer to pay for the season in advance and that should, perhaps, help you also to meet ongoing expenses. Whatever you need. In the event of something going amiss during the season you could place the money directly into the club or something. Your money suggestions are reasonable to say the least. Congratulations and thanks, gentlemen, for all your hard work.

Good report ICTfcsince1994.

With Rangers in a shambles, on and off the park, why not expect at least get a draw from them? Yes, how did Anier and Laing do? And five stars to OFW for what must be the save of the season. After all, no loss and one point is a real spirit lifter for our team and the fans.. And I hope that this means his injuries are finally beginning to clear up because his record up to the point where he suffered greatly was fantastic. Meantime top marks to the team for their fighting spirit. Interesting report....... http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/38940471 S.P.

With the cash from the Celtic match either in the bank, or about to be paid into their account, this must take a load of the management and increase their desire to assist Richie to strengthen his team upon request. I like the words of the new boy, Laing. Seems to be a steady lad with his head screwed on correctly AND he also seems to have an ability not to get involved in expressing himself with tact and thoughtfulness. Hopefully he will settle in very well.

Bauhaus--I was up early this morning as well as Scotty to try to take in something....but none available. When we won the Scottish cup I watched the whole match on an American channel after twisting an arm at Shaw Cable, but nothing now available. Roll on the club's plans for more access to video? About your views on Dembelle's price I must admit I have mused over that as well. Are Celtic stargazing in the hope of transferring their product to the English Premier League? The amount of money they seem to have available is scary and, frankly, do you think they now belong in the Scottish Premier League. What team can currently match their money and performance capability.? Rangers can't seem to get it together although, with talk of the club' being willing to forego pressing Mr. Warburton to pay back loads of cash when he walks away from Ibrox, which seems to have been a term written into the original agreement should things not work out between him and them, they surely must still have a lot of money available? Whereas man-management appears to be very strict at Celtic park, the Rangers allow a swollen-headed Prima Donna like Joey Barton into their midst who causes trouble almost right off the bat and eats up a substantial part of their cash reserves without any noticeable return on their investment. So, is that poor management and player assessment brought on by desperation to make it quickly and allow them to match their rivals in green jerseys?

DD ..The "move-on" remark and the lesson it taught me related to a special circumstance in my life: I had bought a townhouse and tried not to listen to the stories I heard about how it was run by the Committee voted-in to run the complex. Ultimately I joined the Committee because I had misgivings about what I saw and heard..e.g. there were only 5-6 committee members most of whom had been there since the complex had been built only a few years previous and had become used to doing things and getting their way in everything. So much so that matters were discussed at the complex's postal box in the street by the "Old Guard"and decisions made about what was to go down before meetings even started. And, as an Ex Bank Inspector and Manager, nor did I like what expenditures I saw on the Balance Sheet and Profit and loss account. An issue at the Committee meeting was being debated and I voted against it, at which point a member leaned towards me over the table and said 'Oh, I can see you are going to be a "no-man", eh?" Subsequently, some damp was discovered in a few attics and an Inspection was done which stated that my attic was clear. However, all units had to pay $1,800 (about 1,149 pounds) for their share of the repairs to those attics that had even minimal damage. I suggested that the total bill was daylight robbery since the infestation only affected a few units and then found that the Committee had not obtained several estimates for comparison purposes. By then it was too late and we had to pay-up. I then advised the Council by letter that in my opinion the amount of money that had been set aside for the future roofing replacement in the Balance Sheet was inadequate, pointing out that this complex had double roofing, one above the other, but this was ignored and no action was taken to review the issue. Also, repairs were authorised to be made to the large, rear concrete slabs of some units. However, I had noticed with interest that the Chairman's slab and other's, which in my opinion did not need any major repairs at all, were also included in the work done. When we had moved-in the monthly fee was some $120. Eight years later, when we decided to move out, the monthly fee had been increased to $185. i,e. a $65 (54%) increase being 7% per year when the average annual inflation rate over that period had been about 2%. This did not include the annual property tax bill. So, realising that this was all about power and position within the complex and not about prudence and common sense, we moved out and bought a detached home losing a substantial sum of money in the process because the market had started to slide downwards by then. Months later I met a resident in the street who told me that there was an uproar amongst the residents in the complex since the B.C. Government had brought in expected regulations to make sure that all townhouse and condominium developments had to now produce records every year showing that money set-aside for future repairs and upkeep matched the assessed value of the needed repairs AND that these regulations meant that our Committee had to increase the monthly fee to $300. Which of course also meant that the existing residents would now have much greater difficulty in selling their individual units and would have to face a similar selling price downgrade just as we had to. Meaning? That if you are up against intransigent power cliques who are not morally motivated and whose minds are closed to ideas that are based on common sense and a willingness to embrace new ways of doing things to prepare adequately for future challenges that can be foreseen, then stop trying to convince them ... just move-on.

Bring on the positive and discard the negative. It's got nothing whatsoever to do with happy clapping which is a term designed by the inexperienced to imply that those who choose to stay on the positive side of the fence are either old fogies or delusional. It's the difference between the thoughts of a 17 year old as opposed to those of a seventy year old with much life experience who has learnt, almost too late perhaps, that life is short....and you can't go back no matter what. If you waste your time wallowing in doom and gloom and that negative situation and thon negative Manager etc., etc., your chances of moving onward and upward, or inspiring others to face up to and overcome tough odds, fades away. And ultimately there is no stimulation nor enjoyment in it for either you or them. But think--if there was no black to contrast events how would you be able to see the bright shining light? And it's the glimmer of hope that keeps us going isn't it? Not the certainty of death or despair. If that bright light closes down then your life is finished. And as one very intuitive spiritual entity once advised me ..."if you come up against people who don't think the same way as you do then ...move on ". I followed his recommendation and he was right. Sometimes people find themselves in a situation where they really don't know where to turn. Everyone needs support at some time in their life. A word of encouragement here and a little bit of praise there can make all the difference to a person torn between the acts of quitting and/or winning.

Doofers Dad. I have to say that I agree with you that Richie has certainly tried to fill in the blanks and put a team together that would be hard working, attack minded and competitive. Let's give him his due--he has worked at it. But inserting players from other clubs at short notice is a bit of a hit and miss prospect and it takes time for a really cohesive team to emerge. Let's look at this season as his rebuilding process and remember that he needs time because Rome and ICT were not built in a day.

Tres Bien, Monsieur. Et tu Brute?

Wow, c.mon caley! As I look out my window there is heavy snow coming down here--- over a foot overnight already. Shoot, My wife is calling me here at 8.39 a.m for a cup of tea. Thank goodness there is something that can warm my heart. Maybe a sly whusky to boot...smile. Back soon..keep smiling-seems like a great fightback,

Did you say another penalty missed?

Frankly, Dougal, considering how low the crowd numbers are these days it's surprising that there is any money left over to pay the players' wages week in and week out at all. Neither the Board, nor Richie for that matter, has (apparently) many arrows left in their respective quivers to allow them to save the day. What it boils down to, it seems, is that the Manager and the Players have a real ding-dong heart -to-heart talk and resolve to get out there and play their hearts out in the next match to save face, souls and the club.

If he would consider coming over, bring in John Robertson as assistant to Richie. Not replacing him but in a joint capacity or something equally unique. Even on a pro-tem basis for the rest of the season it would give both a chance to get a breather--Richie would have good professional support in a very direct, and maybe in a somewhat more mature, way and John would be able to get his foot back in the football scene. You can see where this is going don't you....? Then let John do the shouting and screaming at the players if they don't at first respond to his decrees so that Richie can see how to do that and what results can be achieved from it. Seemed to work at Manchester United --- with boots being booted in players' faces et al. O.K, O.K., do it your way! Personally, though, I think it is worth a try.

I'm bereft of thought now because I have not been able to attend the past games so will be wise to keep mostly quiet since I'm not in a position to judge. But, instead, here's the viewpoint of some BBC wallah: http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/38727201 Rather than tanking the players Richie might be better to try to shame them by SHOWING them : i.e play himself in the next game and boss them in public. That may have some shaming effect or even an upifting effect i.e IF he is fit enough now to put out the energy. And If the players respond he should scream praise at them for every decent move they make. If it's a bad move then suck it up and say little on the park. The time for moaning and groaning and blame has passed IMHO and the only way it appears that he will be able to collect the sheep back into the fold is to show them he is with them all the way but expects them to support HIM also by way of effort .If they sulk and refuse to do this then they really are a sad bunch. I think that he would gain a lot of support for his unique position by doing this .........?

Don't often come on here but good news is always welcome. Canadian eh? Can't get away from the, gotta love them.