starchief

Clach Though I actually liked all the Highland clubs. I know it's a bit strange but if Ross County/Skye/Nairn etc were losing to Clach, I'd hope they would make a comeback and just have a good game. I still like all the Highland clubs. I know we're supposed to be rivals with Ross County but I like them and hope they get to the SPL too! Always get a bit embarrassed when people criticise Ross C for being teuchters. Inverness is hardly metropolis! The isolation and access to the wilds is one of my favourite things about Inverness/the Highlands.

Presumably jnr is Barry. Can't think of who would be snr?

a) He's heading towards the end of his career and has publicly stated he wants to go into coaching and management this summer b) He's already in the Scotland set up and I like George Burley as a manager. From what I read, he also held Hearts together during a difficult time. Needless to say, he has the leadership quality on the park (which would be useful as it is) and could possibly provide that off the park. Roy Keane had no track record but he took Sunderland from the bottom of the Championship to the Premiership. Keegan also with his first stint at Newcastle. Paul Ince at MK Dons. Everyone has to start somewhere. All those were leaders on the park. Sure, it may not work but I prefer to take a chance with a new prospect that may just provide that inspiration (with a guiding hand alongside), rather than the usual Jim Duffy/Bobby Williamson etc. that are always trooped out. Doesnt Brewster fall into that category ? He may have been around a long time on the park but despite 3 roles as manager (ICT,DUFC,ICT) he can hardly be described as having been around a long time in a management sense. I will grant you that its yet to be seen whether he actually has any "new ideas" though !!! Inspired choice first time around. But we now know what he can or can't do...and he abandoned us at the first opportunity, then failed. Someone else mentioned Ally McCoist (no doubt with Archie Knox maybe alongside?). He wasn't interested but that inspiration is what I'd like to see ICT go for.

Much as I fear for ICT under Brewster's leadership, it's Caley Thistle I support - no matter the manager. (Ok, don't always get across to Scotland but it's the thought that counts - I'll be renewing my ART Sports subscription if that makes it better)

Re: Pressley. Think he would come. He's got to start somewhere and is looking for a player/manager/coach job. By all accounts, he's got a good future. I'd rather have someone with new ideas and a steady guiding hand alongside him, than the usual names who have never really done much but been around a long time. We could have Paterson/Robbo "over" him as Director of Football or some such rubbish to avoid any inferiority complex, though I'd imagine Paterson would take a lower step for a return to being a F-T pro. What are his options? P-T with the Highland League? Re: Kevin McDonald. I'd expect someone with his credentials may be looking for a bigger club. Still, worth a try.

With our central defence in such trouble, Watt should either have been used or shipped back by this time. Just don't know what he's doing here.

Re- Ally McCoist. I believe he was approached before Rangers signed him up for the backroom and turned us down as he didn't want to move. Steven Pressley with Paterson or Robbo as Assistant and Christie/Wilson as coaches.

First they came for the Terrors and I did not speak out - for I was not an Arab... :rolleyes02:

Can't see Watt coming. And I'd be very disappointed if he was considered 'the answer' to Dods. bamba has a lot of talent but needs someone strong alongside him. Had we had Dods or Mann instead of Munro alongside him, I'd say sign him up. Might be too difficult for us to control without that strong figure. Still say Tokely should be at centre-back.

I also think Hamilton will go down. There are a few other teams that would worry me more if they were promoted. That might sound strange given Hamilton came top but even in the SPL, you get teams coming thrid then struggling for top six next season. As for Wyness, I think there is a chance of him coming back. I liked the suggestion of a 6-month contract with options. I suspect after a good pre-season, a fit-again Wyness would come good. Don't think there's any chance of him staying mind you and I can't blame the management team for not taking the risk.

They do have foreign (including Scots) for the big match in Cairo, Ahly v Zamalek. Maybe for Rangers v Celtic but if you start going for Rangers v Dundee Utd - even in such a match for Dundee Utd, where they were pretty much out of the UEFA frame in all reality - then what will Scottish referees umpire? Myself, I don't think there's a conspiracy towards Rangers or the Old Firm. However, I do think there's an unconscious bias towards 30 000 fans yelling for a penalty as opposed to 3 000. It's just human. Also, the OF tend to attack more. Naturally, they get more penalties, whilst other teams, if they get turned down in a game, it's a big deal, even though the OF opponent may have had more than one turned down. The claims: I wouldn't blame the ref for the lack of sending off for Cousin. Don't think he could see it from behind. The assistant ref should have though. Should be fined and banned. *The assistant referee should have made the call for the 'goal'. He was easily in the best position. Don't know if he flagged :symbol_question: Penalty. First saw it, thought it was just a stumble but second look, definite penalty. Suppose if I got it wrong, can I criticise? *Just found out - assistant flagged. He's got to bear the brunt of that decision.

Fraser Tokely Munro Godnoze Hastings/McBain (no problem with the full-backs for me, though need cover if Proctor continues at def mid) Proctor Black Cowie Niculae Imrie? (one game doth not maketh the man) Wyness (obviously that'll change)

Wow. One central defender. No holding midfielder. Central midfield containing two wide players. I'll say one thing: there'll be plenty of goals (most of them in our half unfortunately).

Think the deal was agreed before Brewster was settled. Basically, on the advice of the former manager. Think once Brew had a look, he decided Wyness wasn't good enough. For me, I think he can get it back with a good pre-season, so I'd offer a 6-month deal with further options. If he doesn't then time to go. I believe it's been mostly down to injury that he has been poor recently. Think Brew still needs to go. Brief upsurge of form but his track record as a manager (without playing) is poor. Let him learn his trade in the lower leagues, then he can come back. It's his Dundee Utd record that frightens the life out of me. Just don't think he's got it in him to stop a slide next year.

Think St Mirren wanted him to play football :football01: rather than sing :music03:

It's definitely Barry if it's a choice. In fact Barry and Charlie as coaches would be a big improvement. Someone suggested a 6-month contract for Wyness. I'd like to see that. I feel Dennis could make it given a good pre-season but can understand the manager being reticent about a new contract.

What about Fiorientina v Bayern? There were a number of top teams from England, Spain, Italy etc but they didn't get to the final. It's a fantastic achievement for both Scotland and Zenit. Here's why they are Scottish: They play in Scotland They have Scottish manager Most of their players are Scottish Scotland is in Britain Supporting a Russian team over a Scottish team is so parochial. Get a sense of perspective. That moves the whole of Scottish football forward as much as the results against France did and qualifying for the World Cup would have. I'll support any Scottish team over the Old Firm but not a bl**dy Russian one! (even though I'm about to do some work there).

The Fiorientina manager has denounced Rangers for defensive football. Italy denounces negative football :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: He who lives by the catenaccio..... As an aside, I've criticised Smith enough for his defence-minded football but seriously who could he have played? ALL his wide players (Beesley, Naismith, Adam, McCulloch and Burke) are injured. That would leave either Novo (who's really a striker and for me works best as a sub) or central attacking midfielder Buffel, who has barely played in a year and a half (though I liked him when he did). Two strikers and no width would have just meant long-ball. Not much more entertaining

:crazy07: :crazy07: :crazy07: :crazy07: :crazy07: :crazy07: Fan-f*$!ing-tastic!!!!!! Even Papac scored! Scots wha hae!

I agree. Bl**dy Cousin! Rangers don't deserve to win but I hope they do. Advocaat v Smith for the final?

You mean Pressley now or you never rated him? At Hearts I thought he was the best defender Scotland had at the time. Never really recovered from injury.

Successful team in Europe from England Liverpool :021: Man Utd :021: Notts Forest :021: Arsenal :021: Everton :022: Ipswich :022: Aston Villa :022: Newcastle - um, just when :symbol_question: :33:

Christie IMHO was probably the most skillful player we ever had. I applaud the fact ( :clapping03: see I told you) that when he left Celtic, he came back to Caley rather than a lower SFL club, where he could have no doubt made it. I also think he was a good coach, although his lack of Dods replacement counts against him. I'd certainly prefer him to the current manager but my ideal situation would be either Christie or Pele as assistant (or even the duo as a management team). No problem about players or managers coming back. Just depends which ones!

Hmmm, so there was no fallout at the club then? No doubt the Under-19s just needed a little morale boost :symbol_question: Piece of nonsense that interview. Can't see Black wanting to sign a new contract at present, so there's the choice of lose him for nothing or sell him now (or for a knock-down price in January no doubt). I reckon no more than 250, 000. Worth far more but we won't get it. Just make sure we get a big percentage of his next sale. For me, he's easily our best player bar Marius. Think we'll struggle to replace him. I know you can talk about what happened recently when he was missing but over the course of a season, Black is a big advantage.

I think he had colossal talent. Had some really bad injuries though, otherwise he'd still be starring for Scotland today IMHO. I still don't think we have a player that could score as many as he can. I think he'd be a good purchase. Anyone hear the tale of Paul Dalglish? He was starring for Newcastle, then suddenly dropped. He later revealed that Ruud Gullit called him in and said that he thought his father's criticisms of his management were unfair, so he was going to be unfair too and drop Dalglish from the side. And people wonder why he lost the dressing rooms and Newcastle and Chelsea...