starchief

Oh. I thought we were going to give a top six finish this season a real go. Seems as though we were still trying to avoid being bottom :017:

I think he's got something. It's either that or we're p*ss poor. And that can't be true :001: Can it? :rolleyes02:

I <i>did</i> say most. The comments from the first 8 posters seem to be the same as me, i.e. never seen him play to give much of an opinion, so calling for him to start just doesn't seem credible.

By now, he should either have played or been sent back. As most of us will never have seen him, I don't see how we can say 'can't be worse than x' . He might well be. But we should know that by now and the loan canceled.

I know Hibs were unhappy with him but I thought he did pretty well. They just couldn't seem to get over him playing for Rangers. Butcher kept Coventry in the Premiership whilst making a profit for the club (no easy feat). Take a look at how many managers Brentford have gone through in the past few seasons. They remind me of Peterhead - they want success but just don't have the means to get it, so they blame their managers. Sydney of course was a complete farce, where he was close to the sack virtually the minute he set foot in the door. For me, Sunderland has been Butcher's only real letdown. I'd still prefer Pressley with a good assistant.

No chance of Collins even considering it I'd say. Think he's learned he doesn't like the bargain basement. Don't think Lambert would come either. Why such a downer from everyone on Williamson? He did really well at Killie and was decent at Hibs (who couldn't get over that he played for Rangers - so what?!). Ok, he wasn't so great in England but would you turn down Smith, Levein or Jefferies for the same reason? (actually I know some of you would so let's leave it as rhetorical). Assuming no chance of Paterson returning (which I'd like to see given a chance), Butcher is probably my no.1 at the moment (though it's not set in stone).

Definitely one of the major reasons. Didn't see anything at that time to suggest CB could turn it around. Levein has done a tremendous job at Dundee Utd and has a track record of being a decent manager in Scotland. Brewster was only any good at ICT when he was playing. He left at the first opportunity, completely failed and should have had to rebuild his rep in the lower leagues. And yet, ICT were pushing for a top six finish. Christie didn't have the stomach for the job. Brewster doesn't have the talent. Time to go (not that he should have been welcomed back in the first place).

Think we need to get realistic here. Can't see any manager in the SPL wanting to come to Inverness. There's no transfer budget, so little to leave for. That leaves SFL, an older player looking to manage or unemployed (or a foreigner but where do you start?). I'd be fine with either Paterson or Robbo (let's face it, he would have walked over broken glass for Hearts). Williamson seems to have a bad rep these days but he did excellent with Killie and not bad with Hibs. Could do worse. I'd probably take a closer look though at some of the SFL managers. Paateleinen would have been a great catch had we got him. Gough I thought did a decent job at Livi, even with their chair. Butcher wouldn't be a bad shout either. He's had a lot of clubs but I think he did well at Coventry and Motherwell. Didn't have a chance at Sydney of Burnley and was only average at Sunderland. It was mentioned before CB but how about Pressley (with an experienced 2nd in command)? Chris

If Gretna survive and the takeover works, do you think Gretna will leave their town a la MK Dons? May not be a bad investment if they can tap into another population...trouble is, I can't see where that population may be without crossing to Carlisle or Ireland (and UEFA won't accept that). Chris

I'll get my boots! :alien04:

What about the fans who supported the team "Pre Mileson" and now face the prospect of their team sinking into oblivion because of one mans desire to play real life Football Manager? They will be left with nothing. As much as I feel sorry for those owed money, I'm sure Gretna will do an Airdrie and become another different but the same club (not Gretna but Gretna United or some such). Probably junior level - just like they would have been without Brooks. I don't think they'll have many bad memories of their time. It's just their creditors that lose.

If he really does have the money (and some reports say thee nay) then I'm really surprised he's just pulled out like this. He could have backed them til the end of the season, then pulled out with the "I've taken them as far as I can" line. I doubt he ever made money from it, rather it must all have been down to a boyhood dream and desire for glory. Why become the villain of the piece at this late stage? :024:

Much as I agree that Gretna should never have been promoted in the first place, I can't help but feel it was an amazing experience for the town and their supporters. They went from a village team to the Cup Final and the SPL. Now, they will, in all likelihood, go back to where they came from. Perhaps with all the debt, they might not be THAT Gretna but I'm sure the town will still have a team somehow. Of course, you have to feel for those left in debt but I'm sure the supporters would do it all again. Rather that than the lifestyle of East Stirling etc - low crowds, destined to get nowhere. As that was the best existence Gretna could have hoped for.

You need a blend of youth and experience. I also feel we're deeply lacking in some positions. An out-and-out goalscorer and a commanding central defender being the main two. I'll reserve judgment on Imrie, though a seasoned creative player (Barry Wilson?) wouldn't go amiss. A better version of Duncan too might shoot us to top 6 next year.

And allowed to transfer players too. Seeing as we missed out on Deuchar (though I'd have gone to Salt Lake for 30 K a week too), how about Yantorno? I know he's injured but he looked excellent prior to that. Anyone else? Chris

Who pays less? I could only guess Falkirk...and even then... (Gretna certainly were thought to be big payers)

And as he was getting sent off, del Piero pulled Cleland's hair and ran away! :blah01: (not joking either, it was truly hilarious - to be fair, afterwards, even Cleland thought it was funny) Chris

A player who you would leave the game feeling that he had made it worth it - a player who could produce a little bit of magic - a player who would make the opposition look like wallies - a player who could score goals out of the blue and spectacularly - a player that you would pay money to travel for cos you just knew that he could turn a game in an instant. Bingham and Juanjo were the main two - Niculae couldnt lace their boots when it came to my criteria. How strange. I think he's achieved all the things you mentioned (after a slow start). I don't think we've had a player as talented as Niculae since the likes of Charlie Christie.

You mean you've heard a rumour we're bringing back Barry Robson :crazy07:

Just wish we were hearing more about replacements as well. Hart's a decent player but probably more a regular 1st Division quality. Think he would always be in and out of the SPL.

Seriously though...swap Proctor and Tokely's positions. Ross is so much a centre-back (where he began), it seems too obvious to miss.

We're real big spenders aren't we! :banana2:

Yeah, those 'everyone's anti-us' members of the Old Firm are hilarious. Yeah, sure they really get a rough ride by referees and the media! Wonder how many pages of the 'national' media they'll get today versus the combined page count of ICT, Dundee Utd, Falkirk, Aberdeen, St Mirren, Motherwell and the entire SFL! Tommy Burns was never may favourite (Jefferies or Calderwood seemed right stage of their careers) but thought he'd be ok. Sorry Tommy but now you can stay with your Celtic kids. I'm afraid your record doesn't speak for itself. :moon2:

Think I must be Gretna's coz everytime I've seen Yantorno, he's looked a class apart. Now if we could get him as a replacement for Rankin...(I know he's been playing full-back but seems to me he's wasted there)

...just scored against Rangers to become top joint Gretna scorer despite only playing for them since December. He's a goal machine. Exactly what we need. We've got enough creatives.