starchief

From Wikipedia: In November 2004 he returned to Hearts as head coach and despite two cup semi-finals and a good season in Europe as well as finishing 5th in the league, he was sacked on 9 May 2005 Not that bad eh? Remember, this is before the money rolled in (then rolled away). I was in Ireland for a time and it definitely seemed to be personal problems that did for him (though I don't know what they were). Robbo wouldn't commit himself to Derry and often wasn't even in the country full-time. The fans not surprisingly didn't like that. But I think he would improve ICT due to his record, same way as I think Brew would improve ICT if he was a PLAYER/manager.

Brentford's managerial list: Martin Allen 18 March 2004-30 May 2006 Leroy Rosenior 14 June 2006-18 November 2006 Scott Fitzgerald 18 November 2006-9 April 2007 Barry Quin 9 April 2007-7 May 2007 Terry Butcher 7 May 2007-11 December 2007 Andy Scott 11 December 2007-Present They're in then out. The board has to take the blame for unreasonable expectations, with little money and no patience. Butcher was also put under enormous pressure by Sydney, with one of the directors calling for his head after TWO WEEKS! Despite horrendous injury problems, they still qualified for the finals. They also had three managers in 2007. Butcher basically had to win the finals or he was out. No time to bring in his own team. Again, I won't count that against him. I'll judge him on Coventry (kept them in the EPL as is despite making a profit), Sunderland (disappointing) and Motherwell (a good job). Even so, Pressley as player/manager with Robbo and Christie would be my choice. we've done well with that kind of combination in the past.

I think Robertson did ok at both Hearts and Livi. Robbo was always going to go to Hearts when the call came. I know people have said the same with Brew but I just don't see the same connection with Dundee Utd. He played for quite a few clubs, so would suspect his allegiance would be tainted. Would Brew have left Dundee Utd for a team like Rangers or Celtic? Think he would. Would Robbo have left Hearts for them? Not so sure. Wouldn't mind seeing him back but preferably as an assistant to either Butcher or Pressley.

Marius is full of skill. I don't think he's the goalscoring Dargo/Boyd/Deuchar player but, these kind of players would score a **** of a lot more if Marius was alongside him. More Beardsley than Lineker. For ICT's 4-2-3-1 line-up, Marius could be in the 3 attacking midfielders. Trouble is, only Wyness could lead the attack then (but lack of matches means I don't know if he's capable anymore - though I suspect he is). Otherwise it's Bayne (again, more of a target man than striker), McDonald (never seen him) or McAllister (not good enough and more of a winger for me). Or Imrie (never seen him as a centre forward).

I was wearing an ICT away strip on St Patrick's Day in Galway, when someone pointed out that today wasn't the day to be walking around in bright orange!

I think I could :003: Dear Sir/Madam, Please send me the application form for your soon to be advertised post, which I noticed on your forum :crazy07:

Good call! Given that Proctor (though I think Tokely would be decent in there) has played there a few times (and if we were playing sweeper, I think that would work), I'm sure Brewster knows it's a position we're lacking in. And if CB gets it right, he could leave as soon as the first offer comes in...just like he did before :rolleyes02: Cowie and Black in centre midfield? Think we need a bit more steel in there. Brewster will go for Duncan but I'd like to see Proctor, moving Cowie outside. Imrie could be a decent sub ( get it? ICT? Brewster? Using substitutes? ) but not a week in week out player.

Too true. Almost made me miss a flight to Egypt once due to their insistence at blocking up the road, marching slowly. When was that a constitutional right? I grew up a Rangers supporter. Only after moving away to England did I realise how shockingly bigoted all this was. Before, I thought 'just part of the wind-up' but it's far more deliberately offensive. Perhaps there should be a 'Sweet William' march in Stornoway to celebrate victory over the Jacobites. "We're just exercising our constitutional right"

I'd keep Patti, Niculae and Black myself. For me, GK possibly but fine if not. Commanding centre-half an absolute necessity. Sort out Proctor's position. I'd like to see him at defensive midfield. Left midfield to replace Rankin/Imrie/McAllister/McBain (Rankin gone and none of the others good enough for regular first team. Would keep Wilson but think he's gone) Goal-scoring centre forward ('coz they're so easy to find!). Let's face it, Wyness is gone and Bayne is only ok. Full-backs are both ok. Could do better, could do worse. So next year, Fraser? Tokely? Munro ? Hastings Cowie Proctor Black ? Niculae ? Subs: GK?, Left-back?, McGuire, Duncan, Patti, Imrie, Bayne, centre-forward?, youngsters given the chance (Wood, Vigurs etc)

How do you know he's a has-been? Seen him play recently? Perhaps ICT should find out if he's any good or not by offering him a trial. I can't believe how people can be opposed to just giving a player a trial. If he's no good, no contract. If he is, contract. What's the big deal about this? BTW, how confident are you a 4th Division Spanish team would lose to Ross County? ICT have a history of taking has-beens, never-wases and never-heard-ofs and making them good players (of course, they then leave and are crap).

But as he's been playing regularly since at a decent level, ICT will apply common sense and take him on a trial. Seems perfectly reasonable to me. What can ICT lose (apart from a potentially SPL quality player if we don't bother to even assess him)?

Just when Calderwood is saying in the Scotsman that he doesn't know how he'll be able to replace the quality of Barry Nicholson. Back to Division 1 when we were on the verge of top 6 :009:

Yep, I agree the treatment of the players, especially when the administrator took over (you're all safe...no you're not!) has been abysmal.

Yeah, all 15 of them. They had a great ride. If Gretna collapse ('if' I say :015:) then I'm sure Gretna United or whatever will be born and they can play in their smaller league just like they would have done had Brooks not pumped in the money. They cam from nothing (well, the amateur leagues), became a wild ride sensation and now will return to nothing. The other route was to remain in the amateur leagues. They've lost nothing.

I see Black as more a solid out-and-out midfielder. Closer to a defensive midfielder than an attacking one.

Except that Van Allen doesn't say this at all. Complete misinformation that damages the case against.

Nah, carry on. Ignore these and state your opinion. Being on the young side, you're probably more of a supporter and less of a cynic than us old duffers. Be a sad world if everyone was the same as me (and a pretty strange phone book). Don't think anyone mentioned your gender BTW :rolleyes02:

Been a few other good ones. My favourites are: Hartlepool have unveiled a new centenary kit for next season - in black-and-white hoops [the colours of local rivals Darlington]. (Hartlepool club website) Plymouth have unveiled a tartan away kit for next season, paying homage to manager Paul Sturrock and the other Scots on the playing staff. (Plymouth club website) Oxford United will hold a Rodeo Day competition as the bronze ox statue outside their ground has been fitted with a "bucking bronco" setting. Making guest appearances at the event will be Billy Ray Cyrus, Billy Boy Walton, Billy Ray Reardon and Roy Walker. (Oxford club website). (Roy Walker!!!??? ) and my favourite Northampton could be deducted points after a complaint was lodged over the colour of socks they wore in a recent game. Boss Stuart Gray expects to hear something "before noon today". (Northampton club website)

Who told Rankin he wasn't wanted? Who couldn't replace him with a player of better quality after selling him? Depends what happened. If, as reports suggest, Brew asked for his opinion, then Black gave it, I don't think they are both equally to blame. If you don't think that happened and want to continue with the 'we don't know what happened' (which is fair enough), then how can you you say they're both at fault. How can you tell from no information? :rotflmao: :029: :029: :33: You are clearly nuts!! Probably just young.

From the BBC "Accrington Stanley are to change their name to Lancashire Stanley United from next season. (Accrington club website)" Lancashire Stanley United. Who are they? Exactly! (I suspect this may be removed at noon today)

This information is too late :019: And where's Gudgieville supposed to be? (and why)

Throw in the youngsters, loan stars and Wyness for that game. Make them stake their claim.

I wonder how Proctor would do in Duncan's role? He looked promising in central defence (reading of the game, coming out of defence with the ball) but was far too lightweight. Wouldn't mind seeing him given a try in defensive midfield. Can't remember him being tried there since returning.

- Or our manager has a history of this and should be replaced a.s.a.p. To be honest I get a bit sick of people complaining that an internationalist, who is easily more skillful than any other player we have, is getting paid more (not even by the pockets of ICT but by sponsorship). Players should look to him as an inspiration. If Black, Duncan, Tokely or whoever became as good as Niculae and started getting an international reputation, then be assured they would be paid more (either at ICT or elsewhere). I'm proud of the success ICT has achieved but that doesn't mean I think we shouldn't aspire to further success with better players. (I know we aren't getting that success but I put that fairly'n'squarely at the door of the manager who left us first time of asking to screw up another club).

Much as I don't rate Brewster, Christie has to take the blame for not fixing up a Dods replacement. McGuire was a last minute replacement. I'm quite happy with Hastings. Imrie maybe needs time to settle though I don't think he should be a first choice. Be ok to bring on from the bench with 15 minutes to go. The big problem is we have to rely on Brewster to identify replacments.