starchief

Tuffy Stratford - Innes - Hogg - Gillet Hayes - Cox - Duff - Doran Foran - Odhiambo A team of entirely Butcher's signings (I know there's a couple not included). Looks pretty decent to me but one or two things stick out: RB is not good enough, although we had McCann for a while (Tokely's needed) Central defence is made up of experience, not rookies (so Munro useful) Centre-mid is just not strong enough (Duncan or another experienced def mid required) Attack, even considering Blumanshtein, McDonald or Sanchez, is shocking - Foran doesn't often even play that position now I don't believe Munro going is anything to do with finances. As the club says, it's a footballing matter. What exactly that means, I'm not sure. I could guess but it probably puts the onus on one or another, so I'd rather not.

Not here, there and everywhere but only for certain players, with caveats about relegation or minimum release fees. I don't see how Black's been sidelined. He's even captained Hearts. And he was willing to stay if ICT had made him an offer. Likewise Rankin. Oh, and there's a C - keep your best players, build a foundation and add to them with left-field signings. These may be a Hayes or a Stratford. I don't see that chucking out the building blocks will make the house stronger - not when they are still in their prime, like Munro especially.

I see Burton O'Brien has been released. Before some starting talking of cast-offs, he was released as Falkirk couldn't afford him. I've no idea if we could either but worth a look in my opinion.

It wasn't so long ago (3 weeks or so?) that Munro had been told he was wanted. Wonder what changed? Maybe couldn't come to an agreement, re: finances? I thought he was worth an extra piece of cash but maybe we'll have to hear from Grant to see if it's partly his decision. Don't get me wrong, I highly doubt it but let's see...

Munro? Wow! Duncan I can live with, even though I disagree - manager probably wants to change the style of the team. Like most, I think he should still be here for a year but could give Tel the benefit of the doubt. But Munro? How different can a central defender be? With the greatest respect, this is by far bigger news than Duncan. I'd expect Duncan to get a top SFL1 club but Munro could well go to Aberdeen. I fear for the future with this decision.

Esson Tokely - Munro - Hogg - Gillet Duncan - Cox Ross - Duff - Doran Rooney Going back to our counter-attacking style. I've put a bit more grit in the attacking midfield, as they have to do their fair share of tracking back for this game. Biggest danger is their left-wing, so got Tokely and Ross to put the brakes on Izaguirre and Commons. Duff will be making a nuisance of himself with Kayal further up the pitch, with Duncan and Cox dampening down any forward runs. It gives us a chance but it's going to be tough.

I suspect so. I'd imagine Proctor might be next. Shame if he does but hasn't been a regular (often with injury) for quite a while. Most upsetting thing will be I don't think he's ever played in his most natural position, defensive mid. Not sure if Dunfermline need Duncan. I've always thought Mason was pretty good there (although not seen him since Accies). More likely a Falkirk, Accies, Dundee or Partick. He could be real captain material for them, driving them on to SFL1 glory, as he's proved he can do with ICT.

Bet it's bloody Brian Kerr! He'd be as welcome as Brewster was when he came back.

Although I think Duff is a talented utility player, he's not a defensive mid, hence why I think we got the best reactions when Duncan and Duff teamed up. I'd be disappointed if it was one or the other. Proctor or Cox are more similar players than Duff. Not sure Duncan will go to RC. Guess it depends on how settled he is in the area. Could see an ambitious First Division club going for him, like Dundee or Hamilton.

Sheez, Renegade, give Tel a break! You've been forecasting his doom ever since he's joined, despite the incredible success he's had. He's got the vast majority of decisions right, hence why he amazingly got ICT promoted with a load of youths and almost got us into the top six, with such a low budget and inexperienced players. And he's done that by going with his players. I wish too that Russell had got another year but I'm not going to turn against Butcher for making a decision he thinks is right. Doesn't stop me wishing Duncan all the best though. Caley Mad In Berks: I think McBain and Golabek's time had come. I'm sure, rather than warming the bench, these post-35 players would prefer a last day on the pitch. Tokely's career might be extended by moving to centre-back but possibly both of them have another couple of seasons. It'll be sad but so was Christie or Stewart leaving. It's not fair to either ICT or the players to have them play past their best. I don't think Duncan had reached that point however. Nevertheless, onwards and upwards...

Confirmed: http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/2011/04/30/departing-inverness-star-russell-duncan-i-want-chance-to-thank-fans-they-have-been-brilliant-during-my-10-years-at-club-86908-23096795/ I know with some, there's always the temptation to boo a former player but I hope it doesn't happen here. I know not everyone agrees with my assessment of his early career but when ICT started to slide, Duncan really stood up to be counted. Probably became the de facto captain then, as the actual one, Munro, didn't seem to have that leadership personality. He deserved another contract. Not the most gifted of players but when the going gets tough, I hope ICT aren't short of a blunt-nosed midfielder prepared to just do his non-eye-catching job and snuff out that surging midfielder.

Thing about both McBain and Duncan is they only really came on to a game in the last year of Brewster. I would have been desperate to get rid of both of them before that. Both of those players I thought were amongst our best in that doomed season. Bit of a risk getting rid of a solid player who seems to inspire the squad. Obviously not in Butcher's plans but really that means replacing him with another experienced player. Don't think we can go with Duff, Cox, Ross and Proctor as the main midfield men. None of them lead like Duncan. I'd have given him another season.

I was thinking that myself. A pay-as-you-play or stringent medical might be in order. Young, as well, might be a pretty useful utility player. Wouldn't want to break the bank on him but with potentially so few players, someone that can play reasonably well, if not a world-beater, might come in handy in the depths of next season.

Rated by who? A commodity (not a very nice name for a human being) is only worth what someone is willing to pay. First, let's see if anyone is willing to pay that for Davidson. also, who have we got close to international status? For reasons other than football, not Foran (who's too old for record-breaking transfers unfortunately) or Esson (same brackets). There's only really Hayes currently (Rooney soon out of contract, Ross still developing into what he will become). Had he played and wowed most games this season, perhaps we could have been looking at some gold. Unfortunately, it's been an injury-ravaged season. Can't see anyone else worth much unfortunately.

Heard Manchester United is interested in him. Shame it's so far away. Why can't it be on his doorstep like it is Berbatov's or Nani's? Heard this on Sportsound the other night too. It's so difficult to attract players as they have to leave the Central Belt. Their families can come with them but what about the rest of their social circle? Come off it. It's only a few miles up the road. Plenty of Scottish players go off to play in England, Wales and beyond. It's a bit small-minded to think that Inverness is too far away from the street you were born to play for surely. Maybe we could attract better players by simply saying, here's something more than a year's contract. Make a life for yourself. (actually, I'd probably exclude Innes from that rant as he's at an age where there's little chance of a long-term deal, so perhaps he's thinking beyond next season)

Quite a different kind of player though. Nish is over 6', with a not bad turn of speed and touch for a big man. Seems to make sense but it just doesn't work like that. Many of these players were also regular top six players too. The fall of Hibs from such a terrific team Hughes had started to assemble is so disappointing. I wrote an article some time ago here. At the time, the club could boast a team containing Riordan, Miller, Stokes, Benji, Zemamma, Nish, Bamba, Hogg, Murray and Rankin. Unfortunately, a return to long-ball tactics and a lack of fairly minor investment meant the club went on a downward spiral. I really think a modest investment in a couple of players (a centre-back and Ian Black or another terrier in midfield) could have made them something special.

Definitely Colin Nish. His confidence is completely drained but he came to Hibs a very good player. I'd fancy a spot of ICT magic would have him there again. Rankin as well would be very welcome, especially with Doran away and a chance Hayes won't be here. Naturally, we might re-sign both of these players (I know Hayes still has a year) but I'm expecting at least one to leave - possibly both. McBride was a decent player. Probably would add to the squad, especially if Duncan is allowed to leave. Wouldn't want to burst the bank on him but think he'd do a steady turn. Not too bothered about McCann. He'd do a shift, so wouldn't be upset at him coming back, but neither disappointed if he didn't. Can't recall ever seeing Duffy play but he came to Hibs as something of a prospect (replacement for Stokes) only to injure himself straight away. I'll leave that to wiser heads. Don't need Smith as long as our keepers both stay.

Esson Hogg - Munro - Innes Ross - Cox - Duncan - Gillet Doran Foran - Rooney Ross and Gillett as wing-backs. Munro as sweeper. Doran with a free role and Rooney/Foran as a battering ram.

Not sure about the non-attendance. The league though looks fun. Obviously doesn't mean anything in real life, e.g. relegation, Europe, finances, but interesting to know.

It's a great achievement to be able, after such a short time, to lump us in with St Mirren and Killie, rather than Stirling Albion and Morton - that could have so easily happened. Regular top six is very very difficult though. That would take a lot more risk or long-term management. It's really the same thing in this case (not in other cases I hasten to add). It means giving Rooney, Hayes and all those that follow long-term contracts. However, if it turns out that we've given contracts to the perennially poor (or even the perennially injured), then we could struggle to survive if the plan fails. However, if we don't, every season is a struggle. We can't build on Rooney or Hayes as they have such short contracts that we won't have decent transfer money or players that will do a Tokely and be around forever. But then again, the only way we could probably have given long-terms is by signing them before they'd proved themselves. As I say, a high risk strategy. So, next 10 years? I don't see us building higher but possibly not going backwards either. Hopefully more ups than downs, with the odd decent cup run and the one-off top six. With the turnover we'll have, relegation is always lurking. I say, let's hope for the best and enjoy the ride. That's a lot more satisfying than the Old Filth fans that see an away draw to a third-placed team as a disaster. Hope for the future but no expectations.

Alexei Eremenko far and away for me. Killie were very much relegation candidates at the start of the season. Eremenko has been easily their best player as they fired their way to potentially a top four finish (I expect them to finish six but who knows?). That's a far more difficult job than being potentially second top goalscorer for Celtic. Miller was better than Naismith at Ibrox. Izaguirre's been very good but probably not responsible for many wins or losses at Celtic. He adds to the team rather than it being moulded around him. Templeton looks really exciting but maybe not played enough. High expectations. Goodwillie has around the same goals as Hooper but playing for an inferior club. If he avoids jail, he could have a big future ahead of him. I'm certainly more excited about his talent than that of Steven Fletcher when at Hibs. Could be Scotland's best natural striker since, oh, maybe McCoist?

If I were a selfish person, then it would be Raith Rovers as they're probably the most likely to go back down (being a smaller club with presumably a smaller budget). But I like a competitive league, so Dunfermline for me. Be nice having many of the major towns/cities represented in the SPL.

So what if there wasn't as much money. If more expensive players are your biggest concern, then support the richest clubs. What money do Morton, Stirling Albion etc etc have? there may be a reduced class of player - but for most clubs I don't think we'd notice much. One thing that would change, the league would be more competitive. I think that would be more fun. Don't much care about the cash.

Hughes did pretty well with Falkirk. Only at the very end did it go haywire. Same could be said of Jim Jefferies. Caretaker manager's done fairly well in his career though. I'd give him an extended stay.

None of these actually play as a centre-forward anymore at club level, whilst O'Connor rarely plays. That said, I am a big fan of Riordan and (used to be) McCormack (but he seems to have lost it). I've no doubt Snodgrass and McFadden will be shunted into that position but I was meaning natural strikers. That's why we're having to play converted midfielders/ wingers. Mackail Smith is 27. I'm pretty sure he's at Peterborough for a reason. Maybe he'll come good but at his age, I doubt he'll progress much more. I forgot about James Mackie - did quite well when he played. As for centre-backs, I wonder how Webster will fare. When Saturday Comes (strongly recommended) suggested the reasons for Webster being constantly injured at Rangers may have not been the entire truth. All to do with money and contracts being honoured/not honoured. Who knows? Difficult to know how to play when it's the midfield that's by far the best part of the team (decent full-backs too). You can't leave the defence to take care of itself, nor can you defend deep, knowing that your classy striker will always take his chance. Instead, I guess it's a fairly negative, tactical game, building on the strengths of the passers and fighters in the middle.