starchief

For me: Esson Proctor - Tokely - Aldred - Gillet Hayes - Ross - Tansey - Shinnie - Doran Foran Looks fairly negative with 5 across the midfield but I'd look for Hayes and Doran to do a lot of the attacking/providing. All three of the centre midfield can score goals, so they would have to take the opportunity to burst forward whenever they can. One of them has to dominate the midfield though and decide who that should be. I don't know their personalities but Tansey is the more experienced, whilst Shinnie has captained at junior Scotland level, so more likely one of them. There's not enough defenders to really pick'n'choose. I think Proctor would be far more at home in def mid but we can see after 20 mins if Proctor and Tokely should be swapping RB and CB. I sincerely doubt Tade (likewise Sutherland and McKay) would be fit enough to be effective for anything other than the last 30 mins or so, so that's why I've got one up front. I'm quite looking forward to seeing Tade. Although he's not scored too much in his career, I think we could see a lot of goals from playing him in the goal-hanger position that Rooney played. Less support from him down the wing, just let him muscle his way in and use some pace. So nice to see this thread back again :biggrin:

But is that the team you would choose or are you trying to guess Tel's? I find the former more fun.

It's only a friendly. We've seen numerous big teams get pumped by lesser clubs. From Rangers to Liverpool. It doesn't mean it'll be like that at the start of the season. I see above Partick just beat Celtic. Again, it's funny but meaningless. At least give them a competitive game before getting depressed.

Depends what you mean by struggle too. I think we'll struggle. But that's along with Hibs, Dunfermline St Mirren etc etc. I don't think anyone is certs to go down this year and I think the OF, Hearts and Dundee United have it sown up for the top, with 'Well pretty close to it. We've lost our top scorer and striking lynchpin, plus a stalwart and former (I remembered this time) captain in central defence. That's going to be tough. It'd be like St Mirren losing Higdon and getting rid of Potter, or Aberdeen losing Diamond and Maguire. And of course, Killie, Hibs and St J have also lost big players too. So, yeah, it's going to be a struggle. But, to be honest, I think every single year will be. Let's just enjoy the ride and not fret too much before it's definite.

I think Killie will struggle. They've lost some crucial players and nose-dived badly last season. Of course, they have brought in some new players but they are largely unknown to me. Plus Dunfermine will be an unknown quantity. I don't expect them to be doing that well but better than Hamilton last season. From a potentially 'third force', Hibs have crashed. Their best players have now largely gone and I'm not too impressed by recent signings. Surprised Petrie is hanging on to Calderwood. I'd be driving him to the station for a fraction of what they've been offered. Aberdeen will do a lot better. Top six? Possibly but it's going to be a messy season. St Johnstone, I put with ICT. Both us and SJ have some crucial player losses. Some interesting buys. St Mirren, even though they've lost Potter, have made some good signings. After tipping them for relegation last season, I expect them to cause a few upsets this. Could be the surprise package. Motherwell: I thought McCall struggled at times last year. Still, well out of the relegation zone and a good bet for top six. With Killie out of the way, despite not being as good, they may clinch 5th. So far (and I reserve the right this early on to change my mind based on signings): 1. Celtic 2. Rangers 3. Hearts 4. Dundee United 5. Motherwell 6. Aberdeen 7. St Mirren 8. ICT 9. St Johnstone 10. Killie 11. Hibs 12. Dunfermline

Yup, allows us to strengthen centre of defence, and attack by bombing along the wings, both at full-back and, well, on the wings. Counter-attacking style. Different I know and no chance of it happening but that's my team anyway. Otherwise, we've got a big problem at RB and a serious lack of bodies for CD, assuming no signings.

It's tough losing your captain and top scorer - certainly in the first few games. Assuming no-one coming in (although I think there will be), I'm going for a drop from last season. Dunfermline, Aberdeen and St Mirren will all be stronger IMO. I don't see much of a challenge from Hibs and Killie will be a lot weaker. St.J - much of a muchness. I'm going for 9th as being realistic. We could push for 7th or 8th with a bit of luck. To get into the top six would require one of our strikers finding some incredible form. We can but hope.

That's who I think Butcher will go for as his first 11 (not necessarily my team I must add). I could be wrong (more so about A. Shinnie not being in there, I suspect) - feel free to name what you think is on his mind. Incidentally, my team would be: Esson Proctor Ross - Tokely - Aldred - Gillet Hayes - Cox - Tansey - Doran Foran But I accept there is no chance of it happening. Hey, I'm ultra-cautious, what can I do?!

I don't think we've much option other than attack. Our defence so far is threadbare and unconvincing in places. Our def mid of Duncan and Cox has been broken up (and the more attack minded Duff was replacing Duncan half the time anyway). I'd still like to see Proctor get a chance in def mid but I suspect our team will be: Esson Proctor - Tokely - Aldred - Gillet Cox Hayes - Tansey - Doran Foran - Mackay/Tade Not a lot that team can do than attack.

Fairly obvious we're not going down the 'old heads' route. Instead, we're taking the route that worked so well for Mo & Tel at Motherwell. A RB is a must. A CB is bordering on necessity but we could hold out til Xmas, with Tokely, Proctor, Aldred and Meekings if we really have to. Far from ideal but just about manageable. One good CB and we're in with a chance of top 6 again.

Depends if he's after the same salary as he was on at Plymouth - around ?6,000 a week!

So you go for a job with the Royal Bank of Scotland. You sprain your hand when sorting out the till. They tell you to come back in 3 weeks time for a second interview but won't guarantee a job. You feel a little sore but basically fine. HSBC offers you an interview for a similar position and their medic says it's ok to operate the till - just a minor sprain. You have no particular loyalty to either bank. What do you do? I'd imagine most of us would go along to the HSBC interview. If the Royal Bank then come back and want to sign you. Fine. If HSBC do. Fine. You've got no allegiance to either bank, so why would you turn down HSBC on the basis of a mere second interview with absolutely no guarantee of a job? If I was Tel and had concerns about his fitness, I'd get him back in 3 weeks time, if still available, and assess the seriousness of the injury. I certainly wouldn't expect Gilbert to wait around, turning down clubs that don't seem to believe the injury is as serious as ICT do. Perhaps we're just being over-cautious. Perhaps they're being too cavalier. Either way, I don't think the full-back's too blame in trying to get a job with a club that feels his injury is minor. And I don't think he should be criticised for not saying "no thanks" - who said he wouldn't sign a deal if one was offered? He's not turned down a contract as none (as far as I know) has been offered.

A couple of years ago, yeah but not now. Wonder how Mihadjuks is getting on? Mind you, he was woeful for Dundee Utd.

You still think that after what caleyrule has said? If he's got no offer and believes himself fit, why would he just hang around watching instead of trying to get a new contract. If what caleyrule has said is true (and it often is), I don't see Gilbert's done anything wrong. Wouldn't rule him out if it's just ICT wants him to stay on the sidelines, whilst Gilbert wants to play. Shows he's keen. Brings his worth higher in my book. Hope we're still looking at him after what people have said about him in his trial period.

Went to Perth Glory unfortunately.

I see Hibs have Cillian Sheridan on trial. If he's in Rooney's wage structure, I'd take the chance on that guy. Think he could blossom in our system.

Which Miller?

Missed opportunity for someone. Supposedly not the nicest of blokes but he should have been a regular in the Scotland squad for me. Natural goalscorer. Nice passer. Shame he got stuck in a Hibs side that changed from the passing game to a lug-it-into-the-corner, fastest-man-boots-it-into-the-centre tactics. Destroyed a Hibs side with Miller, Riordan, Rankin and de Graaf, all with a crick in their neck from looking up at the ball soaring over. Can't believe Petrie thinks Calderwood is worth compensation, rather than him paying his taxi fare to Nottingham or Brum.

I'll go along with the general consensus. Offered something different. Might have been worth another year to see if he could do it once the injuries had cleared.

A. Shinnie captained Scotland Under-21s as an attacking midfielder. He's really for that Sanchez/Gil role (I would hope!). I think his pedigree means he's well worth the risk. Butcher was in the press today saying Meekings is one for the future, not the first team yet. We don't know his salary but I'm guessing it's attractive to us if he's not going straight in.

I'd forgotten Aldred was only on loan for a few months. That is worrying. Meekings is probably on a low wage and one for the future. If Terry can see it in him, then I'll trust his two-year judgement. If Tade is played in that 4-2-3-1, his job is as much to hold up the ball as well as being the target man. I think that's where he'd have to play in that system. Asking him, Sutherland or Foran to play a poaching role wouldn't work. Unless we get a goal-hanger, I don't think there's any point in playing the traditional two up front. We'll win more by battling and counter-attacking. And natural-born goalscorers are a difficult thing to find. BTW, I thought we had a pretty good team when we got relegated. Shows what management can do. I'd say this team was at least as good as the 2010/2011 team, probably better: Esson Tokely - Mihadjuks - Munro - Hastings Imrie - Duncan - Black - Morais Rooney - Foran

Brian Kerr, who impressed so much at his time with ICT, has signed for the mighty....Alloa! Ah, the lure of the bright lights...

DEFENCE Aldred seems to becoming a player, so perhaps with Tokely, Aldred, Proctor and Meekings all fighting for central defence, we might not be that badly off. But still, like to see one more CD coming in - an Innes type player: not quite an outstanding prospect but solid enough if Tokely's out. Assuming Gilbert joins, more than happy with the full-back options, particularly if Duff returns (which I think he will). MIDFIELD A. Shinnie has such a good pedigree, I think he's worth the risk. Yep, we may not get him to his potential but got to be worth a try surely. He'll be a different class with a few games and a bit of confidence if it comes off. Quite excited to see so many young good players vying for midfield: A. Shinnie, Ross, Cox, Tansey, Morrison, plus Proctor and Duff with maybe G. Shinnie at a push. I doubt it'll be a case of regular picks. I can see players coming and going due to their age, but it excites me. WINGS Again, I'm fairly happy. Hayes is obviously a first pick but A.Shinnie, Cox and Ross can also play there, as can Sutherland, Proctor and Duff. If we don't get Doran, then G. Shinnie and Foran can do well in there. Not sure where Greig or Cooper play. ATTACK A poacher is what we're missing. Still, I do wonder if we might actually do better over the long-term with hard-working, more creative type of players like Foran, Sutherland and Tade all battling for each other. Maybe we'd win more games with that combination? So, just to be sure, if we get our targets, a solid centre-back and a poacher would be the icing on the cake. I don't think we'll be struggling against relegation - although I don't think there's any team as weak as the Accies this season. Quite excited that we can turn in another good season mind you. Might cause a few upsets along the way. Exciting times ahead for ICT! Esson Gilbert - Tokely - Aldred - Gillet Cox - Tansey Hayes - A.Shinnie - Foran Tade

I'd say it was ICT that put him in the shop window. We're definitely central to his success.

St Mirren have signed Gary Teale. Surprised to see he's only 32. Not seen him for a while but a very effective player at Derby. Even if he's not the pace, seems to be able to read the game so well that shifting him into a more central position could work wonders for the Saints. Mind you, could have been for the last couple of years