starchief

Just seems so obvious Proctor should be a good defensive midfielder, I'm surprised he's never played there (that I can remember). Not quite strong enough for a centre-back, not quite quick enough for right-midfield, not quite good enough in the tackle for right-back, yet with a football brain, tidy passing and hard enough for that deep-lying midfield position.

I don't think it's possible to compare English and Scottish leagues. The SPL has such a gulf between first and last, it's impossible to contrast. Going to Crawley will set Adam back years. In a couple of years time, if he stays injury-free and can score (and he's not the only factor in that of course), then he might earn a medium-money move to the Championship or League One. It's just not that big a shop window. Score in the SPL (either with us or a bigger team) and I think he has a better chance of a move. Similarly, if he goes to a Championship team and does well, the EPL (or Celtic) potentially awaits. Yeah, it won't be easy to break through but if he doesn't believe he can take his chance when it comes around, stick to lower leagues and no ambition. And I still don't like him keeping us in limbo after the 'I'll speak to my family in a couple of days' nonsense all that time ago.

That would enhance our name in my opinion. I'd have no problem with it.

Beyond caring really. Should have made an announcement before this. If he had said thanks but I'm off, he'd have gone with my best wishes. Now, it's just stringing us along, stopping any planning. Sure, I know he's entitled to swan off without so much as a goodbye but he'll end up being resented as opposed to a former hero. So, once and for all - you signing or not, Adam!? :irritated:

I think Vlad's saying the Scottish Mafia (i.e. the SFA, the courts, the media and pretty much everyone else he sees against Hearts, including, bizarrely, Gary Mackay as he tries to get the best deal for his clients despite supporting the club) are behind all this. That Black and Thomson are victims of some nefarious plot to discredit the club. So, the criminals are the SFA, media etc, the kids are his players. All complete nonsense of course. Pretty disgusting stuff. I hope the ICT and other fans do target Thomson. He just shouldn't be in the game after this.

There's no way a one-off junior tournament will result in the loss of all four international teams for the World Cup. If it happened year upon year, perhaps, but this is a storm in a teacup. Nothing wrong with being Scottish and British. If some players don't want to, fair enough but I wouldn't want to deny any young boy their opportunity to appear in the Olympics. I'll be supporting Team GB, just as I will Scotland in the World Cup etc. It's not the leagues merging, it's not a regular team, it's simply a one-off as the Olympics are being held in Britain. End of. I'll be disappointed if the British team contains no Scots.

Reminds me of Barrowman. Keeping ICT hanging whilst trying to negotiate a deal elsewhere. Smacks of a lack of respect.

If our back two are from Tokely, Aldred and Proctor, then we're going to struggle. I imagine there is someone in the frame, so, yep, best leaving those predictions til later.

I've no problem with players/management coming to an agreement about one-year deals. However, it seems though we jumped the gun, giving recent soundings, that that is what we are looking for first and foremost. Assuming salaries are ok, with built-in safeguards (many clubs have relegation clauses - maybe even most), why wouldn't we begin with a position of getting Hayes, Ross etc tied to three-year contracts? If they KO it, fair enough but we don't seem to be aiming for that point of view. All I can go on is the public statements and nuances of the club's position.

Tanya Tate?! What kind of porn star name is that?

He's from Aberdeen and only ever played with Dundee United and the Dons so can't see much connection with Fife. I suspect it's purely the length of the deal (although I've no inside info). So far, he's spent his whole career at established SPL sides, so must think a better contract is out there. He's not the youngest of players, so might think he needs to maximise his earnings at the peak of his career. Getting near to deal-or-no-deal now.

Seemed to spend a lot of time on the subs bench last year. Don't know why. A real talent. Maybe they felt it was either Taouil down the left, or Eremenko through the middle. Didn't have enough good defensive players for both. I'd probably disagree but Mixu did pretty well, so what do I know?

ICTPAISLEY: I agree that side would stand no chance. I was trying to emphasize that there's a lot of talent in that team. It sometimes feels as though we've started from scratch but actually we're well on the way. I totally agree about one-year deals but the club have already stated that's to be the programme from now on. In what circumstance would we not want Gillet, Hayes, Ross etc to not be long-termers? I understand when the player might kibosh the whole thing or players ask for a massive increase in salary but it does seem as though we've put the horse before the cart by stating that's the route we want to go down from the outset.

At present, I guess this is our best team Esson Proctor - Tokely - Gillet - Shinnie Hayes - Tansey (tbc) - Cox - Ross Foran - Tade Not bad, with Sutherland (and Morrison) in reserve. Needs more defenders to shift Proctor to midfield and Gillet to LB (I'm not saying for a second he'd actually be playing CD). I suspect McCann. Also, either Rooney or someone else up front, plus a left midfielder if Foran stays up. Duff useful for his utility factor but I just don't believe he's that interested in being in Inverness.

St Johnstone looked to have made a few good signings from that lot. Hearts not too bad either.

Broadfoot seemed fairly regular until injuries. Got fit, then injured again. I suspect he'll want to find out his status before going on loan.

A quite brilliant article on Peat by one (as in, not the only) victim of Peat's ridiculous policy in the pre-Bosman era and his crumbling of Airdrieonians only to switch ship to the unambitious Stenny. A huge barrier to change that smashed every decent proposal that Gordon Smith tried to implement. Scottish football is far better off without him. Achievements? I'm struggling on that one. Chris Honor speaks

Yep, it's the serial offender thing that gets me. I wouldn't support a lout like King no matter what.

In many ways I agree but at the same time, the board must either trust the manager or sack him. Although I don't think it's the right direction to get rid of players that are tried'n'trusted and replace the family-feel club with one-year fly-by-night contracts, if that's the direction that Butcher is convinced the club should take, I think the Board should support him wholesale. Yes, I have a terrible feeling it will backfire and we can say 'told you so'. But at the same time, it will only succeed with all guns blazing, not forcing Butcher to accept players he doesn't want and that aren't happy with the way things are going. Terry's done well enough to deserve a shot at running things his way for the long-term. Even though I'm far from convinced it's the right direction, I do think the manager works best when trusted completely.

8/10 - got Q.1 and Q.4 wrong. #4 I can accept but, gee, I was sure XX won the title after XXXX left. Obviously not.

My understanding too was it was a simple option of a further year. It'll really be the end of an era (and yet more central defenders to find) if Tokely goes too. Not one central defender left at the club (not counting Proctor for the obvious reason).

As did Nakamura, Barry Ferguson and every other player. They always do that 'who's the most over-rated player in the SPL?' thread, which basically consists of naming the best players in the league, with a 'he's p1sh' reply. Inhabited by too many dunderheids, that site.

From 'When Saturday Comes' newsletter (I'd recommend it), what goes around...: In 1998 UEFA president Lennart Johansson was running against Sepp Blatter. One member of UEFA withdrew their support for Johansson at the last minute and backed Blatter instead because he had to promised to support their 2006 World Cup bid. Who were these Machiavellian schemers? Why, it was the English FA.

That's my reading too. Except I don't think he has it at SPL level to do that. But definitely more a poacher than a target man. Not especially good in the air, can't hold the ball up, doesn't work down the channels or bully centre-backs. Not a target man in my book.

Bit of a surprise move but Madjid Bougherra has just bought out his contract, a la the Webster ruling. http://sport.scotsman.com/football/Madjid-Bougherra-invokes-39Webster-Ruling39.6779814.jp I'm a little surprised. He only had one year left and was bound to be an integral part of Rangers. He must be on a decent wage, plus, play well and the move for free will be all the sweeter. As he's had to buy out his contract, that's cost him ?1M. Not too bad a return for Rangers really, given that in 6 months time, he can sign a pre-contract. Clubs were apparently quoted ?3M - I presume none were paying as he hadn't moved but that probably means the price would have tumbled to something more reasonable at the end of summer. I presume some club has contacted him and said they would be willing to make up the ?1M but it all seems a little unnecessary.