starchief

We've far from won it. One loss and Dundee just need to win their games to be promoted. Still a looooooooooooooong way to go.

I guess it shows we don't have a squad, just a first team. Lose a single player and we struggle badly.

Bad bad result if this stays the same.

...oops...

....aaaaaaaaand relax!

Now a rather measly one point difference. Belief or plain old hope?

And if we can persuade Wayne Rooney and C. Ronaldo, then I think we could seriously challenge for the title. Surely, these players must be a priority?

291 I fail to see how I can move my fingers any faster to get anywhere near the top scores. Is that really humanly possible? 318 now but can't see how I can get any higher without accidentally hovering over the right answer for each one, so the mouse doesn't have to move.

I didn't think his track record was as bad as it was made out. Did well at some clubs (especially Motherwell and Coventry) and not given a full season at others (I don't think a manager can be judged on any less). That said, I didn't think he would leave voluntarily. I don't see a huge demand for his services, especially if the last thing he did was getting ICT relegated (again, it's on his record but not deserved). But I did think his contract would not get renewed and either a more local manager, or an up'n'coming name from the SFL would step in longer term with less ambition (i.e. make sure we're stable in the First). Need those players signed up though. Losing Vigurs was probably Butcher's biggest mistake - but he does seem to be the last one laughing (so far).

Researching mining restoration in Western Africa. Love it*!! (*nah, don't really - the perils of freelance - work when you can, relax when you don't)

Why do people insist on calling Ibrox 'Castle Greyskull'? That's where He-Man and the good guys live. Skeletor lives at Snake Mountain. Mind you, with these results, it feels like I'm living in cartoon-land anyway.

I do know a couple of Villa supporters who think there is some behind-the-scenes friction, although they are more than happy with O'Neill. I don't think MON has done anything wrong at Villa. He's building a good team, with decent but not huge finances. They will be (in fact, are) serious fourth-place challengers. Surely, the board don't think he can do much more?

Too true. Club is virtually bankrupt. Although I notice they have some decent players like Hammill, Pascali and Invincible that are struggling to get a place in the team. In fact, I look through their team and they have so many decent players, plus two good managers in Jefferies and Calderwood, that I just don't know why they are struggling so.

Cammy Bell looks a real find. Wouldn't rule out a big move sometime soon. Surely must be near Scotland call up time soon. And to think he wasn't even a starter earlier in the season (but it shows loan moves can work).

No, but you offer a reasonable salary with a clause giving extra cash for getting that contract (i.e. promotion) But there isn't an incentive, other than you MIGHT get a contract. A promotion clause is an incentive. Not "we dunno what's gonna happen" No it's not. Who's forcing? Were we wrong to not offer Black a new contract a year before the last one expired? I'd say 'yes'. He may not have signed it but then again, he might. Until it's offered, the fault is the Board's for taking away that choice. Move on for nothing, or a transfer fee? They can be short, medium or long-term assets. For instance, at Xmas time, would Johnny Hayes a) have signed a longer deal with a promotion clause, given that he later allegedly asked for a contract and was playing first team football for the first time in his life? b. Given that this is Hayes first ever season of first team professional football, is it likely his demands would be reasonable? c) Will ICT benefit from a couple more years of Hayes developing? d) Is there possibly even a chance of a lucrative transfer fee? e) Will Hayes be offered a contract at the end of the season, whether we are in the SPL or SFL? As the answers are mostly yes, or probably, then why have we not offered a contract early? He wanted to sign one, he's good enough for us and will develop further, plus we are almost certainly going to offer a contract at the end of the season. Now, he can leave for nothing. We have to find another player. It's not easy, especially when he is so young and therefore almost certainly cheap. I just cannot see the logic of not at least offering a contract with incentives to perform for a player we will be keen to keep, no matter what. Then it was right to keep Brewster until virtually the end of the transfer window? It was right not to offer Black a new contract until well into his final year? In fact, Brewster (or Burley) should know more about running a team than a few fans, so was it wrong to call for their heads?

This is the folly of such short-term contracts AGAIN. I know the arguments are: 1) we don't know which division we'll be in 2) a player might not want to sign a longer contract 3) we had our fingers burnt with Barrowman 4) we don't have the money for contracts To which I'd say: 1) offer contracts with promotion and relegation clauses. Standard practice. 2) We could offer Foran, Rooney, Cox, Hayes etc 3-years of security. They may or may not want it but at least give him the choice! It's ridiculous these players haven't been offered contracts this late into the season. 3) We've also had our fingers burnt with Black, Cowie, Rankin, Imrie, Hastings etc etc etc who have all left for free or well below market value. And this time, we know how Tokely, Duncan, Munro, Foran etc are going to play. With Hayes, Sanchez or whoever else we'd like to keep, when it's obvious they're a player, offer a contract early. If they don't want to stay, let THEM make the choice. Don't leave it until it's too late. 4) Mostly the points combined above. Unless we're going to cease trading next season, we're going to need players. Tokely, Hayes, Munro etc etc are probably going to be offered new contracts at the end. These will probably be much the same value as at Xmas time. Why not offer them then? Knowing they have an extra incentive (a promotion clause) will probably keep them keen going to the end. It's sheer luck Foran and Hayes, for instance, haven't signed pre-contracts. Imagine how committed (unconsciously of course) they might be knowing they're going to the SPL anyway, no matter how well the play. If McGhee does sign up Foran, Hayes and Sanchez for nothing, whilst Tokely, Proctor (is he out of contract?), Duncan and Cox all go to Motherwell, Hamilton or whoever for zero, who should take the blame? That's right. The board again, for once more, failing to learn from past mistakes. It's like

I didn't. Still don't. But I'm hopeful.

Whew, I just switched on the radio to hear Richard Gordon say, "Division 1 - a very late equaliser into injury time" - my heart sank. Thankfully it was Raith. Top of the league? Who'd a believed it?

Nice of you to pop in Mr Godwin. And, oh, here comes you law already... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godwin%27s_law

Just as I hit the return button a long football piece on why Mowbray was never the man for the job http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/blog.php?b=7997 Latest odds: 3/1 Paul Lambert (has said he won't) 5/1 Mark Hughes (doubt he would want it) 13/2 John Hughes (no chance 'coz of current form) 12/1 John Collins (no chance - hasn't done enough) 12/1 Roy Keane (think he will stay at Ipswich through loyalty) 14/1 David Moyes (absolutely no chance) 16/1 Steve Clarke (hmmm, maybe?) 16/1 Avram Grant (be a decent signing - outside chance) 18/1 Alan Curbishley (again? Can't see it) 20/1 Darren Ferguson (not done anything in a bigger league, so no chance) 22/1 BAR (could be someone from here I reckon)

I believe the whole team is in Glasgow then. Could it be signing talks for the Old Firm? I've heard from a source that Djebi-Zadi is in line for a switch to Celtic. The feeling is he only makes two or three ****-ups per game - a substantial improvement on Braafheid. ...and there's yer rumour foundation!

I don't think Celtic will have too many complaints soon about less coverage compared to Rangers. I can see a few announcements and much speculation very very soon.

[EXPLETIVE] me! :P I said right at the start Mowbray was a poor choice, when he was still top of the league and in Europe. He has always been a youth team manager, never a win at all costs. Surely Celtic can't put up with that. That said, my legs are probably too weak to stand from all this laughing (mind you, I'm a Celtic supporter according to some on P&B -- then again, I'm also accused of being a Rangers supporter on the Scotsman site - because of course if you don't like one team, that must mean you like the other :P )

You ought to try living here! Normally the most casualties on the road. Past couple of years we've been beaten into 2nd and 3rd place but don't worry, Egypt will fight back to it's first place in death by auto soon! Something to be proud of.

I was sure we were gonna lose this one too. Great result ICT. Well done County. I'm hoping they put the Highlands on the footballing map again by winning it.