starchief

I think he might well be used as cover for Tokely as he has played RB a number of times for Aberdeen, however... ...he's been woeful in that position. I rate him highly as a midfielder. Aberdeen/Dundee Utd level, so far better than we've got. As a defender though, he sucks big time. Imagine Don Cowie or John Rankin as a full-back, then you might see what I mean. Please, Butcher, stick him in an attacking mid position.

Well, I can't have that (but I know you weren't really suggesting I probably was)! Federalist and internationalist. Quite the opposite of UKIP. But it's just not a good idea to mix football and politics.

My own personal hate is 'career politicians'. Y'know, politicians that have never done anything else. They don't know what it's like to be either unemployed and looking for work/facing redundancy nor, on the other side, do they know about management and running a business. Life experience.

Much as I'd agree he's a terrible defender, he's also a class act in midfield. Easily better than anyone we've got in that position. I'm surprised McGhee doesn't rate him (although that might be 'coz he keeps playing an attack-minded player in defence)

Such as? He regularly plays Tokely, Munro, Duncan and Golabek. Who else was there? Only McBain, who has been criticised on here every bit as Duncan (remember 'the Invisible Man') but is now somehow regarded as a top class player that should be starting every week.

Sheez, you really want to ask that question? Asking for trouble.

You've hit the nail on the head, Absent Friend. I do though applaud the idea of him coming back as a coach (and if he can give 15 good mins, player/coach). If we don't get promoted, then we should be looking at a longer term approach that Pele had. Having staff that are committed to staying would be part of that.

Thats the same 7 million thats paid out every year. It's not for any investigation. Its for gaelic learning, culture, the national plan and broadcasting. Eh.....try ?22M budget for the 3000 gaelic learners in school. Works out at over ?7000 per pupil spend......more than double that of a state educated pupil! Its things like this that p1sses me off about Gaelic! A report from 2004 says that North London pupils were also in the ?7000 mark http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/3906063.stm Presumably the higher cost of Gaelic schools is also due to their remote location, island allowance etc etc.

Scotland could only really be described as anything like a modern country in around the 13th Century - and even then, that's pretty debatable.

So, the language has been around longer than either Scotland or Ireland then. Gaelic is an absolutely essential part of Scottish culture. If keeping this alive isn't important, perhaps we should move on and speak with American accents too. In fact, why not refer to yourself as English or American? They dominate the culture. Maybe it's time to let go of a nation that will never be powerful without those two again. Country names and borders change all the time. Maybe time to become part of England totally. We can call ourselves Northangloland. What does history matter?

Barrowman was Butcher's first choice striker when he arrived. How many goals did he score? I don't get to see ICT so much these days (for the obvious reason) but whenever I've seen Barrowman, he's done nothing to convince me how can be a top-class striker. He doesn't score and doesn't have the skill to set up others. I'd be delighted if he proved me wrong but I doubt it.

I'm not too sure these players will be so much in demand by SPL or whatever clubs. Cox 19: never played for anyone before. Can't get a regular game for ICT. Odi 20: barely played for anyone before. Can't get a regular game for ICT. Rarely scores for a striker. Rooney 21: in a contract. Eagle 22: : never played for anyone before. Can't get a regular game for ICT. Hayes 22: : never played for anyone before. Can't be be on too much money. Why not tie him to a three-year contract now? And we're still not out of it, so hold the future building.

Sure. He got booed when he first came with Hearts. They are integral parts of our history but we should be able to boo the opposition. Doesn't mean we should spit on them in the street or continue after the game. It's just a sport. I'm pretty sure Phil Neville tries his hardest against Man U but he'll probably end up supporting them when all's said and done.

Pele for me too. Mahonio - you think Ian McCall did a decent job at Dundee United?? They were on their way to relegation with a hefty wage budget before he got sacked. He's done well other places but not in the SPL.

I can't work out what that word is supposed to be.

Really he should have thrown the match. I'm sure UEFA would understand if he said he'd played for the opposition before :)

Esson Cox Munro Bully DZ Hayes Proctor McBain Imrie Rooney Barrowman I can't remember a weaker ICT team. I had thought of the sweeper system but against Airdrie, we should be looking for goals rather than a tight defence. If Foran had been in, then I would have probably gone 5-4-1. The 4-2-3-1 is primarily to fit in Rooney and Foran, so that's been dropped. Instead a more traditional 4-4-2. Cox at right-back (where he played at Leicester) as Proctor has been decent in midfield lately. DZ - I prefer as a wing-back but he just about gets the nod from Shinnie. Only just. Similarly I'd also just about give him the nod over Golly if he's fit. Certainly, Golly on the bench if possible. McBain could be the missing ingredient for a passing midfielder we've lacked since Vigurs/Black. Barrowman back (or is he injured?). Airdrie is about his level. Nothing to suggest Eric can score, so he's on the bench. It's getting very close to Ross and Shinnie starting most games. As in "we're building for the future" ('coz we've got no hope at present)

He knows the score. (knowing nod to any 80s/90s indie fans) Seriously, though. I'm a fan of the big guy but I fail to see how writing a complex multi-part epic like Watchmen translates into organising an off-side trap in the Scottish First Division. Besides which, he'd never leave Northampton...

Freakin tree hugger! :) I managed to get a photo of one of the engineers doing just that. Straight up on the noticeboard and my website:

I think Bullen is semi-retired from playing and more concentrating on coaching. It's only because Falkirk have been absolutely terrible that he's back on the bench.

Ecologist mainly. Want to build something (road, windfarm etc), then I make sure there's nothing wildlife-wise living there. If there is, I advise on what can be done (mitigate, move or end up in court). A bit of environmental research and writing too. http://EnvironmentalConsultancy.co.uk if you need me ;) I also publish and write comics (see the links below or have a gander at http://www.myebook.com/starscape/ and have just released a new wave/electronica/lo-fi album (video being at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdcrXST-sOc.

Would they be snapped up so readily? Esson wasn't in demand before, so why now? None of Hayes, Odihambo, Cox, Eagle or Stratford ever played too much before. Not too sure they'd be so much in demand either.

Eagle and Cox both played well in pre-season. No surprise they were signed. There both still young too. It wouldn't be too much of a shock if Cox was a better player than Duncan by his age. Hell, he's got given better marks for most of this season than Duncan already, despite being played as an attacking mid, rather than defensive. I'm surprised so many are now saying Bully is a decent player when he's been slated as the weakest point almost every match.

Not quite the end of the season. If we look dead and buried somewhere close to then, that's when the process should start. Give a manager a long-term contract and stick with him - (almost) no matter what.

Advanced Windows Care does a lot more than just spyware. It repairs registry entries, guards privacy etc etc, so it's very handy a tool.