Harry Chibber

Ok, so we have all creamed over the terrific result against United and to an extent our first half display against Celtic. We didn't fluke the result at Tanadice, it seems (from what I've read, seen and heard) we played great football and scored 4 excellent goals. If you take into consideration our opponent, Hamilton, have conceded a whopping 8 goals in 2 SPL games and just been knocked out of the cup by 1st division Raith Rovers. On top of all that they are set to be missing captain Alex Neil (injury) and their best defender Martin Canning (suspension), they sold their best midfielder, McArthur, during the transfer window and Billy Reid seems to be experimenting with a new formation. there is a lot (^) in our favour and I'm even tempted to stick some cash on @ evens with the bookies for a home win but this expectancy is exactly why we will lose this game and to top it all off Imrie will score the winner. We haven't beaten Hamilton since they made it to the SPL, Billy Reid knows how to beat us, a bit like Calderwood did at Aberdeen.. I don't know how but they just know. Hopefully me posting this will soften the blow when we lose and all the renewed optimism turns to numerous posts regarding Tel's inadequacies. ... and if I'm wrong then we'll all be happy :)

Yes, but it helps enormously if we are playing well and winning. For example, I don't recall any aspect of the 4-0 drubbing at Falkirk being superb, on or off the pitch. On days like that everyone just sits quietly and thinks "why the **** did I bother coming to see this p1sh?" Was that the game Rooney was denied a blatent penalty or when Black was sent off at half time, or both??? either way they both were probably more enjoyable than the majority of home games I've been to since we ereceted those stands. Even the last game of the season against Dundee I felt I was trying to enjoy myself and organised fun just doesn't seem err fun.... as I said , I'd prefer my money was going to our club but I think I'll be spending the majority of my cash on away games this season.

Glad to see McNaughton back in the squad, seen him play for Cardiff this season and he was the best player on the park. Good balance to the squad, defence looks the weakest but centre mid and attack looks alreet Get Esson in instead of Dilks though, I'm all for scouting talent for wherever you can get it but we have plenty of Scottish keepers more than capable of deputising for McGregor & Gordon... we don't need to be drafting in England rejects.

Completely agree IHE, the away games are always superb and probably taken to a new level after that Ayr game. Was gutted to miss us thrashing United but there is no chance I'll be missing Hibs, especially if we manage to take points from Hamilton on Saturday as well. It annoys me that atmosphere can't be recreated at TCS because I'd much rather my money went to the club but I don't have enough pennies about to waste on obligation so in future I'll be using what I have to enjoy my football on away days

pfft ... whatever RIG just type harder that's my sort of affirmative action

Well done to everyone who attended the game, was gutted I couldn't make but you were all heard clear as day on the radio.... almost drowned out the constant drivel dripping from Spence's mouth

for all those that don't have a spare penny at the moment and were stuck listening to that ginger nonsense man, Jim Spence, are at work and can't get the highlights off the bbc until they get home.. thank you. Excellent write up mate

Peter Ridsdale is a curse on football. Now-a-days when they go on about fit and proper owners they should have just as stringent examinations for chairmen and boardmembers. He single handedly destroyed Leeds who had to drop to the 3rd tier of English football before Ken Bates (of all people) managed to steady the ship.. all because he was "chasing the dream"!!! Although Leeds over spent their means this excuse was actually accepted at the time because they reached a Champions League semi final and it's only now, with 5 years of recovery, and his neglect for a different club's finances, Ridsdale's name pops up again. He stood down at Cardiff at the start of the season so he can't take the blame for Bellamy signing but it's clear the damage was already done. Motherwell are well within their right to take legal action, and hopefully they win. This demonstrates exactly what is wrong with football at the moment

Just been speaking with a Celtic fan who travelled to the game, he think's we're gonna get relegated but since he's a buckie swigging, shaven head, overgrown disgrace for a human being... I'll pay little attention. As for the game, it's hard to be happy with a loss but it's fair to say we made a good account of ourselves. If Jonny Hayes had a few more games preseason we would have been far more offensive in the second half and maybe pushed them back a bit further but he seemed to struggle with the pace of the game. It's also hard to take when to think what sort of impact Foran would have made to the game, no disrespect to Ross but we really lacked someone to help Rooney with the physical battle. Esson ***** Perfect performance from him. Possibly the best I've seen from him in an ICT shirt McCann *** Young energetic player, you could tell his confidence isn't all there after having a long time out with injury but he could be an excellent signing for us this season. Gillet **** First chance I've had to see him play and was impressed. Liked a challenge, worked hard and made a couple of important last ditch tackles.. excellent debut. Tokely *** He was caught out of position on a couple of occasions because of his lack of pace, his attempt to get the ball off McCourt before he scored was a shocker but he was solid in the air and made some crucial tackles throughout the game. He did a lot more good than bad but hopefully he can get some consistency in future Munro **** Solid throughout, his passing was excellent for once. 1 point where Maloney put him on his erse at the byline but he was one of my top performers. Duncan ** Did well the first half but went missing in the second half... when he did get the ball he gave it straight back to Celtic. Not his best game Cox *** Thought he was the heartbeat of the team in the first half but if you are looking for someone to blame for the goal I'd probably point a finger at him. When a winger cuts inside a full back you need the midfielders to cover and Cox didn't get close enough to him... Odhiambo **** Looked excellent, like the rest of the team, he seemed to tire in the second half but I'm sure he'll chip in with some goals this season Hayes *** Couple of great runs in the first half but he was dead on his legs for the majority of the game. Looking forward to him ripping teams this season Ross *** 18 years old, starts first game of the season against Celtic... credit where it's due, he never looked out of place in the team and did a lot more good than bad. Rooney *** Worked his erse off and did the best with the service he had. Subs Proctor * Not a winger Blumanshite * Not impressed so far.. maybe not fair to judge after 5 minutes but looked as though he didn't fancy it as soon as he walked on the park. Sutherland * Not enough time on the park to judge

yip same 11 unless Butcher has a couple of super signings planned.

I can count at least 3 occasions that either McCann or Gillet came from wide to make crucial challenges inside the box. You can't have it both ways that they push forward to support the wide men and also come inside to protect the centre backs. Both players gave an excellent account of themselves when playing against 2 attacking wide players, unfortunately, the 1 occasion McCann let McCourt cut inside him lead to the goal... even then it was Cox that could've done a lot better to prevent a shot coming in. Agree about Rossco, he was caught out of position on a few occasion because he was so eager to push up the pitch and help attack. Tel will hopefully tell him to be more disciplined in future and it shouldn't be an issue... only happended on a couple of occasions mind and for the rest of the game I thought he was outstanding. Honestly don't know how you can get on at Munro.. he was probably my pick out of the 4. He even played a couple of inch perfect diagonals to Hayes!! Captaincy should only be questioned if there is not enough commitment or orginisation, both of which we had plenty of on Saturday.

Yeh we didn't get the dream start we were all hoping for but I think everyone of us can have hope that there is more to come from this side. Gillet & McCann were excellent. Ross gave a good account of himself, as did the Odhiambo. Unlucky lads but I have faith this will be a good season for the caley army :) keeping it positive... I'd like to hear what other fans were happy with today???

wow :_phone:

ffs worst news we could have had

I think that it is others who need the glasses, the squad is listed as- N Ireland: Taylor (Birmingham), Little (Rangers), Evans (Manchester Utd), Craigan (Motherwell), McGivern (Manchester City, on loan at Walsall), Clingan (Coventry), Baird (Fulham), Davis (Rangers), Brunt (West Brom), Paterson (Burnley), Lafferty (Rangers). awful small squad that with only 11 players... don't even need subs !!! ... think that might just be the starting 11 ;)

lol nah I remember getting the blame somehow but not sure what it was for... maybe said he didn't look confident before he missed it or something like that.

On paper we were relegated from the same division apart from Falkirk.. on paper we are the 12th worst/best team in the league. Any position we reach higher than that come May is an over-achievment. I have high hopes for this year but your having a laff if you think there are only 5 teams stronger than us.

that's not how I remember it :107:

Unfortunately for McBain he's been played out of position for the majority of his career... happens with most left footed players (sob)... he is not a left winger, hasn't got the pace or skill to play in that position but he is an excellent centre mid and every time he's played there he's impressed. He keeps possesion, good first touch and great composure on the ball. I don't know what role he'll have this season but I'm glad we've got him in the squad

We might not have any other option... if others aren't match fit or injured then Butcher might have to use him. It would be a great match for his development, if he can handle that sort of pressure then the rest of the games this season would be a breeze.

momentum is important and hopefully we can bring that into the SPL but we have to earn our right to compete, avoid relegation and then look up the table. although blind optimism did work for wilson on our wing last season so.....

Yip that would be mine.. Martin Cameron for Alloa turned into Pele for the day and bagged 4 goals. Possibly the best performance I've ever seen from an opposing striker who then disappeared down south to become a nobody The way the goals went as well 1-0,1-1,2-1,2-2, 3-2, 3-3, F/T, 4-3 then finally 4-4.... even the penalies were tit for tat.. until Rossco (maybe Teasdale) missed his and lost us the match Truely epic game and probably has a lot to do with why I love football so much.

Calder Tokely Mann Munro Hastings Christie Wilson Cowie Sheerin Hayes Wyness Subs Mark Brown Stuart Golabek Darren Dods Ian Black Barry Robson Iain Stewart Craig Dargo I've tried not to look at others teams before typing up mine so this might change lol that is tough ... we've had some real quality players at this club and I feel bad leaving out the old old school players

good thread... take a green dot. I'd probably go for Sheerin because he's still my favourite player to wear our blue and red. If I was looking at things more tacticly, Bobby Mann because of his passing from defence and orginisation or a prime Barry Wilson to play in the hole behind Rooney because I think our 4-2-3-1 formation would have suited him perfectly.

:_thumbup: welcome aboard.... hopefully another Butcher gem freekick taker as well.... a better Bob Harris??? lol