IMMORTAL HOWDEN ENDER

I would go with the opening post X1 but it looks like Williams will be in goal. I can also see the logic in starting with five at the back but that really weakens our midfield and is a very difficult system to get out of, especially if you concede. We are strong enough defensively with the back four plus Tansey and Draper. Width of Doran, guile of Roberts, running and attacking support of Christie sounds good. Reckon that we will go for broke and play Foran up front. We will certainly be dangerous from dead ball situations and the Europeans do not like the long throw in scenario either. Any progress is however strongly dependent on our defence being solid, 100% concentration and no stupid fouls. That is difficult to do pre-season but the incentive of the Hammers must also come in to play. I actually have a good feeling about this.

What about the tactics and the system. I would really have expected most players to be holding at 60-70% due to concern about injury. This was the opportunity to look at the system for Romania. Nice to see Raven starting and hopefully back to the same back four. Looks like Williams in goal though. Have to concede that the lack of goal scoring is becoming a "feature". Yogi appears to be waiting for a footballer rather than a target man and the former do not grow on trees.

I would hope that the chance to play two legs against West Ham is the best incentive ever following the home defeat. I know that the prospect has excited me and that it will boost the atmosphere at the game to the ceiling. We could have got a nightmare draw and I do not suspect that many would have travelled away if it had been across the seas. The Hammers tie could be an early season financial reward and what a pre season test. So let's hope that the players put in that extra mile this week. I know that they will do us proud anyway but I am praying for one of the best post match ICT celebrations ever in a Bucharest night club and hopefully on to the big smoke. judging from the descriptions of Giurgiu it could be a case of Out of the Big Choke and on to the Big Smoke. anyway I have now firmly got Giurgiu on ma mind.

That really is a strange selection. Putting in a new keeper is not recommended, playing Meekings at full back is a waste and Roberts sounded like the most inspiring of the newbies. Still another 45 though - Need to go to Romanian at least level.

no worries mate I was under the impression that they did too but my St Mirren colleague at work has told me that they don't. He he also warned me about Carbrini's sizing issues and how the tops are tiny so be aware when ordering Feck me - what size should I ask fer ?

Fraid I will be missing as well - work and the spondoolachs - BUT off to Bucharest on a Caley Holiday next week - and then who knows where to ?

It must be a lucky omen as the goal stood despite the lines woman in the stand clearly calling for an offence.

Could I just check that people can be admitted via the turnstiles becos that will add quite a few to the total attendance,

Och it is far more exciting listening to it on MFR.

I bet he has.

I have decided to bring a portable camping stove with me just in case I have to wait in the car park and listen to the noise of the crowd whilst I scoff my stories, vodka and Irn Bru

Of course we are not treating it as a pre season game - the Europa Cup IMHO is far better preparation than pre season. If we win then another two games against even better opposition would be the best ever preparation. What I mean is that we have nothing to lose.

Am I the only one that thinks that these two games are a "bonus" and that we have nothing to lose so we all go out and enjoy ourselves on and off the pitch. Let's not forget that we are a wee club, in practically pre season training and putting together a squad to maintain our profile and standing in Scottish football. Astra have quite a European pedigree and must be clear favourites. Let's just enjoy our Caley "Holiday" - You and Me

I bet you a pony he will be OK ?

Games at this time of the season are a circus

Well that is par for the course journalism. Probably a wee birdie told them. As for Russell - he is a moving maverick and always will be - Pass the Duchy from the left hand side On a wee bit of a serious note - should we not be acknowledging that Hughes and Latapy have been by far the most successful Sneck Management EVER. Rice also has a proven pedigree and his only apparent flaw is his addictive personality. And that appears to have fecked up quite a few of his tenures - from what was said at the time Falkirk was a psrticularly bad example. But Hughes will have learned from that experience and Rice is literally drinking in his Last Chance saloon. Mind you there is one professional around who could step in to provide the required therapeutic provision

I wouldn't bother as we have been duped by Romanian videos before

The fans speak

Takeover ? Merger ?

Rather discuss this in the Main Forum but would be interested to know how many people from outside of the Highlands are going to Romania but NOT taking in the home game - and why ? I am still not sure and that is from a financial perspective and travelling midweek to an evening game is really difficult. I could drive up and back but that is draining fer an old mannie. When I priced up the train it would probably cost me £100+ without the cheap rates. Add on hotel, drinking money etc and I actually reckon that going to Sneck would be on a par financially to my Romania trip. I may well go in the end as it is history in the making and summat I really want to be part of. But the doubt appears to be shared by many. What worries me is what if we feckin go through !!

I like the photo of the Gellions charter

But what did it look like when you joined them all up with your pencil ?

Aye there is bound to be a Billy Smarterse who will blow his big top. He will end up looking like Coco the Clown.

Yip on Giurgiu 1