IMMORTAL HOWDEN ENDER

Need your baseline scores Norbert - and how the feck to you expect me to translate "ish" into a formal research presentation

Sponsored by the Granville, Toich and William Bell Research Society (GTWB) The aim of the study is to record the apathy levels amongst supporters of Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club over the period between Saturday 18th February to Monday 13th March. The participants of the study will be the willing supporters of the ICT Online Forum. The aim is to produce a report which demonstrates any changes in the mood of the support, particularly in regard to the levels of apathy. The levels should be based on the level of anticipation that the club has the capability of automatic promotion, ability to reach a play off place and taking into account the overall performance of the team i(inclusive of tactics) in each game during the stated collection period. Following every game participants will be asked to score their levels of apathy following the game, utilising the following scoring criteria - and providing explanations in regard to the reasoning behind their scoring. 1 - Totally devoid of any glimmer of hope. 2 = Just about ready to throw the towel in. 3- Beginning to see a shimmer of light but not overly hopeful that the light will develop. 4- Things are looking slightly better but not exactly giving me too high a level of anticipation. 5 - Signs that things are beginning to improve and an increased confidence that it could be maintained. 6 - We appear to be going in the right direction and the continuing improvement gives definite hope for the future. 7 - We are maintaining the levels of commitment and change of approach which eminated from Livingston and things are looking a lot brighter. 8 - If we go on like this we could make the play offs comfortably 9 - If we go on like this we could make the play offs and reach second place. 10 - If we go on like this we could win the Cup again and make automatic promotion. PLEASE ADVISE OF YOUR APATHY LEVEL PRIOR TO THE LIVI GAME AND AT THE PRESENT TIME PRIOR TO THE HAMILTON HOME TIE TO ESTABLISH A BASELINE Thanks to Smirnoff and Coke for their support throughout the Research Process.

So let’s keep all our wrinkly bits firmly crossed for the next month and let’s have a regular apathy score to monitor any stabilisation, improvement or feckin damnation. 1 is totally decked off to 10 being very confident regarding the seasons outcome. At the moment I have rocketed to a 6 based on the Livi experience and the rumours about the future that I have gleamed

To be fair I have not suffered the depth of anger and frustration borne by others who have been regular attenders at games and spending a lot more spondoolicks. I was at both the Maryhill disasters and Morton the previous week and the damage was all but evident. Livi was literally akin to waking up from a lengthy deep depression and being catapulted into delirium and mania. Lets hope this was'nt a brief psychotic episode and we can all return to a normal mood cycle.

If old friend I simply inform you that the voddies were a plenty but served up with pleasing company and positive outlook in the confines of the Heathmount

We may well be complaining if he isn’t awarded again this month ?!!

I feel that the onus is now on Dodds & Co to maintain a level of improvement in the coming weeks. Where Saturdays performance came from is puzzling but the effort, the togetherness and most importantly the tactics were spot on. The togetherness was simply oozing at the end of the game and a surprising, albeit not generalised, chant of praise and support for Dodds. Even he appeared taken aback given his reaction post match. It felt like we had moved into a parallel universe. But now is the time to consolidate. I for one would say that a play off place and a Hampden outing would be a remarkable achievement given what kind of season it has been. And there are plenty of excuses that could be used and we do appear to be moving towards the strongest squad position of the season. To me the main concern was the apparent lack of desire and a feeling that Dodds had lost the dressing room. Nobody could make that comments about Saturday. I am further encouraged by some background whispers that some ultimatums have been made and there is a wind of positive change blowing over the Dump. I am sure that many will scoff and the proof is in the pudding. I renamed my post match libation as a Doddsie some time ago and last Saturday I raised a glass with that name and hope that I will repeat the tribute on a few more occasions this season. Here is a good luck slainthe

Well what a difference a week makes. I simply could not be bothered making any comment about the Morton debacle and then mesmerised after Dodds clearly underwent a lobotomy in mid week. It appears to have convinced him that Dorian is a bit player and more effective as a sub, Shaw has to start and he picked the best 11 available- but not only that but the tactics were spot on. A vey effective mix between a switchable 4-3-3 to a 4-4-2 - with Shaw playing a blinder swooping between both. Then everybody pressed the ball but we maintained a high defensive line.And EVERY player gave 110%. Add in the best away support in a long time and it was a return to 2015. We looked like the SPL outfit. Shure we had our moments but Livi rarely looked like scoring - in fact their shooting reminded me of Jimmy Bullard on Soccer AM. I can even dispense with a Smileymometer as the least that I would score any individual was 4/5. I would give a 5 to Rodger’s, Carson and Shaw and a rare award of 5+ to Billy McKay and Allardice. Despite his two brilliantly taken goals I would give Allardice the MOM as he never stopped running and got right up the noses of the more delicate Livi midfield. And when you look at the final 8 then we need to avoid the Jam Tarts and the Old Filth and Hampden be the most unlikely outcome ever. I would also prefer an away game,preferably in Ayrshire - not for personal reasons of course - what about a Darvel v ICT quarter final !!

We have had a number of quite capable managers with the reputations and personalities to draw in more capable players. Is it not simply that we went for the cheap option, took a huge gamble on Foran and dropping out of the top league was the death knell which we have rarely looked as if we could climb back up. As for this season we have to keep the current regime in place for purely financial considerations. Any change at this time may be critical. I understand that we may have interested onlookers considering a major takeover. That would lead to placing another figurehead at the helm, local and loyal senior crew members initially in support and looking at journeymen to take us to the promise land. I sense a resurrection of HMS Sneck sailing into the horizon.. .

What’s the craic with tickets - can you pay at gate ?

To summarise - Make a financial repayment deal with Dodds - Sell Robertson to the BBC - bring in somebody already on a wage - snuffle some dough as we have always done - watch the players return and improve as the dressing room damage repairs - be happy with any safe place this season - and regroup.

I am staying away unless Dougal has any spare tickets for Ibrox ?

Any match report simply has to focus on the 109 supporters who had to suffer this total embarrassment. Even if 10-20% left before the final whistle which in itself is a rarity and basically sums the whole night up. I did stay until the final whistle just to ensure that I had witnessed the worst ICT performance ever. I usually include comments on the tactics and the formation but I couldn’t suss out who was playing where and what their roles were. The main one to confuse me was Carson as he appeared to be just roaming around the midfield area and rarely where the play was taking place. Welsh meanwhile was the man looking for the ball to be played to him but usually lobbed the ball forward to Billy McKay surrounded by four defenders!! it may be cruel but Ridgers is the biggest miss of the lot. MacKay looks to have lost all his confidence and that evidently affects the defence in front of him. And add to that the system of holding a line is unknown as is pressing the ball. Who scouted Barrett who makes Djebi-Zadi look like Carlos Alberto. Duffy was unfortunate to get a red but probably looked at it as a blessing. Billy McKay tried but he simply looks fed up as does Dan. He intermittently held his hamstring and he must have been hoping that it will keep him out for a few weeks. And why were our players slipping so often and why was Oakley kept on the bench and why were ther more of a smattering of the kids who apparently did us proud at Hamilton. at least Dorran showed glimpses of his old self. I am going to stop as I could go on and on. It is absolutely obvious that Dodds has lost the dressing room and the support. Sure there are injuries but selection and tactics are non existent. We will survive but is that enough ? It may cost to get rid of Dodds and his supporters but a deal has to be done sooner than later as the support will surely dwindle. To me seeing fellow supporters and the social aspect is what will keep me going at the moment. At this time of year Dodds is Ebenezer Scrooge and we need a Jacob Maarley to haunt him as soon as possible OR we will all be stuffed. Merry Christmas to you all - well apart from ??

We are fecked

I haven’t even bothered reading the previous posts but I was at Firhill tonight and that was the MOST embarrassing performance EVER. I will do a report in the morning but let’s just say that it is clear that the present Management structure has lost the dressing room and the support- the only way to stop our club from dying is to berate the current management structure. Let’s pick a home game where we go up on force and put the message over

Where are they both supposed to be playing? From the stand both are NOT playing midfield roles.

Barrett 2 Caley Thistle 0 - where are my boots - and if we have so many promising kids why is the bench half empty - this could be my vote for the worst ICT performance that I have ever witnessed

I evidently have not been on here for a while but I am truly shocked at reading this. We had our differences, we never met, I would not have recognised him if we had met - but he had become an integral part of this site and it probably was a major part of his life and enjoyment - O2B

Brilliant result- so proud of the boys staying cool in difficult circumstances

Dodds' tactics tonight were an absolute joke. You could clearly see that both Harper and Duffy looked shellshocked and all that the players did at the goals and the number of near misses was to look bemused with a "what the feck are we doing" expression. I know that we cant afford to pay off Dodds but can we afford to keep him. He has clearly lost the dressing room and the majority of the support. Worrying times. Perhaps I am now going a tad over the top but some players may welcome a knock and the opportunity to drop out for a spell ??!!

I am not joking but it looked like we started in 2-4-2-1-1 formation. The first penalty was clear cut but there was a clear foul on Carson before the second. To be fair the referee was very poor and gave some questionable decisions both ways. Another good away support which won’t last unfortunately.

On my way back from the game and here is my take. We were away from against a solid premiership team who were organised and schooled and had a Harry Kane lookalike in command. We were fortunate to keep it to four goals - it could have been 6-7 at half time. Sure we looked better in the second half but the game was over, Well had moved into second gear and it had become a training exercise and a chance to ring the changes. Our only real worthy effort was a shot from Billy McKay in the second half which was easily saved. The first half performance must rate as one of the worst 45 minutes that I have ever witnessed. Well simply tore us apart and the tactics employed by Dodds were simply nonsensical and made worse that he persisted when it was clear that Well had sussed us and were playing into the wide open spaces left by our sheer amateurism. Dodds played Devine and Deas as tight central defenders but then he played Harper and Duffy wide on the touch line and in advanced wing back type positions. Motherwell got in behind them time and time again and we were only saved by a number of desperate clearances by Deas or Devine. Motherwell also had pace on the wings and hit our bye line with ease. As I said it could have been a massacre at half time. And McGregor was clearly limping from the fifth minute and how he lasted till half time was incredible. In the second half we looked better without really improving. I would toss a coin between the two Mckays for MOM purely for their effort. Follow that with a toss up between Carson and Allardyce who again put in a lot of effort but are not ball players or capable of the odd piece of class. There simply did not appear to be any real desire or confidence. There were a number of squabbles and there did not appear to be anybody taking charge. In a nutshell the heads went down and it felt that we were going through the game with no thought of winning. Big changes are needed and I am not referring to the players - who are also dropping like flies.

Match reporter in crime scene and unable to provide feedback

Come on Caley - Get into those Jeggie bestards

This is becoming a bit of a conundrum - How are we going to feck this up ?