IMMORTAL HOWDEN ENDER

Put it like this - will we ever have a better opportunity to take three points from the Hill of Dung ? I am sure that TB is aware that the tactics have to be to be patient but to hit on the break and an early goal could be the biggest ever blow to the Don confidence plus we have to get the crowd on their backs.

Give me a shout on Friday night and let me know your plans. I can get a train from my front door through to Hamilton West, changing at Anniesland, but I can get you at Queen St instead if you want and we can get the connection from Central. Don't know what pub everyone's planning. Chambers again? It has to be Chambers - what about a volunteer to tell 'em there is a squad of us coming - Meet me at Mary Street Quennie.

To begin with I have never wholly accepted the oft put forward argument that the Away support has had any significant bearing on the away form of ICT - I have always considered that we are a small bunch of fans who really enjoy the away experience, get "jolly" in whatever terms you may wish to ascribe to but were / are deluded to even consider that we do have an influence on the team. I also have to concede that, although I have rarely been a welcomed figure at ICT by the "management", I find the home environment quite "boring" and "restrictive" and TBH "unfulfilling" - plus in these days of financial constraint I am loathe to spend the spondoolachs on trips to Sneck - and save ma pennies fer as many away games as possible. I get a real "buzz" away from home which - of course - may be due to the phenomenal winning streak. But watching the team - at the end of last season and through this season - there is only what I can describe as a "togetherness" between the away support and the team and I now really do feel that it has a distinct influence on the "on the field" away performances. The players quite clearly respond to chants and their "reactions" at all the final whistles this season only supports a theory that they are buoyed by the positivity and non stop encouragement of the away support. So am I being deluded or is the away support a 12th man ? Please do not get into the "how do we transform the TCS" aspect as that has apparent easy solutions but doesnt !! And fer once - please have a serious focus on the responses.

?Every blade of grass has its angel that bends over it and whispers, 'Grow, grow.'? - Talmud God, I can push the grass apart and lay my finger on Thy heart. Edna St. Vincent Millay Each blade of grass has its penalty spot on the pitch from whence it draws its life, its strength; and so is the old fecker rooted to the team from which he draws his faith, together with his life. MR TOMMY CUMMING

The Eurovision Song Contest 2011 will be the 56th annual Eurovision Song Contest. It will take place in D?sseldorf, Germany, following the country's winning of the 2010 Contest with Lena Meyer-Landrut's song "Satellite". The dates set for the two semi-finals are 10 May and 12 May 2011, with the final planned for the evening of 14 May 2011.[2] So far twenty-nine countries have confirmed their participation in the contest, including a return by Austria, which last participated in 2007. There is also a wild card entry from Scotland in the guise of Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC - the chosen song entry is rumoured to be "Father and Son" by IHE and the Brechins.

Jeez - I always wanted to be football manager like Terry Butcher but he wants to be just like me.

Can I just emphasise that I am not the wee grey haired person doing all the groping.

I am in favour of the SPL Green Cross Code and I look both ways after every game - IMHO the safer that we become from the threat of relegation then the more the chance of a Top Six finish. I would love to see an ICT side this season released from the shackle of relegation and then we could really give it a go. And as I have alluded to in several other threads - to me the biggest "plus" this season has been the form of Ryan Esson plus we have unearthed some "kids" who can hold their own at this level.

Yesterday was brilliant - rite selection, rite tactics and rite substitution but Rangers away - or I will go as far as saying any CaleyAway - is different to a home game and that is why it has to be horses for courses. We were IMHO predominantly defensive minded yesterday but we passed the ball really well, kept possession really well, used width and the pace of Hayes and our fitness levels are high. TCS games unfortunately are a different proposition. Fortunately next up are Motherwell and they look more like an offensive rather than defence minded outfit. Playing Duncan in a holding role is away from home stuff. Foran and Duff provided the much needed experience in central midfield - but Foran is more effectively used wide left at home. I dont know if anybody else has thought this but I feel that both Shinnie and Ross need to be rested - they are both young, inexperienced lads - shure they have been outstanding in some games but I feel that we could be in danger of "overcooking" them if we dont watch out. The pace of Eric at home is the foil to Rooney. So I would go fer Esson - McCann, Rosscoe, Granty , Gillet / Shinnie - Hayes, Duncan , Duff, Foran - Rooney, Obhiambho

Not so shure maself - it was just a case of collision - you dont ger those type of decisions at Ibrox. Cant believe that the highlights didnt include the Hayes run in the closing minutes where a cut cabck to Foran, or even Rooney would have been a sure fire winner.

I think that it is on pages 2/3 and 4

Its yon fecking stripogram from Batley Good smattering of the supporting MOB and SESH Army as well.

Fleetwood Town - after they have won the FA Cup.

Well that must have been ma most energetic feckin away day in years - Speeding down the A9 in the morning, stumbling through the never ending road works from Denny to Central Glesga - registering at the Travel Inn, to the subway and at rest in Brechins fer just after 1 - half way thru ma first pint I realise that I have left my txt and Caley Stans in the feckin car and Mrs IHE as gone shopping with the car keys. So it is off on the tube to St Enochs - back to the Travel Inn - back on to a Hunn filled train, off at Ibrix and got to the Away end at 14.50 - but feck me was it worth it !! Oh and here is a hint - get yer daughters water bottle out oif the car, pour it down the drain and fill it up with voddie and coke - it sure helped me on may haphazard journey with the Hunns. I felt that we were the better team up until their spawny - ish opener. We were keeping possession well up till then, albeit not threatening. Emu completely ersed up his original control but the ball bounced to perfection and a twist of Rodd hull's right arm and the ball fairly rocketed past a helpless Esson. Now many teams would have buckled and my fear was that the Hunns would grab a quick second, but we weathered a ten minute "storm" and i actually felt that we finished the second half "even stevens" and with renewed hope of salvaging something. Have to admit that we played some pretty stuff but mostly possession with little threat in the last third and Tokely and Munro were superb with a few last minute challenges, interceptions and headed clearances. And if Rooney had got a similiar fortuitous bounce on the stroke of half time we may have gone in level and nobody would have grudged us that. Smith tried to juice it up and put on Naismith and Fleck for the hobbling Emu (fair clattered by Foran) and a very poor Weiss. We stuck to our guns although I would not have been surprised if TB had hooked Foran (thank feck he didnt)as Richie was yellow carded for a bad foul on Emu and then engaged with a running, wind up battle with McCulloch. But the longer the second half ran the more ya felt that we were in with a shout. Sure Rangers had their chances but most were poor efforts form 18-20 yards, mostly ballooning over the bar or in to the safe hands of Esson who had two great fingertip saves. Hayes was running papac ragged and we kept passing the ball and using width and pace to our best advantage - the introduction of Eric simply upped the game plan. McGregor (loved the bait chants!!) made a wonder save from foran when it looked a cert equaliser - or did Richie not place it well enuff ?? Then Foran fed Eric in - and the new Eric, outmuscled Papac (I think) and forced the ball home - but ya ran to the wrong feckin corner Eric. And i thought that we also had a fair penalty shout during that period. And although rangers tried to cheer up the rapidly leaving fan base with a late rally and 4-5 successive corners - well we simply should have pinched it when Hayes went for glory instead off laying it on a plate for Foran. Still - it is not evet day that ya stroll out of Castle greyskull, slightly disappointed that ya didnt pick upa ll there away points - CaleyWay getes better and feckin better !! And to the Smileymometer - and constructive criticism at times peepeles: ESSON :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: Have to repeat maself - he is the most consistent performer this season and deserves the SPL Player of the Month award. He is the anchor of the ship and must simply pour :biggrin: onfidence in to those in front of him - and it shows. McCANN :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: Looked a bit suspect at times but was perhaps fortunate that Rangers appeared to ttarget Shinnie. But he held his ground and he does look to pass his way out of defence. My only concern is that he has a play if fit contract and not shure whether he deserved to start. ROSSCOE :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: Have you ever seen a better SPL performance from him - I feckin havent - Hewas feckin everywhere and Laffery didnt get a sniff - and even after that he only just edged my MOM from .... GRANTY :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: Most men would have been on the pissshh after fatherhood but he thankfully decided to wet the bairns head with yet another Captain Courageous performance. I would also wish to repeat that he has prospered by not having to "babysit" fellow defenders as he has done fer the last 2-3 seasons. SHINNIE :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: Clearly targetted and struggled at times - especially against Naismith - but he did not make any clear mistakes and battled to the dying minutes, with some great blocks in the closing minutes. HAYES :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: I would give him 2-3 fer the first 45 and 5 fer the second when he was simply SCARY. He found space and gave Papac and co a torrid time. Every time he got the ball we were on our feet in anticipation - and he really should have squared it to the open Foran in the closing minutes. Plus his dead ball delivery was much improved to boot. Another repeat but find consistency young Johnny and you will find the promised land. DUNCAN :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: Back in his effective holding role and back to being simply Russeldhino. DUFF :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: Experience was probably needed in central midfield. Made a couple of potentially big erros but again makes himself available and sprays ball about. Still think that he is the purrfect rite back. FORAN :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: Again TB went fer the central midfield packed with experience and it played off but he plays all his best football - as he did yesterday when he goes wide left - but did he put a shift in yesterday and is clearly back to full fitness. He looked literally "shocked" at the McGregor save and livid with Hayes at the last gasp chance. ROSS :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: Loads of effort but he is clearly less comfortable on his left foot and did not make the same kind of impact as he has done in central midfield. A good squad player who wont let us down and can play in a few positions - slthough I suspect that rite wing would be his favoured position. ROONEY :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: That must have been a tough loney shift but did he hold it up well and put himself about - could have really benefitted from the Hayes crosses if not fer some great positional defending from old Grandad Weier. ODHIAMBHO :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: Shrewd substitution and his pace clearly worried Weir and Co. To be honest, apart from the goal, it was his movement that caused a couple of flutters - but - hey - who is complaining. TERRY AND MO - clearly got the tactics rite again - I was most impressed to the return of the 4-1-4-1 system with Duncan holding behind the experienced Duff and Foran - and then we pracically went 4-4-2 and at times 4-3-3 in the second half - when we albeit were chasing thegame. SUPPORT Are we the best travelling support in Scotland or wot. Nice to see the Hunns mustering a wee singing section but we drowned them out. Plus we now have the biggest Man Boobs in Scotland - had a wee fumble on the road back to Bechins maself.

To be honest ya can walk in to a potential scarebomb anywhere - the wrong place at the wrong time etc. To me it is a case of not going too far over the top at the end of a game -doing it in a group and in the safety of the ground environment - more chance of a scrap at Buckie or Forres than the OF. Most hoolies these days pick on hoolie lookers. What is the point in having a go at the MOB - we are falling over already.

What we need is an extension built and Sky installed in the Innes Bar and a fleet of Scoobie taxis purchased.

Having just watched the highlights it wasnt a free kick when Duff won the ball in his own half and Rooney wasnt offside and although Duncan clearly went for the penalty there clearly was some contact. It wasnt clear about the claimed Shinnie hand ball but only one Killie player shouted for it. Duff was giving Tokely pelters fer their goal and lets hope Johnny Hayes crosses himself when he scores at Castle Greyskull.

Well - here is the match report - it is from a wee notebook that fell out of Mary Hills' handbag as he fell asleep in the Horseshoe last nite Well that was another fine Caley Away day with Terry and Mo which started on the chimes of 11 in Central Station and ended in the Govan Hilton after yet another stunning performance of "Father and Son" in the Lesbian Karaoke - apparently I am now known as Mr Keating Senior in Govan. Was nice to see Mann4theJob joining the MOB and joining in with the drinking, the singing and the DANCING - wait till Johnboy reads this !! And the Rescue Mission to the Tink just added to the joy of the day. We talked to some FanniesKilmarnock supporters in Fanny's and they all appeared to be under the impression that they were robbed - My summary of the game was that we defended really well and were always looking to be the more likely to score on the break - even when it was 2-1. It was a similiar last 15 minutes to the Midden game and - of course we were biting our nails - but it really could have ended up as 3-1 rather than 2-2. If Killie have a good look at themselves they created chances but blew the feckin lot of them - it was'nt down to Lady Luck - their finishing was atrocious - in fact thier last ball was atrocious and they did nowt in the last third. We took both our chances and that is what wins football games. At the death we deserved to get the three points and they did'nt. I would go as far as saying that we werent at our best but were good enuff on the day. As fer the goals - it WAS a penalty - but the Killie fans were shouting that they had a free kick in the run up and they were also claiming that Rooney was offside - only the highlights will sort that out - and as fer the second - well Wright made a Jimmy Zadi - esque mess of it but Hayes did exceptionally well and tucked it away in the bottom corner. I am also surprised that nobody mentioned Ryan Esson as I though that he was outstanding again - BUT wait till ya feckin see who got my MOM. The first 45 minutes was even stevens but I felt that we edged it - Duncan fluffed a half chance after a Hayes mazy run, a Rooney cross *** shot could have gone in - and did'nt he take the penalty well - and then Joe Pascali blew a great chance in the dying moments of the first half - and to me that summed the poor Killie performance up. They unsurprisingly came out with a vengeance in the second half - they again missed a couple of good chances but I feel that you have to give credit to Esson who did enuff to put them off - Have to say I thought that Shinnie handled and a penalty could be given - and I am not sure whether the ref played advantage and Killie blew it, Esson parried and Shinnie cleared off the line. When Hayes scored we sat back - understandably - but I would echo that although they scored we were the better team - will have to watch the highlights but where were the central defenders fer the goal. ESSON Personally I would go as far as saying that he is one of the main reasons for our away form - he doesnt always get the credit for his postional work and/or his attacking urgency. DUFF Born to be a right back, even though he may prefer to be a midfielder - adds that touch of calmness and solidity to the back four - and he can play a ball to boot. TOKELY Quietly effective - no nonsense but still feel that we need an experienced centre half. Rosscoe's positioning at times is still the full back mentality but he evidently makes up fer it in determination and committment. MUNRO Quietly effective as well but he is a central defender and covers well fer Rosscoe as he doesnt have to worry too much over both the full backs. SHINNIE Once again gave us a no nonsense performance and held his own - he survived despite being tactically "targetted" by Killie - especially in the case of the overlapping Hamill - but Shinnie more than stood his ground. Shame fer the lad but I think that Gillet will be back in when he is fit but we have unearthed yet another fine SPL compliant, local squad player. HAYES He does som wonderful things and catches the eye - if he could learn how to put in a consistent 90 minute perfomance he could be a real classy individual - but he makes up for that with his tanner ba wing style and defenders must quake when he runs at them. ROSS Appeared to change his position and role on 3-4 occasions - this possibly deflected from his performance but he was tireless - As per Shinnie he may be warming the bench again when Cox returns but he waont let us down. DUNCAN Welcome back Russeldhino - he just simply holds the central area and must be a real influence on all around him. FORAN Quieter than usual but he appeared to be swopping with Ross a few times - I feel he is far more effective when playing wide left and he is not as good in central midfield - but I suspect that TB is becoming more confident in playing Ross. ERIC Yes he is my MOM - it could have been a toss up between 3-4 yesterday but Eric is the most improved player this season. His workrate and even his harrassing was excellent yesterday and he ran himself in to the ground. ROONEY Scored the penalty, ran the lone striker role well and his hold up play is as good as anybody. he was the focus of the "IHE watch" yesterday and I would say that if he improved in his movement up front then he will progress further. He can be a touch lackadaisical at times - mainly when he is not involved - and if he learned how to pull defenders out then he would be ACE. MORRISON / SUTHERLAND - one to replace the tiring Eric and one to eat up time but who could have predicted - apart from my good self of course - that we would end a game beating Killie 2-1 away from home with Shinnie, Ross, Morrison and Sutherland all on the pitch at full time. TERRY AND MO - probaly got the tactics just right yesterday and a better team selection. STEWARDING - Excellent - no bother at all. AWAY SUPPORT - excellent as ever but a wee round of applause for a very brave Iain Coia - must have taken some strength to get there yesterday and bury a few hatchets - if it is any impetus to carry on supporting ICT - I fer one felt that Ali was standing there beside him and always will be.

Do you not think that it is the clearly mature, inteligent, descriptive, articulate and attractive individuals who get the most green dots awarded to them ?

Less of the fecking Glesga and the jaggies ya peg sellin **** - Chorley Caledonian to you. Anyway yer wind up banter was appreciated but if we knew that you were a caravan dweller in Dumbarton with a Ross-shire heritage we would have taken ya over to the other platform and put you on the Newcastle train.

IHE would say that it should be Caledonian FC and rename the North Stand to the Howden End and Johndo dreams about that as well. As many know I was an original "Animal" and probably classed as a "rebel" and I stayed away fer three seasons. But hey - the first time I came back it was just simply Inverness - and the Jeggies were always our mates with friendly banter and we all hated County and Hellgin. So maybe I am a rebel without a cause. And most of ma new mates are ex Jeggies and I would say that I was primarily responsible for chanting the O2B song and turning it away from being a Jail End taunt. INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE FC - It took a lot of feckin emotion, effort and struggle to create it and long may it remain - to me it is a constant reminder of the past and is part and parcel of our colourful history (as covered in literature by yon wee BBC **** ) I actually pride in saying that name now. As long as some dyslexic ******* doesnt rename it ITC - now that would be feckin sacriledge.

Well I am going to watch it LIVE.

Great stuff Brosnon Confused - not half as much if you had done a Brosnonesque 4 am attempt

Dwight Eisenhower No one can defeat us unless we first defeat ourselves. From a professional, psychological position I would have to say that there is a winning and a losing attitude/mentality and it is essential that the former rather than the latter is firmly embedded in the psyche of ICT yoof - and the development and installation of such "thinking" is clearly the responsibility of the coaches. Don't be disquieted in time of adversity. Be firm with dignity and self-reliant with vigor. Chiang Kai-Shek

From the Scotsman (21/10/2010) TOP CHEFS BACK THE P.R.I.C.K.S. TO FOREWARN ICT By Ewan McMurray Top chefs Gordon Ramsay, Nigella Lawson, Delia Smith and John Kelly have voiced their support for the Pie Reputation and Integrity for the Catering of Kilmarnock Society, in the wake of concerns that the supporters of Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. may be planning to inflict another injurious verbal and choral assault on the manager of Kilmarnock F.C., in reference to the allegation that the previous managers' obesity may have been closely linked to the over consumption of pies available from the club catering facilities. Previous concerns were raised to the F.A.R.T.S organisation (Fat Aberdonian Reprobate Taunting Salvation) in respect of the prolonged 45 minute plus ?assault?, by factions known as the MOB and the SESH army, at the Scottish Cup Tie last season which allegedly led to the demise of the previous manager, Jimmy fat **** Calderwood. Agents for Mr Calderwood claim that he suffered Post Traumatic Stress Disorder following the psychological ?bullying? ordeal, had a nervous breakdown which ultimately resulted in his resignation. It is reported that Mr Calderbank now suffers from chronic insomnia where he has recurrent flashbacks / nightmares on the theme of kilted Highlanders dancing in a conga around his bed, whilst deriding him about his obesity. He is rumoured to be currently 6 stones in weight and resembles a bright orange, sun dried Satsuma. It is doubtful whether he will ever be able to return to football management although Ross County FC feel that he may be a ready made replacement for Craig Brewster. South Ayrshire Police and Group 4 Security have been in discussion with the CaleyAwaywithTerryandMo ?firm? who are rumoured to be an amalgamation of the two notorious factions previously known as the MOB and the SESH Army. The authorities feel that the dialogue has been fruitful and a fat, old, kilted, bald, grey haired spokesman has assured Kilmarnock FC that there will be no repetition of the incessant chanting of the ?Jimmy Says aye to a Killie Pie? taunt at this weekends? fixture. It appears that the CaleyAwaywithTerryandMo ?firm? have sought legal advice from their Finnish solicitors and have agreed to serenade the present managerial incumbent, Mixu Packalotofkilliefeckinpiesinmafatscandinaviangutlining, in a ?softer|? Finnish version of the chant. ?Mixu says JAA jotta Killie paistos? or perhaps an abridged version highlighting the Swedish word for Yes - ? Mixu says JAA to a Killie pie? will be caroused. A spokesman for the Finnish F.A, responded - ? Ajaa kaikki mik? te haluta koska me hankkia disowned ep?kuntoinen hedelm?llinen h?lm? ?