collectiveaction

Were any of the youth teams in action over the weekend? Any updates?

Duncan Whatmore the player who has been on loan to Hibs from Sunderland is an exciting prospect. Worth a shout?

Definitely Palace!

I have just watched the game on Alba. I have not seen or watched a game fer weeks and I was expecting to come on here in a mega-critical manner. To me - that was encouraging  - I thought that we edged the first half. We gave them two truly AWFUL goals - what the feck was Draper thinking. If you go 1-0 down early doors away to anybody it is an uphill struggle. 2-0 and you are fecked. And what the feck was Gary Warren feckin doing fer the second - that was a clearance by foot and he practically stumbled. I will head to the critique later but with a little rub of the green in the first half and a more precise final ball we could have been level at least. I did not see aimless possession in her own half - I saw patient build up most of the time against a very defence orientated Well side. At times I actually thought that we resorted to aimless hoofs too often

 

We totally bossed the second half and the Mckay miss in added on time just summed up the nite. We could have won 6 or 7 - 2 fer fecks sake. We fought till the dying whistle and ya could see the togetherness and the spirit - encouraging to moi in itself.

 

So let me be critical from a wholly personal persepective

 

BRILL  Simply does not float my boat. Is not commanding enuff and still feels like he could make mistakes on a regular basis. Plus he is too slow and too erratic in his distribution.

 

RAVEN :smile:   I don't think that he is 100% fit but he is a solid defender and can be a fairly accomplished wing back going forward

 

TREMARCO  A temporary cover fer me. A solid, rugged and reliable enuff defender but clueless going forward at the SPL level. I am convinced that opposition coaches ignore him going forward and that can cost us.

 

DEVINE    Again a squad player and nowhere near the pace and positioning of Meekings. Pretty reliant on Warren.

 

WARREN :smile: :smile: Being asked to take on too much responsibility and misses pace recovery alongside him.

 

DRAPER :smile:  Again I like him but we need to decide what position he is more suited to. Pace wise he is a "hole in front of the defence" player but he appears to think himself of being an attacking midfielder.

 

TANSEY :smile:  If he is the playmaker which he appears to be he should be played in a system around that and him

 

SHINNIE :smile: :smile:  Best left sided wing back in Scotland fer me - and would be a shoe on cap if he played consistently in that position for a BIGGER team. If I was him I would move. if he chooses not to he is either that wing back or a left sided midfielder - not an emergency right back or a central midfielder

 

WATKINS :smile:   He played wide all the time and hugged the touchline. I think he suffers from the system but he will only get better

 

DORAN :smile:  Some fine touches and suits a roving role but can we stop him roving round the pie shops during the day. So much potential yet so much disregard for his body.

 

Mckay :smile:  Simply looks fecked and in need of a rest. But he will come good again but desperately needs support.

 

CHRISTIE :smile:  Great prospect and brought life to the team and the game when he came on. Really need to decide where we play him. To me he is an Andy Shinnie type player BUT Mckay and Christie do not equate.

 

Tactically our defence was RIDICULOUSLY deep in the first half and you could have driven Terry Butchers ego through the middle in the first half. Now if Blobby Mann was in there we could play the cultured ball from the back BUT we do not have anything like a Blobby Mann. And we were far too square to boot. And the gap between defence and midfield in the first half was equally RIDICULOUS.

 

If Hughes is looking at Barcelona it is not the possession aspect to me but it appears to be the concept of "total football". It appeared to me that he was looking fer Tansey, Draper, Shinnie and Doran to interchange and cover each other - It simply did not and will not work- that takes real structure, talent and experience - we aint got that. Go fer a compact but higher up the pitch defence - put a Busquet in front of it - or even a Russell feckin Duncan (who cos I don't think none of them suit that) - then we need the Ian Black type in central midfield beside them (I don't think any of them are suited to that either) - and then we have the Rankin type (that is Tansey - or perhaps Christie) and then we have the Cowie type (and that could be Watkins). Then we have the front two. Personally I would prefer a more traditional centre forward (Brewster / Ritchie) with a Dargo (Mckay) in support.

Pretty accurate summing up although I'd have to disagree about Watkins. Decent enough player but a bit of the Ted McMinn about him...

I feel that there could be interest within  the  5 secondary school located in and around the city. Maybe the club could help to get supporters clubs running in the I.R.A, Milburn, Charleston, High School and Culloden. Even if the club "donated" a flag to each of the secondary supporters clubs and members could get some perks. Could potentially be run by 5th , 6th year pupils. 

Away fans are pretty passionate in my opinion. 

 

Which English Premiership club do I.C.T equate to and why? 

My suggestion would be Crystal Palace.

Punch above our weight. Not the largest amount of fans but passionate. 

Colours-although they have had cracking kits over the years.

Good community club.

Passionate??.....you couldnt find a more reserved, placid support anywhere than at ICT. Makes snooker crowds look like a bunch of rowdies

 

Away fans are pretty passionate in my opinion. 

The current Palace kit with the yellow trimming changed to black would be a superb strip for season 2014/2015.

Which English Premiership club do I.C.T equate to and why? 

My suggestion would be Crystal Palace.

Punch above our weight. Not the largest amount of fans but passionate. 

Colours-although they have had cracking kits over the years.

Good community club.

Are there supporters clubs located in Nairn, Black Isle, Western Isles?

Any recent updates on contract situation?

A number of LOCAL boys have been promoted from the 17's and offered 2 year pro- contracts to play for the u-20's.

Do I think John Hughes has done a good job thus far? No.

Do I think he would rather lose with his system than win with Butchers? So far Yes.

Do I fear for next season? Yes.

Does he say things (or is put across in the media as having said things) which have annoyed me? Yes.

Do I think he'll be sacked before Christmas? No.

Have our results been relegation worthy since he arrived? Yes.

Do I want to see him fail? No.

Do I expect him to fail? Regrettably yes.

Do I hope he proves me wrong? Yes.

Do I wish people would stop quoting each other and making this thread impossible to follow on my phone? Yes.

Do I think doubting the manager makes you less of a supporter of the club? No.

Do I think you start a lot of questions with the word Do? Yes

Has it been confirmed by the club that Gorman, Pepper, Evans etc have been released or is this just rumour at this stage?

Terrible result today but John Hughes should and hopefully will be given time ....at least until end of December. Personally I admire the way he wants the ball to be passed from the back and feel he should stick with this way of playing. The many "experts" in the main stand who are desperate for the ball to be hoofed forward are, in my opinion, dinosaurs. 

Looking forward to young Christie establishing himself as a regular starter next season. Though in doing so, I predict  other clubs will be queuing up to sign him. 

Forever in our mini shadows...

Judging by the performances of both teams today....DEFINITELY!

4-0

I attended an U-17 game for the first time today and have to admit to have been thoroughly entertained. I.C.T V Ross County games have served up great entertainment over the years and this match, although at a younger age group, was no exception. Pleasingly, ALL the good football was played by I.C.T. and the result reflected their dominance. The I.C.T youngsters, on this showing, served up a fast paced pass and move game that the young County counterparts just couldn't cope with. Superb stuff! Well done to the I.C.T coaches and players!

 

Ok we have two great prospects for the future but if we had to keep one and get rid of the other what would you do 

 

Tell them that only one can have a contract and they must battle each other with pugil sticks on top of the Kessock Bridge. Winner gets a contract. Loser signs for Fort William.

 

Gladiators Rrrreeeady!

Both are very good prospects! Christie plays in a more "glamourous" position whereas Polworth is more comfortable in the engine room, so difficult to compare. Hopefully both will be allowed to establish themselves next season. I realise that side stepped your question but it seemed to me, to be a question worth side- stepping. Both are the future of I.C.T and both probably will read this thread!

 

 

If you take the leaf out of Dundee United's book, we could have our very own Ryan Gauld in the shape of Ryan Christie.

From what I seen of him last night he is better than Gauld!

(it was only 45 minutes I know but still...)

To be fair I haven't really seen much of Ryan Gauld, only game that stands out to me was vs us in the quarter final and he didn't really produce much in 90 mins. Maybe the scottish media over hype him who knows. GMS is over-rated IMO he has the skill but nothing much to him.

The point I am really making before I get sidetracked is that ICT could benefit to a similar set up as Dundee United. They have young boys like Andrew Robertson (who was superb in the 5-0 game) John Souttar all very young lads playing first team football.

We have the likes of Ryan Christie, Liam Polworth, Adam Evans, Ali Sutherland (maybe next season) that could get a massive benefit of little bit exposure in the first. I am sure as hell it wouldn't happen if Butcher was here but John Hughes is very impressive when it comes to young talent.

 

Now you're talking! Whether it is under the managerial vision of John Hughes or a.n other, a vibrant, cohesive youth policy is the way forward for I.C.T. Both Aberdeen and United have worked extremely diligently in nurturing and promoting youth and their endeavour in this department is now paying dividends. What are the options? Bring in high numbers of young English players and hope we strike it lucky with one or two? No. How about paying out transfer fees for "good" players? No. Well, lets "grow" our own. In the present u-20's and u-17's potential and talent abounds. A no brainer!

Who is up for the challenge of trying to sell out the home end.

 

We all know the offers given by the club, we know a lot of people gave a lot of time to get things organised for last Sunday.

 

Can you all do that little bit extra and egg on all that you know to attend.

 

Its a season ticket match,  they can all bring someone for free.

If you were at the match  its only £10  for an adult,  £5 concession, and under 12 free.

 

Its up to all of us to do something about this and to not only promote the sale of tickets but to see it through and from sales lead to sale.

 

 

 

Some people mentioned that they didnt see the flags on Sunday, weather permitting, if I can get my way then they will be passing over every section in the ground on Saturday but each section needs a good turnout for this to happen.

Really admire your passion but realistically this is not going to happen. Too many "football fans"  young and old appear to be zoned into Champions League, English Premiership and see the SPFL as inferior. In the main, their viewing experience of watching games is via their tv sets. These games to them are easily accessible and glamorous. Unfortunately they don't "get it". Actually, maybe it's me who doesn't "get it" as rich man's football just doesn't appeal to me. I'd rather watch something with a more local slant. Have to admit though, that one Scottish player in the League Cup Final line-up wasn't too palatable. Add a whiff of perceived glamour and the "fans" will flock to the stadium. Remember the Barry Wilson testimonial? Packed out stadium to watch Liverpools 18 and 19 year olds!

Yogi will get adequate time to show his worth (or not). He should be allowed next season to see how the team develops under his leadership. If I.C.T are in one of the bottom 3 league positions by October then...

Christie must start V Partick Thistle!

I'm on the way to Glasgow toon

So Flora's neck's still bare

It's up to Sneckers still aroon

To mak sure the scarf lies there.