Stirling Observer

People question where things have gone wrong for ICT. Obviously there are many deep rooted problems. This may be a strong statement with no evidence to back it up but I feel Vigurs has a massive negative influence on the team. The team is completely shot of confidence, we need a leader who leads by example by busting a gut, tackling, snarling around as well as encouraging and lifting those around him. What I see if Vigurs barking at refs, his own players and letting others do his job for him. The togetherness has gone, this has disappeared since his arrival at the club. I don't blame it all on him, but perhaps he has had a massive impact on that noticeable shift.

Players with no heart is the major concern. Like others have mentioned, we have signed journeymen who are used to lurching from one club to another, more interested in their own egos. We used to gamble on young hungry players untested at this level. They had hunger, this lot are stuck in a rut. The togetherness within the dressing room appears to have gone. I would happily go to games knowing the players have given their all for the club and each other. Last week made it evident several players do not care one bit. It makes it hard to feel a bond with such players. I will still go to games in hope more than anything else for a change, but with each passing game, I fear the situation with these players will simply end in disaster for the club.

I take your point Charles, however within the squad, i would hazard a guess that only Mulreany could use his muscle fibres as an excuse for a lack of stamina. Even before the sending off, the Dumbarton players were seeing out the game comfortably whilst our bunch were blowing out their hoops. No excuses for that. Hard work and application required during the week and training intensity needs to be upped several levels.

Despite the problem that is Vigurs, the point still stands. As professionals they all should be able to last a 90 min game. However we have no recognised centre mid on the bench to challenge for their positions. Perhaps Seedorf or Calder could play in there, but in all honesty, I am clutching.

I would, partly due to the formation with no recognised wide man on the right hand side as Bell was asked to play up front but cover right when we lost the ball. Also the usual problem of covering for a central midfielder who lacks mobility. Unfortunately we have no-one of any standard to challenge for his position, so he can stroll through games barking at refs and players while others pick up his runners.

Bell, making a step up you can account for at the moment. Tremarco back after a long injury as well. The rest, that was embarrassing. Polly and Trafford were running on empty, is was obvious. There is something far wrong that full time footballers can't last 90 minutes, especially against Dumbarton and after a first half were we had the majority of the ball and playing with lite intensity with it.

That was a disaster. We seemed in control at the start of the match, lots of time and space on the ball. However we lacked urgency, a st mirren or pars team would have destroy them when the opportunity arose. Not us, vigurs and Trafford strolled about. Our full backs didn't push on we were happy to sit on a 1-0 lead. Second half, they pressed and harried and bullied. We dissolved. Once we conceded. Players went hiding, midfielder not moving for a pass, strikers passing rather than shooting, defenders who are unable to defend. A horrible combination. One extremely worrying thing is the lack of fitness, bell died on his feet, as did Trafford, tremarco and Polly. Our bench offers little, we have no CM. Our defenders on the bench are worse than the awful defenders already on pitch. Even more worrying is the lack of resilience in the side. The players are passing responsibility, shirking tackles, not making runs. A horrible combination when you combine it with players who are not particularly good. Only pass marks for me were OFW, Bell (even though he ran out of gas) and Warren (despite getting sent off for diving). At least he had the gonads to make a run into the opposition box and take players on. Ooft I'm stressed.

Wheres the pre match boozing plans?

Im planning on arriving into Montrose about 12.15. Anyone else arriving about then and we could share a taxi??

After witnessing that defensive shambles on Saturday I would be fearing any team in the league. If significant changes are not made to that defensive line up then I fear the worst. I shall attend in hope more than expectancy.

Didn't think he was any worse than anyone else yesterday.

That back 5 need some serious work. Seedorf had a dreadful start and took a while to adjust the pace. When he had adjusted Cardle ripped him some more. Mckay, the worst for me, being the longest server defender out the back 5 (which is a huge problem for any team) should have been the commanding, dominant leader. He was pathetic, poor on the ball, hesitant, the 4th goal it literally was like he was trying to avoid the attacker, even though he was running at our goal. Elsdon. Slow, cumbersome, cant pass, hesitant aswell. Chalmers. Not a football player Ridgers. Has no confidence. If a centre half is not our priority we are in serious trouble. Immediately reinstate Raven and OFW. Seedorf is worth another go but needs to up his game. Bring Calder back into defence (he was anonymous going forward anyway. If no new signings before Morton game I would go with this, which is the best of a bad bunch. OFW Seedorf Raven(c) Elsdon Chalmers

So just one of the pubs in the stadium is the plan?

Hmmm, the more I hear, the more I back the club. The club receive a bid. Draper is asked if he wants a move. Draper says yes. Then the club ask the contracted player to submit a transfer request. The club then accept fee and allow talks between clubs to commence. Perhaps its a bit underhand of the club to invite a transfer request to protect themselves from a fan backlash, but at the end of the day, Draper could have said he didn't want a move and the club would have rejected the offer. It was left upto him and he choose to move. No point keeping a player who would like to play elsewhere.

Playing devils advocate... Draper (or his agent) tells ICT in an informal manner, happy to move on if it suits club. ICT decide to cash in, use transfer request line to appease fans. Draper claims no 'official' request was made and he is being scapegoated. Creamy mess all over ICT face yet again! Never nice

Forget transfers, statements, badges, cold pies. Time for the (re)ale important stuff... Pars the (belhaven) best pub pre-match? Also team lines... 11 x Seedorf please

Obviously disappointed with the outcome, draper was a fine player for us and will be remembered as so. However, there were signs last season of a lack of mobility and general ageing. This is a one-way road heading downhill. While I would have loved him to stayed and feel he would have been perfect for this season I kinda see the financial sense of cashing in. What happens if he gets crocked early in the season, he is on heavy wages, leaves a big hole in the team and we would not be receiving any transfer for him. I think he may struggle to get into a very mobile county side. Perhaps I am just sour. I wish him no further success in his career until he moves elsewhere. Whilst signing for County is hard to take, due to our locality it is an easy choice for settled pros to make the short and relatively short moves to our neighbours north and east. They are now playing at a higher standard and receive much better wages so you cant begrudge them moving on too move. Globalisation and professionalism of football has put paid to this 'loyalty' nonsense. Its long gone, accept it. Anyone of us would do exactly the same.

I'm moving down to Kirkcaldy soon, so expect more regular appearances at said waterholes than in previous years from myself. Looking forward to this season a lot... really hope the team don't turn it into ****.

Not a fan. Why would you want your own name on a scarf. Its a no from me Ann

I have no proof and cant be bothered to check but was Sheerin's initial success not as a player manager? I might be totally wrong. Apologies if so. Having a experienced leader in the middle of the park can have a big impact in the lower leagues. Or even at a higher level...Brewster's first stint anyone?

I agree with what you say, it is too little to late but what do you expect him to say? The win doesn't matter, we are already relegated. No point getting excited by clichéd soundbites answering generic questions

So for finishing bottom of the premiership (shudder having to call it this), we get 950,000 prize money, plus a parachute. If we finish 5th next season for example it drops to roughly 200,000 prize money. Ooya, harsh!

The contract clauses shall be interesting. It would be in the interest of both player and club to have the highest earners - Warren, draper and Fon I presume - on release clauses for relegation, or at the very least a big Percentage paycut . Whilst their experience could be valuable their wages could cripple us i suspect. The loss of away fans, before even considering the potential loss of some home fans will drastically reduce our average attendance. It's just hitting home to me now how bad the situation is. Big cloth cutting incoming. Still, looking forward to fresh feel of a new division.

Don't care. The team will be mostly egotistical posers and a few players who have fight but not the legs. Sad times.

John Hughes is hardly setting the heather of fire at Raith. If he didn't like our budget previously I'm pretty sure he won't like next season's! Move on. His arrogance and greed screwed himself and the club.