AJS

Why bother? What more do we actually need? Well covered in goals, 3 good centre halves, 4 if Hooman comes back. More than adequate cover on the flanks both defensively and in midfield, also well covered in centre midfield and we have 3 strikers each with individual and defining abilities, we also have Richie Foran who can play anywhere when required. We also have the likes of Polworth, Christie and Cooper breaking through who deserve the opportunity to play if it is presented to them so again i reiterate what do we really need?

Esson Raven, Meekings, Warren, Shinnie Doran, Vincent, Draper, Williams Foran, McKay Subs: Brill, Cooper, Devine, Polworth, Ross, Greenhalgh, Agdestein Would put Wakins on the bench for Greenhalgh if he is fit enough to play.

Curtis Allen is who im most intrigued to see. His record was probably the most eyecatching of all the new boys and it will be fantastic to see him step up to this level.

Was impressed with Williams and Vincent against Raith. Sounds like both held their own yesterday with the latter putting in a top performance. Leaves the question of where captain Foran goes. Vincent and Draper would make up the midfield. Id be inclined to play Richie alongside or just off Billy. Hes a menace aerially and had a good run of form when further up the park last season.

Great result. Real confidence booster going into the start of the season. Any of the new boys stand out against stern opposition?

http://ictfc.com/news/club-news/984-tel-signs-viking-raider Confirmed on the official site, squad is set now, roll on 13-14.

Id like to get back into it.

Agreed with IHE, we needed another striker and one with some sort of a physical presence. Squad is pretty much set now.

So much for the temptation of Europe. If benchwarming is what is regarded as Europe i think id be a dab hand at it too.

I will admit that i was not a fan of the way we were doing business, thought it was a major risk and while there is no question it could have gone the other way in the end it left us with a 4th place finish and a stable squad finally achieved. Guys like Warren and Draper have now gone on to establish themselves as key players in the side. A few stragglers aside we have held onto pretty much everyone from last season and have added promising players to the fold who will be more than eager to prove themselves at this level. Some may become the next gems some may end up getting the dunt before the season even ends. They are coming into a squad thats out to repeat what they achieved last season which will also give an added incentive for them to impress Another positive is that we also appear to have a small group of our own academy players breaking through. Cooper, Polworth, Christie and Ferguson have all shown real promise over pre season amongst others and will hopefully get their chances over the campaign. On the back of last season i cant help but have faith in what Terry, Mo and Marsella are doing. They stuck with us despite offers from elsewhere and they clearly believe we are capable of progressing even further as a club. They have a particular way of doing business that keeps us recruiting while also keeping our financial books in healthy condition (probably the only team in Scotland who really take it seriously). I dont really have any expectations going into this season, my idea of expectations were blown away last year and has left me thinking that anything is possible going into any season, im just hoping for as fun a ride as last year...and sticking it to County.

Did Williams impress again? He looked dangerous against Raith.

Bar Draper for Polworth (though he is making it a tricky choice) and Esson for Brill that would be my team going in for the new season. Foran is a presence up front and i feel could fare better alongside Billy boy this season.

My first visit to Starks Park also, thoroughly enjoyed with the fellow ICT fans who made the journey down. As was said we started the game slower than a tortoise on weed. Both Raith goals was a result of wastefulness from our possession. Well taken goals from a well drilled side who contained SPL names in Joe Cardle and Calum Elliot, both of whom gave accomplished performances. Couple of very shrewd investments. We should have got back into it with Ross's chance. He should have taken it himself but squared it to Billy who lost it with a defender closing him down. The own goal was flukey but we deserved to be back into the game and were better in the 2nd half which was well rapped up with a 25 yard pile driver from Polworth. On reflection a draw was fair but i will be honest we never really looked like winning. Early days for our new investments but at a first glimpse against decent opposition it was definitely Williams that stood out. He came on 2nd half and gave an impressive performance, beat his man on several occasions and got some good crosses in, he also teed up Foran who wasted a chance. Brill had little to do apart from picking it out of his net, he had no chance with either goals but showed good handling when tested, was also very vocal and did his best to get play going again. Vincent was solid if unspectacular. Definitely not suited to playing further forward. Seemed more comfortable in holding mid, think it was him who teed up Ross for his chance. Greenhalgh im sorry to say struggled to make an impact. Was never really in the game and when he was on the ball he either got brushed off too easily or gave it away. He isnt going to get as much time as he would in non league, needs to be quicker but its early days. Overall it was a decent display. They recovered well and in the end got what they deserve. I think the more these boys play together the better they will get. Still got to see Allen and Watkins in action too. Between Christie, Cooper and Polworth its nice to see youngsters getting integrated into the first team. Hope they get a chance in the league too. Plenty to look forward to.

No Esson in the squad today. Anyone know if hes injured or something?

Williams showed up well in the 2nd half, beat his man a few times and got some crosses in, fluffed a good chance to add a 3rd towards the end. He looks quite pacy. Looking forward to seeing him more, as CaleyD said thought Vincent looked quite impressive, quick passing and some neat touches.

Very confident that survival will be achieved which is the first priority. Im excited by the potential in this side and what it could achieve and after the success of last season i have a lot of faith in what the management team are trying to do by blooding a combination of potential gems and local talent, im all for it. Cant wait for the season to start.

Thats disgusting.

Was nice to see the team in action after a fair amount of time. Agreed with comments about Greenhalgh and Watkins, both gave very encouraging performances, was a pity that Watkins got injured as he was just starting to grow into the game. Polworth showed flashes of quality tonight too, his turn and through ball to McKay for his first goal was top class. Have to say Billy looked as composed as ive ever seen him in one on one situations. Rounded the keeper twice for his 1st and 3rd goals and curled a neat shot into the bottom corner for his 2nd. 2nd half we kept the ball well enough and probably should have added another couple but our finishing was wasteful. Brill played 2nd half and made a good save one on one with a Forres player. His punching looked a bit suspect at times but he does seem a capable player.

Much and such really, given that their signings have consisted of a young English Left back from Chelsea and the AmsterDingwall revolution and Steven Saunders, who may well be a Scot...but hes a Scot made of glass. Very breakable.

According to the Courier it said the game was at Grant Street park, i assume thats bogus?

Hes still on holiday.

Wow that escelated quickly!

Any player caught playing a long ball should be immediately dropped. Any player caught playing a Scott Boyd style long ball should be transfer listed and immediately demoted to training with the under 15s.

Everyone said the same last year about Aberdeen on the back of them signing Hayes and McGinn . I think Hearts will struggle to stay up, they wont sign anyone and given they will have a 15 point deficit before the league even begins i think it will be a mighty climb. United will fair well i think, added some good players to their set up and have a very capable young gaffer in McNamara. Hibs have a decent looking squad but lack any firepower just now and same can be said for Motherwell but we will see what their like when the transfer window closes. St Johnstone have added some good players to their squad and theyve bucked the donkey that is Tade (though i know he left by his own accord) so i would say their in with a great shout for another good season. Agreed that Killie could raise a few eyebrows, another team with a young aspiring manager, in fact when it comes to the SPL they are littered with young managers, at 54 i think big Tel is the oldest, poor man.

Good signing. Saw him play against Liverpool a while back in the cup and was quite impressed by him.