AJS

I disagree with Allan Preston's comments. No question that we could probably not replicate the league form after this seasons done. But there is no question we are still capable of reaching better heights like a trophy and Europe come the end of this season. All of this is within touching distance and it would be foolish for anyone, including to Butcher to let all the hard work put in so far to go to waste. This has the potential to be the best season we have ever had but virtually all of it rides on the next couple of days. If Butcher does leave it will have ramifications for the rest of the team and could see all the work gone into the campaign dwindle.

The worst that could happen would be Malpas getting the job! His managerial record's horrific! No. The worst that could happen would be Adams being offered the job Not saying i want it to, just reckon thats what will happen.

If the worst happens it will be Malpas that gets the job...got no doubt about that.

There is no appeal to the job. Barnsley are consistent strugglers and have next to no budget for a Championship side. Tel has already accomplished so much this season we have the potential to achieve so much more. European quest and a potential trophy or a relegation scrap? It really is a no brainer.

Not a prolific striker but a real workaholic up front. Would never stop going. He never seems to have got back to full fitness since that ankle problem he had. Not surprised he is teaming up with Barry, theyre good pals. Good luck to him.

of course. i hope the situation at madrid can be resolved as i fear their financial muscle will take either butcher or antonio. however if one of them goes, we may be able to strike a deal whereby real will take our youth players on loan to give them first team experience at the bernabeu, making them our feeder club, and we could use the compensation to re-sign golobart and give him key to the city. it wouldnt be the worst thing to happen to ict. *note these posts are probably due to my sleeping pattern been fecked during the holidays hence why i sound deranged. * Dont worry. They will hopefully make the smart move and take Darren Randolph from Motherwell to replace King Iker. I do worry for Owain's future here if Xabi Alonso chooses to go back to the Premier League, Madrid will want a strong, combative midfielder with a great passing range to fill that void.

He's got real talent. If anyone can make him a more mature player then Butcher can. At 18 he still has a lot to learn. Would love to see him become our own player.

Keep everyone. Stability is the key in this case. I can see the likes of Oswell going. Billy wont leave unless we get a great offer for him. Cant stop lads leaving if they want to further our careers. If they leave we will replace them. We did it in the summer and we can do it again. Wouldnt want to be Motherwell right now. Murphy is already away. Randolph isnt signing and they have plenty more that will be leaving either now or at the end of the season and with them operating on the losses they have they will struggle to sign players of equal quality.

A good, open game of football. Carbon copy of when we played them on the opening day...minus the injury time equalizer. Both teams had some great moments. Woodwork smacked, Gloves tested and both will feel they could have won the game. St Mirren looked excellent. In the likes of McGowan and McLean they have some real industry as well as pace and given the way they looked today i wouldnt be surprised to see them climb the table soon enough. They also have Samson in goals who despite his flapping for Foran's goal looks a decent keeper. In ourselves however we had the likes of Andy Shinnie, Billy McKay and Foran all putting in their usual shift up top. Thought OTJ was colossal in midfield today as well. Worked his socks off and was unlucky not to bag another goal for himself. Cooper gave a solid display as well. Not an easy game for a young lad to jump straight into but he made some good tackles and held his own throughout the 90 minutes. Given we fell behind twice i was happy with a point but we created enough chances to win the game, so too did St Mirren so point is definitely fair and at the end of the day no ground is really lost and our good form remains intact. Only thing that disappointed me about today was Willie Collum. Thought his performance today was dreadful. Some blatant fouls were missed as well as some dirty tackles that went unpunished.

Great news! Both lads are established members in the 1st team. Meekings has really developed into a fine centre back and his abilities as a right back cant be forgotten either. Especially pleased about Shinnie though. He has really matured this season and Butcher obviously agrees having made him vice captain, been in fine form and improving with every game. Hoping we get some more lads signed up over the Christmas period.

An integral part of our set up and the success it has brought. He is the complete package, great passing, solid in the tackle and an eye for a shot. His physical presence makes him a nuisance for other teams as well and he has formed a formidable partnership with Draper. Hoping he keeps up the good work.

Crackin performance. Both teams started brightly but when Owain regained the lead for us with another rasper it really seemed to deflate them. Thought it was a penalty straight away, seemed needless as Foran was running away from goal and big Rab would have been dissapointed as he had made a brilliant save just seconds before. Rather than conceding after half time we doubled the advantage, was credited to Billy but no idea who actually scored but we had that 2 goal cushion and it seemed to ease any tension of us slipping up again. Dundee offered very little in the 2nd half and we seemed to grow in confidence with every attack. Shinnie's goal was a belter. Ghosted between two defenders before hammering it past Rab, cracking goal and typified his afternoon, he was top class. Couldve scored more but 8 goals in 2 games is terrific and we go into Christmas in 2nd place...who would have thought that? Billy only got 2 today though, 4 was the expectation...time he was benched

Brora bound ive been told.

Was never going to dislodge anyone due to how well we were playing. The boy was needing first team football and as long as we were playing well he was never going to get a chance.

Not complaining. No need to change what is already a team that is playing at its best. Most important thing is hanging onto the likes of Billy and The Shinnies. Even try and get them secured for beyond this season.

Got 1 against Hibs, 2 against County and hat trick against United. Fair to say if he dosent get at least 4 against Dundee.....he's benched.

The greater good. I also was too young to remember but the achievements the club has made speak for themselves...and at present we are only going to keep achieving.

Agreed with CaleyD, if the treble is not attained this season them Butcher must go...Steve Kean for ICT.

Im tempted to go topless next time the polis feel the urge to get their camera out. Show off the abs and make sure they see how beautiful sections of the ICT support look

To be fair, that's not difficult. Mark Brown in "fails to get anywhere near a penalty" shocker! In that case he simply carried on a good trend then.

Not pretty but we got there. Seen the penalty on Sky Sports. Have to say Tokely (our 12th man) did have a hold of Meekings, i think Thomson made the right call. Seemed as though County had set themselves out to counter any football we tried to play though it was clear from the off that we werent 100% tonight. The difference tonight was Billy McKay. County lack a talisman up top whereas we have one who's stock is rising fast. Worked his arse off for the team, put Brown the wrong way for the pen and his 2nd goal was top class. Contracted or not i think we will have offers for him come January. Reguero was my man of the match though tonight. Was annoyed at him for getting lobbed by Vigurs but he was outstanding 2nd half. Showed excellent handling from the set pieces and when called into action he pulled off some great saves. Safe to say he has cemented his place as 1st choice now. As much as i relish derbies im glad this one is out of the way. We can get back to focusing on the league and the cup semi final now. But there is nothing better than putting one over on the they who are forever in our shadow. Well done tonight lads. And yet another great derby day atmosphere. Love it. Only thing that bugged me tonight was Vigurs. The man has talent, no question. But his attitude and conduct on the pitch is disgraceful at times. I saw tonight why Terry chucked him and frankly im glad he did. His tussle with Doran was ridiculous. Trying to get him sent off, that was all he was doing. Its a disgusting side to the game.

Derek Adams - seething, bitter, obsessed.

Been one of our most consistent players over the last few weeks. At first i thought it was just defending where we got the best out of him. But agreed with the above. He links up well with Doran and his dummy and cross for the goal on Saturday was excellent. Really struggled at the start of the season but has improved greatly since and its very pleasing to see.

Hibernian seeeeeeethe. Knows he was well beaten and cant take it.

As free flowing as we have looked all season. Great attacking display, fluent passing and clinical finishing. Griffiths didnt look fit and it showed. Anything remotely threatening had to go through him and without him they struggled. They will have to address when he leaves in January or they will fade away. Top marks for our attacking quartet today. Doran and Shinnie made full use of the pitches width and Foran and McKay seem to be forming a formidable partnership as well. 9 and 12 goals for the season together is a fantastic record at this stage in the season. Reguero gets a mention too. Griffiths effort seemed net bound but that was a top class save and turned out to be one of very few opportunities that they created throughout the day. The good form continues as well as the positive vibe...bring on the County.