CaleyD

Absent Friend....I am looking for the article that carries the quote, but there's a comment made by Grassa (from memory) which basically amounted to an admittance that they got their Euro's and ?'s mixed up when dealing with Dinamo. On that basis, I find it very difficult to place the same faith in the ability of our club to transact a deal than you do. Fully respect your right to accept the clubs word (despite the conflicting statements from them...see link to BBC article in my earlier post), just pointing out where I perceive their to be flaws in your thinking.

If the deal was done in Euro's then we'll have to make good what is due in Euro's at the current exchange rate.

Line up 4-3-3 and just go at the opposition goal hell for leather. If we're going to lose, we may aswell do it in style and provide some entertainment.

Two versions of the design now added...the single colour one is a bit cheaper.

Probably looking at a minimum fee of around 15,000 Euros just to lodge the case with the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Why would that be? The club are claiming he instigated his own transfer, yet we were told (was certainly my understanding from club statements and press comments at the time) that the club were moving him on because we couldn't afford him. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/t..._ct/7364125.stm

As it's a letter for Mike Smith, then it's probably best you address it to him.

Do you really think it's wise to be publicly stating your intention to ignore/break the rules? Seriously, how stupid are some people!!!

I agree with what Yngwie has posted. Will only add that even though I started the chant of "Cheat" after their man got booked for a dive....I thought we were very fortunate that it wasn't a penalty. Unfair perhaps, but it's the job of the fans to try and sway the ref in these situations and I would say "Job Done" tonight...lol. I also have to admit to a few choice comments about Proctor being started in midfield....but I'm man enough to admit that he made me eat my words, all of them. Strong contender for my MotM tonight with his goal edging him ahead of Rossco who I thought was absolutely solid at the back and effective going forward. Sanchez impressed, but I still think he should be a little more confident and try taking on a defender every now and again. A couple of times tonight he had clear space in front of him and passed wide instead, he needs to be spotting and exploiting these opportunities more. Not a criticism, more of an observation. Still can't work out what motivated me to go tonight....but glad I did. Wasn't the most exciting of games, but as has been said already, the team showed a real desire to compete for the 90 minutes, and that'll do for me.

Off-Topic discussion moved here

We have a betting forum for talking about such things.

Just waiting on this design to clear processing....

You don't actually need any evidence to buy the ticket, but you may well be asked for it when it comes to entering the stadium using it. You can take the chance you don't get asked, or you can contact the Ticket Office at the club for advice on how you should go about it and what would be deemed acceptable evidence.

No, you will need a student matriculation card, or some other form of evidence showing that you're still in full time education.

Was Butcher justified in his outburst? Probably, as there's a number of people who sit in and around that area who do nothing but nip his head/make sarcastic comments EVERY game. This is nothing new, these people/p[eople of this ilk have sat in these areas for as long as football has existed, going out of their way to select seats in this part of the ground to allow them to do it. It is therefore a little hypocritical for them to complain when they get a reaction....in much the same way as I think it's hypocritical for fans to give an opposing player hgrief for 90 minutes and then get all high and mighty when they get a bit of it thrown back at them. Just because I think it was perhaps justified, does not mean I think it was wise/acceptable. Like it or not, there's certain things that certain people just can't get away with....even if they do have good reason/excuse. The whole comparison to "Gypsygate" is also nonsense. As I said in the thread on that matter, we don't want to get caught in a "tit for tat" scenario. When you start along that road there's no winners, as the saying goes "be careful what you wish for". That's not to say that any matter should be swept under the carpet, but it can be dealt with, without it getting silly or out of hand. I wouldn't expect Butcher to apologise for what he said, but perhaps an apology for they way he said it is in order. As I pointed out in another thread....I believe our problems are in the pressure that's on Butcher and the Team, pressure created by the Boards promises of "bouncing straight back up". We've been seeing how that is impacting on the players all season (especially at home) and I think this is the first signs of the cracks showing with the management. What's most unfortunate is that it's going to take someone on the Board to come out and say they were/are wrong in the way they are pedalling the clubs aspirations. Whilst it's perfectly acceptable to have aspirations of promotion (I'd be worried if we didn't) it's very, very wrong/stupid/naive to be selling it as a done deal....which is basically what ICT have done. Fans also have to start thinking for themselves on that subject. Stop being little sheep that just follow, believe and hang on every word they are told by the club. It doesn't take an Einstein to work out that a promise of bouncing straight back that's not backed by any positive actions or investment is an empty promise and we should have/should be adjusting our expectations in light of that. I want us to be promoted, but that desire is tempered by the realisation that it's not our god given right and the fact that, in reality (despite all the promises) we've not really done anything to build a league winning team. That's not to say that I don't think the current squad are capable....but I know it is going to take everything they have, in every game for the whole season. In essence, we're asking the team to perform above and beyond, we've done it before, but that was in the days when the fans were a little less expectant and far more supportive of the team.....even when things weren't going all that great. Going back to the OP's question. I don't respect Butcher any less for his outburst. It's perhaps even a good thing to see that he's human like the rest of us and is suffering every bit as much from the poor performances as the fans. However, I will be mightily upset if the fans who are dishing it out choose to complain because of the outburst they provoked...and it was provoked...not just on Saturday, but over the course of the season so far.

Not when taken in context of the entire season....not that shocking.

My apologies, I thought we got 4 points in the last 3 games instead of just the one.

Meanwhile....getting back on topic......

Prime example of the "If you tell yourself something often enough you start to believe it" theory. ICT were actually in 11th place and only 1 point ahead of Falkirk with 3 games to play (and one point behind St Mirren).

Are expectations too high? Absolutely, they are....and it's the fault of the board who made promises of plans and intentions to "bounce straight back up". The fans were quick to latch on to that idea, which was understandable as it's what we would all like, but the Board have done nothing, zip, zadda, zero to demonstrate that it was/is anything but hot air and/or telling fans what they thought they wanted to hear because it would somehow relieve the pressure on them for the events that led to our relegation in the first place. The biggest problem with the high expectations is not the fans wanting/expecting to win, it's the pressure that it's put on the Management and Players to deliver....and that's where I think the problem lies, and why we perhaps perform a bit better on the road away from the pressure of the home crowd. Terry and the Players are out there trying to deliver an impossible promise, a promise delivered by faceless Directors with comfy day jobs who will suffer not a jot from how well we do or don't do, Directors who opened their mouths and let their bellies rumble and have done nothing to bring in the investment required to deliver on the promise.

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OK, so Roy is one of 10 or 11.....same point stands. Also, if it was me, I'd have every member of the squad travelling to all away games...if they expect to get a place then they should at least be watching the team they would have to slot into if called upon.

Therein lies the problem!!!

The man is doing the job he was employed to do, on the terms he was employed to do it. If there's criticism to be handed out for him having other duties elsewhere, then they should be aimed at those who made the decision to employ him on that basis. Personally, I don't think his other duties have any real impact on things, but it does give those with unrealistic expectations an easy target, whilst those who are really responsible for the situation this club is in continue to hide.

Meanwhile....somewhere vaguely back on topic.......