Sneckboy

Dani Sanchez has today been released by Wellington Phoenix. He had 2 years in New Zealand. Probably not what we're looking for though.

It will do our seeding rank for 2016 some good, ensures we will be in the 4th pot as we were in danger of slipping even further. Delighted with the result!Delighted i was so far off. Great result but I'm not sure it does 'ensure' any pot 4 seeding. Surely those are decided at the end of the qualifying campaign? We're still very much in danger of finishing the bottom or staying 5th which would put us in danger of slipping into pot 5 for the Euros 2016. Even if we were to remain in pot 4, it's nothing to get excited about. Not so long ago, we were pot 2 regulars....then fell to pot 3 fodder which is why we find it so hard to qualify nowadays. Pot 4 teams like Scotland are just making up the numbers.

After a promising start he did certainly go off the boil somewhat. The penalty miss would affect anyone's confidence, especially one so young. I remember reading a stat - I doubted its authenticity (but it was true...I checked) - after his first 19 appearances for Inverness, Philip Roberts had never been on the losing side. Then he got dropped or injured which coincidentally coincided with the start of our post New Year indifferent form. People were quick to flag-up stats like that when comparing Esson to Reguero!

Yeah, they had a good run towards the end of the season, elevating them into 3rd place (and Europe) despite not having been there all season. We were 2nd or 3rd since November only to be pipped on the last day. However, we only gained 3 points after the split whereas they picked up 10. I suppose, grudgingly, they deserve it. It won't stop me from masochistically looking on with interest at who they're paired with in Europe!

He rightly got a couple of awards in 2001/02.

I remember the TV Series Blue Heaven about 10 years ago! It showcased the cream of the young crop of players from Rangers. A team I remember from a couple of years ago... Anyway, only one of those boys forged a career of note - Charlie Adam. Often young potential doesn't equate to future success. I should know. I played for Crown Primary and then once for Millburn. Turned up in trainers for a game (instead of football boots) and never got picked again by PE teacher, Derek Dewar. That's as good as it got. I'm honestly not bitter. *bangs computer*

Apologies for the poor graphic I posted - it didn't appear as it showed in the 'preview'! Anyway, the 8 Scottish boys in our squad are all from the North - it's good to have that local element within the squad. Esson, Cheyne and Shinnie are from Aberdeen. Polworth, Christie, Ross and Ferguson are from Inverness. Cooper's from Macduff.

1GKRyan Esson 2DFDavid Raven 3DFGraeme Shinnie 5DFGary Warren 7FWBilly McKay 8MFRoss Draper 9MFRichie Foran (club captain) 11MFNick Ross 14DFJosh Meekings 17MFAaron Doran 21MFLiam Polworth 22MFConor Pepper 27DFDaniel Devine 32DFMatthew Cooper 37FWCalum Ferguson 38MFRyan Christie -MFJay Cheyne -MFAdam Evans -MFBen Greenhalgh -MFJames Vincent -MFDanny Williams With Reguero away, we currently have a squad of entirely British Isles players.

Yeah, I too have been alarmed at the expectation levels surrounding this guy! This really needs to be tempered. He's still very much unproven. Show-reels of players can be very misleading. Even the dullest of Big Brother contestants can be made to look sparkling when their 'best bits' are highlighted at the end! I'm sure Claude Gnakpa's show-reel would make him look sensational. They showcase glimpses of skill etc. but obviously don't address things like fitness, work rate and attitude. Many managers have lived to regret signing a player on the evidence of a DVD without properly assessing a player's potential. He's maybe got a 'big time Charlie' attitude (Richie Foran will be pleased!) due to the Ronaldo and Inter Milan links which is why he maybe hasn't greatly progressed as expected since winning that reality TV series on SKY. Indeed, the Inter Milan link maybe a curse for the boy, fuelling expectation. However, it was largely a SKY gimmick as he didn't actually 'play for Inter Milan' as some seem to think. The truth is, he trained with their youth team before being sent out to Como on loan who were in Serie C. Again, he wasn't with the first team, instead turning out a few times for their U20's. On his return, Ben's highest level of football has been with Welling in the Southern Conference. To put it in perspective, It's strange that little excitement surrounds recent capture, James Vincent who's played 3 levels higher (League 1) than Greenhalgh...but then again Vincent hasn't 'played for Inter Milan'!

Signed up till the end of season 2015-16: Aaron Doran Signed up till the end of season 2014-15: Josh Meekings Nick Ross Gary Warren Graeme Shinnie Billy McKay Daniel Devine David Raven Liam Polworth Ryan Christie Signed up till the end of season 2013-14: Ross Draper Ryan Esson Richie Foran Conor Pepper Matthew Cooper Jay Cheyne Calum Ferguson Ben Greenhalgh Danny Williams Adam Evans James Vincent (Butcher, Malpas and Marsella are also in this category)

Good article from Duncan Shearer about Robson's 'wild' days at Inverness in the Record. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aberdeen-icon-duncan-shearer-reckons-1925443

Our former 'keeper, Kyle Allison was at Linlithgow Rose until he was snapped up by big-spending Ballingry Rovers last summer. Kevin Byers is also at Ballingry. I love the Juniors and I really hope they can be accommodated into any future pyramid set-up.

Signed up till the end of season 2015-16: Aaron Doran Signed up till the end of season 2014-15: Josh Meekings Nick Ross Gary Warren Graeme Shinnie Billy McKay Daniel Devine David Raven Liam Polworth Ryan Christie Signed up till the end of season 2013-14: Ross Draper Ryan Esson Richie Foran Conor Pepper Matthew Cooper Jay Cheyne Calum Ferguson Ben Greenhalgh Danny Williams Adam Evans (Butcher, Malpas and Marsella are also in this category)

What about Matthew Cooper? No mention of him in the latest list...I thought he'd maybe another year to go. There's also Jay Cheyne and Calum Ferguson but they may be more youth team.

Not sure how valid this is as French Guiana isn't a member of FIFA. It's a bit like Guadeloupe! Marc-Antoine Fortune (Celtic). Obviously French but born in French Guiana.

I'm surprised that Richard Hastings didn't get any of the awards, considering how many seasons he was with us. Another player I was a big fan of, missing from the list is John Rankin.

I'd have Spain's La Liga as the best league due to the strength in depth. The worst would have to be San Marino's League! Although, with Gibraltar having recently been accepted into UEFA, they might prove to be worse at football, having a slightly smaller population than even San Marino to draw on. Their clubs will also compete in the European club competitions in time!

Probably that one!

It's mentioned in this article. http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/Sport/Football/Foundations-in-place-for-future-success-at-ICT-20052013.htm

Yeah, the car park at ICT is easy to get into....it's the GETTING OUT!!! lol I disagree lizi that Perth has a bigger population than Inverness. Certainly, Perth has a huge hinterland due to its location but the cities themselves? I think Inverness slightly bigger. What are we now, 70 000? When are the census 2011 results out? That would settle it!

How many names is that! I just love the close season speculation- I think it could be in overdrive this year..

I absolutely hate that celebration a lot of players do nowadays- the 'cupped ear'. As RiG says, it's totally a GIRUY gesture. Looks like Vigurs was doing the 'double cup' here. Other celebrations that rile me are the equally provocative finger over the mouth 'Shhhh' directed at opposing fans. Done to incite, of course. Strangely, the removing of the shirt in a moment of elation is the one that attracts a yellow card! And while I'm at it, another 'celebration' that can grate is the arrogant pointing over both shoulders at their name on their shirt!

Yeah, I saw that on North Tonight; it was good to see him looking so pleased!

I think this is how it's looking now: Signed up till the end of season 2014-15: Josh Meekings Nick Ross Gary Warren Graeme Shinnie Billy McKay Daniel Devine David Raven Liam Polworth Ryan Christie Signed up till the end of season 2013-14: Ross Draper Ryan Esson Richie Foran Conor Pepper Matthew Cooper Jay Cheyne Calum Ferguson Ben Greenhalgh Danny Williams (Butcher and Malpas are also in this category) Out of contract: Owain Tudur Jones Aaron Doran

Great season for Inverness. I cant find any reason to be despondent. However I find it a bit odd that some people consider it a 'successful' season if we finish ahead of Ross County! Surely we're a big enough club now, with nothing to prove to anyone. Must we preoccupy ourselves with what they're doing? I would far rather finish 3rd behind a County side who are runners-up to Celtic than finish 4th ahead of a 5th placed County. Anybody who disagrees is effectively saying they'd rather finish 4th than 3rd! But there will be some... To me, this parochial attitude smacks of small-mindedness and old Highland League-esque bragging rights. Both clubs have moved on to bigger things. We've 'cut each others throats' this season, denying European football for the Highlands - much to the delight of the central belt brigade.