Renegade

He deserves a chance.

Can't see how some people can put Baltacha over Brewster. Sure Brewster had his faults, but what did Baltacha really bring the club? At least Brewster signed Rooney, Dargo and Esson.

Esson Piermayr Tokely Hogg* G.Shinnie A.Shinnie Tansey Davis Tade McKay Foran Subs - Tuffey, Proctor, Ross, Sutherland, Gillet, Golobart, Chippendale * - If Hogg is still injured, Proctor goes into centre-back with Morrison coming onto the bench.

Was anyone else impressed by the Liechtenstein number 9 (Beck?)? Thought he looked a good player.

1. Paterson 2. Robertson 3. Butcher 4. Christie 5. Brewster

Esson Tokely Dods Mann Hayes Wilson Black Sheein Robson Stewart Wyness Subs - Calder, Bingham, Munro, Duncan, Juanjo, Brewster, Christie Manager - Paterson

Quite difficult to compare midfielders IMO. There's a big difference between a good ball player like Christie or Black and a flying winger like Hayes or Robson.

That's not what really people are questioning. Seven weeks into a season is a funny time to offer new deals - when things become clearer in January, that would have been more appropriate.

While I agree in principle with those who say that this is a funny time for a manager to sign a new deal, I have to wonder about the would-be alternative. Lets just say hypothetically for a moment that Butcher was to resign right now - who would be in the running to replace him? Derek Adams? Jimmy Calderwood? Jim Duffy? These types would be the kind of names trotted out and bar a surprise appointment, the job would probably go to someone like that. None of those aforementioned or similar candidates would be as good as the current incumbent. None of them would be as good as bringing people in, particularly from down south (this is where having a "big name" manager perhaps does help) nor have the PR skills that come in only a few managers even in the game worldwide and Butcher is one of them. Nobody has the package of the incumbent. He ain't perfect by any means, but Butcher is the best we have or could have - for now.

Aye, he has taken one. See for yourself! Funnily enough, I did wonder about Esson's penalty taking skills once. Sometimes in the warm ups you see taking these one step shots and his accuracy and power on them was surprisingly good. I tell you, he'd probably be a better penalty taker with those attributes than some of the outfield players!

I think that the issue really is that both Tade and Foran are not goal scorers - they are chance creators. In another time, Foran was a big goal scorer, but like Ross Tokely his attributes have changed over time and a new role for him in the team has to be found. I believe though that the problem can be resolved simply - a switch to the 4-3-3. At this moment in time, both Hayes and Doran are out and Chippendale only seems to get on the bench for some reason. Neither Ross or Davis are real out and out wingers and are both far better down the middle. Lets look hypothetically for a moment - a ball playing midfield three of say, Davis-Tansey-A.Shinnie have all the necessary attributes to play the ball forward and create chances - this is in-turn helped by the use of three men in front, preferably Tade-McKay-Foran. The midfield three can play the to the front three which could easily allow for more opportunities for Tade and Foran to do what they do best - creating chances, and with the addition of Billy McKay as "the finisher", profiting from the work of those around him. A front three of this type could also allow both Tade and Foran to pull wide and exploit flanks, something some believe they are better placed. Perhaps this is the solution to the goal scoring problems.

As was reported when he first arrived, Roman Golobart can play as both a defender and striker.

No I disagree. The thing with Tade is if he has to think about it, he'll miss. The ball was in to Shinnie in a flash and he had only one choice - to smash it. The three chances Tade missed were all ones he had to think about. The one last week where he failed to score against Celtic was one he had to think about - and it's been the same for all of his misses this season - they're all ones he'd have had to think about. All the goals he's had this season are ones where the balls been there and boom - he's scored. That was the same today, more prominently the goal against Hearts and the one against Kilmarnock. If he doesn't have to think about it, he'll score and had he been in the position for Shinnie's goal today, he would've scored. That is the crux of Tade.

HT - ICT 0-1 St Mirren FT - ICT 2-1 St Mirren ICT 1st scorer - Davis St Mirren 1st scorer - Thompson Attendance - 3,811

Esson Piermayr Tokely Golobart G.Shinnie Davis Tansey Ross McKay Tade Foran Subs - Tuffey, Sutherland, Gillet, Chippendale, A.Shinnie, Meekings, Polworth

I'm disappointed - mainly because ICT deserved better. Had there been an Adam Rooney striker out there, they could of won the game, because there were quite a few good chances made that just needed that extra cutting edge. There was nobody who really had a bad game - Tokely played well, Graeme Shinnie looked good and Chppendale showed some quality out on the wing. Tade I must say is probably the hardest working player to ever wear the Caley Thistle shirt. He ran himself into the ground today and looked crestfallen at the final whistle. From what I could see as well, he really seemed to be the man who Celtic were afraid of, particularly Majoistivic who didn't seem to know how to deal with him at all. All Tade needs is a good goal scorer next to him to finish what he creates. Overall a decent performance, with some good passages of play but just need that extra bite at the end.

Knowing how difficult it can be to even get into the OF's box, I reckon shooting on site is the best bet for this game.

HT - Celtic 1-1 ICT FT - Celtic 3-1 ICT Celtic 1st scorer - Hooper ICT 1st scorer - Tansey Attendance - 44,723

And that'll probably mean Proctor's back in - I don't think that bears thinking about!

Indeed he did. In fact if you look through time it's not the first time he's done such a thing - his rather condescending remarks towards Australia for one and the time he flicked the Vs at his own supporters while player/manager of Sunderland is another. To me, when a manager has a go at a support in this such a way, it doesn't show strong leadership - it shows an inability to cope under pressure. I seem to recollect one of Brewster's latter games was against Dundee United, which resulted in a 3-1 home defeat. That day ICT were well and truly outplayed - something that wasn't helped by Brew's tactical decision in playing Proctor at centre half and Jamie Duff at right back. Who did Brewster blame for the defeat? That's right - the fans! That was Brewster's episode of being seen to be under pressure - similar to the way Butcher must be feeling right now. At times like this, a club needs somebody who can keep their cool and can be seen to be confident and composed. Of course, losing ones rag and attacking the team after a bad performance or defeat is something every manager will have done, but that is behind closed doors. Having a go at the loyal supporters after one happens to shake their head is a somewhat different matter. It doesn't show strong leadership on the manager's part one bit.

I wasn't at the game, but my thoughts could be that the players went in at half time, Butcher singled Golobart out and ranted and raved at him for his mistake. Her then decides to take him off, damaging his confidence even more and replaces him with Proctor (if that doesn't down your spirits I don't know what will!). Butcher's antics then leaves the players all a bit dispirited and thus end up losing the game. Wouldn't surprise me if that is the kind of scenario is what has taken place.

I take it you've forgotten that ICT went down by a single goal when they were relegated?

He'll be a good first team player within two years IMO.

May as well have a go I suppose - Esson Piermayr Tokely Golobart G.Shinnie Davis Tansey Ross Tade McKay Foran Subs - Tuffey, Chippendale, Gillet, Sutherland, Morrison, Proctor, A.Shinnie

I'm usually quite sure of the team/set-up that I'd favour when these threads come up. Not this time though - I don't know whether the best option is to attack and at least have a go, or damage limitation.