Wanderer

9 out of 10 long balls, on Monday night at least, came out of defence. By one calculation this was the 72nd defensive permutation we've adopted this season. Little wonder then that players would prefer to belt the ball away from the danger zone than trust the stranger to your left or right. Tade seemed to be the 'target' but if that was the case I wouldn't mind playing some of our defenders at darts! Tokely's been playing the same ball to the same non-existent Inside Right all his career. It will never change. But what about the simple ball to the feet of a midfield player who can turn and work the ball through the middle of the park? When we went 2 down we had a genuinely impressive 10 minute period when we actually strung a few passes together, found dangerous shooting opportunities, and rattled the United support awake. (This period came about right after the introduction of Gnapka although it was more likely because United simply went to sleep on their lead.) We need a genuine goal-scorer. Someone who can take the opportunities when they do come, someone who can read defenders well enough to find dangerous positions when the midfield are in possession, someone who will tie up 2 defenders, hold the ball up and bring out the creative instincts in 2 or 3 players who are capable of playing balls into dangerous areas on the deck. The defence can only do what they are capable of. And that's now apparent. The 'attack' is only as good as what it's being fed. Our midfield is my biggest disappointment. When I think of previous formations that functioned as a genuine unit I do begin to wonder at some of the coaching that has reduced it to a group of individuals in search of a formation.

ICT = 51pts (15 Wins, 6 Draws) RC = 48pts (13 Wins, 9 Draws)

I prefer to stand... I'd pay a premium to do so,,,(rediculous though that might seem) Or watch my team in a lower league,,, (honestly, I'm begining to think that might be preferable)

It may be downmarket for those Govan Dandies but a real fitba' match at Alloa at 3pm on a Saturday is pretty much my idea of perfection. Sorry Charles, have you ever been there? A few visits ago to TCS I was filmed by the police as we sat quietly in the north stand. Admittedly this was during the Brewster shoe-waggling era and CaleyD sitting in the seat in front of me had a wee (not much more than A4) banner...the whole thing was utter nonsense and pretty much nailed the reason I'll very reluctantly go back to TCS. That won't happen at Cowdenbeath. Wee grounds are the core of Scottish football, long may they last.

Very sorry to hear this news. I really enjoyed his contributions on the website... Condolences to the family.

At a stretch for live commentaries I can just about accept that, through gritted teeth - and I think you're right, ICT are not signatories to this - but the blocking of Open All Mics is extremely petty and serves no logical purpose.

OAM working overseas...

brilliant!

Big topic of discussion around the water-cooler today at this Netherlands office. Keeper clearly fearing for his safety, note his reaction when the official comes on, who can blame him? Red card chucked out by the Dutch FA today. Of course it should never have been given in the first place. Referees...common sense...when were those words last seen in the same sentence?

Great result...well done lads!

Quelle surprise! Bin him.

I'd say it invariably evens itself out... Tokely's stonewall handball v Killie at 2-1 up might've given them some momentum. The ball was heading for goal (at some pace!) but ref waves play on. True we're probably owed a few at this stage but there's bound to be one or two go our way by end of the season. Having said that Terry's going to have to introduce 'going down like a sack o tatties' into the training regime for us to get even for that monumental reffing blunder on Saturday.

"While he is clearly immensely proud, it irks him that he has been inducted in Scotland before being accorded the same honour in England." AND... Butcher had even considered appointing Gascoigne to his coaching staff at first Motherwell and then Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Highlights usually up 2 or 3 days after the event... http://ictfc.com/matches/video

Congrats on the new addition to the squad...ya old codger!

FROM THE INVERNESS COURIER: Inverness Caledonian Thistle under-siege manager Terry Butcher revealed today he was preparing to unveil two exciting Free Agents to strengthen his starting eleven. Butcher told the Courier in an exclusive interview: "A mate of Mo's knows a bit about that Interweb thing and came across these 2 free agents. This goes to show we don't leave any stone unturned, however grubby that job is, in finding the talent to help us move up the table." The two new signings Ing Wie, described by FIFA's player registry as a Chinese holding midfielder that holds the centre circle in the same way Colonel Gadaffi holds Sirte; and My Cloud a native American forward of Scottish descent who fills the hole behind the target man. Butcher later added: "I'm staking my job on these signings so keep your shoes on folks." IHE was unavailable for comment.

A Mickey Mouse Club if ever there was one.

Certainly true yesterday. Saints are a decent side and had us by the scruff of the neck from the start. All the complaints about yesterday's individuals and tactics are spot on. Not moaning for the sake of it, just a plain fact that this ICT team are spineless and strong relegation candidates.

Should be a charity donation for downloading... ...now I got mine for free

Downloaded it this morning. Thanks to all. That's the reading for a 12 hour flight sorted!

Seriously?! You half expect the article to continue that they are also interested in his compatriots, striker Skor de Gaulle and goalkeeper Bloek de Schott. Following the robust tackling his players were exposed to in Inverness he's looking to draft in Dutch Physio Ruub Alleg...

I always wonder game to game if the long ball is a specific tactic. Does TB at teamtalks say "right lads, this week it's on the deck". When we had Rooney as the target man then yes, I could see it being the default strategy as he held it up and committed a couple of defenders to closing him down. And with Hayes on fire for a good part of the last season it was good to watch. But now... Foran is not Rooney. His strengths are elsewhere - bringing players into the attack around him, not behind him - rather than being the target man. Certainly if Tade is meant to be the player getting the lay-off then I'd ditch this system now before we get to 2012 with only 10 points in the bag. And Hayes is struggling to get the cutting edge he had last year as defences wise up to his style. I saw enough on Saturday - although the glasses were ruby-tinted and I'm talking 2nd 45 only - to think we have a decent midfield. But it's a work in progress. You could tell they were trying to find feet, even if half the time it was a Dunf player! There's some quality there. Terry really needs a long term plan for the defence though. I rate Hogg (ok shoot me) but there's not the guile in our back 4 to do much else other than hoof it. But as I said, that might actually be their pre-match instruction.

Did you hear about the Aberdonian found dead on a 'pay as you leave' bus?

Many Congratulations! As Yngwie once advised me: "You'll be watching the development of the nappy contents with interest. It goes from tar to pond slime to korma in the first week or so" Probably the perfect description... Enjoy!

brilliant