A96

The leadership vacuum at ICT is killing this Club!! We lack a leader in the management. We lack a leader on the park (ever since Dods left). And we currently lack leadership at Board level. The rot has set in so deeply that if we don't make changes this week then the decay will be terminal!! We are shipping goals (usually at least 3 per game) and our best players are shipping out. I am a huge admirer of Brew, the footballer. He has been immense during his playing career and, as a player-manager, made a big difference to ICT first time around. He is also a thoroughly decent guy. But Brew the manager isn't working. Much though I have enjoyed the derbys against County in the past, I don't want to be watching them next year in the First Division. We are too talented a team for that. It is simply a case that - in footballing terms - this club appear to be mismanaged at every level and the fans have had enough. Our Board need to do something decisive NOW before we become a complete embarrassment. I suggest that Robbo and Barry take over until (at least) the end of the season to save this sinking ship. We must also sign a defensive leader to take charge on the park during January. The Board must act decisively this week before the fans finally lose all confidence in the Club!!

I have long held the opinion that only the 'Fat Cats' in hospitality are of any real priority to the club management of ICT. For long enough the punters who couldn't afford a seat in the Main Stand had to stand out in the wind and the rain while the Fat Cats lounged in the sheltered zone at the top of the Main Stand (or watched through glass). Also, for long enough the club complained about the lack of atmosphere from the fans (kinda difficult to generate sound when suffering from hypothermia). When we did get a modicum of comfort for the lower echelons (North Stand - by compulsion from the SPL) we then started to get some noise, fun and atmosphere - much to the discontent of the club it seems - only to get picked on by the yellow-clad Thought Police. The slightest indication of someone getting to their feet and they are threatened with being chucked out. Home fans are the easy targets for the Yellows. Meanwhile, away fans can stand for the entire match - and even invade the pitch - and nothing is ever done by those in yellow. Today, one of our club's loyal stalwarts displayed a placard offering his best advice for the club he loves and is threatened by the men in yellow. ICT has a shocking history of treating its most loyal fans like dirt. Little surprise then that we see the North Stand starting to empty. This club needs to change its attitude to the ordinary, diehard, faithful supporter. I am tired of seeing photos in the programme of the Fat Cats in 'hospitality'. I would rather see photos in the programme of those loyal souls who travel huge distances (at great expense and often at great inconvenience and sacrifice) to follow ICT, those who are there in all weathers, those who are there faithfully to watch their club get beaten regularly - rather than see photos of groups of fairweather supporters out on a freebie, particularly for the big matches. Yes, I know the club needs Hospitality customers to bring cash in but I would rather see a packed, vibrant, noisy North Stand and an empty Hospitality Lounge than vice versa. I suggest that the Chairman should offer an apology to Caley D for his treatment by the stewards today and for intimidating genuine ICT fans with security cameras. That would be a start.

Yes, my 12 year old son got his email read out by "Matron Annie" on Traynor tonight at his first ever attempt. Something along the lines of "Brewster must go. One win out of nine at home is not good enough. Barry Wilson for manager." He even predicted the 0-3 scoreline correctly. The boy shows potential! Positives from TCS today? It has to be the minute's silence for Jock McDonald. You could have heard the proverbial pin drop. Hats off to everyone (particularly the Dons fans) for showing such respect. Just shows you don't need a minutes 'applause' to compensate for the lunatic fringe who can't stay quiet for a mere 60 seconds. Other positives from the match? 1) Fortunate to get two yellow cards where Tokely and Blackie might otherwise have got a red each. 2) Honest hard graft fom the players despite the self-inflicted wounds and tactical chaos. 3) Didn't have to take the kids to Pringles to see Santa this afternoon after all. He (they?) was supporting Aberdeen in the South Stand anyway.

Our family had four tickets which we held for a number of years. This year, however, we did not renew them. The reason? Too many Sunday games. There are a LOT of ICT fans who don't (and won't) attend matches on a Sunday for religious (and/or cultural) reasons. Last season Aberdeen, Rangers and Celtic all played games at the TCS on Sundays. Our four seats, were empty. This season Celtic played us here on a Saturday - the first time a Celtic fixture in Inverness has ever been scheduled for any day other than a Sunday. I have written to the club regarding the issue of Sunday football but they are not interested. They are slaves to Rupert Murdoch and Sky TV. You may disagree with my views on Sunday football - everyone is entitled to their opinion (it is still a free country - just). But what ICT have NEVER grasped is that there are very many true and faithful ICT fans who will not go to football matches on a Sunday on account of their Christian beliefs (these are people who have turned up regularly and faithfully over the years to watch the likes of Arbroath play ICT on a cold, wet, tuesday night). Their loyalty has never been understood, appreciated or returned by ICT. I will still occasionally attend ICT matches (as I did today) but will never again buy season tickets for ICT games so long as matches are played on Sundays at the TCS.

Dundee United - Very big, very physical and not too bad at football either. ICT - Despite the thumping there were some good performances - especially Blackie but also Hastings and Duncan. High balls into the box for 8 foot giants to gobble up doesn't really work. But to tell the plain truth - ICT ARE SHOT SHY!!! Our guys seem to want to walk the ball over the line. We have a tremendous record of scoring goals from distance - and our boys need to be bid enough and brave enough to start taking a pot from outside the box at the first opportunity.

New BBC pundit, Steve Frail, predicted a 2-0 win for Aberdeen over ICT. On this form maybe he should have stuck to managing Hearts? Well done the ICT lads!! Now go print off that league table (with us at the top) while you still can. It's priceless!!

Scunthorpe United. One day they will be the new Barcelona of Europe. (Well, someone has to support them).

We should be looking to the East - to which Inverness has some affinity - rather than to the South for young footballing talent from outside the Highlands. Consider those currently in our team who are either local or from the East - Grant Munro, Richie Hart, Mike Fraser, Don Cowie, Russell Duncan, Rosscoe, Roy McBain, Rory McAllister, Dennis Wyness (it could also be argued that Barry Wilson and Richard Hastings are settled here because of family connections to the area). These guys have been with us for the long haul and form the backbone of the team. Southerners are more likely to stay until they find something 'better' (e.g. Dargo, Dodds, Bingo, Rankine etc.). No point trying trying over-hard to keep them - they invariably possess a hankering to return South and usually go after a season or two anyway. Sure, players from the south will do us a good turn - but they will only ever be a short term fix. In my opinion, the whole issue of promoting our location to potential young players from the south is an irrelevance, a red herring, totally unimportant and not worthy of debate.

When's our next league game with County? Has the guy who designed our stadium come out of hiding yet? Did Bobby Mann really eat all the pies (or just most of them)?

"Hey guys, United are back in front again against the Hearts!" "Pasta and bean sprouts for tea tonight lads." "Does anyone know Bazza's mobile number?"

Good match report Johndo - and would agree with nearly everything you say. But I would blame our defeat on you not wearing your lucky kilt to the match! :004:

I was pleased to see Ritchie come on today although he looked a bit short of match fitness. We missed Don Cowie big-time! I don't think this was the game to experiment with young Vigurs. He will be a good player yet but his mistakes (from inexperience) were costly. Russel Duncan had a really good 2007 but should have been hooked today for his bad passing. The whole issue of his contract agreement - I believe - has not helped his game and I feel it has been a damaging distraction affecting not only himself but also the team. In fairness, Brew brought on his three substitutes while there was still plenty of time left but our whole defensive structure was fragile. Marking by midfielders was woeful at times. We still haven't recovered from the loss of Darren Dodds. Not only was he a strong defender but he was a strong captain.

Brilliant pies indeed Johnboy! No mince - just amazing, tasty, succulent beef steak in a light pastry casing. The mince was out on the pitch pretending to be a football team! :004:

That long trip up the M77/A9 in the snow seems an awful lot harder when your team has just had a 4-1 pasting! I can't fault the team for effort. They tried but there was a big hole in front of the defenders which allowed Kille to run riot in the second half. Also, there seems to be an understandable lack of confidence with all the recent defeats and this was obvious in the last third of the field. Bursting forward from the halfway line didn't seem a problem but as soon as there was any pressure from the Killie defence, ideas would run out and the ball would be given away cheaply - again and again. My usual moan is that they are afraid to have a shot from distance but I couldn't fault them for that on this occasion (not that it happened often). There was a clear lack of cohesion today, set-pieces were wasted, second-half passing was atrocious and our team look like a mid-table First Division outfit struggling against better quality players in a genuine SPL team. As someone said above, we have made a habit of signing lower league players who will never be SPL standard. Can't fault the effort - just the quality is not there with a number of them. Our first half performance was reasonable though and I thought David Proctor had a very good first 45 minutes. We were doing fine before Christmas but I genuinely think all this contract signing hoo-haa has seriously affected team spirit and individual performances and has allowed certain players to think they are an awful lot better than they actually are. When these players have 26 caps for their country then I will understand why they should be holding out for a similar deal to the one Marius Niculae has. On the positive side - I was really impressed with the Rugby Park stadium (my first visit there). I thought the Killie folk (including the stewards) were really friendly. And the Killie pies ARE indeed as good as they are hyped up to be. I also had a chat with Jim Jeffries when he stopped to give my wee fella an autograph. He most definitely rates as one of the nicest and most pleasant guys I have ever met in football - a real gentleman!!

That's three 0-3 thumpings I've seen at home this season. Getting to be a habit. Best performer today? Could be one of those guys kicking the green balls at half-time. But I nominate I-Cat as best performer of the day. He looked truly big in an ICT shirt out there at the TCS today!!

Our guys were afraid to have a dig at goal today - especially from distance. There was a fear of taking taking a risk, of taking responsibility. Ever counted the number of goals we have scored in the last two seasons from outside the box? For the last while there has been a fear of shooting on sight. Today we tippy-tappied around their penalty box, then give the ball away and then lose a goal at the other end. I was glad to see Rory have a dig from distance right at the end. He nearly scored. It was a rare sight of someone taking a risk. Young Imrie could have made a name for himself when bursting through on goal late on - but chose to pass the ball rather than have a goal. This is not the First Division, young Dougie, you have to take the few chances you get in the SPL. OK, we may have defensive problems to get sorted (understatement). But guys, we are not going to score goals by walking the ball into the net. We are not the best at breaking through 'brick wall' defences. We are not Manchester United so we need to do what we have done so well at over recent seasons - shoot from distance. And if there's a rebound then there is always the chance of a tap in.

Nice tactic Arabs - Gretna turn you over twice so you buy their key defender. Sounds like the sort of thing the Ugly Sisters do!! By the way, haven't heard from Arab4Ever 4 a while. Suppose there's not too much to brag about down Tannadice way of late? :001:

Puts it all into perspective. There are bigger things in this life than football. I celebrated our lad's victory at the match against Kilmarnock this afternoon but the news of Phil O'Donnel overshadows our result. Phil was a true professional and his passing is a great loss for Scottish football and for Scotland. He will be missed.

Would be a good signing for our peasant neighbours over the Bridge. The extra penalties would do them no harm either!!

His name is Owen. :001: Looking forward to the first 'Owen goal' from young Wyness then! :004: Congrats to the Wynesses!!

Two wins in a row might be just luck. But 5 in a row? No way. This is no accident - and Craig deserves credit for the way things are going. My two main concerns earlier in the season were that our guys were shot-shy and wanted to score in the 6 yard box and the other was that Brew was subbing far too late in the game to make any difference. Our guys are now showing the confidence to have a dig from distance - and are getting goals as a result (which accounts for a few of the wins) and Brew is now giving a decent length of time for subs to get into the game. Glad you read my post about this from a few weeks ago Craig. :014: So Brew - hats off to you pal and keep it up. Your doing a fine job!! :022: By the way, has anyone seen or heard of that gloating Dundee United fan "Arab4ever"? :blah01: After two defeats from Gretna they must be running scared of that mighty team from the Deep South!! :001:

It's only right that David Proctor keeps his place in the team in return for his good performances. Two seasons ago Rosscoe couldn't do anything wrong. In the eyes of many he was greater than Superman, won every award for player of the season, scored goals with amazing overhead kicks etc, etc.. Funny how things can change in so short a space of time? :024:

Needed some cheering up after that miserable game v Motherwell the Saturday before. So at least we had a goal to cheer - and it was nice to see 11 men still on the park after the game was finished!!

What happened to your kilt at the Ukraine game..? :crazy05: Now if it had been the Georgia game I could understand. Loadsa Tartan Army footsoldiers drank the Georgian tap-water........and paid the penalty!! :toilet05: The dry cleaning bill for them must have been really expensive. I'm sure they'll know better next time. :014:

He took off from the opposition penalty box like a man possessed. I've never seen him run as fast as that before. He had only one thing in mind and that was to nail the Motherwell player. Turbo-charged Tokely caught him up in our half but by that time the Motherwell guy had passed the ball - so he hit the bloke anyway. You could see it coming a mile off, from the minute he blasted off from their penalty box. The red mist was up and there was only ever going to be three consequences - an injured opponent, a red card for Mr T and the loss of 3 points for ICT!