absent friend

I have just been told by one of Scotland's leading reporters that Foran did not want Hartley at ICT. He also stated that Foran has a very big input at ICT - much more than a captain at other clubs. Perhaps therefore we may see him going up the ranks at ICT as his playing days wane.

I wonder what the Board saw in him? Supports open attacking football. Now will this be too big a change for our support? Plays football on the deck. Is this a problem for the fans? Brings through young local talent. Maybe our fans would rather have English talent. Uses swearie words to encourage the team and ... Heaven Forbid.. even sometimes to the sweetie rustlers behind the dug out. No I don't think he is a good choice .... I think he is a magical choice ... just hold onto your braces .. Yogi is in charge!!!

CaleyThistle fans?? I can't believe what I am reading on here. A professional team selected him but of course the arm chair know alls are sure the team is incompetent . I agree that he will not have the name to attract some English players up here but... In my opinion, he will have a team of players prepared to run onto the park through shut doors for him. My only concern is the FORAN factor - let's hope they see eye to eye.

Told you, you were wrong. In fact we only needed to slip down to 2nd place for the negative posts to emerge. But I also said the mind reader would lead the charge - what was it before...... 'Away day with Terry and Mo' - the results were so go. Now Terry has no tactics away from home - short memories?

And you accuse others of negativity! Just not worth saying anything more. Stating a few facts is negative???? Where tell me is the negativity in my post? If you do not see the current position from my view point that is your right BUT ... It is my right to offer MY views and just consider .... If they differ from yours perhaps, just perhaps, I have looked at the current situation from a business view and not a blind believer stand point. OK - I'll bite. You have not stated facts, you have expressed opinions. All of your opinions are negative. To paraphrase "We are currently top so the manager will be head hunted". We'll have less money to spend because gates are going down". "When we slip in the league the forum will be full of negative posts which will increase the chance of the manager leaving". "The manager will want to leave due to lack of cash and the apathy and negativity of the fans". Nobody is questioning your right to voice your views, but I do rather object to your arrogant assertion that your views are somehow more valid because of your apparently superior "business" standpoint. Nobody expects us to be top of the league for ever and we all know (even us numpties with no understanding whatsoever of the business viewpoint) that fortune will take a turn for the worse soon enough. But the fact is, we are top of the league. Can we please enjoy it while we are? We'll you have definitely got me there - imagine writing facts instead of opinions!!!! It is not a fact he is on the radar of other clubs. It is not a fact that ICT will have an ongoing lower spending budget due to the undoubted success unfortunately not attracting larger crowds. It is not a fact that we have posters on here who offer negatives even when we are flying high. It is only my opinion . Silly me!

And you accuse others of negativity! Just not worth saying anything more. Stating a few facts is negative???? Where tell me is the negativity in my post? If you do not see the current position from my view point that is your right BUT ... It is my right to offer MY views and just consider .... If they differ from yours perhaps, just perhaps, I have looked at the current situation from a business view and not a blind believer stand point.

We are, as I have said, top of the pops however a number of thoughts are now thrown up by this. Terry must be on the radar of a number of clubs. The spending power of ICT is not going to increase due to our lack of support. If we slip down the league to say third/fourth place the forum will be full of the normal negative views from our resident mind reader and his followers - not the sort of postings a sought after manager wishes to read. Considering the foregoing, I wonder if this could be the most exposed we are as a club re losing our manager. Whilst job satisfaction must come from sitting on top of the league at this stage of the season with a highland team cobbled together for little outlay, the future outlook, for him, must be very curtailed by lack of cash, lack of local interest and the inherent local negativity. Maybe our elevated position in the league could herald a change at the club.

I watched it twice on Alba and......... Terry needs to introduce the players to each other as they played like strangers today. They looked tired and were second to every ball. Esson has not been told that we now play a pass ing game as every punt was met by a Well player and returned with interest. On this evidence do not expect a lot.. Top six just a maybe. We need a B IG centre or just missing Foran.

I can accept that early on in the season, one or two games in, we could find ourselves in a strange league position - up too high or down too low, due to the early opposition we have had to contend with. WE ARE HALF WAY THROUGH THE SEASON AND MY WEE TEAM ARE SECOND TOP!! SHOUTING??? OF COURSE I'M SHOUTING! I hope they heard me in Dingwall! I hope they heard me in Central Scotland where they complain that the road to Inverness tires out their players but our players are immune to this journey. I hope they heard me in Dundee where our presence in the league was not wanted by one team there - I think they said they wanted their neighbours instead. As we look down we can only wonder ...WHO ARE YA!! I hope they heard me in every house in the INVERNESS area unwilling to support us ... like the ones traveling home from Glasgow having scrapped a win against the lowest side in the SFL. Following today's poor turnout I feel that INVERNESS does not deserve any team, never mind one sitting SECOND TOP of the SPL - and there will be many sitting waiting to say 'I knew it', when we drop/if we drop to third spot. Anyway, to the aforementioned, GIRUY, the view is great from up here!!!!

I was so happy to experience the team at first hand this evening - and it was some team!! On the park the only disappointment was Roberts but his replacement made a big difference when the change happened. Off the park the support was to die for!!! I was so proud to be part of this super crowd and every one of them played their part. Our Leader milked us at the end, in a way no other manager could, with his conducting our cheering as the players made their way off the park, they having also applauded us. A night to really remember!! I would hope that this puts the 'antis' to bed for a wee while but possible it will only be until 4.50 on Saturday when the last two results and of course our ten match run will again be forgotten.

I think a wee mention should go to Luke for keeping the faith and at last getting his just rewards, having fought off the keyboard negative attacks almost single handed!!

I only saw last night's highlights on BBC but that superb goal by Hibs was virtually applauded by Blackman as he stood so far off his man and allowed him all the time in the world for the timing of the shot to be just right and it was right, as Esson was left with no chance. Warren was lucky that the ball he left was not touched in by anyone and only scraped past the post, with Esson left glaring at him. The defence, in my opinion, has not gelled in any way and lacks spirit. This spirit was or rather the lack of spirit was displayed when Esson's super stop tumbled straight back to the onrushing players and was met by a more committed forward, for a goal to result, rather than our two defenders. Foran was superb - the team never let their heads drop - our wee support must be the best in the SPL. Come on Terry they deserve a win and a wee can-can!!!

The answer to this situation is very simple ....... if a store is prepared to make a fool of ICT due to our commercial department disagreeing with the terms discussed, then the fans of ICT should give the said store a very big body swerve as they are a small minded outfit. I can see them mocking Rangers/ Celtic if they disagree over a business proposition ... aye right!! Simple, as I said, lots of other buying options on the net.

And your qualifications for saying this is ..??? You could insert 'I feel' or 'my opinion is' but your statement of fact suggests you are maybe not the best judge of football managers. I have just watched the EPL Saturday night show and the pundits opinion ..? The teams need a few weeks for the new players to settle in ... However our manager, in the opinion of the 'neggies' - can settle in his new players immediately unlike the top managers in England. For Heavens sake try and be a wee bit mature before posting rubbish.

IHE wrote "I thought that Raven did OK against Cellic but what I fail to understand is why he is being picked to start and then hooked after an hour for Meekings. Can anyone explain the logic ?? " Let me explain - When a player is running out of puff late in the match or proving, in the game, to be letting his side down or maybe both .... then it is logical for the manager to sub him. It is difficult for a manager, without his mystic meg ball, to know the above as football has an unknown factor - the other teams ability on the day! Hope that helps! A Very Happy Clapper!!

Thanks to both Don and Alex for allowed me an insight into this area. I always thought that the old firm had a guaranteed cut of the cake which I suppose they had - due to their 'guaranteed' league positions.

I do not know the size of the CAKE or how it is divided up BUT with Rangers no longer a member of the SPL is their large share now up for redistribution throughout the other clubs??

I tend to agree with the loss of 'team' spirit or loss of ICT spirit as a factor for next year. Look at Aberdeen who have more money, a higher SPL profile and I would submit, looking at last year a much better quality of player than we had, yet their fighting team spirit was never evident. I think this will always be the case when signing players on short term contracts/loans - 'here for the beer' comes to mind - UNLESS a manager can manage and mould, even a rag tag group of players into a team. That will be the managers job at ICT whoever he may be in this new footballing age. Our hope is that our current managers profile, especially in England, will land us some players who would not otherwise travel to this far off corner of GB and play for what they can only consider a bottom(ish) SPL league team but ICT better look out when he is traded in by malcontents for a Munro/ Rossco combo, as the new management team, attracting players from Huntly and Speyside if we are lucky.

I voted ... yes as I thought we were voting re Butcher but I see from the above voting comments it is the board we are casting a critical eye on, not the manager and in that case - I am not sure if the Boards hands are financially tied.

Well having read all 303 posts - my conclusion? I really hope that some of you subscribers are not called up for jury service!! It is wonderful how you are aware that he had his income reduced by 50% - his other half is in Inverness(instead of Aberdeen) - he fell out with the manager and a long rant about the managers mind set and then a degree of withdrawing this point and so many more. There is no doubt you folk are correct, you express it so often - TB to the gallows - guilty party, cannot manage our wee team. As they say in the best jury circles .......................... "Bring in the next victim!!"

So 'TB totally runs the ship' As this is the case I think his bar staff are requiring his input, too few when the pressure is on and don't get me started on his pie making skills. His inability to sell the corporate boxes should be addressed .. what is he doing with his time?. The car park is crap on match days - time he addressed this, it is not as if he is giving his team any advice. His handling of the grass cutters leave a lot to be desired, the stand side cutting is iffy! His ICT site members concerns need addressed - what right has he to ignore them and more so, our well informed contributors on this site talk so much sense, Terry. The players needs and tactics for next year are already in good hands if he just listens to the well qualified, reasoned, presentations on this site - easy peasy - we don't need a football manager at all. That wonderful player Munro, the one ALL the SPL clubs were fighting over when we released him, should be reinstated in the heart of our defence along side Rossco and their speed and ball distribution will bring instant success. Oh, should there remain a wee bit of concern re the tactics etc... it would appear from the above posts.. you should just watch the Tinks. ....they are so much better than us. Now the financial situation... I think Terry that you should set up as a NEWCO ... Inverness Thistle FC (2013) and get rid of all the moaning minnies on here at a stroke! Reclaim the high ground Terry, you know it makes sense, we did come from up the Hill, look once again down on the nerds as we always did and allow them to find their true home, over the bridge with their distant relatives. Oh, and yes you are at fault - the toilet cistern is also iffy and it is your fault!

Well, in my book Mr Starchief has got it spot on.

Reading the offerings on here one wonders if some fans would not have been a lot happier had we been relegated!! For Gods sake we are still in the SPL - we do not know the make up of our team for the new season so why assume the worst?? It would appear that highland negativity is alive and kicking in the ICT fans. "Every SPl team has signed world beaters except US" - "We have the only manager who cannot manage, we can do a better job" - "Our Board are a shower of muppets, they have no idea how to run a football club" - "No renewal of MY season ticket in case we do not play well" ICT fans, I salute you, you are the best in the SPL - not!!!

Now Sir Let's get the facts correct here! The Dons are off - they hope - to a new site .... to clear some of the large debt hanging over the club using the sale of their current site for housing!! It does not reflect their hope of attracting higher crowds. I can confirm, at first hand, the non-renewal of many season tickets for the coming season at Pittodrie. They could end up with a new ground, reduced crowds but a more balanced bank debt. Jonny, signing for the Dons, is a big mistake by his agent, taking a longer term view, as their cash restrictions mean he will be surrounded by players, in his new team, similar to ICT - brought in on loan on lower league hopefuls. You only have to look at Alouka, who blossomed when not surrounded by average or worse players once he arrived at Ibrox. Jonny could be another Alouka, dragged down by the overall teams performance, waiting for a bigger club to recognise his undoubted talent, whilst he endures pelters from the Dons 'fans' due to his 'large' paypacket. Has Pa Broon got a bigger 'pull' than our Terry when it comes to courting English lower league teams for players? I doubt it - so Jonny could be better here where he is at least appreciated by discerning fans!