CELTIC1CALEY3

Malky will be trying to save his own skin. Despite what he says, the last few months behind the scenes cannot have been great moments for Brew. He has repeatedly presented a negative image - see the Gaffer's aftermatch thoughts for instance v St Mirren 'When you go on the pitch not 100% alert....' suggesting the players are perhaps deaf or not capable of listening to half time team talks or ........

Stevico it will get more frightening if Partick hump us and we have further bad luck and goodness knows what against Hamilton. Thomo may yet come to regret his comments as a P45 is gently handed to him with a short note 'Best Wishes from all at ICT on your search for future employment - hope you do not see this as a crisis?'

Partick are 3-1 up at Clyde so drawing QOS in the cup is probably academic. 4-3-2-1...................teams on 17 3-2-1 teams on 17 Falkirk winning 1-0. 2-1 teams on 17 but wait, Hamilton are drawing 0-0 which means that as they stand 1 team on 17

Thank goodness for this because we have waited a long time for good news....I jest but do agree we give 110% to the team tomorrow. We continue comment on the management issue after the game if the Board at that stage have declared a crisis. One hopes we see a never say die spirit from the players and guys like Barrowman might just start 2009 with better luck.

On BBC Radio Scotland's footloose it is clear Pressley is not playing on Sunday and the statement on the BBC website appears to be relatively up to date. Charlie Bannerman was on live with a very balanced presentation as indeed was David Sutherland about next weeks meeting again with a fair presentation. For those wanting to hear Pressley's recent take on where he might go the link is here. His overall presentation demonstrates how valuable he could be in stabilising the ship. The danger might be that Switzerland offers a better balance to satisfy his needs. Our in-fighting might go against us unless Brew was to walk after Sunday and Pressley was then appointed to haul things around. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/7803534.stm

If he has the club at heart he will decline a wad of cash. 17 months ago Grassa made it clear that we had all misunderstood Brew when he went to Dundee United. Brew did not want ICT to be disadvantaged. Brew can prove that now. Regardless of this move, bank managers and brokers have had to accept the changed economic climate that does not reward failure. This need not be a sacking if Brew wants to retain his integrity as was the case when he was NOT sacked by Dundee United despite the 3 tiddly wins. Brew's solicitor hold's the key but Brew can over ride him / her. Brew will not want to be the star attraction on Sunday on Setanta after the Rangers game UNLESS the players win it for him. Brew will believe that he can pull it off 'against all the odds'.

In Brew's words, Grassa does the negotiations. Grassa is an expert on fixing windows and now it is open he will fix it.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/foo...icle5430247.ece Very interesting article. If I was Brew I would recommend 4 weeks notice to Malky Thomsom and blaming everything on him. 'Things went downhill when Donald Park left and we never recovered after the Chester poaching affair. Malky has let me and the players down.' Brew could then try and work with Elvis.

It's a funny ole game Saint. Do you know, it's good to get support outside of the SPL. All the SPL teams currently see us as easy peasy. If we do survive, it would be great to have local derbies in Perth. Meantime, Brew needs help.

Did he say he would assist Robbo?

Can you imagine the spin off for the Heathmount when it has a makeover? Will Grassa take to the streets as an Elvis lookalike? 'Brewster's Heathmount Hotel to be renamed Elvis's Heartbreak Hotel'

Remember Elvis originates from Elgin and there can be no doubt about his drive and determination even if he has slowed as a player. A slimmed down Bobby Mann is needed in the back four. We need his type of experience.

Stevico, Marius had it cracked and I suspect he is tonight tucked up at home with his new wife. The fans here were good to him so does he have a new year's message or better still some mates who play centre back or score goals and in need of regenerating their careers whilst Nessie spotting?

Scotty Eddie Thomson cared passionately about Dundee United. He was amazingly loyal to Brew given Brew's appalling results at a significantly higher salary than we pay. He got rid of him in sufficient time and indeed with dignity. He had the resources to refloat the Club and finally made the right choice of manager. I am increasingly of the view as I survey different posts that as you say, George Fraser has been relatively invisible. He has so far appeared the least effective Chairman we have ever had. At some stage he has to do something such as tell Brew he is not really cut out to be an SPL Manager. Vacillation by both has not helped this deteriorating situation. I think both are playing a game of dare and not outwardly panicking....it will sort itself out in the end. The players have mentioned panic which is unfair on them although whenever a club is in this position players always seek to shoulder some of the blame. They will be desperate to stay in employment but as we are seeing some are being forced out or appear to be seeking pastures new.

Esson Rossco Munro Hastings McBain Black Duncan Imrie Barrowman Wood Rooney Let's go down fighting and going forward!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If Brewster is to be sacked or the Chairman forced to resign we should go back to basics. Nobody gave us a chance at Parkhead on that great night but when every player rose to the occasion and Celtic had a rare off day, the tide turned. It's time for Grant to play a blinder along with 10 others to demonstrate that Barry has gone but his and that of the club is not to be extinquished yet.

Ian Black, according to reports, was genuinely unwell. We need to be factually correct and fair. However, returning to George Fraser's appointment, it is possible that Brew was allowed to go in a certain direction and therefore a straight sacking of him may seem to be unfair by the Board. The leadership crisis may be elsewhere. George Fraser ''This summer Craig Brewster has the opportunity to build further to place his own imprint upon the squad.'' Following his appointment, in the interview with Charlie Bannerman, he states ''I really look forward to working with the fans.'' Charlie asks him ''What role will George Fraser play in the months ahead, diplomat?'' to which George replied ''Absolutely''. A leading question, but not a leading Chairman surely? As a shinty man maybe he has taken his eye off the football role allowing others to manage. This is not yet the biggest crisis this Club has faced, but by the end of January it could be. The optimistic statements by management and some players about a top six finish, as Hamilton, Falkirk, Motherwell, and St Mirren went quietly about their business, may well be the Fraser Legacy or inprint on the club.

There was little criticism of Hitler before his demise. Opposition to Sadam was regulated or crushed. The players would play better if they had respect and trust in the management. Grant is heavily restricted in what he can say. I think in general the supporters are 110% behind the players.

From http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/mpapps/pagetools...utd/6096438.stm 'Brewster ousted as Tannadice boss Craig Brewster has departed as Dundee United manager and BBC Sport understands that Craig Levein will be announced as his replacement on Monday. But Brewster could make a quick return to management with former club Dunfermline Athletic. Brewster might have saved his job had the SPL's bottom side beaten Falkirk on Saturday, but they were hammered 5-1. United, though, insisted on Sunday that the player-boss had left "by mutual and amicable agreement". Assistant Malcolm Thomson has also left the club, the pair having led the club to just two victories in 28 league games during their 10 months at Tannadice. United director Derek Robertson said: "Following detailed discussions, it was agreed that it was now in the best interests of Dundee United, Craig Brewster and Malky Thomson to part on amicable and mutually respectful terms. "We are hugely disappointed that Craig Brewster's latest spell with the club should end in this way. "However, the future of Dundee United is dependent on securing a position based on results. "And all parties recognise that results and performances have been less than acceptable and less than Dundee United supporters deserve. "Craig Brewster leaves the club with his integrity intact and we would like to take this opportunity to wish him and Malky every success in their future careers." And from http://nothing-if-not-critical.blogspot.co...01_archive.html ''Just when I thought that the press puppies were writing rather weary copy and in need of a mid-season sunshine break, or at least a decent walk, along comes a weekend where crisis abounds in the SPL - and there's nothing like the prospect of a little villification to get the pack snapping again. One fox they certainly have by the tail is Dundee United manager Craig Brewster, whose side were humbled 5-1 at Falkirk, and the collective opinion is that his time as manager of United is over. "Craig Brewster?s fate as Dundee United manager was sealed with this most humiliating of defeats," raged Neil White in the Sunday Times, where Falkirk "dominated the game with sweeping passing moves, picking at the United lines like vultures on a carcass". YES!!! YES!!! That's what we've been missing in recent weeks - crass, inappropriate cliches with a zoological bent; the backbone of football writing. Wait a minute...here's another from Gordon Wadell in the Sunday Mail, sadly without any animal references: "Craig Brewster wrote his own death warrant with his after-match speech last weekend. And he signed it the minute he handed in his teamsheet yesterday." BRILLIANT!!! I didn't even realise we had "death warrants" any more, nevermind managers opting for a bit of "hari-kari" just before kick-off. No wonder the Sunday Herald's Natasha Woods thought the second half "was just carnage". Sadly, Martin Hannan in Scotland On Sunday opted not to sink his incisors into the bloody mess, but he did start his report with this pearl: "The first thing that must be said is that Falkirk hugely deserved this win," reckoned Hannan, just in case the reader thought United had been cruelly dazzled by five breakaway goals. However he did recover his senses to note that United "were utterly dreadful....rubbish, pure and simple".'' All too familiar?

A drowning person clutches at straws. The Club certainly need the fans and yes someone or some people have misjudged the difficulty this Club has got itself into season. The pundits now appear spot on. The club operate on the basis 'it's our turn to go bottom but we can get out of this mess philosophy'. Can we not give Brew 4 weeks notice and see if morale reaches sky high again and whether everybody will put all hands to the pumps? Or do we have more warring factions than Iraq? The fans were not responsible for a series of mistakes this year. These were not defensive errors. The players and fans did not want Donald to leave. They rated Rankin. They did not want Wilson to be elbowed out. They did not want Bayne to go. They did believe Bannerman was more capable and competent than has been the case. They have craved a big stopper since Dodds left. They questioned Lionel's rescue from oblivion. Some did not feel replicating the very unsuccessful management failure team from Dundee United was prudent. Many were upset at Denzil's loss. The fans continue to question whether Procter has the strength, skill and height to be an SPL Central Defender. Many fans believe Black is a better footballer and brighter than the Manager and perhaps suffered for this. Many fans do not buy into Calderwood's support for his ex-player when 100% of the Dons fans and management do not want Brewster any where near the management of Aberdeen FC. I believe the fans and players are 100% behind the club and relishing a fight for survival. There is just something missing, performance in most walks of life is well paid and rewarded but failure is normally not rewarded and despite weeks of listening to debate on these boards and in the city I cannot quite work out where the problem lies. I think that is the problem for the Board. Brew clearly cannot see the reason why we are not pulling together. Sooner or later......he will be the only one with that view.

Inspirational leadership quotes of 2008 ''everything just collapsed'' 27th December "I'll be long gone before some smart person ever figures out what happened inside this Oval Office." --Washington, D.C., May 12, 2008 ''I was really pleased despite losing the goal'' Reflecting on defeat at Celtic Park. "And so, General, I want to thank you for your service. And I appreciate the fact that you really snatched defeat out of the jaws of those who are trying to defeat us in Iraq." --to Army Gen. Ray Odierno, Washington, D.C., March 3, 2008 ''We only seem to get one wee sniff a game'' The Gaffer's thoughts after handing Dundee United three points "I think I was unprepared for war." ?on the biggest regret of his presidency, ABC News interview, Dec. 1, 2008 ''I changed back to 4-4-2 today as I wanted to try and put pressure on the St Mirren back four which we did once or twice' ''The long term future of this club is safe'' ICT Chairman appeasing the fans before going on holiday .

There are some interesting snippets on Bannerman on the web which point to a somewhat temperamental player. If Brewster had done his homework he would have been aware of many issues. He is probably temporary bait for Higgins. Colin Hendry 2004 "More importantly, he didn't have the fight along with the rest of the lads here at the minute and he didn't show the right attitude, so we have let him go back and wasted a loan. "It was a three-month loan and he has gone back after eight or nine days, so it is disappointing, but we will look around to find a replacement." Barrowman gone (Saddlers Mad) '' The official website has today revealed the news that striker Andrew Barrowman has left the club by mutual consent. The striker was a panic signing by ex-manager Paul Merson after Matty Fryatt and Jorge Leitao left the club. '' Well done to comment by iaincdrcfc (U12457620) What do County fans think of letting Andrew Barrowman go to Caley Thistle, I know he is out of contract but we don't seem to be trying to keep him!! posted Jun 23, 2008 'Barrowman is certainly a great player for Ross County but he would be mad to go straight to the SPL. He will sit on the bench for the year.' 'ICT still an option says Barrowman By Graham Linton Published: 23 May, 2008 ANDREW Barrowman will not be a Ross County player next season after deciding to call time on his successful short-term stint at the Dingwall club.' Despite all this and more, I still feel one good goal could wake him up and boost his confidence.

3-0 defeat at Hamilton might bring some sanity to the leadership. It's their jobs at stake. Quite a few of them at that.

Liam was there too looking lonely! http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/7791639.stm# number 10!

Who on 26 December said "We have had too many losses at home and, although we have been difficult to beat at home, it can't be allowed to continue.?''.............................................................. .................................................................. . .................................................................. . .................................................................. . .................................................................. . ..............Colin Calderwood....and look what happened to him when losing to fellow strugglers!

It sounds more likely that Young Adams should be on trial!