lightwelter

But all managed in a lower division. Hughes has/had us playing better football than any other era IMO, such a novelty to see us dominating games with possession based football. I'd love to see him sign up for another couple of seasons. We need to realise this is very much a transition period, and if we manage a top 6 finish this season, which I'm still hopeful for if we manage to get our injury problems sorted, then that's an excellent achievement under the circumstances. If not, then I'd be confident that Hughes can build a squad capable of challenging for trophies and a top 4 spot in the next couple of seasons, if given the backing!

I think that's a result that can give us a great deal of optimism considering the number of injuries. Hopefully with the international break coming we'll get players back, and we can really push on with more creative players like Doran and Roberts to help support Storey, not to mention the boost it will give the rest of the squad.

Stuart McColl would be my first choice, good experience, did a great job at Motherwell, improved Rangers and is Scotland assistant manager, so he certainly more than qualifies. I also think he would be able to attract players to the club, something which Hughes appears to have struggled with. Definitely wouldn't want Foran as manager, far too early for him. Other than that, wouldn't be too dissapointed with Jackie McNamara. In terms of Butcher, I never think it's a good idea for a manager to come back for a second spell at a club, as I don't think he would have the same hunger for the job. It will be a great shame if we lose Yogi, especially considering he hasn't been at the club that long. He's improved the team, no doubt about it. He hasn't, however, built the team. At United, he won't be joining a squad that is currently successful or with players as technically gifted as ours, so implementing his style of play may be more difficult, and he may find himself joining the list of managers to get the sack post-ICT.

Great win and sets up the game against an in-form County nicely. I would imagine Mutumbo will come in to replace Christie next week as he's a similar sort of player. Really looking forward to getting some of the injured players back, particularly Jordan Roberts. It will be a massive left to the players to get the numbers back, and at this point I'm optimistic about a top half finish and maybe even a cup run, considering we're already in a quarter final!

I remember how buzzing I was the first time I saw that advert! Getting a bit off topic in terms of books and magazines, but I remember a programme with Gordon Ramsey where they were sitting at the Caley stadium during a game an had an Aberdeen Angus burger at half time, don't ask me what it was about though!

I had mixed feelings on this transfer when Stokes was being mentioned as part of the deal was mentioned, however without Stokes, and considering the poor calibre of playing being loaned in on the same day, I'm really disappointed with the whole situation. It was always going to be impossible for us to replace the quality players we have lost, but are recruitment policy of late deserves the criticism it has been receiving. More or less every team in the SPL has been signing better quality players than we have. We're a small club but we should be able to bring in players who have proven themselves at some level, even if not in the SPL. The loanee's we have brought in on the last day seem to be panic transfers. While I'd love for them to prove me wrong it's highly unlikely that they are going to go from under 21 football to being prolific in the SPL before their loan deals run out. Another frustrating part of this deal is that it's almost as if Hughes was trying to force the issue with his comments in the press. He said that a deal by which Ryan is loaned back would suitable for us, and what do you know, a week or two later exactly that happens. I wonder, if Hughes hadn't made those comments, if Celtic would have come in with a bid. If Ryan Christie had been playing for say, Dundee United, as he was for us this and last season, he would have been sold for over a million. Say what you want, based not only on his potential but his currently ability, Ryan Christie is worth more than double what we sold him for. I seriously hope there's some incentive clauses in the transfer deal.

Considering he had interest from down South when he was playing regularly at Hearts, I'd be surprised if we could manage to get him. Would be a good signing though.

Watching it on line and we've been all over the place defensively at times. Mutombo looks like he has plenty to offer, good control, passing and can hold off a challenge. Probably are brightest player in that half. Definetly struggling without Meekings and Warren, we're being dominated in the air. Hopefully second half will be an improvement, Celtic may think it's over and have one eye on their CL game.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33856051 JJ Hooper signs for Port Vale, let's hope he doesn't finish top scorer in League One!

Maybe it is the boards thinking that if we spend all of our money now, and by January we looked doomed, we have no money to bring in new players. Whereas, with this approach, we still have the bulk of a successful squad plus a few additions, and so the board may be confident this squad has the ability to, say, finish in the top 6, whilst also retaining finances for when they are most required. Just a theory, but doesn't explain the lack of an out-an-out striker, which is essential for success in any team.

Absolutely gutted not to be playing West Ham, but it was always going to extremely difficult for us with the players we've lost and the fact that the squad was so small at the start of pre-season. Every single player we lost had the potential to make things happen, and in Ofere we had someone who could get on the end of things. We need to try and get those type of players in if our system is going to be successful. Doran and Christie will be pivotal this season as they are probably our two most creative players in the final third, along with Tansey from a deeper position. We should manage our expectations this season with what is a bit of a transition phase in terms of the squad, I'll be happy with top-six and another cup run.

Dale Carrick has just been released by Hearts, only 21 and a very athletic striker who I always thought had good potential. Definitely be worth a punt.

I live in Edinburgh and am really keen to go to the game but will have to be back for work in the morning, definitely would be interested in travel going up and back to the game.

For me a left back and two strikers are essential. If Tremarco get's injured then who are we suppose to play there? Adam Eckersley would be a great signing, if he was willing to play in the championship with Hearts then maybe he'd be willing to play for us. In terms of strikers it would be great to have a dynamic sort of forward like McKay, whilst also having a physical presence like Ofere to give us options. I'm not too convinced that a proven striker in the conference south like JJ Hooper would be able to make the grade in the SPL, if he does then it doesn't say much for our league! Really can't complain about our recruitment strategy in recent years with some of the gems we have found, McKay, Rooney, Meekings, Doran etc. I'd like to think we are more capable of attracting better players, especially considering that the players we have brought in from the lower leagues have improved tremendously as footballers whilst playing for us. Since Hughes has came in, almost every single player has improved their game individually as well as collectively. He's made some decent signing in bringing Tansey back and getting Ofere in, so hopefully we'll see more of the same, preferably before the Astra game!

Looks like he was attracting interesting from bigger clubs last year as well http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11688/9509868/transfer-news-championship-and-league-one-clubs-chasing-striker-jj-hooper

Maybe we're being biased, but there is not doubt that his argument is flawed on many levels: 1) We are outside the central belt, and as mentioned have no access to performance schools. There is no way in hell that we can tempt young players from the central belt to come up to Inverness and play for our academy, and thus we are more or less restricted to players coming from Inverness and some of the surrounding areas. 2) We have only been a club since 1994. Building a successful academy does not happen over night. It takes finance, building a scouting network, building links with local clubs, hiring/training qualified coaches, building facilities, and not to mention building a reputation as a club that parents want their kids to play for with a view of developing them into professional footballers. 3) Journeymen who aren't of the highest quality? I don't think there's a single player in our squad that I would label a journeyman, and all-in-all the players we have recruited have been of the highest quality relative to players we have had in the past, have been loyal to the club, and have left a huge legacy at the club. b 4) If I was a 14-15 year old lad from Inverness, I would recognise that in the last few years, Nick Ross (Scotland Under 21's), Graeme Shinnie (Scotland Under 21's and surely a future Scotland international), Liam Polwarth, Calum Ferguson, Grant Munro etc hav gotten through the academy, and you have just as much chance of getting through the academy as with pretty much any other club. 5) For me, having 5 players in a cup final who have came through academy is not a bad return at all! What club in the SPL actually has more home-grown players than that? In summary, what a load of pish.

Or it could just be sloppy journalism.... Metro is also saying he is about to sign

Don't think you need to pay under the Bosman ruling when the player's from a different country, could be wrong though.

Certainly looks like a good players from those clips. Definitely worth a punt especially considering his age.

We should try and sign Adam Eckersley as a replacement for Shinnie, he was different class at Hearts this season and is out of contract.

Gary Cornish is decent for his size, but he'll not go any further than domestic, british title level at best. Would love to see him fight Steven Simmons if Simmons moves up at some stage.

I've also heard he'l be going to Barnsley, but don't know for sure. Will be sorely missed, especially after he more or less won us the cup on the weekend. He has improved dramatically over the last couple of seasons, but in all honesty I don't think he's good enough to play above league 1 in england. He's a constant threat to defenders in the SPL with his athleticism and direct running, but down south defenders will match those qualities. It's another case of being a big fish in a small pond, or vice versa. Can't blame him for moving on, but he'll likely never have another chance to play in europe, almost certainly not if he goes down south. Hopefully we can persuade him but judging by comments from Hughes, he'll be away soon.

Williams scored against Aberdeen in a 1-0 victory i seem to recall

Keith Watson is a right back, decent player and potential replacement for Raven if he leaves. Someone mention Keatings in an earlier post, he would be a brilliant signing and would really suit are system IMO. Sadly, it is highly unlikely that he would come here and pretty sure he's signed a new contract. Gutted to hear Yogi say we will be losing 4 or 5 players at the end of the season, so lets hope he can do the goods in the transfer market like he does with the players. You certainly can't fault him bringing Tansey back which has proved to be an immense signing, and despite all of the moans and groans about not replacing McKay immediately, Ofere has been a very good signing so far.