bdu98196

Thought we had an acute injury crisis, got upset, ran to the media, stamped our feet that the SFA wouldn't allow loan recalls of our youngsters then go send someone out on loan just a few weeks later.

We played 8 of the same team that the manager called out as being ***** only a few wks ago against PT (not forgetting Ridgers and a solitary new addition), yet now seem to be 'back' and its all plaudits and 'high fives'. Not much has changed and certainly not the injury situation. Therefore does it not look ridiculous that it has been banded as the excuse for so long - clearly a lot more too this now the dressing room harmony appear to 'restored' and players want to play (again).

How do those two statements correlate? Neither have any bearing on each other IMO. If he was good assistant material would be not already be doing so at the much lower level he is playing?

Another positive result and possible step forwards but not getting carried away. Two games again dross opposition where last wks opponents conceded a **** load again yesterday and Arbroath are a team much like us with only one win since mid Oct. Next wk against a free scoring Queens will be a bigger test although their good run has yet to convince they are genuine title contenders for the long haul. Heading in the right direction and changes like Ridgers back are working but for me the damage is done and Dodds regardless of the rest of the season is not the right man for the club moving forwards.

Must be why Robbo spends his Saturdays in Dungwall then? Pre-emptive scouting opposition, nothing to do with double dunting paydays. Thankfully we don't pay him an alleged 6 figure salary as DOF then, that could be seen as bad business return by some.

Some of the names folks come up with are horrifically shocking but fortunately some are financially nonviable. I don't buy into this fan logic where ex-players or staff need to return to their club as a manager because they 'understand the culture' it should be about new/fresh ideas and best people to move forwards (not providing the rhetoric in a new era). Not against a Warren/Meeking/Tremarco et al combo if that is a career direction they are looking for as characters both on and off field they carry respect and positive mentality so could transform the club but its a drastic overhaul.While a drastic change (focusing on the coaching side and ignoring the wider boardroom concerns) would be welcomed, its whether the club would ever sanction such a change to clean sweep across the decks - unfortunately we are not a EPL club with budget to do so. As long as we have a board in place then its likely we will see appointments akin to the Dundee/Hearts/Rangers connections - Robbo/McCann/Dodds as examples. Fingers crossed we can avoid a 'Bomber' Brown / Barry Smith double act if change was to come.

The benchmark is not a relegation fodder Arbroath or even the QP team who may be top but realistically its Dundee, PT, Ayr that we need to be competing and beating and recent form shows we are well off the pace. Remember we still have the same team and line up that our manager said was ***** after the PT drubbing.

Surely it should take more than a single victory against a tree up HL team at home to present a rosy picture even to the biggest of fanboys for the current regime? As time passes I genuinely think part time and seaside leagues matches the mentality around the club.

Dont overlook that this and last season is the poorest quality championship for a very long time.

Won rates can be skewed heavily by division and therefore level of opponents. Considering almost half our existence was top flight its not comparable with lower leagues. The bigger issue is not just the limited pool and out budget constraints but the limitations set by the board and the constant nepotism when fulling upper level positions.

Should be enough today for the happy clappers to want BD to get a contract extension I guess. Surprising the winning margin but doesn't change my opinion on the club hierarchy.

I'm assuming given the in depth reporting and overwhelming levels of information that we don't have a media or communications manager these days or even anyone who actually cares? Pitifully poor lack of effort, lack of communication, lack of desire to integrate with the fans.......although somewhat symbolises the current status I guess.

Were you really though? The guy is an excuse merchant scrambling about for anything now his limited ability at this level is caught out. Excuses such as they are not match fit/physically or technically ready for this level, need time to integrate and gel etc will all be rolled out - he's playing the fans like a political spin doctor and many are lapping it all up.

Dodds is a dud and out of his depth tactically and technically and clearly those around him are struggling to step up and support. Expect more disjointed performances and excuses lined up again whether it's old or new faces. The inherent ability of a full strength team last year showed that it can perform at the expense of poor tactics, this year we are not so fortunate. We should be positive and expectant of a comfortable home win against Cove however we are all uncertain and wouldn't be shocked by a defeat. This demonstrates how far things have fallen in the last few seasons in terms of fan positivity and club performances. Uncomfortable afternoon expected with a very tight game and single goal advantage scraping a win for either team. Won't be a classic thats for sure.

So is the calls for a protest binned now we signed an unknown and a few youths back? Everyone good that this buys a few more months of excuses again about bedding in and familiarisation ignoring the lack of any cohesion or coherent playing style and shape?

No. They look uncoached, disjointed and uninterested and that's just what we see for 90min on a Saturday. Who knows the kind of negative malaise behind the scenes. I've never seen an ict team without leadership or drive to this extent on a longterm and repeated basis. Its a case of either players downing tools or the team is significantly sub standard which I don't belive is the case.

Agreed, but missing the point a bit about passion compared to the lack of any interest shown by the current club and management.

Probably a case of one player showing more passion and fight I that clip than our whole team combined this season so far.

I'd be more interested in how much was claimed and extracted as expenses or otherwise such as consultancy costs by those either directors or heavily associated with both organisations or groups of individuals.

The language below suggests he has been providing some support presumably as a 3rd party consultant - wonder how much went through that avenue. On paper, its an impressive CV Panos Thomas has irrespective of his history, therefore wouldn't be a cheap day rate that's for sure especially to a club with our limited finances, it'll be interesting what is offered as a package and incentives to change the status quo. Panos has been a season ticket holder in the Miller Suite at Caledonian Stadium since 2012 and has been extremely helpful to the club, particularly in the last 12 months or so. ICTFC Chairman Ross Morrison said on the appointment “We feel that Panos will bring a wide range of skills to the Board as well as to the football club. Living in the Highlands as he does, he has supported the club for a decade now and he understands what we are all about and where we want to go. I am particularly pleased to see him join us formally as he is an extremely dynamic and highly respected individual. Following on from the recent appointment of Graeme Bennett, the new skill sets and fresh points of view can only make us stronger as a club and I look forward to working with Panos.”

Ah well. Leaves us only 1 avenue this season left for a trophy. Given how ***** we are in the league, it appears the boost of silverware doesn't appeal. Diddy cup or otherwise, winning and winning a trophy builds a confidence and mentality within the squad. Shame for the majority of our squad have never won or lifted a cup at Senior level in front of fans being denied by their employer.

Yet another positive mood enhancing statement from the club. Regardless of competition, we're basically saying don't turn up and watch our youngsters play as its not worth it (perhaps they aren't worth it) - regardless of whether this is meant to help fans given rising costs etc, its poorly worded and I'd imagine does little for morale. PR is not the clubs strong point and neither is dressing room psychology it seems.

But we were meant to get financial stability and growth through a side hustle of concerts and promotions. Now there's the battery storage facility........ All a bit 'This time next year Rodney we'll be millionaires........'

For anyone who thinks it's only Dodds coaching that is the issue then Google his part in ebt's at Rangers, was at Dundee when they went into administration and that's not even a patch on Gardiner. Destroying the product on the pitch and milking the club off it with suspect recruitment and failed ventures with little transparency where the money went. Once its ****** and there's nothing left to take they will all walk away with bellies full.

Never been convinced BD was the right choice and he's done nothing over the last 18 months to change that. It was clear from the outset nepotism was at play and all we have seen just reinforces the fact that capability is secondary to relationships. Moving JR into a DoF role looks a cost burden we cannot afford and its not clear what return is provided. There is a network of 'jobs for the boys' at the club so it's not just BD but a full clear out that's needed. This is the SG effect that was seen at hearts and Dundee now coming through......perhaps covid slowed this down and hid the effects but throw in the farce of concert companies and money losses its only going to get worse. As for injuries, it's an overdone excuse. While limitations in players does affect the strength of team, the tepid play and lack of coherent shape, style or entertainment has been going on for many months. Last year play-offs papered over the cracks but we probably have one of the best squads (not just starting 11 when fit) in the league yet are in danger of being mid to lower table. Last year StJ showed how big the gap to Premiership is now, therefore promotion has to come from winning the league - which again like last year is full of bang average to crap teams and lowest level standard its been in our existence as a club. Right now there is zero chance of winning the league this year so we are already looking at yet another season of Championship football next year with reduced budgets and falling fan interest.