bdu98196

Too many are happy just to judge success on the failure of others. They yet again will see 'play-offs' as success and cite injuries etc as the reason for not achieving more, if we fail they will accept other excuses all while strengthening the position of the current incumbents. Don't dare to suggest that this seasons Championship and the quality of teams and play is a bigger pile of dug ***** than even last, with it being embarrassing how bad the teams all are (us included) As for how the board all just walked away from the concert fiasco without any tarnised reputations, they really are teflon for the **** not to stick.

That he's a Poundland version of Robbo

Don't forget Ridgers being dropped / excluded

Given our style of play, most of that % will be the ball aimlessly floating about in the air as we punt around it like its on fire

If Ayr are serious title contenders then they should smash us like a set of plates in a Greek wedding. Losing by less than 4 will be a positive result. Nepotism sees Dodds stay regardless of results.

Too much nepotism at play Said last year reaching the play offs after the mid season collapse just papered over the cracks and would give him another shot this season. Injury excuses will keep coming and if its the same outcome this season nothing will change. This is like last year a poor championship, low quality teams throughout which makes competitive and entertaining but we are not capitalising. Last year killie lost a quarter of the games yet still won the league and now look to be getting found out in the Premiership.....I expect the same again.

Dodds is a man out of ideas and just churning out the same old excuses. We may have injuries but he continues to persist with the same shape and players when it's just not working.

Ridgers, could have lifted him up by the lugs then run about holding him like a victory lap after winning the Scottish cup. Opportunity missed there.

Billy plays up front as our focal point. Billy is relatively small in stature and has never been a significantly dominant player in the air. Our tactics are launching high, inaccurate balls into the box. Moving the ball better and playing to his feet where his strengths lie (like previous managers did) then he may get more goals - so cant really blame lack of goals just at his door. If this is the style of play the manager wants we need a battering ram, back in his day perhaps that worked for him because he was partnered with Duncan Shearer and maybe this is his aim to re-create with Oakley (or another) in that role (but its not working). This was Dodds opinions 10 years ago and TBH I think his managerial mindset is still in this place. https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/sport/13256968.exclusive-jon-daly-and-nicky-clark-is-devastating-attack-duo-for-rangers-says-billy-dodds/

Yes, it was the Arbroath game, but thanks for being patronising and asking. I'm happy that you wish disagree and can be encouraged by the type of play produced by the team & management - credit to you for being so positive, however we are all entitled to see things differently. Ironically most of those cross balls you refer were during that single spell at the start of the 2nd half before we (in my opinion) collapsed back to type per first half. Statistically, its not just about the number of balls into the box, its the quality and there are plenty examples of failing to play anything decent that even Ronaldo or Messi would have done anything with. Arbroath created just as much if not more during that game.

This. Final balls were horrific and produced no real opportunities. We can cite the poor scoring record and lack of goals but the strikers can only do so much and unfortunately are let down by those behind them. Similarly the midfield provides little protection for the defence, which is make-shift and are not just error prone but have massive pressure on them knowing the team don't score many and that the opposition will target them and apply a lot of pressure. Right now the middle of the park is the issue, not sure whether need to gamble with Carson put in there and try use him as a combative CDM to try take hold of the game. Also, yet again Doran was poor and given his ability (even without pace) he should be capable of more (vision & creativity). Dodds can keep referring to injuries (which we all acknowledge) but tactically we need to set up based on what players are available and utiilise the strengths where we can, not just retain a rigid formation which doesn't seem to work. Given the situation a point can be seen as a positive, however also looking at how inconsistent the league is and fact we are playing the bottom team at home we should really have taken the game to them more. 10 mins spell in the 2nd half is not enough as it could be seen by all that Arbroath were rattled but it was us who collapsed when we conceded, rather than show confidence in what we were doing, it was revert back to some kind of clueless game of hot potato.

I have 3 points which I'd be interested to hear feedback on, feel free to word as you see fit. Given our position within the League structure and financial position, what benefit does having a DoF being to the club at this level and does it offer value for money. An explanation of the expectations and duties associated with the role demonstrating how its in the best interest of the club rather than investing the funds elsewhere would be appreciated. The failed concert venture publicised during the summer, what exactly was the link to the club and how was the structure/premise of the venture planned that it would be of benefit both short and longterm. What can be drawn from the venture that indicates why it failed and lessons learned that can be introduced elsewhere in the club or future opportunities moving forwards. Finally what given this venture is the exposure left on the club including financial and reputation? Again this season we have seen a relatively strong squad assembled which on paper should be competitive and one of the favorites to fight for the title or at least play-off spot. Unfortunately injuries have had effect, therefore are the club in a position to invest to strengthen further in January window? And ultimately how long will the level of current squad investment continue with our (every extending) tenure in the Championship, is it foreseen that there will be a point at which playing budgets are cut or is the level of investment deemed sustainable (play-off challenger level) as I assume we will not perform like other clubs and go with the over-investment (debt) gamble in the hope of achieving Premiership football?

Hamilton will just lube up and let them have a free shot. Uninspiring draw but probably one that might get some TV coverage. We put them out of this cup before and confident will again, if for nothing more than to keep showing that colts are ***** and that pandering to the OF just to let them into leagues and cups serves no benefit to any other clubs.

Should have set up a sister company to promote some pop concerts. Opportunity missed there......hang on

Point is that it wasn't nil - we conceded 3 goals at home to a team made up of butchers, bakers and candlestick makers.

As first choice starters they shouldn't even have been needed on the park for part time HL opposition - this is exactly the type of game that every single one should have been rested. As a club we invest enough into a squad and youth development that with good man and tactical management and motivation we should be able to perform at a level that will dispatch such opposition. This is akin to a Premiership top 6 club being held and scraping through conceding 3and having the lottery of pens to rely on while playing a League 2 side. Think we will just agree to disagree on the merits of the result. It highlights a real lack of depth and ability outwith the starting 11 IMO and I wont be applauding it.

TV game against PT.........last one went so well

Yes. Statistically last season our average home attendance was 18th in Scotland.

Mental anyone thinking this was a good result. If this is a demonstration of our strength and depth, we are bang ordinary and it'll tell in the league when we get a few injuries or suspensions.

^ Championship level squad that at best

Be surprised if its the regular starting 11, but if our back-up, reserve and youth players cant put on a decent show to beat a p/t HFL league team when its at home then its got to raise questions about what the club is doing both in terms of player investment beyond the regular starting 11 and managements ability to motivate guys to push for regular places. We should be looking to win this diddy cup

Fortunately not some of ours, they could probably do the full 90min + added time no bother

If the staff were considered an external resource and as such invoiced by the club to cover costs then the club potentially will loose out as a creditor (depending on mark up of rates). If the staff were working for free that's different. If that's outwith standard working time that's fine, if its during their working hours then if it wasn't sanctioned by the club then technically (depending on contract terms) that could be disciplinary offenses by club against individuals. However, in the event the staff worked for free, sanctioned by the club to support the concert company then there are implications that both the club ICTFC & Concert Company are one and the same as they are using the same workforce while being paid by on entity to operate another. Murky waters in there.

Were these staff members who are employed by ICTFC (the football club) who were working for the concert venture for free (in their spare time) or were they also employed and paid by the concert company? If so how much was extracted to pay ICT staff in terms of salaries and expenses associated and what was the distinction between the 2 businesses. All sounds a bit murky and that the lines of distinction are very blurred. Wouldn't be very hard to siphon money out of the concert company as overheads & costs into preferred beneficiaries pockets before ending up without the finances to service debtors!!! In no way am I suggesting any of the above has actually happened, just stating a point.

Bet way to re-start or kick start a season is usually to shut up shop and build form the back with solid defending throughout and clean sheets, then focus on doing the basics well and build from there. I'm not sure we have the versatility of management to really change things round like that - its always just persist with the status quo and fingers crossed. While we went on a decent run, then horror run before finishing strong last season, we seem to have a very fragile squad in terms of confidence (they always say it mirrors results) - very rarely do we have a single bad result then bounce back strongly, it drags on until we almost fluke a positive and then build again. Whether this is down to management or lack of leaders in the squad its not clear but we very much are a yo-yo team in terms of results.