bdu98196

I'd like to see us use the loan system efficiently to strengthen positions we are weak and complement the mix we need of experienced/higher quality players and youth as a back up. Guys on the fringes of their parent clubs who 'may' be willing to take a step back and play Anthony Ralston - RB - a position we need to cover - he went to DUtd this season, but perhaps he is too close to full fitness now Scott Wright - seems to struggle to get anywhere near a start at the Dons El Bahktoui - lit up the lower leagues but struggles at Dundee Realistically there will be a raft of players released over the coming weeks & months which given we already know the level we are playing at will give time to try get our work done early doors.

Why are you so excited to see RC get relegated or fail? There's no logic to it at all - its detrimental to the local economy for both Dingwall & Inverness as both home & travelling fans spend money in either location including over night stays. The media coverage keeps the Highlands promoted, even if it is limited- but most of all cements and justifies why Highland teams and Highland League teams are still capable of competing in the professional leagues - even at the highest level. While I am not a County fan and would never get excited about them doing well, or even justify the business model Roy has put in place along with his personal cash, I do recognise the input into youth development facilities and the standards or players & manager he has tried (with limited success) to bring into the area. With at least one Highland team in the Premiership it allows higher profile players which like it or not the other club can at times feed off - 'rejects' as some may classify but often successes that cross the 'divide'. While the derby would be great to have back, I think all agree it would be much more beneficial for all concerned and the wider economy & community if it was in the Premiership.

Also the not too insignificant investment that the club made last season to back Jack Ross and did so again in the summer. This success from St Mirren hasn't just happened with the squad that was there 24 months ago - 7 new players were brought in last Jan to steer them from relegation (most were Premiership experienced players) with some getting deals in the summer and other additions. We on the other hand are cutting costs and likely to replace some of our experienced & more capable squad with cheaper/lesser ability options due to the mis-management from previous regimes.

No point trying to argue, there's so many fans who always see that an ex-ICT manager or player (if in favour) can never do wrong or be criticised, in some ways like OF fans they are always happy if its a 'club man'. Being objective, we performed well in the final third of the season and won the Challenge Cup, but the key target should have been Promotion or at least Play-off's - there wasn't an extended cup run in either competition and in both we went out meekly to opponents who were no better than us. The start of the season was awful with the first third embarrassing given our budget and playing quality, the 2nd third was an improvement but while we stopped conceding it was hardly a substantial points total accumulated. While there's not calls for Robbo to leave or be replaced it has to be acknowledged as a poor season, some of it from the mess the board created but also from appointing a manager who has been out of the game so long. Some may see that as an excuse or reason but Robbo knew as did the board the status and expectations they had taken on. Only the biggest 'fanboys' can think that for the relegated team with the quantity of Premiership experience we have and the playing budget finishing where we have is still a successful season. Those citing it as a good stepping stone for next year need to understand the financial situation and the levels of player we will loose and have to replace - promotion or play-offs next year may be a bigger challenge than the one just past.

TBH, he partially had a point - given our defence was honking for much of the first 1/3 of the season and leaking like a sieve. Also the stats of only an we were sitting with 6 wins in 22 games, 3 off against Brechin and 11 of the goals scored which by early March was 26 games with 31 goals for and only 8 wins for our 31 points. Its clear that the 2nd third wasn't a whole lot better. Its not until this last run of 10 games have seen any real stability or improvement. Surely the priority for any manager coming in should have been competing for the title with being in the play-offs a minimum requirement. While still possible its unlikely and just papering over cracks - we have been poorer than acceptable for much of the season. Would others have done better - probably, but given the mess the board made of handling players and management during the summer we probably didn't have the time and stability nor the cash ultimately to recruit the best candidate opting for a cheap but safe option.

Least relevant comment TBH. People on here sound like OF fans

Some of the long-winded posts on here are just a frustration to read - often they have lots of words but no real meaning or content - I think some really do like to try demonstrate or give the impression of intellect through these in a manner that most politicians would be jealous of. Regarding Administration - yes the big A word. I have no affiliation to Caley D or anyone else but given its been mentioned, it wouldn't be a surprise for the following reasons and most astute fans will see it too No longer in the Premiership, so prize monies & revenue are down and going to drop further next season Players on high wages probably outwith any sensible model for the club given its position - OFW, Doran, Warren, Mulraney, Tremarco & possibly Vigurs & Polly - not their fault and perhaps some did take cuts but these are/were Premiership quality players at last contract renewals/awards Paying out wages to ex-employees - for how long did we pay Hughes (12 months?) and we see with Foran he still has 2 years on his deal to run if the 4 years was accurate - if he's not being paid then somewhere a lump sum was found The way previous players were shipped or forced out - Raven, Draper and OFW (although he never left) - any means necessary to cut costs The board have already stated this season we have minimum £400k losses We have ever falling attendances and the previous team form, on pitch product and general lack of engagement is driving fans away The behind the scenes board movements & dealings - what financial costs have these involved with parties Add all those above together doesn't and wouldn't lead to any surprises of financial troubles if not now, heading there in the near future

Positive news we are starting in the transfer window, gambling on a 3 year deal but could work well if he develops into an asset for the club. Not sure I'd go as far as saying a 'great' signing but its a positive movement and clearly a younger prospect on less money than some we will have as budgets are trimmed. We've already seen how the players from Brechin have struggled badly, so its clear there is a decent step up to the Championship which he has to master - being 22 years old and only 2 Hearts starts indicates that he struggled with the competition there so hopefully the chance for regular game time will bring on his game. Hopefully another Donaldson rather than a Cooper or Baird.

Constantly looking across at RC and deeming ICT success by being 'better' than them, being 'pride of the Highlands' and all that utter bullshit is pitiful and sad. The fact we are a loss making organisation makes us no different to most football clubs, the problem is that a) the previous regime CHOSE to chase success and financed JH and other managers with lucrative contracts and player budgets - too often on here people blame the manager, where the initial blame really has to lie with those who gave the budgets to start with. In some respects with those amounts provided that manager produced results in excess of what should have been achieved and where RF failed it can be argued the board put him in that position. b) the marketing strategy of the club through the levels, capitalisation on success and increasing foot fall has been poor at best. The crowds are no better than 20 years ago, perhaps worse and while social reasons can be partly cited so an the lack of engagement from the club with the local community and the lack of focused marketing and drive to improve. Any product to be a success has to evolve, find new marketing avenues and look at ways to compete or beat the competition - doesn't matter whether its ICT & RC or Tesco and Asda. This new board for all the love that seems to be towards them from many quarters have yet to deliver on many promises ranging from better communication to improved stability throughout. They cut the club costs yet are still running a huge loss, ultimately we ended up with a weaker team who struggle to compete for much of the season - that's acceptable if costs were cut right back and we were almost profitable but that's not the case. We haemorrhage money on legacy contracts and poor decisions and choose not to gamble on investing for promotion - leaving us in a no-mans land of mediocrity. The time is now for the board to start to talk and engage before new ST go on sale - while some will just blindly buy or renew regardless, I would like to know where the club is going and what's happening the money regarding a longer term plan to balance the books? A business is nothing without its customers and right now rather than encouraging new supporters the club is doing its upmost throughout to alienate and **** of those already committed - from the ST renewal fiasco last summer, the public mis-treatment of players, petty letter written in riddles about fans & behaviour and general failure to deliver on the promises made other than through rumours and leaks.

Just 3 months? What were you watching? By the end of Jan we were sitting with 6 wins in 22 games, 3 off against Brechin and 11 of the goals scored which by early March was 26 games with 31 goals for and only 8 wins for our 31 points. Its clear that it was the first 2/3 of the season that were honking. It really puzzles me why so many fans are just 'happy' and praising the club at all levels because the team started to play as we should have expected once March arrived. Its a testament to how poor the league has been this season that a run at this stage can almost propel from relegation play-off to promotion play-off in 10 games. It signifies how there has been no stand out team and that the position we are in is nothing short of failure with probable dire consequences moving forwards. Those who cannot see this need to open their eyes to our situation and hope that next season we will be lucky to have the finances to put together a team capable of fighting for mid-table.

Performance summed up our season in some ways. Sloppy goals conceded, lack of late concentration in games, limited creativity with the midfield absent and overlooked for high balls hoofed from the back - Austin & Oaklel did a great job IMO at creating opportunities out of nothing and doing all the hard work upfront with limited support. As with last season (especially the Motherwell game) its sad to see fans complaining about officials continually and how the decisions cost us - simply over the course of the season we havent been good enough and if we had then we wouldnt have been in the position we are. This was a league with no stand out team this season and many equally matched - with our experience and budget expecting a higher position isnt unreasonable.

Probably going to announce that the discount for ST holders for 2018-19 will not be valid due to the ineptitude of the board and poor early management and recruitment meaning we haven't returned to the Premiership. In addition prices will increase to cover the substantial losses and expected drop in foot fall so it's necessary to exploit the loyal fans to try limit the deficit. Or may be something else more positive.....

Do all games not have to be played in advance of the final game of the season - so we may have to play Tue & Thurs next wk? Was that not the case for one of the teams in the last few seasons - possibly DUtd?

TBH at this level and a home game against a team like Dumbarton who are part time and always going to be lower end of the Championship, then for Vigurs & Polly to run the game and cigar through it is the least that should be expected. These are 2 players with a wealth of experience at Premiership level and are both along with Doran going to be high earners - too often this season we haven't seen performances at this level from these guys. While credit should be given for Saturday it'll be more worthy if this level is maintained in the final 3 games against higher quality teams. Credit to the players for the performance on Sat but this does not exonerate them the criticism levelled for abject performances & results earlier in the year.

Yes, he probably is if he can get back to historical form. While I get the point you are making regarding signing top players to decent length deals to avoid them leaving on the cheap or free, it has to be remembered that ICT could not afford or match the wages offered to those who did leave and even signing them on a longer deal could have been financial suicide if they got injured or the club struggled - its about managing debts/costs. The Caulker deal is most likely involving a salary which although good or high at Dundee is way less than his historical so can afford that drop with a likely contractual clause giving him a % of any future fee at an agreed level with the club. Its a similar deal we struck with OFW when the club got his Euro championship cash. Its not a bad deal for both parties if Caulker can find form he will be in a shop window for a move and gets the chance to rehabilitate and get his career going again at a decent level (watched by English clubs) and for Dundee they get a better player than they could ever normally afford and a transfer fee hopefully at the end which covers costs and even yields a profit. Just need ICT to find a willing player in a similar position with off-field or injury issues. Sturridge or Wiltshire perhaps (jk).

No standing, no shouting, no swearing, no being drunk & most of all no guidance on who makes the decisions as to when any activity becomes disruptive enough to warrant action - is it an over zealous steward with no grasp of being a fan or a police complaint. Seems like folks can be selected without clarity and issued action against them. Thankfully nothing mentioned (yet) about sneaking Werthers into the games...........shhh

Banned for being drunk in the stadium, for some of the performances earlier this season alcohol would have seemed a good option to make it through them!!!

Apparently, its a play on words from a song in a popular musical from even before then..........................this is also a fact that also has no real relevance

We need to play most of the guys who will perform in the run to the end of the season - we need the strikers the chance to score a few goals if possible and get some confidence. The number of postponed games recently the guys should be fairly fresh - yes its a packed run in but they have to step up. Brechin wont be a push over - they may be relegated but they wont want to go down without a win this season - they've nothing to loose and everything to prove

Yup, let our strikers have possession outside the box and stop the wingers like Jake - going by our awful goal scoring record they probably know that its unlikely we will score or create anything!!!

I wonder how much of these losses could be attributed to 'wasted' wages either paying for ex-managers in Yogi & Foran plus players who were either on high salaries yet contributed little such as McNaughton, Anier, McKay and those we have refused to play such as OFW. Easy to see where as a club we have pi55ed away money - and for those who will say that its not players faults for being injured or being off for - we sign guys with horrendous records for being out of the game or failing to contribute at a similar level on a consistent basis. That coupled with off-field mismanagement and an inability to increase or maintain revenue through marketing the product its honestly a surprise we aren't in a worse position - thank goodness for that cup win and the sale of Christie to bolster the funds a bit.

Give him a chance, he's a decent record on paper and is probably more relevant in the game than others like Walter & Eck, also done more in the game than racist Malky. I expect the SFA to wait it out til the summer when either Moyes or Lambert will be available regardless of where they keep their clubs in the EPL.

Newpaper sales are continually falling as more folks look to news online and from sources not just attributed to the mainstream media. I've no idea on circulation figures for the IC but I doubt its bucking the trend and increasing in sales. Whether they print stories on ICT or not will unlikely affect sales to any significant degree especially if it takes time and investment for journalists to track down non-existent news when nothing is happening.

Its been rumoured since the summer that a move to the US was what OFW wanted, shame this season has turned his whole tenure at the club sour and what he will be remembered for rather than achieving a place at the Euros with Wales. Glad he's off the payroll (or hope he is) we really need to be making sure that the guys who earn the most contribute the most. Lets hope its not too late for JR to get some new faces with the cash to enhance the squad.

Apparently its got so bad the club are thinking of fining the culprits..........obviously running a strict discipline policy for stupid & unnecessary behaviour