bdu98196

Nobody interested in discussing games anymore? Plenty posts about crowds, players leaving and perceived club inefficiencies but what about our cup game. I'm just about to leave so hoping for a good game and performance to see us through to the next round.

Maybe not, but then neither were likes of Duncan Ferguson, Emilie Heskey or others. Just think he is godo in the air and a big strong guy who could hold up the ball well for the likes of Watkins, Christie, Ross, Doran, Williams to play off. Might also be a tactic change that otehr teams wouldnt be expecting?

Esson (Bril if fit) Raven Warren Meekings Tremarco Tansey Shinnie © Watkins Christie Ross Draper

HT: 0-0 FT: 1-2 1st ICT: Watkins 1st Opp: Stevenson Time of 1st Goal: 50min

People said last year that we would struggle without the leadership and drive of Foran when he got injured, however we seem to be doing ok. Football is a team game and as a club we have a squad, it not and never has been a one man team, Billy was an important player but he is gone and with the performances and results this season there are probably at least 11 other squad members on here cited as being great this year so I'm sure as a club we will cope. As posted earlier we were still scoring and winning when Billy went on a barren run after scoring in the opening wknd, so why without him can we not still do this?

Maybe we can keep Tremarco at LB with Shinnie alongside Tansey in the middle allowing us to put big Draper up front as a lone target man. He has the right attributes. Could see foran back yet this season or Watkins / Ross can play up front then theres also Ferguson too. Not panic stations yet for me.

As Billy was out of contract and considering the fees going for players in a similar situation in Scotland we got competitive funds, had he been contracted for another 3 years then I agree its derisory but under the circumstances its ok. Still do wonder if the difference between 2nd or 3rd in the SPL v's 5th or 6th may have offset that.

Ever thought maybe the players approached didnt want to come up to Inverness? Should we pay over the odds for a player of lesser ability like our neighbours just to have a player? Also even if they had a contingency list the players cant be approached in advance as thay would have been 'tapping up' so until we formally go through the process we dont know if a player wants to come to us. I do agree about the GS situation especially as the Dons seem to have spent cash on MacLean, can only assume that they had the loan deal done for the otehr CB and decided that GS can wait. I hope the board didnt reject on the basis its a rival only to then sell off Billy.

Source?

^ this a serious post?

Why should the board let or consider letting GS leave for peanuts, he is under contract still. If Aberdeen are ambitious about winning the title (which it seems they are not) then with their injury crisis in defence then we can hold out for the most we can plus as siad GS is an asset in our side and the difference in league places may come into the assessment of value.

HT: 1-0 FT: 3-0 1st: ict - Tansey 1st oop: Dingwall Time of 1st goal: 33mins

I'd pick the only logical team we can with our strongest options Brill (Esson if not fit obviously) Raven Warren Meekings SHINNIE © Tansey Draper Watkins Ross Williams Mckay But if people want to drop players who 'lack' commitment then I guess McKay, Meekings, Ross, Watkins, Raven - oh and Shinnie all better stay home or we can pay them to sit on the bench and watch us get humped and plummet down the league for not using our best quality assests.

The hatred filled posts and general nasty tone has yet again come to the surface when a player (or manager) decides to leave and try something new. Why like in any walk of life do they not have the right to try something new - if anyone on here was to get offered a new job or payrise which they find attractive for career or personal reasons are they not entitled to try it? Also how is signing a pre-contract any different to working several months notice which in professional careers is not uncommon? I for one think GS has been a great servant and I'm sure he will continue to show commitment to our side moving forwards until his contract expires. Perhaps there is a call for the club whether he should feature against the Dons again this season, but I really don't see how his decision deserves some of the posts on here.

HT: 1-1 FT: 1-3 1st ICT: McKay 1st Opp: Andreu Time of 1st Goal: 13 mins

Damned if they try something new to get fans in and then damned if they don't bother. #thanklesstask

^ Agree thats probably our strongest and most effective team - perhaps Doran for Ross or Christie but none of those changes weaken us in any way. Delighted how stable and interchangable our team has become.

Brill Meekings Warren Devine Tremarco Draper Shinnie Doran Watkins Ross Mckay

HT: 1 - 0 FT: 2 - 0 1st ICT: McKay 1st Opp: McLean Time of 1st Goal: 15 minutes

Well an incentive to turn up should be that if we win on Sat against DUtd then we could go 2nd with a win over st j or if Dundee beat the dons again we might even go top......after 23 games to be in either spot would be phenomenal. That's a reason to turn out at least

HT - 1-1 FT - 2-3 ICT - McKay Dundee Utd - Ciftci Goal - 11 mins

Problem for the Dons is whether the players have the mental strength, if they beat DUtd in the League cup semi and presumably meet Celtic - will they implode if they loose that final? The Dons have a great chance in the League meeting Celtic just after they play Inter Milan - that is a huge game if the Dons are serious about the title. So to win the league I think they need to beat Celtic twice - in the cup and then the league game, but cant see either happening. I expect that between now and the end of the season, Aberdeen will drop points where they shouldn't and Celtic will grind out results - with possibly us being the only team to beat Celtic before the season ends. Sadly neither have looked overly impressive sides when we played them, so perhaps we still have a chance but I think if we made top 3 or 4 then that would be a massive result for us and our provincial club - especially if it means 3 of the top 4 aren't central belt or west coast!!!

HT: 0-1 FT: 0-2 1st ICT: McKay 1st Opp: none Time of 1st Goal: 27 mins

For the purposes of JH watch, he was in the stand for the full first half, then started the 2nd in the dugout before moving back up to the stand after about 60 mins.......as I was watching the game I didnt spot when he returned to the dugout area. Hard graft yesterday, wasnt pretty but its 3 points and thats what matters. As said we have played better than that this season and lost, although its clear how important Draper is in the middle of the park.

Thankfully there is no link to him so I don't know why its being discussed but I for one certainly wouldn't welcome him at our club. Crime and punishment and people deserve to rebuild their lives but he shows no remorse or acknowledgement of his crime so for that reason alone I hope he never graces Scottish football. Anyway looks like he is joining another English club so no need to discuss any further. I notice D Utd have signed yet another lower league youngster and given past history over the last few years and looking at their squad they do very well at it, is this just down to the scouts or the coaching they have in place. While I accept we cant afford even small transfer fees why are we (and other SPFL clubs) not doing more to sign young players from the lower leagues?