bdu98196

HT: 1-1 FT: 2-1 1st ICT: Foran 1st Opp: Vigurs Time of 1st Goal: 10 mins

Next 2 games will be a chance to see where we are as a team, Motherwell were our bogey team last year and exected to finish top 3 at least, then away to the champions elect - hopefully we will still be sitting top after that, confidence will be sky high then.

Esson is deemed #1 by TB, even last year when Rugero was keeper for our run up to 2nd in the league he was dropped. If there was any doubt about Esson being first choice Rugero may have stayed this season, as it is we have another keeper on loan who is doing a good job, but when fit Esson will be back.

I'm assuming this was a sarcastic statement? If that 11 couldnt beat a team of part time players and they need the £3k+ p/w stars to win games at that level then they really are a club with issues Yip superstar of 3rd tier Scottish football.................

No point any member coming on saying the club isnt doing enough to sell tickets, County do better than us, we want a 'better' matchday experience without anyone posting up suggestions on how this can be improved in a smart, realistic and cost effective manner - not directing comments at one person, or the club or CTJ, but bringing constructive suggestions to the table which CTO can present to the club on behalf of the fans. Not seeing much in the way of this, only people griping and finding fault with what is being done and who is at fault.

4 scotland internationals and a host of youth players including international u21's. On paper quite a few could be of a quality to play in ict look at the shinnies problem is attitude based on that none of them deserve to play anything more than amature level. Consider their wages compared to the part time forfar players and every one of them should be embarrassed and ashamed to collect a pay packet.

Tricky away ties for Jambo's away to Raith and a long midweek evening trip to Stranraer for County, Midden away to QoS - could be a few less SPFL teams by the time we enter the comp.

Just means fans will need to go to the games if they want to see us. Although how does this affect TV revenue for the club - is that preset at the start of the season, or do we get extra for more games shown, in which case its still heavily biased to the OF.

The Rangers.......................oooooops, now hang-on.....................

HT: 1 - 0 FT: 2 - 1 1st ICT: McKay 1st Opp: MacFadden Time of 1st Goal: 43rd min

HT: 1 - 1 FT: 1 - 3 1st ICT: Foran 1st Opp: Goodwillie Time of 1st Goal: 18th min

Same again - aint broke dont fix it, although we may want to put Foran man-marking GMS (he is the only Utd danger IMO) which might mean a shuffle in the positions they play in the middle, but same personel. How long are Allan & Watkins out injured for?

Stuart McCall - he has links to Sheff Utd, like Green in the past and I wouldnt be surprised if thats the guy Green would go after, but he has to remove Sally first. Laughable that a team with the 2nd highest wage bill in Scotland was making excuses before the Forfar game that they had to make do with the 3rd division side and couldnt field any of their new signings - the investment and money into Murray Park over the years you would expect their U21 team to be good enough to beat some part time players (no offence to Forfar intended). The club, the people, the fans are a farce and with every story makes Scottish football more of a laughing stock.

I do agree, but by playing devils advocate regarding the games - Celtic - SPFL champs & odds on favouites for this years title, Dons, M'well - both billed as being major contenders for 2nd place, Thistle - the new team up, Hearts - the big club in major financial troubles (how will they cope) - then there is us playing Midden, a top 6 side facing what is likely a bottom 6 side. Not agreeing with the scheduling or the level of coverage - but when you look at it objectivly in light of the above, the other games probably had more interest to the majority to see how certain teams have progressed or developed. We will always be biased as fans, but give it time over the course of the season we will have more games towards the top end billing moving forwards - starting with next wk at utd.

I know we have one on the forum for ICT games, but anyone know is there an official/unofficial SPFL Predictor - the BBC one died a few years ago, then we had the Clydesdale Bank one. Anyone know of any as they are always good for workplace banter. Cheers

Agree about being a package and experience, but that costs money sadly. I know from going to Man City, they have big TV screens, live music, bars and food, the megastore and other things going on (obviously its a bigger complex/sports village type affair) - you can easily turn up before or hang round after and be entertained - but this costs money. Not sure what SPL clubs can do based on the limited fans & budgets. Maybe start with something like pre-game radio type interviews. Rather than play occasional (bad) music, play some player or staff interviews (pre-recorded perhaps), discuss the game, club etc, discussion on the fixture and what else is happening in the SPL - 15-20mins before the game starts, gives fans a chance to hear whats going on at the club during the build up?

Oh dear, I see where this will end up going............................ This could be an interesting topic to try understand the demographic of ICT fans and whether due to the nature of us being a relatively new club has resulted in a smaller pool of local fans as many have historical links to the OF (certainly the older generation) and understand whether the fans are made up of younger guys, or indeed new influxes into the area. Then use that data to draw conclusions on how to progress and help promote the club to take it forwards. Sadly the questions seem ambiguous and loaded.

Same old, same old. Even after last year we havent seen a burst in ticket sales, perhaps its due to the economy, but considering the crowds when the weather was 'good' and we were playing for that Euro place we still couldnt draw more fans. Its a case of either the locals dont care, cant be bothered or would perfer to be armchair fans supporting the OF or some english club than coming out to see ICT. Can only hope that if we make a good start this season a few more fair-weather fans might turn up to games on the day.

Defensive/holding mid role alongside Draper. Reasoning - he wins balls in the air but isnt really a target man and doesnt have great pace to get behind the defence, for me he's not creative enough for the Shinnie role so that has to go to Doran, not enough pace for a winger and we have better options and in defence its a solid unit so why disrupt. Let Foran move into the middle of the park and control the game, break up play and hold the ball, allow others around to create and make space.

After last season where we never really had any successful loan players from Arsenal, perhaps while the link is good to have the quality of players eitehr on offer or interested isn't high enough to have a real impact. We have signed a good few younger players who's wages we are paying so why bring in loanee's which will prevent them game time and becoming future assets we could sell. I'm sure in Jan if we have injuries or need to shake it up a bit there might be some Arsenal players coming in then.

Dont know enough of the new guys to say who will play, but I think we keep our back four from last year. Foran should be in the centre mid role along with Draper, play 2 wingers then Doran in just behind McKay as creator.

Possible to think it, realistic - No.

HT: 1-0 FT: 3-0 1st ICT: McKay 1st Opp: None Time of 1st Goal: 17mins

Not strictly focusing on the new players TBH, as I feel those here previously have more key roles - For me, I'm interested to see how Doran can step up and if he can fill the Shinnie role or playmaker in the team, also want to see the status with Esson - hasn't played much pre-season and I felt last year he wasn't as strong as Toni when he was fit. Hopefully some of the young Scottish lads will make an impression, for me this is Nick's make or break year at the club and this level, same with Pepper. With the new boys, its to see how they all step up, but I'd like to see one of the strikers perform and help Billy out with scoring, especially the Norweigan U21, hopefully fo a good pedigree. Also agree about Greenhalgh - having won a national TV 'talent' show in the past he's already 'known' so time for him to prove he's the real deal.

Must be good times ahead then, thats the most positive post I've read of yours on here in a long time :)