bdu98196

I think the statistics speak for themselves with the 5 goals in 2012, we can see where the problems lie. Was always going to be an issueafter loosing Rooney, and with Hayes out injured for much of the season - while some may say we tested Cammy Bell in the game against Kille, I'd argue that although he had a few shots to save - we never really looked like scoring - yes we got one but we never looked convincing infront of goal - think Foran through he just didnt look confident proved by his poor shot.

Hibs can score goals - in O'Connor and Griffiths they have players with better scoring ability than our squad has we need to hope they cant find that before the season ends.

Dunfermilne have perhaps left it too late, but if they do get the new manager lift with 3pts this wknd then they may start to believe and put a run together.

I'm slightly worried that come the split we will be having to play those below us in Hibs & Dunf and they could put together a few results and be confident whereas we will still be plodding along with inconsistency. We need better performances starting at Pittodire - 3 points there and if Dunf fail to win then I'd be a lot more confident about safety.

Scoring goals needs addressed if we stay up and strengthening of the back line.

No real problem with the concept as mentioned it will bring cash into ICT and helps the local area establishing 2 SPL clubs. Big problem is the pitch, hopefully the fees are such that we can afford to replace it halfway through the season if not it will probably end up a mess.

The SPL needs good quality pitches (not just ICT) to promote getting the ball down and passing football, last thing we need is another excuse (along with lack of technique, skill etc) for the punt, hoof and long ball game - that plus the over-inflated prices are why attendences are falling.

TB started this season by clearing out some players from the club, some left and with it a dose of experience in key areas then brought in a crop of young players either on permanant contract or loans - some are working some haven't. Now personally I don't see this season being a disaster or blaming TB exclusivley, we have had injuries and been unlucky in games but in others the players have failed to step up either due to lack of commitment or skill?

Look at the issues AVB had trying to change the Chelsea team and bring in youth etc, not saying TB is the same league but it has its similarities. This year we have to stay up and results over the rest of the season need to improve and TB must realise and settle for starting 11 or make good assessments as to who we will keep and who to let go in the summer.

Its obvious we need a striker and with Rooney leaving there was little choice, I said at the time Tade was a good supporting striker but not the man to lead and looks like thats sadly the case. With Grant leaving in the summer its left us weak at the back to.

Let TB have the summer to do some more transfer moves and see what he brings in (experienced centre back & proven striker) and who he lets go, then in 12 months if we are in the same situation and not shown progression or improved play then maybe its time for a change.

Lets give managers time at ICT - instead of following the merry-go-round the EPL have created.

Really, we know football is awash with silly money and greed - but in what world would you not grab the money and run if offered that for any player in the SPL? Is Jelavic really that good, yes he scores goals but he plays for one of the best 2 teams in the league so gets many more oppertunites than other players to score - never thought his rate has been that prolific really?

Its an incentive now to get past Dunfermline in the replay - plus they hate playing us, probably already thinking of excuses if they lose in Inverness again

2 sides to this I guess. Firstly on the pitch Gazza was a great player with fantastic technique with trickery and vision that young players could only benefit from learning about. Given the errors he has made in life he could pass on some great knowledge to the younger players on what to avoid etc in a been there, done it mentor role. However the other side is the drink, drugs etc and the summarised article is right - he would get bored quickly and possibly revert back to old ways. Unfortunately the risk is too high and he would ultimately be a liability. If he didnt have such an amount of baggage he would be a great technical coach for youth players I think.

Scotland has a history of producing decent performances and results at the lower leves such as U21, but its making the transition to senior level thats failed us. Hopefully the financial constraints on Scottish clubs mean players like Wylde, Forrest, Pawlett, Fyvie etc etc will get first team football now we cant afford to buy dross from abroad in the false belief that being 'continental' they are all world class.

Read that Celtic are chasing Rhodes along with some English clubs - I hope he is wise enough that he stays down south - best place for these young players to develop IMO. Evident by the fact that most of the starting 11 in the senior team are now in the Perm or Championship!!!

We dont need another signing on contrat just now, we need to finish the season then tack stock of where we end up and what league etc. A loan player or 2 would be good especially a striker but with the players we have and our budget I dont expect much transfer activity in Jan. Also signings in Jan are always over priced and a sign of desperation - plus how many actually integrate and hit the ground running? Personally I'd like to see how far the squad can progress now all the players are looking like they will gel and then in the summer bring in a few faces to improve depth & quality.

No, he has just signed a new contract and wouldnt have done that if he was unhappy. He raves about the lifestyle in the area and has commeted previoulsy before about wanting to stay a long time up here. Finally Hibs have no cash for compensation, it will be an out of work manager who gets the job - Tango man or Jim J would be my bets.

Talking about Michael O'Niel from Shamrock Rovers, but considering the state of Scottish football financially I wouldnt be surprise if Hibs opt for someone who wont involve compensation so roll up the unemployed managers. Tango man seems a pretty good bet I think.

Bad result - yes

Should we have done & expected better - yes

Crisis - no (not yet anyways)

The team has seen wholesale changes and injuries, not condoning the poor performance, but its not the first time we have had a poor start to a season. As for TB loosing the dressign room, I dont think so - hopefully this result will prompt a response on Sat.

Think its to early to start calling this a crisis and questioning TB, if we are still in this situation come the end of the first full round of SPL games then perhaps we need to re-think then. Remember in several games (not last night perhaps) we have been very unlucky with the results and decissions.

Squad is moving in the right direction, the age and quality of some of the players meant that it would need surgery sooner or later and TB is a man with the guts to take that on. Apart from GM there is no real loss and hopefully the younger and hungrier players can play a part. We do look under strength though and need a few more numbers, certainly a good experience CB & RB plus what everyone wants - a goalscorer. Sadly with Rooney away I dont feel Tade is adequate to lead the line - although who and where we can find one is the issue.

http://news.bbc.co.u...ll/13509642.stm

Having read that - seems its a caveat brought in for the OF, surely this makes a mockery of the SPL as a competition? I know we can do the same, but clearly its not been designed for us smaller clubs, all to favour pandering to OF demands as usual. Poor show SFA

If the league kicks off on a certain date and fixtures scheduled then the clubs have to accept that if they want to be part of that league - perhaps those not wanting to play on schedules dates in favour of money making 'glamour' ties should forfit the match on that day and award the teams that are willing and able to play the 3points?

Wish him well in the future. Based on his decission though its clear he has a local area affinity, based on that I'm disappointed that we let him go especially if it was about money as clearly he would have stayed for his attachment to the club and area. Were there big personality issues with GM & TB?

Sadly as good as Esson has been this season, his oppertunities to play for Scotland have passed I think, if Gordon & Bell had been fit they would both be in there along with MacGregor. Gilks gets the nod (not sure why other than he is in the Prem (for now) and Turner is obviously seen as one for the future potentially. Add in Langfield then Esson is probably vying for #6 or 7 in the call up list at best - whether we agree thats a true reflection or not.

Comparing me to Nick Griffin :redcard::redcard: (highly uncalled for - no comment I have made has any racist or undertones of religious intollerance) - highly disgusted by that Sorted.

So the fact that his behaviour and continual questioning of the professionalism and integrity of all his peers is acceptable behaviour and that of a 'nice' man? What do any of those issues have to do with his religon - obviously all comments you chose to over look? Regardless if this was NL or any other manager in the SPL that had made these comments or behaved this way through the season then I would still deem it unacceptable conduct that the authorities should act upon - and yes people can cite extenuating circumstances in the case of NL but does it make the behaviour more acceptable?

And to re-itterate again none of that still makes the campaign waged against him acceptable.

So many view on here all regarding sectarinism, now unless I have missed it in the news (which I may have) who actually said Lennon was attacked for his religious beliefs, perhaps thats people on here jumping to assumptions. Nothing to do with the fact he accused Hearts as a club & players of not playing and trying against Rangers and actively assisting the Ibrox club win the SPL? Surely that inflamatory remark cant be acceptable when he is questioning the intergrity of fellow professionals? This is not the first comment of such nature that he has made this season - perhaps if people look beyond NL as the victim and the religious bigitory which he has endured, there is an under lying case of him behaving in an inappropriate manner that the SFA are failing to deal with.

I dont recall in any post I have made suggesting he brough on or deserved the violence or abuse brought on by the narrow minded majority focusing on his religon, but in terms of his other behaviour towards other professionals in football and his total contempt for authority in the game certainly isnt doing anything to make him a popular character throughout all football fans (not just those looking for an excuse to vent religious bigitory), so perhaps the SFA are to blame for being weak at acting on these comments?

While he shouldnt be subject to this abuse in his job and in no way can it be acceptable to be 'driven' out of his job for these reasons - what about the behaviour he has displayed throughout the season do people feel its acceptable? I dont - every other manager in the SPL has conducted themseves in a much more dignified and professional manner - so why cant he?

Its a shame that we now live in an overly PC time you cannt dislike someone for the sake of them being an unpleasent person without people looking for undertones of a bigoted nature, to either say you are racist, sexist or sectarian...........

Never realised there were so many Lennon fans, at no point do I condone the behaviour of the fans and also stated I dont believe anyone has the right to get bombs or anything else sent or personal attacks.

The issues in Scottish society have been around for decades yet when other men managed Celtic there were never this issue, are we saying that in the last 12 months there has been a marked change in society to increase sectarian behaviour? If so what?

So the fact that Lennon was instrumental in the Celtic witch hunt of officials which the man & club have not bothered to aplogise for? What about the last OF game walking off the picth taunting the Rangers fans - you dont see any other manager in Scotland doing that to the opposition.

Fact is much that is negative this season about Scottish football has involved Celtic & NL.

Sad times that comment cannot be made on a situation without people on here assuming its done with sectarian undertones - its not I just believe that the reputation of Scottish football is starting to suffer and its time to start getting the house in order that also includes the fans as well. But the SFA are to weak to do anything because of the OF size so unless they take action nobody else will (not even UEFA it seems).

In no way can this be condoned as its bringing the whole of Scottish football into disrepute and I hope the perpetrator is treated how he deserves by the courts.

However is it time for the sake of the Scottish game that Lennon leaves Celtic & Scottish football? So far this season we have had - referee accusations and strikes, parcel bombs, bullets in the post, outrageous scenes at the OF games and now fan attacks and in all cases a common denominator is Lennon. Not saying he deserves any of the personal attacks or situations, but you have to wonder does he encite and entice this behaviour?

All this is blackening the Scottish football name worldwide - is it time he left for good?

Who cares? Been a disappointing season, Rangers are a weak team with little actual quality yet have managed to grind out results, Celtic have players who flatter to decieve and a manager who is abnoxious - the only light at Parkhead is the impact of Commons, yet as with every season not a single so called 'challenger' could appear. No matter how poor & weak the OF get we still dont see Hearts, D Utd etc give it a go despite all their promise, as ever its a 20+ pt gap from OF to the rest - seems the worse they are the worse everyone else plays.

The league is crying out for a challenger & a bit of change

Youth, has to be - assess who is good enough to make the step up. Those released are gone so why rest on sentiment of giving final appearances to except perhaps Grant as he has played all season. We know our strongest current team, so its a good oppertunity for others to prove themselves and no matter who is on the pitch they should be giving 100% and going for the win - if not they dont deserve to be at the club.

If Tade is free and with Sanchez & Odi leaving, plus probably AR, then I agree he is an option - whether he is anything better than a squad or cover at SPL level is another issue. Wouldnt think that he would be considered as the attacking spearhead for next season. Although if his wage expectations are realistic then I'm sure other clubs such as St J, St M etc will be after him - he may not be keen coming this far 'north'

I honetsly believe if he was going to stay he would have signed by now - in every walk of life in the current economic time everyone wants to know what work they have a like to plan ahead and get security, by the fact he is out of contract and has had offers from us which would have extended his stay and given that security which havent been signed indicates he has other plans or options elsewhere. Hope I'm wrong but sadly I think Sat will be the last we see of AR in an ICT shirt :(

Aye

But........as last night proved TB knows what he's doings, so while I would like GM to stay, I shall reserve judgement as -- In TB we trust!!!

Based on tonights contribution by Grant, wonder if there can be any chance of a U-turn - although probably not as the departure has been made public and would cause huge embarassment for all concerned :(