bdu98196

One of the most sensible points made on this thread for me. Who would people like to see replace TB, who do they honestly think would do a better job and what are the expectations (and please lets not see the usual names of Robbo, CC or even Stevie Paterson - its time to let the past be closed these guys have had their chance). For me its SPL survival every year and 1 or 2 good cup runs, based on the size of club and poor attendances can anyone really expect more? Is it fair to assume many turned on TB last summer when Grant left? Perhaps the bigger picture needs looked at and that TB is trying to reinvent a team with more youth to move forward - yes stalwarts have left but these players couldnt go on forever. This is why he needs another season to finish his 'rebuild' if in 12 months we dont see improvements and having the same discussions then call for his head.

The strikers were poor - Tade, the guy is so unpredictable even he doesnt know what he would do, as for McKay - why do we insist on playing him and when we do why is it always long balls. Gillet was poor and Meekings not much better. Tokely was out of position for the corner and overall we should have defended set pieces better and when we had corners they were all to predictable without enough variation. I thought Jonny had a decent game and tried to play the ball, Golabart did well and shows commitment I thought and Shinne had a few decent touches but not enough. Too often though the high and long ball was played missing out the midfield which leaves Foran & Tansey anonymous in the game - we need to change the style of play. Overall we had enough chances to win but the strikers we have lack the quality required, time to get Tade another partner, but for a big strong guy he is poor in the air (jumps like he is wearing diving boots) and should be better at holding the ball up. Not sure I can be bothered going to another game this year now - I just hope TB sees what we all see and addresses the issues in the summer, or next year we will be the Highlands 2nd team and fighting for survival :(

Dont think his commitment to the cause can be questioned after the Hibs game, probably our best player on the park - only player willing to take the ball down and use it and move it about. A loss if he goes, but has he actually had talks or signed anything elsewhere yet?

@Granty24 - The issue isnt the nationality - no idea where people get this from, its not like we have a youth Academy and develop players for the cause, we get the odd youth player who has the quality. The team has to be made up of the best players available for the money we have to spend. As for your list of players from 2005 that proves what, you could post the 2010 team which won 4-2 but chose not to as it had at least 3 Irish players? There are obvious weak links which need addressed. This manager took us up from D1 at first time of asking (not seen many relegated clubs do that recently) - we have all but got SPL survival this year (not sure what people expect - CL football next season and break the OF domination?). TB has to have assessed where he underestimated and will need to bring in better quality everyone accepts that, although that cant be judged til this time next year.

Agreed, although I can only assume any deal will be short term - helps them into top 6 and gets him in the 'shop window'. St J probably wont be paying what he was on at HIbs before where he was highest earner, would expect him to move to England in the summer for more cash. Player with a lot of ability and I think on his day he can excel on the pitch and be the best player if he wants but often he doesnt perform. Not a player we could realistically afford.

Was just reading about this on BBC. How can a club in administration be still allowed a voting right on the future of Scottish Football, why is it acceptable for them to be in charge of the destiny of others when they cant even control their own currently? Screams of SPL, SFA & OF all sticking together for their own vested interest. It is possible that Whyte may perfer to see the club die than sell it on, really hope for the rest of Scottish football this is the casse, if not there is no way the 11-1 voting stucture will be overturned and the OF will always have everyone else under their control. Another option is if the 10 all resigned from the SPL, that would then leave the OF a choice - either agree to the new rules and join or pi$$ off to England/Ireland or wherever they think they deserve to play? Can or would that work - or does the 11-1 vote have to be envoked to allow the clubs to leave the current structure? The current situation is the best chance the other clubs may ever have to revolutionise the system.

Yeah, but you need to consider 6 of those we scored were in 1 game against Killie - consitency, spread and quantity of goals. When St J need a goal there are options of where it may come from - when we need a goal its Tade maybe or nothing.

Rebuild, probably not although after a season back in the SPL and surviving TB will see where we need to strengthen and where was under-estimated. Its clear we need 2 players - a commanding centre back and a goal scorer. Look at the table and our opponents tonight - St J, overall the squad isnt much better than ours but they have in Sandaza, Sheridan and possibly soon Riorden players that get goals, the difference in the SPL between fighting relegation and getting UEFA spot is almost as simple as who has strikers that score. While Tade has done a decent job this season - he needs a strike partner capable of providing a similar number and supporting.

We get players on loan as they are here to prove themselves with regular football so should be 'hungry' to get experience and make a point to their parent clubs. Plus the fact a young player on loan may only cost wages or part wages is better than signing players who require fees and are tied to contracts long term. Sadly we have to cut our cloth to suit the finances so if we did get relegated any season we can trim the wage bill easily - which is done by the end of loan contracts rather than a big squad of longterm contracts and wages we cant sustain so how can we critisise the club for trying to manage finances in this manner while trying to remain competitive? As for players being Scottish, dont see that being relevent unless they are local boys who support and love the club then whats it matter where they are from - Foran plays and gives ful effort every game, as do others - nationality isnt an issue, its player attitude. As fans we can all see the positives this season (Ross, Sutherland, Shinnie - young players coming through) but equally can see the failings in defence (perhaps he will think letting Grant leave was a mistake now) and scoring - now we need to give TB time to address this for next season and judge based on that progress. He got us straight up from D1 to SPL and now after 1 season back he will see where he has 'understimated' areas of the squad. Perhaps as fans we need to be realistic - SPL survival, 1 or 2 good cup runs and a possible top 6 finish some seasons - is anything more is achievable?

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.