Kingsmills

With all due respect to Mark Brown, Esson is, in my opinion, the best 'keeper we've had since Jim Calder.

We've had a problem with goals for a good couple of seasons now. We were much more prolific under Robbo. The idea of Robbo as part time forwards coach would appear to have merit with neither Butcher or Malpas having any direct experience of playing at the sharp end.

Battling relegation again this week with about 4 hours to go.

In my opinion it would have been a soft penalty if given. I thought that Rooney made the most of it and I would unhappy if a penalty had been awarded against ICT in similar circumstances.

What the feck's an ERREA? I presume you meant an era? But, whatever you meant, I can see no sense in this deal at all. I have been critical of Butcher in other threads. I can see this deal only giving me more ammunition to shoot him down with. But I really hope I'm wrong. A bad pun at the expence of our shirt sponsors I suspect. I'm not surprised to see Hastings go as Butcher didn't seem to rate him. Golabek was a great club servant in his day and has a place in our history with our first ever SPL but I remaion to be convinced that he can make a capable contribution these days although I'd love to be proved wrong. Where's that experienced forward we've being crying out for since the daparture of Dargo and Wyness ?

No reason to fear Motherwell. Hardly a money spinner though.

Far too early for this sort of thread. Don't forget that ICT have had to do without Tokely, Imrie, Barrowman and Odihambo so far this season. Where we are by the turn of the year will be a much better guide to our promotion prospects and Butcher's ability to manage in this division.

Either of the Old Firm would be a timely boost to the coffers.

Not so sure. I expect that there will be one new face.

Given that it's seeded I'd settle for Hibs or Aberdeen at home. Alternatively either of the Old Firm away would give a much neded boost to the coffers.

In my opinion we can survive a single season in the first division without too dire consequences but beyond that there has to be concern unless costs, and that's mainly players and management wages, are cut again at the end of this season even more radically than last.

Never mind Robbo. Many of us enjoy your enthusiastic and well informed contribution to " Open All Mikes."

Looks like we could be carrying a deficit of a million pounds by the end of the next financial year which is not good news especially if we don't bounce straight back to the SPL.

Not the kindest draw but should be a good competitive match. Bit of a financial nightmare for Elgin being drawn away to Annan.

Occupying a relegation place with about 2 hours to go.

Hopefully a bit of a confidence boost before Saturday.

The lack of a reliable forward was our downfall last season. Hope it will not be the case again this year. Does anyone know when Barroman and Odihambo are likely to return ?

A dim memory now but we were being beaten away to Cowdenbeath during our third division years and scored twice, if not three times, in injury time to turn defeat into victory.

Good start to the season.Then again we kicked off last season with an impressive away win at Pittodrie and just look what happened after that !

Let's hope it doesn't take two and a half hours to see off these third division opponents.

I have to agree with IHE. Many of us can well remember the days when Montrose visiting Inverness for a cup tie was a novelty to be savoured and to take their scalp something of a coup.

No need to panic on the back of one mediocre early season performance but it's increasingly obvious that we need at least one experienced forward.

The need for an experienced striker is as evident as it was this time last season. Our failure to secure a tried and tested forward last year cost us our place in the SPL. A similar failure this season could well cost us promotion.

These one year deals simply reflect the reality of life in the first division. Despite the cutbacks the club are budgeting for a considerable loss this coming season and gambling on coming straight back up. If that doesn't come to pass then there will be even more substantial cut backs both in management and player costs the season afterwards hence the reason the club will(can)not commit beyond a single season in most cases. Prudent management in my view.

We are establishing quite a colony of former Foxes.