DoofersDad

How about Walsall? That way you might look forward to coming back North again.

[Like I've said to Davie, if you don't like what I have to say, don't read it. You'd do well to take that advice on board on a public forum.

How do we know we don't like what you have to say unless we read it first?

If we just ignore all your posts, we would miss anything you had to say which might be worth saying and we wouldn't want that.

It's a numbers thing. With only 5 million of a population Scotland are never going to be world beaters. But these things come in cycles. Teams with Law and Dalgleish were better than average and the team today is worse than average. Don't worry, in a few years time Scotland will rise once again to the heady heights of mediocrity.

We were absolutely pish today. Have the three points back - we certainly don't deserve them.

Butcher - go home.

If you want to watch good quality football, **** off and go and watch Arsenal. The rest of us will be happy when our team wins..........

Beautifully put.

B&C, I think Dover also has a Bridge and a Castle. Why don't you go there?

- and then catch the ferry?

I'll make a comment rather than a prediction. There have been a lot of draws in this league and there will be a lot more to come. But with 3 points for a win and 1 for a draw I think the key in this division will be which team can avoid drawing too many games.

If we were to draw all six matches then 6 points. If we win 3 and lose 3 then 9 points. As long as the team is playing attacking football then it won't matter if we lose a few matches. Now that all our strikers are scoring and we are the top scoring side in the division there is no reason we can't beat any team home and away. We won't, of course, but 4 wins and 2 defeats will do me nicely.

He may not be perfect and his final ball is often not that great but he works really hard for the team and pulls defences all over the place. He is an important factor in the improved recent form of the team. Whilst we need to strengthen the defence it should not be at the cost of letting Imrie go.

When we were struggling early season everyone was talking about how it would be fine when Imrie was back because he was one of the few players we had who had made the grade in SPL. Now everyone is getting on his back. I agree he hasn't been at his best since his return and his final ball is often disappointing, but the work he puts in really unsettles the opposition and he pressures players into mistakes and makes himself available for passes. As a team we have looked much more threatening since he has come into the side. I think he should start but be told that he will probably come off after 60 minutes or so and to keep pressing all the time.

Hayes and Odhiambo will be effective substitutes with their pace later in the game when Dundee are pressing forward in a vain attempt to get back into the match.

A funny sort of match. We had the chances or half chances to have scored 6 or 7 but never really played well. We looked pretty vulnerable at the back and might well have conceded a few had we been up against a better side.

Esson was solid as usual but was not required to make any difficult saves. Tokely seemed very subdued in the first half but played more like his old self in the 2nd with some great runs down the right with good crosses on the end. Munro was solid enough and Bulvitis OK. Golly had some really bad moments and was IMO the poorest player today. Proctor was pretty solid throughout and apart from one lapse was very effective. Sanchez scored but otherwise looked pretty ineffective. Duncan was OK. Foran again worked hard and won some great tackles when he came back deep. He was ineffective when coming forward and missed a sitter. Rooney was again very effective in making sure the Airdree defence was always under pressure. He should have done better when he blasted over the bar but in general the ball just didn't run for him. Imrie again worked really hard, chased the ball down and then gave it away. He seems to lack an awareness of where his team mates are. Hayes and Odhiambo both did great when they came on. Hayes always seemed to occupy 2 defenders wide on the right whilst Eric's goal was far and away the highlight of the match.

Anything other than a win against Airdree would have been a disaster so whilst it is good to win, we shouldn't get too exited. The worrying thing for me today was the number of times varous players simply gave the ball away when under no pressure at all. The passing is poor and must improve if we are going to beat the better sides in the division.

A big plus point though is that a few weeks ago we were wondering where the goals would come from. Now we are top scorers in the division.

No hidden agenda, Fanict. The facts speak for themselves. He has not cut the mustard at the higher level and therefore criticism is valid. However, the lad's obviously got talent - you don't score as freely as he did in div 2 if you haven't. It would be great for ICT if he was scoring regularly but he isn't (Bulvitis, our much slated central defender has a better strike rate) and I felt playing against his old club was the ideal opportunity. Far from having a hidden agenda against him I was expressing disappointment he missed out on an opportunity to get back on the score sheet. Can't be fairer than that.

ICT's greatest era was in the 1st division where club, team and fans combined to form an awesome unit that made us impressive, hard to beat, and something we could all be proud of. The club have lost a lot of that ethos, but so have we and just reading the boards over the last few days (and responding very little - for me) I have wondered if we will ever get that back. Whether it is missiles being thrown at the game, or abuse of fellow ICT fans on here, this is turning into a very different club and set of fans than the ones I was once proud to be a part of.

Have to agree with that.

What's making matters worse for me is that there is another club - not a million miles from here, who appear to have taken over our mantle of a Highland side that is on the way up.

They are obviously doing something right....

Unfortunately, the same can't be said for those charged with the responsibility of running ICT.

That's enough talk about Strathspey Thistle for this topic.

Here, check the highlights of the Hamildump vs Motherwell game, see Reid celebrating their 3rd goal.... ha ha what a c0ck

He must be to celebrate a third goal - they only scored 2.

I was unable to get to the match today so it was interesting if very depressing to read the matchday thread. But one thing which was not mentioned except by one person was the fact that Barrowloads was not on the bench. Was he injured?

Now, I have been very critical of Barrowloads in the past and rate Rooney far higher. I also think Eric, whilst unproven, has real potential and it is great to see he is now fit again, however, I would have put Barrowloads on the bench for this one.

It seems to happen time and time again in football that players score against their old clubs so despite his poor form for ICT to date and the shocking miss last week, he should have been involved in the game at some stage. I would have put money on him scoring. The occasion would have motivated him and the past poor form would have counted for nothing. He may not be as good as Rooney but we need him scoring goals to get his confidence up. Not even being put on the bench for a derby against his old team will have done the opposite and destroyed any confidence he may still have had. I actually feel sorry for the lad.

Eric could have waited till next week.

It's a scouting trip. Knowing Benetiz' transfer record we'll be swapping Barrowman for Torres in January.

Knowing Butcher's, we won't.

O.K. A few points from this discussion.

You don't have to sing and make a lot of noise to be a true supporter.

Supporting the team means applauding them when they do well and not getting on their backs when they are not playing well. If you have the energy to voice a criticism then voice some encouragement instead.

Booing your own team provides support and encouragement to the opposition.

The ground does not lend itself to creating an atmosphere. That does not mean people shouldn't try. People should be free to stay quiet if they wish but let's encourage those who want to be vocal in their support for the team.

For me, a key thing to emerge from this thread is that we are not a united support. There has been a bit of a block G vs block E thing which is nonsense; we have folk who do little but criticise the team and never get behind them; and we have folk who criticise the critics rather than support the team. Away from home we are united. Everybody gets behind the team and an atmosphere is created which clearly the players notice and appreciate. Is it not too much to ask for that kind of positive collective spirit at home matches?

Conclusion: If you want to support the team vocally then please make as much noise as you like. Everyone should encourage that. For those who are vocal, remember that the more vocal you are the more likely it is that other will join in.

If you don't want to sing and shout encouragement; fine, but please make a point of showing some support to your team by applauding good play.

If you just can't help but be negative, do the rest of us and the team a favour and keep quiet. Vent your spleen on the forum or go and support County instread because they must just love you.

A final observation. If you attend a concert - whatever your musical taste may be - it is usual to give the performers a good round of applause at the end. Contrast that with Saturday. A fantastic performance by the team and a long overdue home league win - and what do half the crowd do? Most didn't clap at all but just got up and walked out. I stood to applaud the team and was jostled by the guy next to me who was wanting to get out of the row. If everyone had stood and applauded the team for a couple of minutes, wouldn't that have been good! How good would that have made the team feel? After congratulating each other and shaking hands with the Morton boys one or two looked over to the North stand and saw just a handful of folk clapping - the rest couldn't get out quick enough. After all the effort the team put in, do they not deserve a bit better than that? A good ovation at the end of the game would have encouraged the team to come over and acknowledge the fans. As it was, one or two gave a half hearted wave in our direction but frankly that was more than we deserved. Its all a bit sad really. Not surprising, but still sad.

A wee bit off topic but the home support could show a wee bit more of a community spirit by making sure they 'sort' themselves out so everything is going in the right direction. The amount of damp concrete below the urinals forces me to stand further back than I would like to, just to keep my Sambas dry. Come on, who is it that is causing this?

It's Andy Barrowman. He got his knickers in a twist about the transfer from County and hasn't been able to aim straight since.

As Top 6 says the lets all be negative was a sarcastic chant aimed at people who started getting on the players backs after wee mistakes even when we were winning. Something the home fans appear to revel in doing. Seems to be easier for them to criticise the team than get behind them. This is why we were saying Lets All Be Negative!

I agree that it is really annoying that there are so many negative folk who get on the players' backs after minor errors but how does being negative towards them help? If you're going to sing, how about supporting the team rather than getting on the backs of those who are annoying you by getting on the backs of the players? As IHE says, just ignore them.

I don't think there's any really satisfying response to the issues I've raised in this thread. I just hope the reluctance of the majority who go to the games to actually get behind the team will not rub off on the few real supporters, most of whom seem to be in block G. Keep singing lads.

I know the stadium seems to be designed to prevent an atmosphere but that's no excuse for not trying.

I knew you liked a drink Alex, but never had you down as a freeloader

I didn't have a drink. I was sat there because it was raining and I wanted a dry seat. There was some seats available up there. Missus and I got settled down then a dozen total erss's came out of hospitality and spoiled our game. We actually moved to the N stand for the second half.

Went to the North Stand for a bit of peace and quiet?

Following last weeks great win there was much talk about the need for the fans to get right behind the team today in order to encourage the team to a first home league win this season. What happened? Has swine flu struck and caused everyone to lose their voices? Despite a great performance on the park there was only very sporadic half-hearted singing from the crowd. At times, there was almost complete silence. It was a strange atmosphere in the circumstances.

From where I was sitting (block E) the loudest chants seemed to be a rather unhelpful "lets all be negative" and a rather more entertaining "is this a fire drill?" at the end when some people were leaving the ground before the final whistle.

So there's 2 issues here.

Firstly, why do a small number of supporters make a lot of noise and provide constant vocal support away from home and then stay quiet during home matches? And why do so few people join in the chants and songs? Are they worried someone they know might see them? Worse still, some people don't even clap good football. I was sat behind four lads (late teens, I guess) - 2 of whom were wearing Caley colours - but apart from clapping the goals, I was not aware of them ever applauding anything else let alone give any vocal support. They didn't even applaud Rooney when he was subbed! How can we pursuade those who turn up to watch the team that is it actually not naff to support the team?

Secondly, why do so many people leave before the final whistle goes? What message does that give the team? If they are losing it suggests you have given up hope and if you are winning, why can you not stay to applaud the team at the end? It strikes me as rude. Some may have a weak bladder but for most I guess they just don't want to rub shoulders with the great unwashed in the crush to get out of the ground at the end. If that's the case, then how about waiting till the great unwashed have all gone.

The lack of support and atmoshere at home is getting embarassing and must impact on the team. What do others think?

Rooney strangely enough didn't do much else than score his goals, but after all, that's what he's there for and he took each one well. He could've even had four or five today, with the Morton keeeper excellently saving a goalbound header of his, just after he's scored the penalty.

I agree with most of your comments but think you're being a bit unfairon Rooney. I thought he was brilliant today in all respects and his work rate could not be faulted. He does a lot more than just score goals. On one occasion after he had completed his hatrick he was last man back defending getting an excellent tackle in when Tokely was out of position. How many strikers having scored a hatrick would do that? He was also constantly closing defenders down making them hurry clearances and was effective in laying the ball off allowing Imrie, Sanchez and Foran the opportunity to run in the spaces. Had he not scored at all, his performance would still have been very good. He did a fantastic job for the team.

I'd go for the same but sadly it's not me who picks the team - it's TB. His comments both before and after the match worry me.

In the programme he refers to the poor home form and says "we have tried many different things to change our luck and fortune but nothing has worked so far". As many of us have been saying, the one thing he had not tried is to pick his best players. He finally tried that last week and we got the result. But why has he played Eagle and Stratford so often and why has he not been picking Rooney?

However, after the match today he stated he couldn't change the line up this week because of the performance last week. To me, that implies it is not the line up he really wants. Despite Rooney scoring a hatrick and making an imense impact on the game in other respects, TB was hardly glowing in his praise of the MOTM. Instead, he said he and Barrowloads were similar. I suppose to praise him too much would simply beg the question of why he has ingnored him up till now. However, 4 goals in 2 starts is not easy to ignore and whether he wants to or not, surely TB must give Rooney a prolonged run in the starting 11 now.

It was also interesting to hear the Hamilton manager singing the praises of Richard Hastings performances this season in the SPL. Hastings, you will recall, being the player who TB felt wasn't worth holding on to because he had liability Lionel available at left back.

I remain seriously concerned about TB's judgement about the ability of the players at his disposal. We've got the players to be in the mix at the end of the season but will he pick them? He may have felt that he could risk an attacking formation against a poor Morton side but will he resort to a more negative approach against the tinks and the better teams in the league? His team selection next week will be interesting to say the least.

I thought it was a pretty nervey start but a great composed finish by Rooney for the opener settled the team. We improved from then and created a lot of opportunities. Whilst MOTM has to go to Rooney, Foran was terrific with his industry. Imrie also worked his socks off. To be honest, everybody else was pretty average but solid enough.

Hayes looked good when he came on and Barrowloads looked woeful missing the easiest chance of the match with just about the last (mis)kick of the match. My granny could have scored that - and she's dead. Is there anybody out there who still thinks Barrowloads is better than Rooney?

My prediction for Saturday. Rooney scores a hatrick and is taken off after 80 minutes to a standing ovation!

I'm not one to say I told you so....but!

Not quite sure why Butcher delayed the substitution so long.

I heard Billy Reid singing his praises too. Amongst the euphoria of the results of the last 2 weeks we must not forget that TB rated Djebi-Zadi higher than Hastings. Whilst Golly is doing great, we mell regret having let Hastings go.

Anybody want a Cup Final ticket ?

It reminds me of the woman who bought her Rangers mad husband a season ticket and then kept it back to give as a Christmas present!