Laurence

Somebody asked me for bullet points 1) Great result at Dundee United - Manager bragged to Media - Result loss at home to be relegated Hamilton- moral, hyping up players leads to complacency. Butcher is a very nice guy. Nice guys struggle to motive - hair drying is not a way to sucess - You never get David Moyes bragging about his wins. He struggles with finances too. This scenario was repeated several times last season - Example New England coach blasted team after win , result players hated manager and strived to prove him wrong. Alex Ferguson did it in Scotland after winning Scottish cup against Rangers, blasted team for poor performance. 2) Inabilility to take set pieces - Throw ins in particular. this has nothing to do with money, just poor training 3) The team shows lack of fitness. Matches I went to some players wilted before the hour was up. 4) The team could raise their game last season for big games, but this season they can't do that - heard of 2nd season ssyndrome? 5) The team needs a new face, new training ideas - Somebody who can use the potential with the youngsters at the club, Bringing youngsters through is the only way. They are a great source of revenue. . I don't have all the answers, but I do know a problem when I see it. Aberdeen kept going with their guy too long and I do like loyalty , but relegation is serious and it is obvious it will happen without a change, regrettable but true. Inverness are likely to do the same. I am not a manager basher at all - I think what I am saying is a last resort - When I get over my illness I will want to watch SPL, so I am forever hopeful and I will be chuffed if I am wrong.

Hi Sometimes I think they must hand out rose coloured goggles at matches Get behind the manager - Get behind The Team = Get into Division 1 and an even worse league Time the club face the truth and get their heads out of the sand And before you all start getting personnal ( something I have never done) Never - and cracks like the "worst Poster", are rude and personnal I am entitled to my opinion ( just like any one else ) - Personnal attacks like "worst poster", are totally unproductive and pointless. My opinion is - The slide can only be stopped by a new face at the helm - And I dont mean some old Scotts manager who has long passed his sell by date. I mean somebody Like Aidy boothroyd Everyone is entittled to their opinion, that is why we have forums. If you want to stifle opinions you dont like , then democracy goes out of the window I have been around a long time and my experience tell me blind loyalty gets you relegated, hang on too long and pay the price.

In the last 30years 4 different Scottish Clubs have reached major European finals, considering Scotland is a tiny nation in Europe if you ask me they are punching well above their weight Aberdeen beat Real Madrid in the ECW final 1983 Gothenburg beat Dundee Utd in the UEFA final 1987 Porto beat Celtic in the UEFA final 2003 Zenit beat Rangers in the UEFA final 2008 All Scottish clubs reached their finals in a 10/12 club premier league, the problem is not the size of the league its the money in the game going to the bigger nations dougal ABERDEEN JUST HAPPENED TO HAVE WHAT HAS PROVEN TO BE THE WORLD's MOST SUCCESSFUL MANAGER

Worst League - and worst manager

The Goalkeepers in the championship are top class - Green for instance at West Ham. Schmiecal ( if spelt wrongly apologise) at Leicester - Wonderful goalkeepers - Probably the worst is Steele at Barnsley.

It was nice to see Adam Rooney score at Birmingham on Saturday He seems to be getting settled in better than Goodwille ( if Spelt correctly) Maybe Rooney will have a better chance to suceed Championship level. Blackburn one of my old sides seem doomed Goodwille will have to be on top form to save them. It is a massive step in class for the lad. and the pressure is enormous. Whereas Adam can blend in quietly, with less pressure , and also play in Europe.

Like a computer the human brain can only process the varibles that are out into it I have taken a lot of flack from many of you which is only to be expected , I have watch league football in England since 1949 . In fact I never missed a match for years If there has been anyone more dedicated to supporting teams through thick and thin I would be pleased to see him/her My last team of any note that I followed was Wimbledon. Not a great team but a team under Joe Kinnear that never gave up, they just didn't raise their game for the big matches and idle around for the small fry. I was always happy even when they lost because you could see they gave their all. They were well drilled and they could certainly do set pieces. I though when I came to ICT I was going to be entertained by exciting football. I gave it my best shot, but after the mess of boxing day against ST. Mirren, I thought enough is enough. I am not ancient but I do feel the strain of travelling any distance. I recently had radical cancer surgery, so I am a little weak. I don't want any one feeling sorry for me, I only mention it to show I have no axe to grind. Sometimes it takes a person from outside to show what is going on. I am not a glory hunter, I would not be at home watching Man U or Real Madrid, although Barcelona seems apealing because of their amazing talent. If people try against the smaller teams as much as they do against the big ones then fine. I began to realise motivation was lacking after the great win last season that was followed by a defeat by Hamilton. ICT that day were diabolical. I though it was a one off untill I saw the ST Mirren debacle. Slag me off as much as you want. I feel the more perceptive of you will realise, I am not into this for a slanging match, but to show there are major problems that need to be addressed if they are not, you will go down.

[Hi I wrote this lot above way back I didn't expect anyone to take any notice, but there is such a thing as second season syndrome. I expect either ICT or Dunfermline to be retegated this year. Because Dunfermline have just been promoted and will fight for every point I think ICT will miss out I havent got a season ticket this year. Not prepared to be bored out of my mind for a second year running Either learn to take throw ins or sign Rory Dilap when he becomes a free agent Doubt if I shall visit this forum again Laurence

*** a stupid question *** Oh dear - How do you answer this sort of attack? I just gave you my view of things as they are. How many teams in non league football in Sctland , do not take better throw ins than Inverness The standard of coaching is terrible from where I sit . The team is playing primitive crap. The big boot over the top, for the counter, is primitive when you do it all the time. It is all right supporting a team you have followed all your life. I have no complaint with that. I came to live here in my late 60s. I just dont like what I see. The point I make is, and you wont like it. Is it dosn't matter how big the top division in Scotland is. Inverness have a lot of work to do, to justify being in it. In fairness to Inverness there a 4 or 5 other teams in this division also needing to improve, if this league is to get any where near the standard of the championship or even league one south of the border . Take Carlisle for instanse a much better side than most in the SPL. People have talked about the under 21 Scottish side. The same side who lost to Iceland if my memory serves me right. Name me one team in Iceland, Inverness wouldn't fancy their chances to beat. ? Anyway I have had my say, rightly or wrongly. I have answered the call of the 90 day email reminder to take part. I will be back in another 90 days. bye.

Think you make a valid point/case.....but, the fans can't (directly) improve the product and it's the SPL who are strangling the atmosphere with things like all-seater stadia and no standing rules. What's more. the product isn't going to get any better by reducing competitiveness and introducing measures which will make it tougher for clubs to nurture young talent and generate a more entertaining product. Smaller league size will only lead to even more turgid football as desperation to avoid relegation intensifies. It's things like the above which seem to have been totally overlooked/ignored in this whole Scottish Football Reform thing. You can make all the changes in the world to ensure clubs are more financially stable, but if you kill the product in the progress then you lose customers and it becomes pointless endeavour. No reason why football can't be made more enjoyable, thus giving the fans something to cheer about, and also introduce measures which deliver financial "breaks" for clubs. A good reply I only gave you my perception, I wish the team all the best. But they have a lot of work to be done, I am afraid. Inverness is a growing city, Maybe it will continue to grow and just maybe as other area's in Scotland decline , Inverness will make a bigger impact in the life of Scotland. I took no pleasure in what I said. I maybe look at things from a new-comers point of view. But if you can't sell the product to newcomers, what is the point? I have spent my life watching struggling teams, from Bury to Blackburn to Wimbledon to Lewes. But all those teams had one thing in common, "passion", which seems lacking in the matches I have seen this season. ( With the exception of the Rangers game ) , I don't see all the games as I am getting quite old now, but the ones I have seen, will not live long in the memory. My other perception is Terry Butcher, after the Dundee United match , and the 4 1 victory , he waxed lyrical. I knew it was a mistake, the next match, Inverness lost to Hamilton. He should take a leaf out of Fergies book, when Aberdeen beat beat Rangers in a Scottish cup final, he criticised the teams performance. Sometimes a manager has to play mind games, our man is too busy shaking hands, and being a nice guy.

Look I can only tell you my perception of the team I put my faith in. Pick me up on grammar, on spelling mistakes huff and puff, My reception is based on many years of watching professional football. Your reaction to my post only shows either you don't understand it, or you don't want to understand it. You quote exceptional performances away from home. Good performances I am sure. But a team is judged on what it dishes up for it's home fans. I bought my season ticket , and other contributions, but I don't think I will next season

The problem is if we don't pull our socks up it doesn't matter if it is a two team SPL. Which it virtually is, or a 20 team SPL. We will always be struggling. The games I have seen this season, I think we are pathetic. My daughter came with me on Boxing day. Her reaction was " a waste of twenty quid" . As she is a student the waste of £20 hurt. We can' retain the ball, we can't pass to feet. We can't take corners, We can't take throw ins for love nor money. Our free kick taking is as bad as it gets. Our midfield is none existent, so we have to boot the ball over their heads. In short in footballing terms it is primitive crap. What are the coaches doing all week in training, I see better throw in takers in the park on Sunday mornings. I was sent an email by this forum, to say , why have you not visited us, now you know why. The supporters, are the worst I have ever seen. They are the quietest I have ever seen, unless they are berating the referee or telling the opposition manager to get back in his box, they seem incapable of understanding what is going on. Every time the ref blows in favour of the opps. They shout cheat or similar at the ref. The team in defence stand off all the time ( closing down, seems anathema to them ) The ops attack can take pop shots all game long, with no challenge. No wonder the team like it better away from home. Of course I am new to the area, I gave ITC a chance, I now wonder why? So Mr Doncaster do what you want, but from where I am standing you are peeing up brew as they say in my native Lancashire.

Reading forum comments nobody would realise that the season is becomming real messy - 3 home matches 3 defeats How many more defeats before somebody moans? Away form can't carry a team up the league.

Nothing to do with systems, or weakness's we were diabolical, that's all. We were a mess from start to finish. And also if you take my advice don't boo oposition players, who used to play for us. It only spurs them on to crack in the goal of the season.

could have been worse. Hamilton at home ? no chance

***********I think it's fairly academical, we will hammer Hamilton, in great style . ************* , Notice I am now saying we, although I have only supported ICT for a very short time.

Hi Today is my birthday by the way - born 1st August 1943 I took my train from Aviemore to Inverness at a quater to one, turned up at Inverness about 40 mins later, It was raining quite hard, being on the mean side ( no taxi ) I decieded to get a bus. Nobody could tell me were I could get one. Eventually I was directed to a 25x , who dumped me on the highway opposite Medceded Benz showroom. Still pouring down, I walked towards the Caledoneon stadium. Spray from passing trafic and puddles on the pavement didn't help. I had to negociate the roundabout, Notice said " high speed trafic, cross with care ". I have an old Rugby League injury which means my knee is sore, so running is not my strong point. I stood by the road getting covered with spray untill suddenly a gap appeared in the trafic and I went for it. I then proceded to walk to the ground at a sedate pace. On my left side a salt distribution depot, surounded by railway lupins, and thistles, not the nice traditional Scotish thistle but an ugly corruption of this plant, on the other side a beautiful seascape second to non of views from any British soccer stadium. I puzzled in my own mind who could give planning permission for a football ground acessed by an high speed road, with no flyover. I never cease to be amazed. On arrival at the ground I entered the stadium, for the first time, never before had I been into any sort of stadium in Scotland and I was quite impressed. I was puzzled by the names on seats, and I wonered where to sit, worried that the owner whose name was on the seat, would have a claim on it. I did eventually sit on a seat marked David Cameron, which I thought had a certain irony, as a life time member of Labour and the trade unions , I had to smile. I chatted to a couple of supporters of Queen's Park, we were discussing the history of the club. I was amazed at the fact that all the players were totally ameteur. It was mentioned that if it had embraced professionalism in the old days, it would probably be a top team in Scotland if not Great Britain, throughout the ages. The game set off , Queen's looked busy, and Inverness looked rusty. An early atack showed no 18 to be tottaly out of position on the left side of the midfield, he certainly looked like a squre peg in a round hole. In fact in the first attack, he gave the ball away in a sloppy manner which put Queen's immediately on the counter. The first 20 mins I thought it was hard to think which team was in the higher division, which players were paid, and which were ameteur. I suppose the strenth of the Inverness defence , was the difference. I was particulary impressed with the ability of the left footers in defence , No 3 ( very one footed) , and No5, who for the life of me should not be taking throw ins. No 18 although playing on the left side can't kick at all with his left, and kept wandering out of position. His positional sense was very poor. He did however looked dangerous in the middle ( Diago Forlan like) when he ran with the ball. He also like to take set pieces, a feature he should forget. The three goals were well taken, especial y lthe one scored by the defender that I thought was real class. The strenht of the ICT players showed towards the end as the willing Queens Park players wilted. I remember thinkinking they will have to play much better than this in the SPL, or they will be cut to ribbons. On occasion Queens Park did break through the ICT defence but failed to score, This could have been more serious against better oposition. My view having seen many games in England at all levels that the standard is better than the conference. About as good as league two. A couple of the ICT defenders could get a game in a Championship side. Something that did puzzle me was the ICT goalkeeper, threw the ball right handed, but kicked with his left. Having said all the above I know the players are still not mach fit , and there are injuries, but they sure have to improve to survive in the top flight. Just an opinion , but I have watched the game now for over 60 years.

Hi I should like to pay tribute to one of my heroes. He lost his battle against cancer today I know what it's like to fight cancer. RIP

By Tram

That is a good point. Somehow living in the far North of Scotland we get into a 1976 time zone. Just a for instance > If the club contacted somebody like the Thistle Hotel, or the Many car salesrooms on the Industrial estate, I am sure someone would sponser it. The running these days is all wireless technology, and no harder than programming your own computer. All the players kit sponsors could have their names broacast over it before the games, adding maybe a tenner to the kit sponsership. There a lot of big Hotels and large firms in Inverness who would buy time on the scoreboard. Just a case of somebody at the club grasping the nettle. If a little Lancashire club like Bury can have a scoreboard, and I know they have had one for at least 10 years, so can Inverness , for God's sake. When the Celtic fans turn up at the ground in a few weeks time, they will think they are back in 1976.

Iam not sure but when I used to go to Selhurst Park, not many years ago, there was no scoreboard, The hosted Wimbledon then in the Premier league, and Crystal Palace. When I went to Gigg Lane Bury, they had a very nice scoreboard. It was paid for by the sponsars who adevertised on it. It used to give out loads of information about local events, junior events and such like. It was run by the club press officer Gordon Sourfleet, who would program it from his lap top, using wireless technology. If the club are at all interested, they should contact Gordon at the Bury Club.

I get a frisson of excitement just thinking about the new season, and it's not yet two years since my first match at ICT. Never imagined I'd get reeled in so comprehensively... Furthermore, the poster called Wilsononourwing runs a 'BELIEVE' bus and, sooner or later, everyone has to get on it welcome along Laurence just out of intrest where abouts did you get your seat...are you a main stand sweetie rustler like me?? or a north stand singer Hi It is the Jock MacDonald Stand Row G I have no idea whether it is the main stand or not. I just hope I get a good view. see you there.

Hi I suppose to be absolutely technical. Promotions and relegations are not verified until the annual general meetings of the various leagues. At those meetings the formality of voting the teams in whatever division takes place. It has been known for teams to be denied promotion in England because the stadia was not good enough etc. Laurence

Ok Having watched one of Neil Warnock's teams on a regular basis, I am used to the long ball game. Laurence

Well the deed is done, the die is cast - My money spent , goodness knows what I am in for. I have never seen a football match in Scotland live. I once saw Celtic play at Burnley in what was billed as an Anglo Scottish cup match. The cetic fans rioted and were banned from the competition. Throwing iron railings at the police didn't help their reputation . My only other time I saw a Scotish team play, was the Airdionians at Gigg Lane Bury, again an Anglo Scottish cup match. A good game if my memory serves. I don't know if it is a first , but I think it is an unlikely event , that a season ticket holder , will see his first game , in a nation , let alone a club. Hopefully I will be treated to some good games. :023: