Caley Mad In Berks

H/T 0-1 F/T 0-1 ICT Rooney 'tic n/a crowd 17501

H/T 1-1 F/T 3-1 ICT Rooney Hearts Black Crowd 4201

H/T 0-1 F/T 0-2 ICT Odhiambo Hibs n/a Crowd 10501

I started watching Caley, as a small boy, in about 1950. I still can tell you all of Caley's all conquering side of 51/52, and there was no MacLennan in that. Could he have been slightly earlier? Or even later, as I certainly can't remember everyone who played following their great 51/52 side. But the name unfortunately rings no bells with me. Talking of that great 51/52 side, there were certainly one or two players in that side who would not be out of place in ICT's current SPL side. But perhaps that could be another thread - Highland league players from before ICT days who we would like to see in the current squad!

Sincere condolances from me too. I had the pleasure of meeting the Coias at an away match many years ago. Haven't seen them on the forum for a long time, presumably Alison's illness being the reason. R.I.P.

H/T 1-0 F/T 3-0 ICT Odhiambo Hamilton n/a Crowd 3551

Yes, I remember it well also. It was so foggy late in the game that I had real worries that my return flight to London would be cancelled. However, it did eventually take off, a bit late as I remember. Who would have thought that 9 months later we'd be talking about that being our last away defeat in a competitive match?

Yes, that was a cracking save near the end, which he does not seem to have had much credit for. Being a bit picky, he was 'nowhere' for the corner which was headed off our line (by Rooney?) in the first half. Nevertheless he has been outstanding for about a year now, and wouldn't let Scotland down if called upon.

H/T 2-0 F/T 4-0 ICT Sutherland P'head n/a Crowd 1151

Having a clear out and found 2 old programmes : Caledonian Thistle v Rangers at Tannadice on 9 Mar 1996 SC QF and Dundee Utd v ICT on Feb 14 1998 SC R4 Any interest?

How sweet was that? I can't believe how complimentary BBC Radio were to us. I think they must have confused us with the OF! I said last week after Celtic match that I was still optimistic for the season. This result confirms and enhances my optimism. Well done to Terry and the team

H/T 1-1 F/T 1-2 ICT Rooney DU Dods Crowd 7155

Here we are again, when all else fails, blame the ref. If you really thought he was shocking today, prepare yourself for a very long, disappointing season. There will be much worse to come. For my money, the ref today had a good game.

No complaints from me. Apart from the first 20 minutes they were pretty well 'all over us', and could have had 3 or 4. I thought our defence played really well and couldn't really fault any of them, with Esson and Gillet the pick. Apart from at the start we didn't dominate in midfield which meant that up front we didn't really feature. Only one half chance for Rooney in whole game. Nevertheless, I am not too discouraged. We will probably play poorer than that this season and win. Good to see Hayes play most of the match. I'm confident that he'll be a handful for most teams when 100% fit. Good too to see Eric feature pretty well at this level, especially in first half. Overall a 6+/10 from me, still leaving me with plenty optimism for the season.

Yes, just the type of big, strong player who will do well in SPL if he stays injury free. I wouldn't mind betting they got him for next to nothing too as he clearly hasn't been flavour of the month with Tony Pullis for quite some time.

H/T 1-0 F/T 1-0 ICT Foran 'Tic n/a Crowd 7495

I was wondering when you would mention this, as a supporter of a rival club in the city. Yes, Coppell walked out of Man City, I think, a few years ago after only a couple of weeks. I didn't really rate him at Reading even though he got them promotion (and subsequent relegation). Yet, he has years of managerial experience under his belt so I guess he must have something. I always felt he lacked a bit of charisma, and needed a 'bit more fire in his belly'. Don't think we'll see him back in football management in a hurry.

Yes, it seems that most teams, except us, are not shy in valuing their players. What is the most we have received for any of the players who have gone to 'bigger' teams? Was it Robson, Brown, Black or Cowie? I seem to remember ?150K being about the most we got. Excluding Marius of course, who was a slightly different case.

Wasn't he on the brink of resigning several months ago? I think things started to turn sour for him with the long drawn our Gareth Batty transfer saga, and now that Milner seems set to be off too was probably the final straw.

As ever, Butcher comes across well, and is positive and optimistic about the coming season. Quite an endorsement for Fraser and the Board too. Nice to hear after all the stick they get most of the time.

For me the 'reputation' buttons are no more than a bit of fun. If they were intended to be for real, then, because the system is so open to abuse, they fall a long way short of what any design intentions might have been. Wouldn't be surprised to see them scrapped within a few months.

What utter nonsense!! I take it you've never seen Foran and Hayes playing before? These guys are very talented players. They are the types of player who will win matches for their team irrespective of their "match fitness". If TB leaves these two out for the Celtic game, citing lack of match fitness as a reason, then he's a bl0ody idiot. Foran took precisely 60 seconds today to blast the lack of match fitness theory right out the window. Jonny Hayes is also more than capable of doing the exact same thing. Despite your rudeness, Johnboy, I actually hope you are right and that Foran and Hayes can be match winners against Celtic. As it happens I saw them play live at least 5 or 6 times last season so I know they are talented players. Having said that I will still be surprised if they both do 90 minutes againast Celtic. Time will tell.

Sounds like a decent enough result against a big, strong side. We seem to miss the creativity of Hayes and Foran and it seems doubtful that they will be match fit enough to play 90 mins against Celtic. Hope they at least might be fit enough to make an impact as subs (like Foran did today). Otherwise it might be a 'hard day at the office'next Saturday

Really, what was it called? I didn't know they sold books. Did you manage to get a cup of tea too? Seriously, I recently read " Life of Pi", by Jan Martell, and would thoroughly recommend it.

No harm in hoping though.