Caley Mad In Berks

I assume RV were the stiffest opposition so far this pre season, so maybe this is not a bad result. I look forward to hearing how all our players did. Hope they all got through without further injuries.

Not often I get involved in these squabbles, but what has Esson done wrong to warrant not being our 1st choice goalkeeper? He was exceptional most of last season with umpteen clean sheets as we all know. I'm sure Tuffey is a fine keeper too, but promoting him as number 1 based on one performance for Partick against us seems OTT to me. Personally I'd wait till Esson blots his copybook before replacing him with Tuffey, and I sincerely hope, and expect, that it will be a long time before this is necessary.

Maybe King and his henchmen are on a fishing trip. Like the one IHE initiated with this post! Seems like IHE has got quite a few bites already!

It is very hard to equate FL2 to the Scottish leagues. I see one or two games a year, usually at my nearest club, Wycombe. They have just been relegated back to FL2 after a season in FL1. The clubs would not generally be SPL standard. But I'm sure many of them would hold their own in SL1. Generally the teams are fit and play hard. FL2 is extremely competitive. As can be seen from the Fleetwood Town result (remembering that Fleetwood have just been promoted to a league one below Barnet), they are no mugs. I feel confident that our new signing will fit in well and not take too long to adjust to SPL conditions.

Sounds like he used the same lawyer as SG.

I can't see the the new 'reputation' buttons achieving those design aims. I don't think it will reduce the rubbish very much. But it could put off genuine posters from contributing. For example I noticed the other day that a poster got a couple of negatives merely for saying he didn't like the new home strip. Perfectly reasonable imo for someone to have a different opinion to the masses. But, if that poster was a 'shrinking violet' it could well put him off contributing in the future if he thought he'd get a bunch of 'negatives' if he disagreed with someone elses opinion.

I'm still receiving it on Freeview (ch 83). I hadn't even heard that it was under threat of being removed!

H/T 2-0 F/T 4-0 ICT Odhiambo QP n/a crowd 1875

Tiramisu

Two lads from our course (Reading GC) recently completed 99 holes in a day for charity. Maybe not quick enough for CB, but not a bad effort I thought.

I'm really surprised at this. Yes, we now have 2 great keepers, but how much unrest will there be if one of them feels he is not getting enough first team games? I would rather the wages have gone on a left back, or even centre back myself.

I must have a very special television because the game I saw last night, and, according to the BBC pundits, especially the brilliance of the Spaniards, bore little relationship to what I saw. The first half was just about the worst I saw in the whole tournament. Only in extra time did Spain gain the upperhand and look like they might score. I agree Spain deserved to win, if only for the complete negativity and cynicism of the Dutch, who despite that, created the best chance in the game. The final summed up the whole tournament for me - completely overrated!

You can see from this cross section of replies just how much Lionel polarised views with the ICT support. In my opinion he wasn't as bad as many people made out, but you can be sure he always got the blame for any mistakes in our brittle defence. For me his best games were against Rangers/Celtic. Maybe he likes the big stage. He is certainly an entertainer. I'm sure he could do a job for you, and I might even come and watch if you have a game within striking distance of Berkshire.

Well, perhaps we can all get on now and enjoy the rest of the world cup. I have to say England have had that thrashing coming for quite a few games. They have been absolutely dire. A very average team with too many prima donnas and not enough effort. Topped by a manager who looks as if he learned his tactics playing Subbuteo. And, just maybe the disallowed goal is retribution for 1966, when I've never been convinced that Hurst's contraversial goal was over the line.

Lucky I checked this page, I was going to book a Tlodge tomorrow. How safe is my booking at Fleetwood now. Yes, its a real bummer. I too had sussed out train times and fares and also was going to try for a cheapie ?19 Travel Lodge.

Only about 2 and a half hours from me too. Almost a 'home' game. Reckon I'll be there.

Personally I can understand Tokeley being offered only a 1 year contract. I know he has been a great servant for years but I'm not sure how he'll cope with SPL again. Esson however I cannot fathom why he has not been offered a 2/3 year deal. Clearly the best goalkeeper in SFL last year in my opinion. Is there some clash still between he and Butcher as was evident at end of our last SPL season?

Worked for me! Thanlks for the tip.

I realise that in these sad circumstances, this may not be the place to start an argument, but that remark, no doubt made by someone who knows absolutely nothing about the circumstances, is stupid in the extreme.

I think he has got it pretty well spot on. I certainly don't think there is much to take offence at in that article. Its up to ICT now to do the business next season and produce the crowds, not only at away matches right throuout the season, but more importantly, at home. Our home crowds, especially if we are not doing too well, are poor for our catchment area.

Like many others, I too hope Ryan Esson re-signs for us. Maybe Terry is using his 'interest in Tuffey' merely as a spur for Ryan to make his mind up. Does Esson have other offers he is considering anyway? If not, why is he delaying? As far as I can see, if Esson does go, then Tuffey would be a very capable replacement. But, presumably if Tuffey is free on June 1, then potentially he will have other offers as well, so we could miss out on both of them. Tell me I'm just being paranoid!

I hadn't realised Hamish had died, so thanks CB for that mini tribute. I remember his debut for Caley. I think he was only 16 or 17. He joined a Caley team which was rebuilding after their great side of the early 50s Hamish was always a crowd favourite and a great wee player. RIP

Sign her up immediately.