Caley Mad In Berks

....plus some others I spotted from this week 11 Aug 2015 NoS Cup S Soane (Forres 5 - Rothes 2) 12 Aug 2015 Aberdeenshire cup M Bavidge (2) (Inverurie 3 - Keith 1) M Laing (Inverurie 3 - Keith 1)

Although being initially doubtful, I'm coming round to thinking this is a pretty good move given the depleted nature of our squad. I'm not at all worried about the fans giving him stick. A goal or two early on will have us firmly on his side I have no doubt. I'm more worried about his affect on the dressing room, but will just have to trust that Yogi can manage that aspect. When everyone's fit again there will certainly be competition for the midfield places so again Yogi will have a job to do keeping everyone happy. But, in the meantime I wish him well and hope he makes his mark early on tonight against PT.

11 Aug 2015 Capital One Cup A Shinnie (Bristol R 1 - Birmingham 2)

Just watched the highlights. Christie was amazing. He could easily have had a hat trick. At least we created a few chances in this match, so I'm a bit more encouraged than I was after the 3 Astra / Motherwell games. A good win with a few goals against Partick should boost our confidence.

Nope! http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33801858 Interesting! I don't suppose that was us sniffing about again?

Out of curiosity, when did Adam play for us? He doesn't seem to appear in the 'all time' squad list. Was he perhaps only signed on 'school boy' forms for us?

Sat 8th Aug 2015 Scottish League 1 R McAllister (Peterhead 2 - Stenhousemuir 2) Highland League Z Sutherland (3) (Buckie 1 - Brora 8 )

Well, that was a kick in the teeth at the end. What would have been a well deserved confidence boost just eludes us. Stats for the game indicate that we were well in control, so with a makeshift side, I think the overall performance must have been OK. Looking forward to reading comments from those at the game.

Frankly I don't care who, or how many, County give trials to, or how much they pay them if they sign. I'm only concerned with Yogi doing the best thing for our club. I think in the 18 months or so that he's been here he has done enough for us to trust that he will get it right. I know we all think we could do better, but that is probably why we are just posters on the ICT site, and not actually in the hot seat. Come on chaps, Believe!

Sat 01 Aug 2015 Highland League A Greig (2) - (Brora 11 Rothes 0) D Gillespie - (Brora 11 Rothes 0) Z Sutherland - (Brora 11 Rothes 0) M Bavidge (2) - (Inverurie 4 Formantine 3) I Vigurs - (Inverurie 4 Formantine 3) G Wood - (Inverurie 4 Formantine 3)

I'm sure he knows that. With our budget, where do you suggest he gets them? To be fair he has signed Lopez. Whether Lopez is up to the job is another matter. I was surprised he didn't keep Hooper who at least could score (including one or two when he was trialling with us). Whether Mutombo can play as an out and out striker remains to be seen. I will be interested to hear what folks thought of him today. I think the euphoria of last season will soon wear off and that we will do well to retain top 6 this year. That, in fact, will be an achievement I feel.

Just what I feared, an injury to our most consistent performer. Just hope it is not serious. According to the BBC stats we didn't have even one shot at goal in that half! Must be some sort of record, but one we could do without. Could be a long, hard second half, not to mention season, if we don't start creating a few chances soon.

Not a bad starting line up, but very thin on the bench. Lets hope we don't pick up any injuries today. It is quite worrying that so many of our 1st team squad are injured so early in the season. Ok, Foran and Brill we've known about for some time, but Vincent, Tremarco seem to be taking a while to recover, and if Doran too is now crocked we really would be struggling if any more go down

It is good to read so many positive comments with regard to our chances for this season after our 2 games against Astra. I saw the first game live and the second on computer (admittedly only on small screen, as for some reason every time I tried changing to large screen I lost the picture). The Romanian commentary didn't help either but overall much better than nothing. My first reaction from the 2 games is that I thought we would struggle this season, through lack of goal scoring threat. I obviously hope I'm wrong. I'm not too worried about the defence. When we get Raven playing in his best position at RB and probably Tremarco in at LB I think we'll be fine. Meekings has to play in central defence along side Warren. Imo Warren is just about the best signing ICT has ever made. (But that could be the subject of a whole new thread, which, thinking about it, we've probably done before). So, if we can find a goal scorer from somewhere, and turn our undoubted ball possession ability into some more creative attacking play, then maybe we'll have a chance of top 3 again. Time will tell as the ICT adventure continues..........

Sat 24 July 2015 Scottish Challenge Cup R McAllister (Brechin 0 - Peterhead 3) J Duff (Elgin 3 - Stirling 2) Highland League G Wood (Formantine 1 - Forres 0) C MacMillan (Rothes 1 - Keith 4)

23 July Hayes scored for Aberdeen in their 2-2 draw in Europa cup tonight

Disappointing. Where, oh where will the goals come from this season?

Got more into the game in last few minutes before h/t. Forced a couple of good saves from their keeper. More of same needed in second half. I'm still optimistic. If we can score first I am confident we can win this. Astra look nothing special again. Come on lads, we all really want a night out in London next week!

Agree 100%. The new boy didn't cover himself in glory either!

Anyone watching Scotland v France? Ok, I know it is GB really but with the Murray brothers playing doubles and Proclaimers music in between games, it is really a Scottish occasion. We're 2-1 up in sets now. Magnificent atmosphere, more noise than at many football matches. Credit to the French supporters too. Andy is really fired up for this. Great stuff.

Wow, what an incentive to win next week! A possibility of a 'home' match for me down the road in London. Bring it on.

Just got back down south. That was a game that was there to be won. Astra did not look that dangerous, but neither did we. We had lots of possession but mainly side to side in the middle of the park. Only Christie looked as if he had any imagination going forward. Disappointed in Doran. Of the new boys I thought Wederburn did OK. Unimpressed with Fon Williams for the goal. He was very indecisive in setting the wall and then didn't cover his near post adequately. He made a couple of good stops later though. I fall into the 'what had Esson done wrong' camp. I realise we needed to bring in an experienced keeper with Brill seemingly going to be out for months, but I expected it would have been as back up to Esson, not the other way round. Lopez looked slow, although with a decent touch, but clearly lacking the pace of Marley. Roberts was anonymous in the 10 minutes he was on. I assume Vincent and Tremarco were injured? What about Dave the Rave? Although Meekings did OK, I much prefer Raven at RB with Meekings alongside Warren, who had his usual strong game. Tansey MOM? What was that about? I thought he was OK at best. Draper far from his best. Williams Ok, I like him better the more I see him. My worry for next week, and indeed for the season is where the goals will come from. Anyway, onwards and upwards. Good luck to the team and our supporters over in Romania. Sorry i can't be with you.

Signed as number 1 keeper eh? Bit harsh on Esson I feel who did nothing wrong last season. Also, I'm sure Brill will be delighted when he is fit again.

Many a true word spoken in jest!

9 July Jason Oswell again, for Newton in their 2nd leg win in Malta