Caley Mad In Berks

Yes, curious, and yet "flammable" and "inflammable" mean the same. Sorry for straying off topic. I feel this could lead to a whole new thread!

Very good news. Having seen all 3 Englandshire friendlies it was clear that the defence was shaky, to say the least, and the defeat at Motherwell confirmed that. But, fair play to Tel, he has moved quickly to rectify matters with first Pietmayr, then Tudor-Jones and now, the best of the lot, the return of Hogg. So now we have both cover, and when all are fit, real competition for places in the defence. I'm looking forward to the season with new found optimism.

I too thought that Stevenson was not too bad against Aldershot, although he was hooked at half time. Don't know if he picked up a knock. He also featured against Yeovil in what was our best performance of the three friendlies, so I would be inclined to keep him.

Although I'll give the lads credit for trying to play football, this standard is just not good enough. Aldershot are a middle table FL2 side, but they outplayed us in the first half. We only created a couple of chances in the whole game, one for the goal and one right at the end when their keeper made a good save. Unlike against Bristol, this was a reasonably strong side we had out, and I expected better when I heard the team. I didn't see Doran get injured. He hardly touched the ball whilst he was on. Could have still been in Blackburn for all the influence he had on this game. There have been one or two plusses in the 3 friendlies I've been to this week - Nick Ross finding out where the goal is for one. Another is that Aldred has the makings of being a good defender. He seems to be becoming a favourite with the faithful already. Still shaky at the back though, Gillet had a poor game today but Rossco very sound. I know friendlies are mainly just for fitness and match practise, so I'm trying to remain optimistic that everything will be OK next Saturday.

To answer the previous poster's question, it was definitely 'on the floor' football we played - quite impressive mainly. Yeovil gave us the runaround for first 15 minutes and but for Esson, would have been further ahead. We settled down after the equaliser, a reasonably well worked, but ultimately soft goal, and then controlled the rest of the first half. Meekings got a nasty injury, carried off, and replaced by Proctor, half way through the half. 2nd half Yeovil replaced all 10 outfield players. We had much the better of the 2nd half although Yeovil surprised us more than once with good efforts on goal. The penalty was a good call. We could have had an earlier one too when Foran was nudged, much to his disgust. Looks like we have found Rooney's replacement for penalties in Tansey who took it very confidently. Pick of the goals was Andrew Shinnie's free kick from about 25 yards - a peach. Good move for Foran's goal near the end. Andrew Greig came on for Andrew Shinnie for last 10 minutes - no other changes. Pick of the new boys for me was definitely Tansey - looks like a good find. Overall I was reasonably encouraged by the performance, although we looked shaky at the back on many occasions and both Yeovil goals were down to poor marking. We could have had 6 or 7 quite easily. Their giant keeper did well. Yeovil have a nice little ground, 2 stands along the sides and open standing terracing behind the goals. Friendly locals who seemed to think we were quite a good side. Of the 700 odd spectators, I doubt we had more than 20. I suspect we'll have more for the next two.

Yes, I agree with you about Sandy. It has been hard watching his steady decline over the last several years. To be fair to him though, he has done OK on the senior tour this year with a 1st and 2nd to his name already. I think I might have a nostalgic fiver for him to make the cut this week at Sandwich. Over the years I've followed him round several championship courses down here, including Wentworth, Sunningdale, Woburn and The Oxfordshire and generally there have been a fair few diehards watching him with me. The time at the Oxfordshire was quite funny. It was back in the 90s and I went up there to make a day of it. Lyle had an early start. After watching his round on a cold, wet morning I went into one of the refreshment tents for a spot of breakfast. I was there in my full golfing wet gear including white bonnet. A lady came up to me and asked me for my autograph, something that is not a regular occurrence I assure you. I asked her who she thought I was and she replied "Mark McNulty" (a well known South African player who always wore a white bonnet). I laughed and told her I was not Mark. "oh", she said, "I'm dreadfully sorry, you're Christie O' Connor". At this stage I didn't have the heart to let her down again so I scribbled "C O'Connor" on her programme (right below Nick Faldo's name) and off she went quite happy. By this time there were a few people taking notice so I thought I'd make a quick exit. I went along to the practice area to decide who I would follow round in the afternoon, and who should be there but Christie O' Connor, respendent in full, identical wet gear and his trade mark white bonnet, so I told him what had happened and we both had quite a chuckle over it. My one and only claim to golfing fame!

My thoughts exactly! When pro's can reach par 4's with a 5 iron there's something no quite right. I understand wanting birdies and eagles to make viewing more exciting but it has to be with skill and guile not just due to several holes which are patently too easy. IMHO the fairways need tightening up and possibly some more strategic bunkering.That said, all credit to all concerned on the building of the course and bringing a competition of this calibre to the area,and well done for dragging it back from the brink and getting a successful if not so exciting conclusion.I'm sure lessons will be learned and next year will be great experience. Yes, I echo the sentiments of the two posters above. Luke Donald is not the longest off the tee but he made it look like a pitch and putt course. Having said that, I'd love to play it. Most of the championship courses I've been lucky enough to play are so long nowadays that I can barely reach any of the par 4s in two. Castle Stuart I think I'd have a chance.

The ref certainly made a tit of him/her self!

Pity he dropped a couple of shots on the last hole of his second round. Still, another great performance and a good lead. I think he'll hang on this time, hope so anyway.

Really hope this Aldershot game comes off - only 20 miles from me! Great pre season tour this year for the south of Englandshire exiles. Really looking forward to meeting the rest of them, plus I hope, quite a few from Sneck.

It is called "In a different league", and recounts his c20 year career in Highland League football from about the mid 50s. It is a great read but probably more so for someone like myself who remembers those years.

Good on the 'rebel' clubs. It seems they have listened to their fans, and got the crazy 10 club league ditched. Let's hope the alternative is more appealing. I'd say this decision is a victory for fan power and common sense.

Only a wild guess, but maybe after he has signed!

Crawley walked away with the Conferance title this season. They are a decent team with great ambition. I suspect they will do very well in Div 2 next season. Russell could do a lot worse.

Brilliant, another 'home' game. You'll certainly see me there.

That's a very interesting comment, similar to Nick Griffin's quote - "We can't talk about immigration without being accused of being racist." Not sure about you but I know that when he says that, that is exactly what he is being and will continue to be. As for liking or disliking of people, I was always brought up to believe that you actually had to meet someone and engage in dialogue before you were in a position to form a like or dislike (love or hatred) of them. Thankfully, this has held me in good stead as I go forward in life. My children are now brought up the same way which can only be good for us a society. People often develop hatred of certain evil figures that have has an impact on their lives. This can be legitimate as even though they haven't met. For example, people hate Ian Brady, Myra Hindley, Ian Huntley etc. without ever having come into contact with they in most cases. All are child abductors, abusers and murders. What is it that Neil Lennon has done that makes him warrant the same status in your eyes? What heinous crime has he committed to match the above? Or would you care to share with us, the meetings and difficulties you have had with Neil Lennon, the person not the pantomime devil, that gives legitimacy to your view? Sorted, I think you have the balance a bit wrong. To say that one should not form a liking for or disliking to another person is all very laudible, but with respect, a bit naive. You are implying that for Neil Lennon not to be liked, he should be in the same category as mass murderers. That is ridiculous. There is plenty that Neil Lennon has done over the years which could lead people to dislike him - a few examples - 1 Blatantly cheating v ICT to get Juanjo sent off 2 Petulance (eg kicking water bottles) 3 Aggressiveness (eg squaring up to McCoist on the touchline) 4 Constant whining about referees None of this of course warrants the extreme actions displayed against him and his family. But it certainly could lead him to be disliked by lots of reasonable minded people who have never met him.

There is one about 10 minutes walk from the ground...with the pub next door. I think Mr/Mrs Yeovil doth take the urine. According to Travelodge site, its a 10 mile drive taking 21 minutes Premier Inn on t'other hand is only 1.2 miles and could be the one Mr/Mrs Yeovil is on about. unfortunately no offers on at the moment at that hotel Beat me to it with this post. I too checked out Travel Lodges and found the nearest one is miles away from the ground. I'll check out Premier Inns too, but may just end up driving home after game. I reckon I'm about 2 hours away.

Well done lads. Sounded as if we created quite a few chances towards the end. 7th place guaranteed, and above Motherwell on points!

Hope this is true. Only 90 miles from me, almost a home game!

Yes, its good to see the ref get some deserved praise for a change. I had no complaint with Rossco's penalty, but the attempt by McCourt in the last few seconds was laughable.

Aberdeen can't catch us now, so 9th at the worst! We'd have all taken that last August!

Well, how good was that? Watched it with a bar full of Rangers fans. I think I am now a Freeman of Ibrox! As the only, visible, ICT, real supporter in the bar, I am sure I accepted this accolade, plus the offer of sex with just about any of the wives/girlfriends there! For me this certainly matches our previous 3-2 home victory, and even comes close to 8/2/2000, if that's possible. I cannot say how proud I am of this performance. Surely Grant Munro's display of commitment will make Tel rethink for a further year, But for me, our MOM, amidst 11 stars, is Gillet. After a dodgy first 20 minutes, he was immense. All in all, I can't think of a performance from the whole team, which, pound for pound, matches that, in a long time. I bask in the reflected glory of what supporting ICT means to all of us.

Just leaving to go and watch it with an ardent Gers fan in a 'Rangers' pub in Reading. At least it shoud be the first time that a whole pub will be wanting ICT to win!

Some great matches this year and it is good to see the emergence of a new exciting talent in Judd Trump. I was hoping he would beat Higgins in the final. Don't know how others feel but I can take no joy in Higgins winning (even though he is Scottish) after all his frame throwing allegations which came to light last year. I can't understand why he only got a 6 month ban, whilst his manager was banned for life for the same offence. For all the improvements Barry Hearn has made as the new snooker supremo, I feel he totally bottled it over the Higgins incident. Had he shown some balls and banned Higgins for several years I would have had a lot more respect for him. Others in the past have had much more severe bans for similar offences (eg the Aussie Quentin Hann who got an 8 year ban a few years ago). Incidentally I don't kow how far the investigation into Steven McGuire and Jamie Burnett for alleged betting irregularities a couple of years ago has got. It will be an interesting comparison how Barry Hearn treats that one eventually.

Like many others, I'll be sorry to see Duncan go. I fear it is the thin edge of the wedge for the old guard. McBain a few weeks ago, Duncan now, how long for Munro, Tokeley, Golabek? Not long I suspect. Inevitable I suppose. I hope Terry has some good replacements lined up. That's a lot of experience to lose, especially if they all go together.