Caley Mad In Berks

I've only seen one game this season so far, but from what I've read, it seems the time is right to give Fraser a rest. If indeed Essen does get the nod on Saturday, I hope he is given a decent run in the first team. Not dropped after one game as Zibi was last year!

More or less what I said on in an earlier reply on this thread. Roscoe was 'absent without leave' for the second goal. As a right back, he just must cover the far post in this sort of situation. He provided no challenge to Loovens whatsoever. Although he's been a great servant to ICT over the years, I fear he is becoming a liability these days.

Just watched the game on Setanta with a Rangers fan, who of course, today, was shouting for ICT as loudly as I was. I thought we played well, and clearly shaded the first half. If only Wood had scored that great chance! A few costly mistakes in second half. Why wasn't Tokeley challenging for the second goal at the far post? Nevertheless, if we can keep up this level all season, we will beat a lot of teams, and should, I hope, finish no worse than mid table. Cowie and Imrie both were magnificent. Overall, I was encouraged. A word too for the referee. He has had some shockers in the past, but today I thought he had a great match.

We were extremely charitable in extending his contract a few months ago when most other clubs would have shown him the door then. However, I hope he can stay injury free and find his level, whatever and wherever that may be.

ffs Mr Asterisk, it was already clear to most of us that Scarlet had his assessment of you spot on. You don't have to continually prove it. Give it a rest!

Strange! McGuire had, by all accounts, his best game for us in ages, last week - and gets dropped!

Could be worse! Semi final a distinct possibility now.

Someone, tell that man the lady has gone!

I can't remember a season when we have had such a run of "easy" games at the start. Had we not gifted Hamilton and St Mirren these wins we would have been top of the SPL! I just hope our failure to capitalise on the "easy" start to the season does not come back and bite us.

A positive, I suppose so, but Livingstone are not exactly the benchmark I would want to judge our success against!

Great to see a lot of the well known junior teams in the draw. I feel sorry for Wick, Brora and Forres with such long journies for possibly no reward!

"On yonder hill there stood a coo ....." William McGonigal

Very good description. Unfortunately it would not surprise me if he's in the frame. Still, maybe he'll keep Barton under control. Btw, you must be a glutton for punishment supporting Newcastle. I think their board has rivalled even ICT's for incompetence over the last few years.

You're slipping up IHE - a constructive post, no less. And one I completely agree with. Quick, pass me the smelling salts!

Good to see that we can at least score penalties!

ffs

It's obviously understandable that, with the Premiership season now underway, that Liverpool will not risk any of their stars in what, to them, is a fairly meaningless friendly. However, i just wonder if the match would have been the near sell-out that it is, if everyone had known from day one just how strong a side Liverpool would take north!

If Brew's intention is to give Duff a decent first team run to see if he cuts the mustard, I would support that decision. It is interesting that most posters are willing to forgive him his match losing error against Hamilton. How different to last season when Zibi, in goal for his first time in the first team against Aberdeen, made a bad error to give a goal away which contributed to our defeat. He was immediately dropped, and constantly castigated by most folk on here for the rest of the season. This despite, I'm led to believe, consistently good displays in our successful reserve team all season. What has caused this change of heart? Is it just that Duff is young, and 'home grown' that my fellow posters have become so tolerant?

Yes, well done to Brew. An ambitious signing which I think has surprised all of us. Brew does seem to have a good eye for a player, so I'm optimistic this will turn out to be a good signing. I'm looking forward to seeing him play now!

Absolutely right CD. About the only person who comes out of this whole sorry business with credit is Marius himself. As far as I can see, apart from his obvious talent, he has been a model professional, never once complaining about the shoddy way his probable imminent departure has been conducted. I'll be really sorry to see him go. I would have signed him up for another 2 years. No doubt now we'll see the 'saving' on his wages being wasted on 2 or 3 has-beens.

Or, to be even more pedantic, I think it should be 'wrongly', in the context you used it!

Welcome back IHE. Where have you been all these weeks? Sharpening your anti Marius claws I bet! I noticed that when Marius was picked by Romania for the Euros, much to your surprise, you were almost supportive of him for a week or two. But its good to see you back flying your true colours again. That way we all know what to expect from you. No doubt you'd like to see ICT spend Marius's wages, or even exceed them, on two or three numptee has-beens from SPL!

I'd definitely keep him, if we could get him signed up for at least another 2 years beyond the end of his current contract. Otherwise, obviously I'd cash in. Assuming he did sign up for 2 more years that would take him beyond next world cup. If he were still to be in Romanian team then, assuming they qualify, then his value would be even greater than it is now.

I'm well aware of the fact that he was on loan. However, I didn't know that it was 'his choice' not to stay and fight for a place. Where did that info come from?

Crazy in my opinion to have to spend money on a keeper when we had a perfectly good back up in Zibi. The money they will spend on a keeper could have been used more wisely on another defender.