Eagle4Caley

Have to say it was a very convivial night!  So interesting to see the faces behind the forum-names, the Philomena was a good venue (and easy to get to and find), they had several screens (and recievers) which meant no probs getting ICT on, and they were very helpful...we even got table service! Seem to remember watching a bit of the game! (Felt we gave Aberdeen a good game...but my usual comments re: needing another forward to help Billy out still apply)

Looking forward to the next one! One day hope to see the place rocking with ICT fans...perhaps 12th Man we will get a flag to hang there when 'in residence'

(and a small shout out to my other team for confirming their presence in the EPL for next season)

Life always feels better after a win over County..... only got to see a bit of the match and not the goals...so hope there are some highlights somewhere.

Be great to have a London and Home Counties branch that could meet over a beer when Caley are on the box...... would be hilarious to taken over a pub near the Emirates or Stamford Bridge and get the viewing switched to a SPFL match (that wasn't Celtic!)

I could obviously post this in the SACKED thread...but I hate seeing negative thread titles about managers (in capital letters!) so here goes

1. So we had a bad run in March...but we had a great run in February; when we were unbeaten, why doesn't that count?, if everytime a club has a bad run they sack the manager that would see a couple of changes every season (like Fulham this season in the EPL)
    
2. Managers have to be allowed to work things through sometimes, getting out of a hole is often more instructive to a manager than a run where nothing goes wrong....sadly this too often isn't allowed to happen (in the EPL especially, yet Norwich and West Ham probably will stay up because they didn't panic and sack the manager)
    
3. Many posters on here have said that Terry Butcher didn't have a plan B..... given that our entire striking option for the last two seasons has been Billy McKay, and the board haven't provided any alternative, and most SPFL clubs know what to expect. Hughes is trying something different, but getting this to work consistently wont happen overnight
    
4. The likes of Marley Watkins and Ryan Christie (and Williams to a lesser extent) are being given their chance under Hughes. In additional Aaron Doran seems to be thriving under Hughes stewardship
    
5. Under Hughes we will surely finish in the top six for a second year running, which I think is a massive achievement. He does seem to have be able to maintain the team spirit.
    
6. We got to the League Cup final, and in my opinion did very well against the club second in the country (in a great run of form), I think Hughes can take some credit for that
    
7. All our key players seem to be very keen to extend their contracts, Vincent in particular was a good result along with Draper...the players must have some faith in Yogi?
    
8. A couple of 0-5 reverses are disappointing, but don't discount the fact we were so close to a Cup Final (does strange things to the mindset of a player), the manager can't do too much if key players who have been playing well all season make a couple of mistakes...it's a long season for a small squad. The same can happen to more fancied teams (Like Arsenal in the EPL, 0-6, 3-6, and a 0-5)
    
9. We won yesterday so surely everything is alright again....but seriously; stability is a good thing for a club to have, and provided the club do something about getting a decent alternative/additional striker to McKay (preferrably one who is taller, and can also hold the ball up) then I think Hughes should be in charge for next season and we will see what he is capable of. We should only consider a change if there is evidence that 'all the wheels have fallen off the cart', and that Yogi has 'lost' the dressing room

There rests the case for the defence, M'lud

The guy is clearly an idiot who doesn't think ICT deserve to be on the big stage.... I was down in the lower section row T and everyone around me was standing up the entire match. There was plenty of noisy support as well if not organised singing....however let's be fair most people want to watch the match not go choir singing, and it was a bit too tense for that sort of thing...ICT have a small average crowd anyway that isn't inclined to be super vocal, BUT considering how big Aberdeen's support was, their vocal backing was found severely lacking for the 30mins of the second half when Caley dominated the game.

Sorry but I fail to see how you think we gave it a right go.

Hughes set us out in a way not to lose rather than an attempt to win, he saturated the midfield in attempt to stop Aberdeen which worked I guess but resulted in a very poor game

Soon as I heard Doran was on the bench I knew what the tactics were and that it was going to be pretty negative stuff

Dougal

We had a tense first half and the wind made things a bit tricky......but for the 1st 30mins of the 2nd half we totally dominated Aberdeen to the extent that their fans cheered wildly when they got as much as a throw in..... even toward the end of extra time I felt we were more likely to nick it. I was surprised that Doran didn't start but rememberd that Yogi had said he had a slight knock. I didn't think it was a poor game at all, at times we played some great stuff and Aberdeen also had their moments.....Christie, Ross and Doran all made good contributions the latter two showing good late season improvement to form which bodes well for the future. Nothing wrong with setting out to contain/control Aberdeen they are after all second in the SPFL and with a massive backing, I thought Devine was outstanding, alongside the ever reliable Meekings.....I thoroughly enjoyed the game, my only reservation is that Billy McKay didn't have a decent big fella to support him (which is something we must rectify for next season) ... some else has said no one remembers the runners-up, which is true, but supporters will remember the day out and take pride that we took the eventual winners all the way

I'm here...with me Caley scarf on, Cafe Nero, just outside Queen Street Station, let's have a great day regardless of the outcome..... 'Come on you Caley'

One more sleep then, train/tube/train/plane/bus/train/hotel/sleep ...match!

Blimey .... I wasn't expecting that, and at home! Do two 5 nil reverses nake us a bad team? I hope we're not putting all of our eggs in one basket.....mind you not the first tine I'm seen a team too concerned about not getting injured to turn up.

How much noise do 30-40k Aberdeen fans make when they are losing?

BTW has anyone who ordered their ticket online recieved their ticket.... I am out in sunnier climes at the mo, so hoping ticket is on my doormat

No....

Although I understand the economic argument that neutral fans have a choice, but success, profile, good football and clever promotions can help, plus Inverness as a destination is superior. You can't beat having a local derby and bragging rights...plus as someone else said Rangers will be back in a season and a bit which will hep financially...Also with two Highland clubs plus Aberdeen in the SPL doing well it might shake the Scottish football hierachy from their Glasgow/Edinburgh centred focus (a bit)

The size of the reverse is a bit of a blow, I wonder if minds were on the next three games, after the way the first half went....if we were to win them all, I guess we wont care...will we?

All interesting comments... sounds like Tansey has come back a more mature player, and importantly adding something to the balance of the side, as does Vincent. With Watkins adding a bit of flair to the attack, it has taken the burden off some of the others. Doran in particular seems to be becoming more of a threat. Glad that Foran seems to have come back reinvigorated and providing McKay some support...when I was up in the autumn against Partick, Foran looked like a headless chicken!

Since Tansey has re-signed, he has only been on the losing side once.... how significant is his presence in the side, he seems to be the first name on the sheet (in midfield anyway)

I accept that Vincent, Watkins and Foran have all come back into the side over roughly the same period, but usually they haven't played full games as match fitness is being built up

Aaron Doran's form has also improved since mid- January is he getting more licence to roam with Tansey anchoring midfield

Is Tansey more of a replacement for Tudor-Jones than Vincent is?

Overall we are looking quite a bit stronger now than this time last year.

That moment when you realise you've got to check the score..... and comes out better than expected - Priceless :crazy:

 

I'm slightly confused...I can pick tickets in the upper tier online....I didn't think that part was an option yet?

 

Situation has been rectified and anyone who purchased seats in the upper tier while it was open will be moved to the lower tier.

 

Thanks for highlighting this.

 

Cheers ...finally I can book!

It is a special section fer soft southern bestards

Yes...I was planning on bringing a cushion and a rug, ..... and a picnic basket!

I'm slightly confused...I can pick tickets in the upper tier online....I didn't think that part was an option yet?

 

I don't understand that Motherwells Stevie Hammell is always getting a call up (if a replacement is needed)

 

I've always believed that there are certain players who get these late call-ups simply because they live near Glasgow airport.

 

Perhaps they don't know Inverness has a very nice airport, with good connections to many places!!!

Great result against a side that had a bit of a hoodoo over us last season.... Tansey seems to be an ever present and important part of the team, be interested in hearing how others think he is playing....with Marley, Vincent and Foran fit, we seem to have a bit of strength about us

 

Can we buy tickets 2moro same as the dons fans?

 

According to the ICTFC Twitter info will be released tomorrow about how / when to buy tickets.

 

I'm surprised how tense I've got waiting to be able to book my ticket!!

£20 despatched

I just wish they would put the tickets on sale, as I am out of the Uk for a week or so just before the final and would like to sort my ticket out before I go, I haven't seen the club give out any news about how tickets will be handled (i.e. no need to register interest etc) so hoping it will be straightforward.

Could be a very significant event for us, glad that JV has rejected the lure of a 'bigger' (!?) move but I think it also says that Inverness is a very special place, and the team a special 'band of brothers'

There's a few of us flying in from England...does that count as abroad? I guess that depends on the result of the independence vote, mind you if it rains any more down here.....glug