PerfICT

...not very fair for Fraserburgh if we have 12 players (xii)!

Interesting article from Duncan Shearer in the Scotsman: http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/teams/inverness-ct/duncan-shearer-inverness-ct-overplayed-under-john-hughes-1-4162686 I like the sense of togetherness around ICT at the moment and I'm glad to see the acknowledgement from within the coaching team that we "overplayed" last season. I'm really optimistic for this season: a combination of players with the skills and coaching to retain possession when necessary, and a more attacking philosophy could work very well.

Length of contract might be the way to go. 3 year contract would be my call! C'mon Richie, do your stuff and get this guy in!

Higginbottom is an excellent player and just what we need behind the striker. I'd be surprised if we could get him because he should be in demand - would be fantastic if we managed this one!

WM is talking sense for some of this article, but his knowledge of ICT's youth policy is off the mark. That is not to say that we have a fantastic youth system (CC would be the first to acknowledge that) and it isn't even called an academy, but on a very tight budget, we do OK. After all,the proof in the pudding is in the products that come out of it and Christie, Polworth and Nick Ross are recent examples of strong successes. The Highland football Academy is a farce - the astro pitch at Charleston is outdated, bumpy and not accredited by SFA, so can no longer be used for games at any level. So, that's the Inverness end of things - the dingwall indoor facility is quite clearly thought of by Ross County as theirs - our boys treck up there during the winter, but only as a gesture to remind RC that it is supposed to be for both clubs! In saying that, the new outside astro at Dingwall (which I believe does belong to RC) is exactly what we need in Inverness! So, given the budget, being able to field teams for u11-u17 is a pretty good effort, even if the coaching qualifications are not regarded by the SFA as sufficient for our lads to compete at all these levels against the likes of Celtic and DUFC. The number of players making it to full time football over recent years is comparable to any club and the fee for Christie alone justifies the investment.

What an interesting insight. I was particularly intrigued by the comment that Raven and Hughes' apparently mutual "differences" were not unique amongst the players and manager. I think it confirms that all was not well in the camp this season. Delighted that fan power did the job - was the backing of Raven from the fans the final straw for Hughes, I wonder?

This looks like a sensible acquisition. Newport finished 3rd bottom and he still managed 13 goals in 45 games. Before anyone starts suggesting that this is a poor scoring record, it is worth noting that Miles Storey (who we'd have loved to have retained) had an almost identical record with us. Welcome Scott and well done Richie!

On balance - happy. Yes, there's an element of risk, but there's also an element of security in that everybody knows what he'll give and he really loves the club. Also happy because the alternative would have meant risking financial security to bring somebody with experience in. If he can get a decent striker through the door, we'll be fine next year at least. The tricky bit will be replacing our best players as they leave the club.

Yes, inevitable appointment, but 4 years seems lengthy for an untried commodity! Anyway, welcome, Richie and I look forward to your promise of togetherness and a new style of play! I am also glad to see that you've decided to hang up the boots - not that you wouldn't have something to offer on the pitch, but I think there would be a conflict of interest if you had continued playing.

Sorry to see Deano go - such a shame for him that he missed out on the cup final....and a medal IIRC. DB and OFW both have strengths and it is tough to have to choose between them, but I think there would have been an element of risk with Deano, so I support the decision. Good luck big man and I will gladly applaud you if you return to TCS for another team.

Haven't renewed my season ticket yet - not so much a protest as apathy brought on by the antics of the last few weeks. I'm sure I would have renewed anyway, but the announcement about David Raven has ensured I'll be down tomorrow to do so! The reason isn't that I think inclusion of DR will suddenly make us world beaters, but I like the gesture from the board to the fans and to DR: Loyalty begets loyalty and this will certainly help to unite, which is what this club is all about!

Woooooooow! I know we all wished this, but I never actually thought it would happen. Great to see the Board grew a pair and stuck their fingers up at Yogi in this one: Another sign of the disconnect between (ex) manager and board. I wonder if the timing of these signings is also a sign of the players' views on the removal of the manager.

Brian Rice's sudden appearance on the scene and the subsequent departure of Latapy was strange to say the least - and the two events were clearly connected - just not quite sure whether Latapy had already said he was off-ski or whether Rice's appearance prompted it! Either way, it would be better if Rice were to leave to enable a completely fresh start, but I suspect we cannot afford another severance payout......

Would like to think you're right, but not sure how much "options" on contracts are actually worth. Still, if it means we have first dibs, then let's get on with it, assuming he's interested!

Superb! Well done OFW. We've nearly got a team now. Just need a U-turn on Raven, a few more attack-minded players (Roberts + some new faces) and some back-up for the defence and midfield. oh yes, and a management team...

Those scenes were not a great advert for the game in Scotland and I hope that Hibs are punished (financially) for it. Not that it's the club's fault TBH, but there has to be a deterant against the same thing happening again - not sure whether a fine will really do that, but it seems the fairest outcome. The individuals invovled in fighting from both sides should obviously face prosecution. That said, the response from The Rangers is just embarrasing. They need to listen to themselves! The hypocrisy of the club statement beggars belief: so, when The Rangers fans sing inflammatory and provocative sectarian songs, fan behaviour is not the responsibility of the club, but when fans of the opposing team invade the pitch, it is?! Can't say I've missed their predecessor at TCS and I'm not really looking forward to welcoming The Rangers next season, especially now that they'll come armed with all the baggage associated with liquidation.

Nailed it Kingsmills! You wonder if Yogi misjudged the mood of the fans...or did just not care and was in this for himself? What I mean is, did he believe that, on the back of the cup win, he'd get the backing of the fans against the board as he pushed for a bigger budget, to the extent that he'd eventually get his way? Or was he actually looking for an exit that he could engineer to also get a pay-out? I'm not sure - but what I am sure of is that he's not as good as he thinks he is and, like several managers before him who felt they'd outgrown the club, I doubt he'll ever emulate the success he got here.

Thankfully, it won't be Gary Locke as he's gone to Raith. Phew!

Yes, Drapes was the most consistent performer throughout the year. County hate him - which is a huge bonus - and he weighed in with several important goals, not to mention penalties won. Fantastic for Ross Draper and I look forward to him controlling games again next season!

I'm afraid the (non-existant) budget will determine who replaces Yogi. That means anybody in a job at the moment is out of the question and there won't be much affordable quality around in the guys out of work. Also, do we know what's happening with Brian Rice? There's always the chance that the new man will bring in his own assistant, which might mean more ocmpensation. My guess is that we will be compelled to go with Foran, assuming he is interested. If that is the case, it is a risk, but that could be mitigated by bringing in somebody experienced to work beside him. It might just be an inspired outcome....you just never know in this crazy sport!

Would have to be on a "free" for a start: we'd not be able to pay any more ocm-pensation, that's for sure!

Peter Houston would be an excellent choice in my opinion - I wanted us to go for him last time, but IIRC he wasn't particularly interested. I believe he is on record to say that the Falkirk job will be his last, so I think this is a long shot, sadly.

Sorry to say it, but we already are! They finished one place above us and won the league cup last year. On top of that, they have a very settled squad for the next couple of years, not to mention old megabucks pumping money into the club. I expect them to finish 5/6th next year, whereas our future is now very uncertain.

Compensation for sacking him was the last thing we needed to fork out, but his position was untenable. Thank you Yogi for the most successful year in the club's history! In hindsight, it would have been best if he'd left at the top, immediately after the cup win, but it unfortunately went to his head. The United fiasco was the beginning of the end. Anybody who's prefer to be at another club should be shown the door. The next issue was the accusation that players weren't man enough to play through injuries; then the Raven spat and the open criticism of the board, not to mention his love affair with all things Celtic. No doubt, Hughes will believe that he'll go on to bigger and better things. He won't. For us, there's the who next question. I'm concerned that the compo might force us to go with Foran. I'd prefer to see him as assistant, but we might have to cut our cloth. Does anyone have Raven's number??! Thanks for the memories, JH: Time for the club to move on!

I wondered the same, RiG. County fans were raving about him when he first came, but he didn't get a sniff this season, except against Aberdeen on Sunday. Cultured left foot but absolutely no pace seems to be the verdict....bit like Ian Vigurs?