PerfICT

ICT is one of only a few clubs that run a tight ship in this respect - no debt that I know of and living within their means. Slowly, the penny is dropping everywhere that this is the only way to work: the problem is that the remedial action that has to be taken is very painful - inevitably clubs who think they are better than they are (because they are living beyond their means) slip down the league. So, a new order is in the process of being established whereby prudent clubs are rising and mismanaged ones fall all disappear altogether. Good news for us, I reckon...

Risky approach. Lose him and we've got a week to find a quality replacement (or 2) - no chance. Season would doon the watter, I'm afraid...

Astonishing mismanagement! And all because Rangers could never quite stomach the concept that they were no longer at the top table! They could have walked the bottom two divisions with their youngsters, but no! Let's pay top dollar for Prem players and tempt them in with wages we can't afford. Back down they'll go, and perhaps ther's no saving them this time....

Chris Iwelemo (or however you spell it) from Scunthorpe as a partner for Billy? I know, I'll just get that coat...

Shows how little talent actually counts in building and maintaining a successful career. Top of the attributes list has to be discipline and dedication and neither of these guys had enough of them!

Kenneth going back to DUFC apparently - they must be struggling at the back to look at him again! Fairly sure that Hearts can't take Scacel because he's over 21...until the SFA or SPFL bottle it and let him in to increase the chances of getting those noisy Highlanders out of their cup...

Butcher's interview (STV?) strongly hinted on a summer approach for Vincent on a free. Hope he sees sense and takes the offer on the table from ICT.

Apparently - only allowed u21s in, so hopefully no Skacel. The whole Ngoo and Wilson issue last time still leaves a nasty taste....

I thought King was going?

...embargo not to be lifted by SPFL, so for once justice! Now we just need to beat them!

As expected. Was always going to be Vincent or Draper or both). I think we'll probably lose him for a song now (or free in summer). Galling, given that we only got 3 or 4 games out of him! I wouldn't be surprised if, in 2 years' time we saw ICT 2013 reincarnated in green and white (Meekings, Shinnie, Warren, Raven?, Brill?) Easy way to success for Butcher and a real kick in the guts for us!!

Interesting letter in the Scotsman on this topic: should know the answer tonight..... http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/spfl/letters-hearts-embargo-appeal-must-be-rejected-1-3265804

Brill Raven Meekings Devine Tremarco Pepper Shinnie Doran Watkins Greenhalgh McKay Subs: Esson, Ross, Polworth Christie, Evans

Meekings to break the net!

A point stops the rot and I think the system worked better than of late. Still think a 4-4-2 would work better in the absence of any recognised holding midfielders. Subs seemed to work quite well, though. I'd settle for the same result next week too!

Worth getting him back for free kicks alone! I've never known any team to be so weak at direct free kicks from around the box: I don't even get excited when we get an award in that position at the moment....all reverse psychology, of course: Shinnie will smash one in today now! Tansey could be good cover for our absent holding midfielders, though

Can't believe so many would persist with Williams as a holding midfielder: he's been a passenger in that position for the last 3 or 4 games. A ball winner in there beside Draper, please! Williams can go wide on the left if anywhere.

I'm all for a bit of stability......the revolving door policy that is endemic in Scottish football in particular is really risky: you only have to get it wrong once and you could be for the drop. Better the devil you know....

Exactly!

Hearts are desperately trying to sign players in the window - should they be allowed to do so? I have the greatest sympathy for the current players at Hearts and I don't want to see them relegated, but I'm afraid they have to pay the penalty. Fresh in my mind is the debacle last year when they were allowed to make loan signings: Michael Ngoo came in and scored the goal that ultimately put us out of the semi-final. Fair? No chance....but I wouldn't be surprised if the same thing happens again.....

Please not Fallon! He was linked with Dross Cnty for a while and even their fans thought he was mince. That would be a shocker!

Yes, Latapy could work! He's only 45 - get him a pair of boots and stick him up front....

Can't comment on his ability out wide because I've only seen him as a holding midfielder - a role that doesn't suit him! It looks like he has a good touch (in flashes) and JH obviously rates him, so let's see what he can fdo out wide......please?!

Finally, some news on tying up some ICT players (BBC website). Tremarco and Williams signed new contracts (Williams for 2 years, not clear how long for Tremarco). Hopefully, Williams will be played in his natural position in the future and will blossom; I look forward to similar news on Draper and a couple of others!

Can't go with the usual formation IMO because we simply don't have any holding midfielders available (unless Vincent is back on the radar). I think we have to drop the "holding" midfielder idea until we have some holding midfielders available (Ross, Polworth, Christie, Williams cannot do this specialist job). We really need somebody to win the ball in the centre too, so I would have Pepper in there somewhere. So, until Draper and Foran are back, I'd go with: Brill Warren Meekings Tremarco Raven Shinnie Pepper Ross (or Draper, if available) Polworth Doran McKay Not sure this really solves our problems (still lightweight in midfield and also no height!), but we're a bit threadbare! Annoyingly, if we can get at DU's back four we could get something out of this game, but we have to win the ball to do that!