Robert

No, just that one as it was its first day in use. I was tipped off. They’ve had that contract for a number of years and it is replacing an older coach as I understand it.

In sure the CEO and Dodds know if he’s staying or going, same with Robbo. Contracts will sit with the CEO and Robbo is meant to identify targets. Hopefully we know who we want to keep and are speaking to them about new contracts or extensions. However, with the usual comms with fans, we are in the dark.

I’m worried about what candidates we will realistically get if we do make a change. It will be hard to attract anyone with a track record given our well documented finances. An option is former players who remain in the area and have picked up some experience: some sort of combination of Tremarco, Warren and Esson, for example, but that comes with risks. Thinking about our six years back in the Championship, we’ve made the play offs twice, and we were on course for them in the curtailed season when Covid hit. Whether we like it it not, we’ve become a mid table Championship team, with some years better than others. This season an unexpected cup run has meant it has turned out better than most of the last six. We should have done better, despite our injuries, and the long run without a win and the Ridgers debacle were both avoidable in my opinion. I think it will come down to whether Dodds wants another season or not. I suspect he may call it a day but if he wants to stay on I’m sure he will get a new contract. Where does Robbo fit in going forward? Will he leave at the end of the season? Could he want to step back in as Manager? With only 6 weeks between the final and the first group game, we need to be planning now and not leaving it until the close season. More questions than answers this year!

Kevin McHattie had his penalty saved in the shoot out against The Spartans so Brechin stay in the Highland League. He was the last taker, but their fourth was saved too so at least he doesn’t get all the blame!

D&E have this new Mercedes coach for the Citylink service to Ullapool. It started on that route on Monday after a day out in Glasgow last Saturday carrying the youth teams.

I must say I’m surprised to have pipped you and Doofers Dad at the very end! Its good fun, thanks for doing it and I’d encourage more forum members to have a go at it next season. And thanks for the “young man”! I get my bus pass in a few months!!

No idea what that means Gringo as I didn’t have a joker to play: just as well when I scored 0! Good luck to all in contention for the last game: could be one of the hardest ones to predict in terms of the scores and crowd!

I agree with the comments. I expected more from him, but he has shown at times what he can do. Whether that was down to Dan or the backroom staff we will never know. I was really impressed last week at Hampden, which I thought was his best performance for us, and he clearly enjoyed his goal. Perhaps being cruel, did he perform at his best as the game was high profile and he knows he is on the look out for a contract somewhere?

In the unlikely (but not impossible) event that we win the cup, at what stage would we enter the Europa League: is it the last knock out round before the group stages? If so, and we lose that, do we parachute into the Europa Conference group stages? I’ve not paid much attention to how these competitions work, but curious about what the unlikely scenario could be.

11 players under contract, including 3 youngsters, so we need a lot to resign or to find a lot of gems in the coming weeks.

I missed the first 20 minutes as it took 105 minutes to get from Perth City Centre to the A9 courtesy of those blasted roadworks. Don’t think I missed much though! I thought the Ayr goal was offside but tight: need to see it again. I was proud of the guys after the break. Some were dead on their feet but gave it 100% and I think that’s why Allardice and Welsh were subbed. Devine was struggling before the break so I assume was injured. The introduction of Carson and Samuels changed things, as Shaw was excellent in the wide role and Carson showed why he’s really a central midfielder. I hoped we’d kick on and get a winner but Ayr caught us, despite seeming happy to play down the clock at 1-1. I thought Samuels was onside when he “equalised” but it was too little too late anyway. A rollercoaster of a season. Should we have done better in the league: yes. Did injuries impact our position: undoubtedly. Did our tactics let us down: yes, particularly “hoofball”. Have we a great group of players who give 100% and deserve praise: yes. Roll on the cup final. I expect a heavy defeat but in a one off game anything can happen. Hopefully planning is taking place for next season as we will have quite a bit of rebuilding to do, on and possibly off the park.

Tonight is really as big a game as Saturday’s. We must win or our league season is over. I hope we get a similar crowd to the numbers who went to Glasgow and support the players to another win. I hope no one is assuming we will win. It will be a tough match with the same prize at stake for both teams. I just hope our recent attitude and form continue and we get the win that keeps our league season going. Come on ICT!

HT 1-0 FT 2-1 ICT Billy Mckay Ayr Akinyemi Crowd 2330

I really hope that comes true!!

The club’s statement, also indicating we may get ticket news tomorrow: https://ictfc.com/club-statement-scottish-cup-final/ I fully understand the comments above but I’m definitely going. Who’d have thought when we “lost” to Queens Park on 31 January that we’d be at Hampden on 3 June for our second Scottish Cup final in eight years! I also think it is time for the small number of negative posters on here to recognise the (albeit unexpected) achievement and be more positive in their posts. Yes, they may want a change of Manager or in the Boardroom, but now is a time to enjoy the moment. Goodness knows when it may happen again. That said, we must focus on Friday and get the win we need to get into the play offs.

I’ve watched the goals now and have voted: Player of the Year: Billy Mckay. Young Player: Nathan Shaw (as we had him the full season whereas Henderson joined at new year). Goal: Billy Mckay: first v Livingston.

1730 is confirmed: disgraceful! https://ictfc.com/scottish-cup-final-date-and-time-confirmed/

1730 is confirmed: disgraceful! https://ictfc.com/scottish-cup-final-date-and-time-confirmed/

Voting is now open on the club website. I must admit I hadn’t realised Samuels is as young as he is, as he is one of many eligible for the young player award, although with the injury he had he will not be a contender. Shaw is also in the young player category. I suspect there will be many varied views on here as to who the winners should be. I’ve not voted yet as I need to watch the goals, but should we either have a poll on here or post our own views? The link: https://ictfc.com/2022-23-ictfc-player-of-the-year-awards/

8000 is low, 10000 may be enough. I assume the club will prioritise season ticket holders again, but the number made available to each needs to be more than 1. I attend every home game, but my wife hates football but wants to come to the final. I need to be able to get 2 tickets as a result, and to sit with the person I attend games with, who’s wife also wants to attend. Many will be in the same boat. 50/50 is unrealistic but we need enough to cope with our likely support, whether regulars or fair weather fans and glory seekers. Hopefully all is confirmed quickly.

Shocking if true. We should get at least the 14000 we sold last time with some being returned if not sold within x days of the match.

They better not: my hotel is booked! Get in quick as prices are rising.

It will be disgraceful if the SFA make the game a lunchtime kick off. Another kick in the teeth for those of us not in the central belt.

I felt we didn’t expect to have Deas this season which is why we brought Delaney in. Dodds actually called Delaney a “young Deas” despite there only being a year or two between them. I’d be delighted if Allardice stays.

I agree, we have some key players out of contract who we would ideally keep. If not, recruitment is key. I make it one defeat in 12 since the Hamilton double defeat, with 9 wins and 2 draws, so we have done better since the injury situation eased and the likes of Deas and Allardice returned. Just how we’d have done had we had fewer injuries we will never know. For me, the cup run has been great and I’m relishing the final, but our most important game is on Friday against Ayr. It is simple: we must win it. Regarding Dodds, his record in 2023 justifies an extension in my opinion. We do seem to have a strong team spirit and a never say die attitude, which is great to see. If we did make a change, who would actually want to take the job?