Robert

He’s actually in the highest position. He chairs the Board. The CEO reports to the Board. The Board appoints the CEO and should be holding him to account. The Board ought to set the policies and priorities that the CEO then takes forward with the other club staff.

If only!!!

I had the same issue with my iPhone a few weeks ago. I flagged it on the Site Errors thread and Scotty gave this link, which worked for me and is working just now: https://predictions.caleythistleonline.com/index.php?cmd=table

That highlights the potential gravity of the situation. We can’t afford to get rid of him, but the time is fast approaching where, if we don’t start getting results, we can’t afford not to get rid of him either, and we will be heading towards League 1, quite possibly never to return. The Chairman, Board and CEO need to waken up to the situation and start making decisions that are the correct ones for the future of our club.

I’m not one to call for Managers’ heads and I said at the start of the season that the time to worry is about five games in. However, being bottom with no points after three games is a major worry, compounded by a losing run of six games if we include the League Cup (have we ever managed that before?), and whatever the position is with Doran and possibly others. We have Dunfermline at home then, after the Challenge Cup game at Arbroath, Raith away and Dundee United at home. That could be another three games without a point. I know margins are tight in this league and that one break could be all it takes to set us off on a winning run. Equally we’ve had deplorable runs mid season in the last two campaigns, so having a bad run at the start will be forgiven if we turn things round and have a good season from the autumn onwards. However, since returning to Inverness nearly 10 years ago I’ve not been as despondent about the prospects for the club as I am now. If we don’t get a result next week, I will join the growing band of fans calling for change, and not just to the management team but to those pulling the strings behind the scenes. I will continue to go to matches and give my full support to the players, but we need to get a grip and turn things round, and if we can’t we need to face reality and make changes before it is too late. Relegation should be unthinkable, but sadly it is not, and I don’t think we will ever recover if we do end up in League 1.

In the Prediction League, so far my season’s going nearly as bad as the club’s! One of the results in week 3 looks incorrect. Ayr lost 3-0 to Dundee United but it is showing as a 0-0 draw. It won’t improve my position!

Robert?

Full time. Another defeat. Rock bottom and detached at the bottom. Plenty chances but sounds like we were dismal first half from reports here. Time is running out to get this season going. That’s six defeats on the trot.

We’ve hit the woodwork twice. Samuels in the first half and Longstaff after the break.

Can we kick on and get another?

Thats not good. Is it the system at fault? Any signs that the players are not playing for Dodds & co? Longstaff on for Davidson at half time so presumably Carson to right back. Airdrie down to 10. Can we get our act together with an extra player?

So much for Dodds’ comments at the start of the season that we’d see a different Doran this season. When I’ve seen him he’s looked fitter and faster than the last few seasons with his eye for goal back in. He should be a first pick, not being treated so badly. Sadly it sounds like there’s a problem between him and the management team. I know who I’d rather keep!

2-0 down now. 3 points adrift at the bottom as things stand. Any word on Doran? Has he picked up an injury? He did well at Clach on Tuesday and looked fit then.

That leaves us short at the back so hopefully we have someone lined up. Our only experienced central defenders are Devine, Duffy and Delaney with young Walker in the wings. Can we recall Strachan if we don’t have someone lined up, or is the loan to January a commitment we can’t break?

The club’s report and photos: https://ictfc.com/inverness-cup-2023-clachnacuddin-1-4-ictfc-22-08-2023/

A different ferry but highlighting the shortage exacerbated by the latest delay to the Glen Sannox, from the Cal Mac app: Ardrossan (ARD) - Campbeltown (CAM) Cancelled for the remainder of today Service updates Up to 25th September As a result of vessel deployments, and the ongoing issues with MV Hebridean Isles, this service will unfortunately be cancelled for the remainder of the summer period – we do apologise to our customers and the community for this outcome. MV Hebridean Isles is currently berthed in Ayr following the most recent trials and inspections to fix her manoeuvrability issue. Further repairs to the vessel are being investigated to find a permanent fix. From Thursday 24th August the vessel will berth at Russel Quay Aberdeen for the commencement of work, prior to entering drydock in September.

Falkirk @ 2.15 please.

HT 0-0 FT 0-1 ICT Billy Mckay Airdrie Gallagher Crowd 1897

Only Highland League one I saw last weekend was Ali Riddle for Clach. As reported elsewhere, Calum Ferguson scored against us last night, and had a penalty saved.

Things have changed a lot! I remember my father belting up the A82 hoping to make the last Ballachulish Ferry so we didn’t have to trail round by Kinlochleven, which always seemed to take hours despite only adding around 30 minutes to the journey.

If we are away and Clach are at home, I definitely plan to go along. All last night lacked for me was announcements, as that would have helped when subs came on late on when the floodlights were on. As soon as I was through the turnstiles, raffle tickets were on sale, which must increase take up. The toilets had taps that fan for more than one second so were actually usable. Of our players, MacKay had a good game. He was helpless at the goal but had really good saves from a free kick and the penalty and dealt comfortably with everything else. The defence lined up with Sam and A Nixon at full back and Walker alongside Duffy. Duffy was talking the youngsters through the game until he went off. Walker in particular looks a prospect and was the leader at the back after Duffy went off. I would support the positive comments about him in the squad thread. Hyde and Thomson were in central midfield. Hyde seemed to relish the responsibility of being one of the more senior players on the pitch and was talking throughout the game, in what was the most influential performance I have seen from him. He finished the game at right back after the cramp suffered by A Nixon. As mentioned above, Thomson is comfortable on the ball and worked really hard. He looks a real prospect. Brooks and Samuel were the wide players. I’m not sure if they are struggling for fitness still but they were less influential than I would have expected. Brooks should have scored in the first half. Hopefully there is more to come from both. Doran was moving between midfield and attack, and was a class above everyone else on the pitch. I really don’t understand why he is not a first pick. Lodovica took his headers well but got lucky with the penalty. He could have had a couple more. Hopefully playing the full match and scoring the hat trick has boosted his sharpness and confidence, but I’d like to see him being as influential against tougher opposition. Of the subs, MacLeod was a straight replacement for Brooks. He seemed happy to take players on but he was on the far side so it was hard to form a clear opinion. Mackie replaced Samuels and slotted in alongside Lodovica with Doran moving to the left wing. He worked hard and wasn’t afraid to mix it, taking his goal well. Bain replaced Duffy, playing left back with A Nixon switching to right back and Sam Nixon moving to centre half with Walker. He got forward well and matched up to an opponent a foot taller than him. Thomson and Meacher came on late so there was not much time to make an impression. We definitely have talent coming through if we can nurture it and ensure the players keep developing. I thought Harry Hennem had a quiet game, but he’s been getting positive reviews on another Forum by Clach fans this season for his performances, and they hope his loan will be extended for the full season.

Just hope I got the first scorer right! We ended up with only MacKay, Hyde and Lodovica (and arguably Robbie Thomson) on the pitch from our first team squad, plus four from the Academy and three first year Graduates, so a creditable result in the circumstances.

Full time. 4-1. I enjoyed that. A lot of our senior players were taking the game in which was good to see. Clach took their goal well, and by that time our defence was totally made up of youngsters.

A Nixon and Doran replaced by S Thomson and Meacher.

Mackie thumps one home in the box. 4-1.