Council Juice

If what Yogi says is true and we've got a wee stash put aside then I think he deserves a bit of it at least. He says he needs 3 players. Maybe a compromise on 2 players. A left back who can fill in at centre half perhaps.... And a striker! - Though in saying that surely Foran, Lopez, Mutumbo and Ferguson are seen as the strike force. Christie also perhaps. Unless Foran, Mutumbo and Christie are classed as midfielders. A loan up front would be nice. 6 months.

Astra humped West Ham Under 21s meaning that at least we went out to a decent side.

Maybe the board had a 25 year plan. Achieve 3rd spot and win the Scottish cup then play in Europe. After achieving this early they got panicked and didn't know what to do next. But the decision to downscale was eventually taken. If we're still desperate for a goalscorer in January I'll pick up some new boots and head up. By then I should be 10 minutes match fit.

I've always liked the player Vigurs and was disappointed when Butcher released him but if it is indeed true that we're looking at him, Erm another midfielder? My only thought process is either Williams going to left back or us going with Mutumbo and Lopez as our out and out strikers with Christie in-between.

JUST. CANT. COPE. ANY. MORE!!!

Meaning no disrespect to the MLS but having seen him in Italian football he's a cut above the MLS and has plenty years left on the clock. Toronto have pulled off a major coup in getting him. Of course I was speaking in jest. I don't think he could cope with the physical nature of the game in Scotland...

Williams is good but he can't play in LB and LM at the same time ;-) left wing back perhaps?

Could we not just get Sebastian Giovinco instead?

Ok maybe we could change that to knackers yard league then? Though I would see that as disrespectful to ICT club legends. We'll just tell the kids they went to live on a farm in the countryside. Spare them the truth...

A 6 month loan deal would do nicely. But I can't imagine we'd get him if he wasn't going to be playing week in week out. I don't know if goals in the Development league would translate into the SPL so easily. Surely there is a Premier league/ Championship team with a young striker needing first team game time. In the Sam Winnall mould. True a player of his level had a few in front of him back then when he was here resulting in little action but we've nothing now so he'd never be out the team. (speaking as though a 20 year old Winnall was here now) We need someone with pace, enthusiasm and work ethic. Like Billy Mckay, who wasn't even known for being a goal scorer when he joined.

This is another of these occasions when it is not entirely clear whether a post from IHE should be taken at face value or whether it is the latest attempt to wind people up and create an unwanted rammy. Either way, I don't think it's particularly helpful to have the less savoury aspects of the merger continually dug up in a negative manner. In particular the persistent assertion that Inverness remains packed with refuseniks becomes especially irritating since this is simply groundless assertion which is never based on anything more than anecdotes out of the "There's guys at my work who say...." stable. Far more relevant is that, even in these under subscribed times, around five times as many people come to watch football in Inverness than you would normally get in the early 1990s when Thistle and Caledonian were, on the grander scheme of things, struggling small town teams. Part of the problem (and this is especially a "Caley" thing), is that rose coloured spectacles have been in operation for far too long and too many people actually believe that Caledonian FC really was a major player rather than a small, provincial semi professional club, too many of whose supporters had an unfortunately inflated perception of its significance - which is the wont of the big fish in a small pond. I think that this is especially the case among Howden Enders of the late 70s and 1980s who had never known anything other than that period of prominence in Highland League terms and as a result tended to display a lack of humility which, alongside a vastly inflated view of their own significance, gained the club the nickname "The Rangers Of The North". It would perhaps be a lot more constructive if some of the older fans around would take a hard look at where they really came from and just be grateful for the opportunity which football in Inverness has had to escape these decidedly modest beginnings and reach where it has in more recent years. Please note that these observations come from someone who felt equally supportive whilst standing in the Howden End or the Kingsmills shed in days gone by which he still looks on with enduring fondness. Whilst never having been a fan of either team. I myself have alluded to some of the statements you make here. Perhaps with a little less tact. If Caley had really been as big as is sometimes made out they'd be a dominant European powerhouse instead of a dominant Highland League team. Its a disease often common amongst the Hibernian FC fraternity - delusion-of-granduer-itis Still, back on topic - hopefully a couple of 6 month loan deals if Hughes remarks in the Courier carry any weight.

So he ready for the weekend then?

Some people like to just have a moan about anything. If everything was absolutely perfect they'd be unhappy about that too.

(I know you don't want to get involved but i feel like I have to stick up for the league having previously worked as a reporter for it) I don't think you can really question the quality in the Highland League when the likes of Richie Brittain, Grant Munro, Ross Tokely, Gavin Morrison, Conor Gethins, Stuart Kettlewell, Paul Lawson, Garry Wood, Iain Vigurs (albeit on trial until he finds a club), Stuat Duff, Roy McBain, etc etc are all playing in it. Coming up against these, and other ex-pros, will do a lot more for the development of a young player than playing against other teenagers. Most of the players you listed are playing at that level as they are not really good enough any more. (Though I'm surprised Vigurs is around there, he could surely get a game in the Scottish championship at least) However technique aside, with the likes of Tokely, Munro, McBain, Brittain having "been there, and done that", they have a wealth of experience to pass on, even if they might not have the legs. The younger guys too have come through the system and would be able to help them avoid any of the pitfalls that can see a promising youth not life up to his talent. Indeed I think you would learn more coming up against seasoned ex full time pros that other trainees.

- fon "time" Williams - - Dave "the Rave" Raven - - Ross "Pull the Drapes" Draper - Daniel "simply" Devine - Danny Williams - - Nate "Im new" Wedderburn - Greg "scally" Tansey - Liam "Poly" Polworth - - Andy "bit of a mouthful" Mutombo - Danny "Lazy" Lopez - - Ryan "Chip of the old block" Christie - Bench - St Johns Ambulance volunteers

It is a horrible phrase. I'm inclined to agree with you...if we had a player who he could create for. But I'm not sure we do. I just think he might see the chances better than others atm. And as he is creative I don't see how he couldn't do so from a "false 9" position.

I'd agree with this. I might be on record as having said some less than kind words of the standard of HL in the past (which I have no wish to get involved in again) but an 18 year old will learn a hell of a lot more playing against (and with) adults who are working for a living. It doesn't need to be a full season. Half would be ideal. Perhaps sending a few from the development squad out in January who are ready for a bit of lower level senior football. Where they don't take passengers too kindly.

I personally think that with a mix of Christie, Lopez, Mutumbo and Ferguson we can find a balance and a decent strike force. However I am not convinced going forward with just one natural left back. It's the one position I'd look at if we needed any. And not because I have doubts about Tremarco. But we really don't have any other players at the club really able to play there with any great level of success if he is unavailable. Now Williams has been mentioned as the answer but I heard of no indication in pre season that he's been earmarked for that role so if that's the case we need someone else. Why have we brought in Wedderburn if we already had Draper, Tansey, Vincent, Polworth, and even Foran able to play there if it meant not having the finances for a left back?

I'd play Christie up top with Lopez in behind at the moment. Christie has the enthusiasm and the anticipation to at least attempt to get on the end of balls. Plus he has always come across as an intelligent person and player. Which should make it easier for him to adjust to the role. He's also got the pace and some finishing ability. Lopez on the other hand might have the type of game to pick out passes for him. The typical Spanish flair. He could be the new Sanchez / Juanjo. I'd use Mutumbo as a winger type to use pace and power to stretch the defence. Him and Williams or Roberts or Doran... Depending who's fit. Need to use Vincent properly again also. Playing Christie as a striker might allow for this. He's never been a winger. But I don't see these players in training on a day to day basis. I still think we should wait until the end of August before hitting panic buttons. Perhaps a influx of shirt sale money will allow for another player to come in.

Probably out around 4 months if it's his fibula. Depends on the muscle lossage etc. Bobby Mann available?

Looking at that, if you include Ferguson we have a first team squad of 22 (if I can count). Can't really see much more business unless someone special becomes available.

Oh why can't Yogi play football manager like the rest of us. Then he'd find that hidden gem! Where's the next cherno Samba when you need him?! (he's recently retired in real life)

3 games played, not looked like scoring. We should have done our best not to finish 3rd. So often a jinx position . So often the team finishing there having a woeful following season. (I think Aberdeen are one of the few exceptions). Reckon an earlier league start is the only way forward to help teams with early euro qualifiers. It always seems to be a hinderance on the league campaign. I'd be happy with mid table and getting the lads who are out of contract next summer tied up on new deals.

Could it be said that Lopez perhaps compares unfavourably with Mckay in that he doesn't have the same type of run himself to the ground work ethic?

Can we give him another call. Reckon him and Andy would make a deadly partnership...