Council Juice

"Proper" were they? Oooh fancy! I wasn't aiming to belittle anyone, and if I did well then I must truly say, that from the bottom of my heart.....that I don't give a hoot if a few noses have gotten out of joint because they take a game so seriously. It's a little pathetic. You're essentially saying that anyone who hasn't endured (and I stress that) the lower leagues isn't a proper fan. You're bang out of line for that. Anyone who gives their hard earned money to follow their team, no matter when they started, no matter how often, no matter how much they spend, is a proper fan as far as I'm concerned. It's such snobbery and attitude that holds the club back "ooh you weren't there on the cold dark nights in Forres. You're welcome to spend your money, but you're not really one of us". It stinks. It's no better than the refuseniks who are still bitter approaching a quarter of a century later as opposed to being proud that a small team, any team, from the highlands, against all the odds and with a tiny budget has managed to win the main cup competition in the country and qualify for Europe. So do forgive me if I have no sympathy whatsoever for them at all. It's beyond childish.

I don't want an artificial pitch at the TCS. (Personally I'd prefer a switch to summer football. The only team who would be possibly affected by international tournament summer calls would be Celtic anyway and who cares about them) But I'm sure £50000 (ballpark figure plucked out the air) for stadium improvements and equipment at fort George could help out just that extra little bit. Even to pay for initiatives to improve further community relations.

Perhaps I was too rash with my point but I'm still sticking to my guns in regards to the sentiment. HL is and was amateur football. You don't need to have lived 150 years to know that. To suggest pub football is admittedly going overboard. Though essentially it's a high level of postmen and sparkys playing football at weekends and training a few nights a week. Its part time. And saying that Inverness Thistle were rejected previously on their own (whether than be the "central belt bias" conspiracy or just a really close vote lost out on) proves that it would have been exceptionally difficult for either team to, first of all get in league football, but to actually progress to any greater level than then division 3. Yes OK the founding fathers didn't just "come along" . They worked long and hard to bring the merger about and should be admittedly recognised for such. But let's not be pedantic about it. I wasn't meaning any disrespect. You're just getting a little flustered. I never said there was no football in Inverness prior to the merger. I said there were 2 small non league (diddy) teams who occasionally had cup flourishes. And yes quite rightfully people should be proud of their team. Just as people are proud to be Scottish... Though it doesn't actually matter in the grand scheme of things does it? I just think anyone still bitter, 21 years on, about 2 small teams festering around in non league daring to be ambitious enough to believe that working together could actually bring about much greater success... Well I think they're just daft. Dinosaurs. I'd imagine anyone on this site whilst still rightfully proud of the origins of the club we have today, have got over this by now, both for the love of the local team and in recognition of where its taken them.

So what your essentially saying is we need a good big beer tent....

Ok then going by your rating evaluations that means 1 in 3 is a success. 1 in 4/5 is ok and the other will be a dud. Bring in 3 loans this year. One will surely be a star!

Lets face it. Caley and Thistle were 2 diddy highland league teams. With the occasional cup flourish. Nothing more. Now some ambitious figures came along and wanted a team in the Scottish leagues, with an eventual aim of being a top flight team. That was the dream. It would never have happened had either team tried alone. Without the merger there would be no league football. No SPFL, no cup finals. No Scottish cup final wins. No European football. None of that. If you're happy watching glorified pub football then fine, the merger and subsequent success might not be for you, but it was the only way to bring Football success to Inverness. Now if those 12 old men who still have a grudge about it don't like it then fine. Because it's young fans and families and people enthusiastic about Inverness Caledonian Thistle and the city of Inverness doing well that we want to join the ranks. To come along and watch and help the club grow. Some people are just bitter.

Devine has just extended a year so he's not going to sign another soon. I'd like to see Doran and Williams have 2 years instead of one but I think with a relatively small budget you have to priorities who is on longer deals. If it was my choice Christie and Draper would be my first choice. Normally Brill too but if I have to be cold and business like it would be better to see how he recovers from a serious injury first. If he proves he's ok then give him the deal. I wouldn't say Doran or Williams are key or high end promising players. They're important admittedly, but if we could only afford 2 they would not be the 1st 2 given priority in early deal extensions IMHO. Getting the management signed up also needs to be looked at but manager contracts don't really have the same protecting for clubs players do. They can leave when they want, whether a new deal is signed or not.

I thought McCann was decent...just ridiculously prone to injury. Pretty sure he was going to be signed if he didnt get injured again.

In my opinion we've never been a club who've been overly indulgent in the loan market, but I'd be keen for Yogi to dip his toes if the talent is available and willing. After all he did help launch the careers of Antony Stokes and Kasper Schmeichel who were both very successful at falkirk, and current Dutch international keeper Tim Krul as well. Over the years we've had limited success in the loan market. Where most would agree that Golabert was a success, there's also the downright rank Berjam Fetais and the completely uninterested Darren Mackies. So lets have a wee survey thingy. In your opinion, who have been our most successful loans to date, our worst and then the ones that were just a complete catastrophe?

Probably, one of those fund raising sights like JustGiving or something. Imagine what Yogi could do with an extra 25000-50000 in his budget. Anyway, Im sure I've mentioned it before. I'm an ideas man. Not an actual organiser type. Though I'd cough up, and announce it too.

Personally I'd like the club to look at extending deals for the likes of Draper and Christie now. Whilst we'd probably be due compensation if Christie left I wouldn't want to lose Draper for nothing next summer if we can help it. He deserves another year extension also. Maybe wait a few months and then tie up Brill as well. I'd like to see the club be more proactive with tying down key players entering their last year. Aside from that our current squad is more or less all tied up. I'd like Ross to stay. I would love to see him become a regular next term. As I said earlier on Kink, I really have nothing to go on except the management teams judgement. So if they think he's worth it then that's ok by me. I'd like another striker to sign as well though.

I've not had the chance to see much of him myself. Guess the manager will decide whether he can actually offer us anything.

Seems it worked for Grimsby though. Aye its always the case when forking outs involved. Things tend to get quiet.

If we can get Ofere and Ross signed up for next season we'll be going into the pre season in a decent position. Ofere had a good goal record towards the end of the season and I reckon with a full pre season for us could be a very capable player. It's odd that Yogi has so often complimented Nick Ross ability but it hasn't resulted in the minutes on the pitch. With Watkins leaving and perhaps Williams playing more a left wing back role then maybe this could be his year. As for Kink, well maybe have him on trial for pre season to earn a contract, even just a 6 month deal. He's probably not match sharp and sometimes that can really show. But if he was to have a good pre season and show something then why not?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33065314 Whilst it doesn't in itself have anything to do with ICT, this fan raised transfer fund is a novel idea. Would it be worth looking at for a club like us? Funds that could be used for player wage budget. Either supplementing a wage or covering it for one extra player. Or even a bonus fund perhaps? What's our average home gate? Could a fund raising £20 a head thing be set up? Maybe even rope the shirt sponsors into matching whatever we raise as a challenge. Be great publicity for them and a huge benefit to our manager too I'm sure.

Is this not just an idea nicked from Football Manager? The trialist XI teams? Still, no harm in looking. Maybe ask Glenn hoddle if he's hiding any Anya's down in Spain too. Reckon cover at gk on loan. A striker and a winger/wing back to replace Mckay and Watkins/Shinnie. It's probably worth noting that likes of Vincent, Ross, Williams along with Polworth and a few other young lads have been on the periphery of the team last season and this could give them an opportunity to stake more regular spots. And lastly let's see what and who turns up. Sometimes a gem pops up that a manager takes a punt on regardless if its a required position because they look like they can improve the first team.

Chris Sutton never seen the cup final footage of the Celtic player blatantly and obviously kicking the ball out of play (v rangers) then proceeding to take the throw in and whilst rangers are appealing they go and score what proves to be the winner. I also believe that same final ended in a riot which saw a blanket alcohol ban in top flight Scottish football. Now THAT was a bad decision Mr Sutton.

The truth is we'll never be a super band until we get Eddie Van Halen on lead guitar. I don't believe we will get Eddie van Halen until we have a triumphant video. Its pointless having a triumphant video when we don't have any decent instruments. How come we have decent instruments and we don't really know how to play? That is why we NEED Eddie Van Halen. And that is why we NEED a triumphant video! EXCELLENT! Other than that a centre striker man and a left back would be my priority. Meekingst can cover right back currently, as can Vincent seemingly. Whilst we also have Devine. After which we should use the youth team there. A left sided player, either with Williams being more left wing back competing with Tremarco or a left full back coming in who can play both sides.

I see he's been released. We need any cover in that area?

Well given even Celtic are a feeder club for the EPL and even the top EPL teams have their players sought by Barcelona and Real Madrid I think its safe to say we will more than likely have our top players sought by bigger richer clubs. Particularly if they are out of contract.

Doran is still under contract for another year and Ofere has also said he'd like to stay, although it's now down to his agent. Watkins and Ross look like they'll be off but they're certainly replaceable. I'd like to keep Watkins please.

Pleased as punch but we right went and stole that. Weren't in the game 2nd half at all. Was horrid. Then Carl's unfortunate slip and stone wall red followed by the equaliser...I thought it was going to be a long trip to Bruges and I was only in Gent. But a great break by Marley, lung busting late run and Vincent was in the right place, right time. I, for a moment, felt a little for Falkirk... Then remembered they got us relegated.

Reckon we should bring on Ross for Doran and try and regain control of the midfield.

A shout out to Celtic Towers in Gent for putting the game on for me. Life savers!

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/fifa_blattner_en_loc/?sXwOVbb There's a petition going to get Blatter out. Its probably a forlorn hope that it'll have any effect but ordinary fans should have their voices heard.