Council Juice

Just seen the 2nd half on Alba the now (can't believe I went and missed MOTD for it, ugh!) and if people are worried about tippy tappy football then thankfully Hughes seemed to abandon it. Don't think I saw more than 2 passes in succession. The standard was deplorable. Chronic to watch. Utter dire nonsense. I know football in Scotland has been getting steadily worse but that ranked on amateur. So many aimless stray balls. I see some comments above about sustained pressure but if that's the best we've offered for a while then I'm really worried at it was terrible fare. The recent County game was ok. But that. I'm just glad there's only 1 game left and I can focus that weekend on the last weekend of the Premiership even though tonight has effectively finished it off barring a West Ham surprise. So glad it's a word cup year. Can erase that from my mind watching Brazil and Germany (Not Spain, it'll bring back bad flash backs).

Agreed to the good point that you dont need to be a tank to be in top flight football if your technique can do the talking. He does indeed need to learn to roll challenges off him or swerve them, and when he cant, to draw the foul. He always strikes me as trying to stay on his feet, and while admirable, earns him nothing. Still can't help but compare him to a set of pipe cleaners. Would be ideal playing behind the striker, as Christie should too, but neither can start every game so it's up to the manager who starts what. Both have different attributes. Both can play left if Watkins or Doran are out. Just depends on where you play Vincent really also.

Whereas I don't see it as an issue that he was brought on at the end. a) Christie gets a round of applause, b) Ross gets an appearance fee no doubt. It'll probably cheer him up. It is surprising he's not getting more game time. He is one of the best passers in the team and capable of things others are not. He has talent, of that there is no doubt. He is however soft, and can be inconsistent. Next season, for me, might be make of break for him. He needs to, over the summer spend a bit of time in the gym and try and bulk up for pre season. He's got the build of someone who will never get fat but with the right diet he can add upper body strength. Chicken and fish for dinner! He has to earn that game time in training though.

I've emailed the club with a request, not only for a minutes silence, which will also be held at the Madrid masters, but a possibility of having t-shirts made with "Rally for Bally on for the players during warm up, and the event donation site on the t-shirt too, as well as a possible half time whip round. Whereas, quite fairly Yngwie you point out that the club cannot have a minutes silence for everyone with any connection to the club, it would be fitting that such a young person who is the child of a former player and manager of both clubs be recognised, and if anything used to raise money for the cause she herself was behind. The justgiving site is http://www.justgiving.com/rallyforbally in case anyone would like to donate. I shall be doing so.

And the 2nd half?

Watched the highlights, little bit concerned at how easily we seemed to be cut open by the long ball down through the middle over the top. We looked good 1st half but after that United passed up a lot of good chances and brought a few good saves from Brill. Maybe that's just selective editing. As much as Dean Brill might have had a case for being fouled at the goal, I'd have liked to see someone of his size be a little stronger there.

Gutted to hear the news. Elena was an inspiration through battling to the top of her sport in spite of having a very debilitating liver condition and to be taken so soon is so cruel. A big loss to the ICT family and thoughts are with her family and friends. Hopefully a rally for bally whip around and a minutes silence can be arranged for the upcoming game. I'll be emailing the club with a request and hopefully others can join me. I think that's the very least we can do for her legacy, and help raise funds for further liver research in the process. RIP Bally!

With St Johnstone losing, maybe it is 2 points lost, but as I said before, given previous results it's not a result I'm entirely dissatisfied. Reckon we could sign one of those Hamilton strikers, 10-2???!!!!! I wouldnt want to be facing them in the player off with that potential fire power.

I'm ok with that, especially after having lost the last 2 against them. Still it shows our problem, when we score 1st we have a chance, but go behind and they may as well blow the whistle. And this was happening long before Hughes.

Tsk tsk, you should always round up after 5. The nearest sig fig and all that. The team have not been playing brilliantly, but even as bad as Yogi appears, form under him is of that of around 7th place, not relegation fodder. Well, they do, and while they can leave they either have to go at the end of them or pay an exit fee, even IF they envoke the Webster rule which there are absolutely no indications of players being that unhappy at all at ICT with Hughes in charge. If ICT were relegated next season it would be highly likely that a) any out of contract players would likely leave yes, and try and stay in the top flight. b) the club would likely accept any decent bids for still contracted players to make up for the loss of money due to drop in division. and c) we would need to get any of the higher earners of the wage bill anyway (even though they would have clauses for wage drops) If ICT are not relegated, and an better offer comes in from a bigger club, and even if we were doing well (as last season) and on the up we'd still run the risk of losing top talent to bigger clubs. Did you not see what happened with Tudor-Jones and Andy Shinnie? Butcher did not have Ranger and Hearts in the league, as well as the usual suspects Falkirk and Hamilton. It could take 3 season for them to get up though it could arguably be said they'd be the best off financially. How bad do you actually think it is at ICT? From everything I've seen the players seem to like Hughes, even if results haven't been great. ALL the out of contract 1st team players signed new deals AFTER Butcher left. Some long term. They want to stay, not force a move via the courts and face a long protracted and likely costly legal battle. I'm not trolling either. I'm just pointing out pretty obvious facts. And yes the scenarios are all possible. But if I will the Euro millions there is also the likelihood I'd invest a little in my favourite club. Maybe even an improved main stand and a standing structure opposite the main stand, as well as some money towards a new training complex and academy...... This would have to be a roll over mind.

In fairness to Laurence, even Stephen Fry says that swearing is a necessary part of language when used correctly. But to answer the OPs original question. YES sack him, if only to close this bloody thread.

Worked for Richie Hart..... allegedly. ;-)

Club has released the kids they weren't keeping on. Injuries and illness have laid out 4 other regulars as well as Foran being out. and the only other 2 senior members, and Polworth are on the bench as well as 2 kids. It's not an issue at this stage of the season though. Only need 3 subs and a goalie on the bench anyway. You could argue about having more options but putting kids on the bench for the sake of it is pointless as they wont get on so they're not an option anyway. I'm firmly of the opinion kids need to earn a run out, not just get one by default Good half time score, will take those results now. St Johnstone losing and us winning. Take that now.

At no point did I suggest that you should. I merely pointed out that your expectations may lead others to suggest that. An analysis of the top flight of Scottish Football since the 12 team, split league model shows that only two teams have achieved a number of points consistent with the win rate you consider acceptable. So to get your desired win rate, you would need to support one of those teams. If you do not wish to support one of those teams, than maybe a different win rate would be more sensible. Yes you are entitled to your opinion, but if it is based on unreasonable expectations, then others are entitled to voice their opinion and challenge those expectations. If you think my post was telling you to GTF, it wasn't. I was merely using some facts (remember them?) to suggest that your expectations and choice of football team may not quite match up. If you don't like the attitude of our fans, you could always try..., oh wait. maybe not. Mahonio, you were only mocked for coming out with a ridiculous win rate percentage along with many of the other drastic things that have been said. You are totally welcome to support who you like, but the following post merely pointed out that a win percentage that high would be beyond fantastic for any team outwith the OF in most years. If Hughes got that I'd happily see him get a 6 year deal. 69% is currently what English league leaders Liverpool have after 36 games. If at this stage next season we've won 25 of 36 games I'd be utterly delerious, particularly in doing so we score 100 goals in the process. Hint, it's not gonna happen. I'd more than happy with Evertons 56%.Very Happy.

Ooooh I'd settle for that, quick exciting counter attacking football, ruthlessly exploiting dithering teams! I hope so. Just as long as he doesn't want us to be Bayern. Well I wouldnt mind having one of 2 of the Bayern squad to fill the bench next time at Parkhead. In other good news I got the metal out my foot last Wednesday, healing well in the most part and should be getting the stitches out on Tuesday. Happy Days, All going well I'll be back playing a few friendly games in the summer. I might be ready for ICT for the new season if we're still needing a crack striker yet!

I don't really see the issue. If you've got a goalie and a defender, midfielder and striker available on the bench then you're quite covered. Quite a few managers, Terry I think as well, are of the opinion that you don't get on a bench just to make up numbers. You earn your squad spot.If the player has no real chance of getting on the pitch there is no real reason to be there. Then there is the issue of unused sub bonuses which they might be on, why spend what you don't intend to use? And finally, and most importantly, that's 3 extra fish suppers required on the way home. Yogis no payin, thats fir sure!

Cant understand why he's released Evans tbbh

Dundee have a progressive young manager? They sack Hartley?! Seems the only team Hughes is able to still beat is Ross County. Not happy with this performance at all. You go to Celtic park to fight. One think you should never do is roll over. That is never acceptable. Yes Celtic are capbale of doing over anyone in this league but it's not something that should happen twice like that 11 in 2 games. And Yogi seems happy with it. FFS And he doesn't want to add player either?! This seasons over for me. Concentrating on the real league down south now

That but with a black collar and sleeves. Nice and simple

Another good call there.

I take exception to that, CaleyD. If I'm posting, then I fastidiously check my statistics before submitting. I stand by my observations that we've played no less games than Aberdeen, Celtic, Dundee United or St Johnstone. OK, I don't doubt for a minute your stats - but the figures I 'quoted' were for the full season! But, while I'm on, I've got to say, this obsession with tiredness is incredible. If Billy was knocking the goals in, I doubt anyone would be saying, "hey, Billy must be tired around now, we've got to rest him"! Luis Suarez playing for Uruguay at the World Cup? - after the season he's had, at that level? No thanks, he'll be too tired!! Sorry for the sarcasm, but this 'too tired' applies to all teams! How can't folk see that? It's their job! We don't get 'rested' at our jobs! To be brutally honest, in football, 'needing a rest' tends to mean, not good enough! And finally, ICTOline is surely forum for all - not just for folk wanting to 'big the club up' at any cost - what it is, and should hopefully remain to be, is a platform for discussion, with both praise and criticism. But what it's not is a fans' forum, per se...one doesn't exist! We've only one discussion forum (demonstrating how small a club we are), so naturally there will be conflict! Do we really want the irony of a split into (Caley Happy Clappers) and Inverness Constructive Talk - (ICT)? There would surely remain some bitter resentment if the two ever tried to merge?! I think its the fact you fail to take into account the amount of games played in a short space of time and the sizes of the squads. Lets forget Celtic as they have a different line up every week and have a squad near 40. Where other teams had European "campaigns" (or competitive pre season fixtures essentially) they were not all piled into 6 weeks. Also, most of those extra games come in a period where there is space between games and the players are fresh, having only just started the season. And on Suarez, I'm sure he's more than happy to play for his country at the world cup... he's hardly had any cup games, no European games and missed 4 games through suspension at the start of the season. But forgetting any specific player by name, how often have players struggled at summer tournaments because they are running on empty. It happens quite a lot. Especially to English players or other Premiership players who don't get a winter break. However in saying all that, it shouldn't be an issue for the next 5 weeks as they've had a 2 week break and I'd like to think the management team would have squeezed some rest days in there to freshen them up.

I wonder if this thread will reach 50 pages by the seasons end?

Fully deserves it. Him and Andrew Robertson have been the stand out full backs in the division this term. A little unfortunate for Mckay, his recent barren spell likely costing him as well as not being one of the more fashionable players from the central belt. In fairness the forward line is quite well packed with quality.

This is all evidence that Richie has evidently lost a yard or 2 of pace. Everyone else managed to get well away from the old bill.

Well thats the final we really didnt want... ah well 3rd or bust it is then! Was this not to do with having to charter a plane to the deepest depths of Eastern Europe though?