Council Juice

He looks a player so ideally keep him. Although having seen the highlights against Hearts, he better cut out his simulation antics pronto. That was embarrassing.

So I'd say, Draper, Vincent, Watkins and Tremarco are the clubs priorities along with whether or not Tor is hanging about after xmas. I'd imagine Yogi would want to see a) Vincent in action and b) how he recovers from the leg break before offering terms. But I can imagine he'll be talking to likes of Shearer and Foran in regards to things like that. He won't want to be losing anyone as he trying to keep things as undisturbed as possible. The rest can be sorted between Jan and the summer. Ideally keep likes of Greenhalgh, Cooper, Williams and Pepper but in the kindest possibly way, they aren't integral squad members.

Going by what Yogi said in the video link on the thread about Esson, sounds like lads had a lot of injuries and is kind of just worn out by them. I'm currently in New Zealand, in hospital, after breaking my foot, with my festive plans all up in smoke and I can definitely empathise with such a mind set. I just wanna go home and be with the family for a bit.

We are the team that you all know, Caley, Thistle We are the team that you all know, Yogi's ICT Yogi's ICT, Yogi's ICT We are the team that you all know, Yogi's ICT. To this tune. I won't be giving up the day job!! Yogis got an assistant bear (name here) Then it gets funny because whoever that is gets a little stick.

My worry is it'll be the players doing whatever they can to get away from him, not him wanting to dismantle the squad. Where on earth do you get that from. Pretty much every club he's been at the players love working with him. Had he been at Hartepool from the start of the season and based on his teams form from November he'd have kept them up. He wasn't supported by the board at all there. But the players supposedly according to a player who was released along with him said they were all sad to see him go, So of all the things we need to worry about, players not taking to him is probably bottom of the list. And Richie seems pretty impressed, so I'll go with him. He is our captain after all.

But but but... other people applied for the job. Ok ok, he's not my 1st choice and his record is a little patchy. But then Butcher only had any success at 1 club before taking over (though it may be stated he took over a side languishing 5 points behind, Hughes gets the team in 2nd and in a league cup semi) But I'm going to look at the positives> He was very good at Falkirk. Brought them up and kept them up for 4 seasons. As well as a Scottish cup final. He did well in his 1st full season at Hibs, qualifying for Europe. He is very keen on the sport science side of things so fitness will be a priority. He's a motivational and likable character. He fits with ICT values. And he is Hibs daft... if anyone would want us to see of Hearts in the league cup semi it'll be him. At Hartepool he had to sort out a 20 games winless run. He managed at least a manager of the month and 8 wins out of 29. So he had a poor team to work with and whilst failing at least made a good go of it. He had a 44% win ratio at Livi too. All in all not bad when looked at. He is a decent manager. THough when I look at the alternatives I kind of wasn't expecting it. Best of luck Yogi.

Erm reckon we might be missing a trick here (Please note; I don't read the daily mail, I just followed the link from the BBC gossip column) Mike Phelan - ‘I’m quite open and proud enough to listen to anything really. Be it home, abroad, Premier League, Championships or below that. It’s not a worry. I’ve been in the game long enough so I know how to pitch myself in comfortably anywhere. But it’s not my decision.’ Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2513655/Mike-Phelan-claims-manager-Sir-Alex-Fergusons-years-Manchester-United.html#ixzz2lp1XhllH Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

Terry Butcher has stated on numerous occasions that he doesn't like spending money on transfer fees when there is so much value to be had in the bosman market. Spending 100k on a player is effectively a years basic wage at Hibs. Chances are he'll look at a few of our Out of Contracts but even then they wouldn't move till summer. I like Ross Draper, very good player, but he's not irreplaceable by any means.

From what I gather Shearer and Kellecher will take the St Johnston game, There is a shortlist of 6 drawn up apparently. I think no matter what we do, we need to go fresh. I dont see the point in going back to someone from the past. I love Robbo but he's history now I'm afraid. Same with Pele.

The Stevie Hammel debate pretty much backs up the fact, that play down south and you've more chance of being looked at. Alas Spiers, as much as I hate to say it, has it right. The lowlanders look at us as a novelty at times. Wee Caley thistle.So patronising.

Whilst I always harboured hopes he'd sign a new deal, I'm surprised he's signed up for 3 years before the new gaffer has been appointed. Raises the question, do you think he knows who it is and approves?

Wallace hasn't really played at all that much higher a level, save a few European games. and that was more than 2 years ago. Is he that much better? You can only base it on old information really. I just don't think a player can stay sharp competitively, playing semi pro players then step it up for international level. If you remember the Macedonia game Wallace was on the pitch less than 2 minutes, with a free header in his own box, weakly heads down straight to an opposition player, who passes, they score. In SPFL league 1 he'd probably get away with that. Not at international level. At league 1 level, he's not being tested. Therefore he shall stagnate I feel.

First of I want to put it out there that I like Strachan as Scotland manager. He's passionate, he's positive and he says the right things. However it dismays me that he can continue to overlook Graeme Shinnie when he's clearly been the best Scottish left back in the country this season. We're in the middle of 2 friendlies which are perfect for trying out new players in the squad. Yet he hasn't even been mooted, despite some excellent performances, especially in recent weeks. Yet a player who hasn't played Scottish top flight football for a year and a half gets in every time simply because of who he plays for. (Note- Lee Wallace is playing well from what I've heard. But he should be able to coast it against plumbers, chippies and sparky's anyway). It's even worse now that Mulgrew is out and Hanley is very doubtful for the Norway game. This probably means a full back like Whittaker or Martin partnering Greer. Shinnie has even shown this season that he's very apt on the opposite side and the way he talks about it shows he has a class attitude "It's just like playing left back only on your weaker foot" (said in a very nonchalant manner). He plays for the team 2nd in Scotland. He's been ever present and good all season. He keeps improving. is it just me or if he was playing for Hibs, Hearts, Dundee Utd and yet in the league positions they are in now, he'd have more chance of a look in?

Yeah but he didn't really have an impact on the whole. Anyway loan signings and Simon King apart, I think Oswell was the worst given he was away in January.

I heard Ipswich. Maybe Middlesborough or Crystal Palace. Can't see him going anywhere else in Scotland. Not unless it was pre arranged a while ago. But he wouldn't do that, would he?

Note Charlie Taylor was only a contender for worst as he was another loan signing who didn't do too much, though admittedly he did fairly well and better than others.. I listed Oswell as the worst And I meant Robert Eagle.

I didn't say Taylor. I said Oswell. I just noted the loan signings who were all effectively cover and didn't really do to much as contenders. I mean it's probably Harsh to nominate King but he never played so he wasn't a good signing. I see a good signing as someone who makes a significant impact. I don't see 1 game as the impact required to be good. Not bad, but not great. And yes Robert Eagle. I realise Chris Eagle is a touch better. My bad.

Oh good god not the merger again...

You are mostly wrong to be fair but I agree with you on the Sevco job, once an Orc always an Orc in my opinion If Butcher does well at Hibs he will be the main man to take over from Sally who can't cut it at the top level Terry and Mo are taking a risk but they are right to state they are moving to a superior club, whether some of us agree with this or not we have to look at the facts 1. Our stadium is a joke compared to Easter Road, the atmosphere generated at both Edinburgh grounds can be really good compared to our sole less gaff. Both Easter road and Tynecastle are relatively city centre locations that embrace the local communities and bring the punters in. The Caledonian stadium embraces nothing other than the chilling wind from the Moray firth and the waft of turds from the dump 2. Our training facilities are shambolic, for a top club to travel 11miles or so to Fort George is not good enough, it's time our board have a look around Victoria park the next time we are through to see what excellent set up and facilities they have and see if we can possibly replicate something similar or be it maybe on a smaller scale 3. Our fanbase is also shameful, Butcher fired the warnings already he rightly stated this season on more than a few occasions that our home crowd is quiet and pitiful in numbers. It's sad but its true we are second in the SPL and in a semi for a cup yet we can only muster 2000 home fans through the gates. He sussed that the fanbase has now reached its peak at present and I think this was one of the main reasons he jump ship As usual the happy clappers won't like the above but it's time we all faced up to harsh reality, Terry and Mo have moved to a superior set up and by doing so they are furthering their managerial careers something we all would have done if we were all to be honest Unless the club change the direction they are going and address the above points they will be more Terry Butcher situations in the future I just hope the players can carry on like they were albeit without the gaffer but I do see an exodus in January and I'd be very surprised that Terry doesn't come back and raid the club despite what's being said in the press Dougal 1. You can't spell soulless. I'm sure we'd plumb for a city centre location if we could afford it. Alas, we don't own the land. The council do. So we can't sell if to Tesco and look for a new gaff nearer the city centre, as much as we'd love it. 2. 11 miles is nothing to travel. It's a 20 minute drive. What's your daily commute to work? Any person living on the edge of a major city and travelling into work will normally have a 40 minute plus commute. So that is a completely invalid arguement, especially regarding Butcher as Hibs complex is 13 miles from Easter Road (although closer to where a lot of the players live in East Lothian admittedly). Yes our facilities are basic, but I'm sure we can improve them piece by piece over time. All comes down to money again Dougal. The club would rather stay solvent in the mean time it appears. Oooooh darn them. 3. Inverness has a population of around 50,000. Lets say 1/4 are right into football. 13000. Lets divide that again by 4. 1/4 ICT, 1/2 Rangers and Celtic, 1/4 others (Ross County, Aberdeen, English Prem teams etc) So that's 3250. Lets say half of them are hard core. 1625. Sorry, but when it comes down to it, getting 2000 is about right. In time we may be able to convert young daft OF fans and increase that through our School programs etc but you are again not being realistic. We are already the cheapest team to watch in the SPL. What do you want the club to do? Realistically what is YOUR solution. (For reference Edinburgh has a population of just shy of 500,000 (10X Inverness) and is part of a larger urban zone of just over 800,000. Hibs can probably draw support from around 1/3rd of Edinburgh, same as Hearts and the Old Firm again (they get all over). as well as a minority of EPL fans and me. They also have significant support in Fife. This is why they can attract 15000 to a game even on bad days. This is why they expanded their ground. They easily have the fan base and therefore capital to justify it. Add to the fact they are one of the oldest teams in Scotland means that they have solid ingrained tradition and therefore many dyed in the wool fans. Which we can't realistically hope to have. So Dougal, next time you think, ask yourself 3 questions before posting. 1. is it a realistic demand? 2. Do I have a solution to the problem I ponder the club? 3. Can I afford to sort it for the club who I know can't afford all these pretty things I want? If you answer no to any of these. Please refrain.

Looking at it now I'm probably swaying towards Kenny Shiels. People speak about his outspoken character but I don't think that'd be a huge issue. It wasn't with our previous manager. I'm sure he'd be willing to curb his need to express himself What I see is in his previous job he looked towards having a young team, hungry. He had the backing of those players as he backed them. This builds the trust. Trust being very important to Richie Foran. See what I'm getting at. Also Killie weren't doing to badly with him in charge. Especially given their debts. Can we get him and Jimmy Nichols with Foran as player/coach? Think that'd work ok for me. Failing that, Paul Hartley. I'm unsure on Yogi. Everyone in Scottish football likes him. He's a top bloke, even for a staunch Hibee which says a lot. I'm just concerned as to whether he's all that great technically.

Going to do it season by season. The 1st one is a little awry as only 3 signed in January. None wear that bad either. So I'll nominate the best and the best of the other 2 is down to who stayed longer. This being Eric Odhiambo 08/09 (SPL from Jan 27th) - Best: Richie Foran. Worst: Brian Kerr 09/10 (SFL 1) - Best: Jonny Hayes. Worst: Chris Eagle 10/11 (SPL) - Best: Aaron Doran (loan initially in Jan) Worst: Gil Blumstein. Though looking at the players who came in now, it's less than inspiring. 11/12 (SPL) - Best: Very tough to call between Andy Shinnie, Billy Mckay and even Josh Meekings. I'm going for McKay due to him still being here (unlike Shinnie, though I'd argue he's a better player perhaps). Worst: Much easier. Tom Aldred. 12/13 (SPL) Best: Gary Warren Worst: Where to start. Simon King was permanently injured, Andre Blackman? George Brislen-Hall? Jordan Gibbon? Charlie Taylor? All on loan but none made an impact. But I'm going to have to go for Jason Oswell as he was deemed so bad that he was away in January. 13/14 (SPL ongoing) Best thus far: Dean Brill. Worst thus far: Curtis Allen.

Looking at it as objectively as I can, and with a few days of hindsight and not feeling as raw as it did (though it still hurts) I can't blame a manager wanting to go to a club with a large fanbase (4th biggest in Scotland), in a 20000 seater stadium with a top training complex. They'd also get a more flexible budget and a better salary themselves. It's inevitable they'd go. It's just a same it could not have been handled better. Had they already agreed to go, why not leave straight away as soon as terms were agreed instead of dragging it out over last weekend. And goading us fans in the process. Then rubbing it in, in his interviews. Show a little decorum. My one point about ambition is that technically he can't really achieve any more at Hibs than he could here. The best he can hope for in the next 2 seasons (this and next) is 2nd place. It'll be near impossible to do this year. He might win the Scottish cup, though it's unlikely. The league cup next season. That's all ifs and buts. Rest assured though that as soon as Rangers are back in the top flight they'll be finishing 2nd that season. They'll spend enough to ensure it. And they won't need to spend a lot (Their team is good enough to be competing this season, though their what I would call competitively unfit, meaning their not sharp to this level, though technically good enough). After which the best any team will be able to achieve is 3rd and a mediocre showing in Europe against an average side. It sounds pessimistic but for anyone to believe anything else is kidding themselves. So the way I see it. Money talks, Terry walks. And I buy into the consensus that the move was probably pre-orchestrated. But we'll move on, we'll survive. We'll hopefully keep improving and keep growing.

Yes, but it would also imply that Butcher had not been as honest with Foran as Foran would like. Foran said that he was surprised Butcher had not got his contract with ICT tied up. Well, the reason for that was because big Tel wanted out the door. I think Butcher's character has become a lot clearer to people this last week. He uses people. He is as nice as anything when it suits him but then casts them aside when they are no longer of value to him. Foran is just the sort of player Butcher likes and therefore he has nurtured him and supported him over the years. But Foran is getting on a bit and will only have a couple more seasons at best at the top level. Butcher might come in for Foran if he thinks he can do a job for Hibs in next season but as soon as Foran has lost that bit of pace he'll just toss him aside. If Foran want to do his coaching qualifications then he would be far better to stay here where the club is supportive of those who are loyal to the club. Richie, if a big guy with with a wide eyed stare and a green tie comes offering you the pleasures of Leith - just say No. Another thing that would back that up would be the way he was so quick to cast aside club stalwarts in Tokely and Munro. The former who he had previously wanted a side of 11 of him. Admittedly Tokely was especially was getting on playing wise, but the way he was discarded almost (yes I know he was offered a deal but it was the type that sounded like he would never be able to accept) shows that once Terry has no more use for you then he'll cast you by the wayside. Be warned Ritchie.

Just been announced that the SFPL have apologised unreservedly and as way of making up will give us a bye to the final and a 3-0 head start. All other teams were said to have taken this decision without comment. Sorry I've just been sleeping. Hearts fans think it's a might of a joke too judging from friends of mine.

So off in January by the looks of it. Reckon we should have just kept Shane Sutherland. He seems better than both Toby and Curtis. Even though he has only played 5 times for Elgin (please tell me he's been injured?!) I still think he'd be a better bet. Offers what Toby does and different to Billy.