Council Juice

Scored what was described as a superb free kick at the weekend according to one daily tabloid did our Bloabby.

I'd imagine the club, whilst getting money from sponsorship and TV revenue would also likewise have to spend money once we came up, wage clauses, extra staff, bringing in more players etc. Until it goes from a loss, to an actual debt I'm hoping that I wont get too worried about such matters. Im sure the club will take measures to make sure this loss is taken care of (hence the recent ?250k investment)

Was just about to say that with Hayes and Doran out and the likes of Ross and A.Shinnie required in the middle, and G.Shinnie at left back (he could play left midfield) there is a chance he might get thrown in there. Foran took a knock against Killie too but hopefully it's not too serious. With these injuries though, the likes of Sutherland and Greig might find themselves on the flanks for our next game should injuries not relent.

That could be the fall out of our year of relegation with last seasons TV money and revenue etc not taken in there. Well hopefully it is something like that. The club dont seem to be overly concerned about it which with their financial shrewd nature it should be alright.

Although this is not a thread/forum section for speculation I can't help but resist a Little(you'll get the pun soon enough) According to the Highland News report that George Fraser is to step down, it also reported funds would be released to Lord Terry. Now I've thought about it and it's probably cover at RB and another striker thats needed overall (Although current injuries to the midfield area might dictate otherwise). Obviously it would be highly unlikely that we'd bring in 2 players. Just not going to happen. However I have heard it mentioned that Rangers are looking to get Andy Little out on loan and I dont think he'd be a bad shout. Capable of playing at RB and upfront he'd be a versatile addition to the squad. He also has the added bonus of being a current Northern Ireland full international. As we've just lost our 2 main wingers I'm fairly confident in my knowledge that he can play as a right midfielder also. He has always been highly rated at Rangers but their strength in depth at RB and up front have limited opportunity as well as the occasionally poorly timed injury. He is 22 so still quite young but not completely raw. I reckon a loan deal for even 6 months would be good, even just to cover our injury crisis until everyone is back. You get the dodgy pun now?

Is it just me or did last time we got a cash injection Alan Savage came in as chairman? He should keep stepping down and coming back in if thats the case. Also, any more classy Romanians coming in, perhaps this time a little less on the mercenary side of things? Chivu maybe?

I demand an apology. Wont speak to them until I get one!

YAY! Any news on Foran and Doran? Hope it's not too bad. Thankfully we've got the International break next week so perhaps the likes of Cox, McKay, Tansey will be available. Maybe Foran too if not bad (please dont be).

What I wouldnt give for a Sandaza.......

YYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Ryan Esson has had nothing to do at all - the game has hit a lull. After Kilmarnock's early passing, it's all about Inverness now." BBC Scotland pundit Brian Irvine in Inverness Is this code for saying we've got all the ball but doing nothing with it? Either that or he doesn't like us much and thinks any time ICT are on top its considered a "lull"

So I imagine it will be something along the lines of a 4-1-2-2(w)-1. like - - Esson - - Piermayr - Hogg - Golabert - G.Shinnie - - Tokely - - Morrison - Ross - - Doran---------------------------------------- Foran - - Tade - I've nothing against Tade but I always feel that he'll be making the same runs as Foran and it takes away from a central attacking role. And if I had a choice of either it would be Foran. Still we've got plenty attacking options on the bench to change it up if it's not working, which I hope isn't the case and instead we're 4-0 up after 10 minutes. That'd be lovely.

It is time that the SFA sought to resolve the problem that is the gap between under 19 and first team football. The clubs have stated that due to the costs involved they cannot run these teams. There must be ways of resolving this. League sponsorship whereby the league takes upon corperate sponsors by which the money is split between member clubs equally to help soley with running costs. Team sponsorship. Fans and local businesses can sponsor the u21 teams. Government grass roots funding SFA funding. Teams at the moment seem to find that the way ahead is via raising their own prospects and signing released players at no cost. But how can a club stick an 18 year old straight into the first team with nothing to bridge the gap unless they are of exceptional quality? More often than not they cant. Surely if raising ones owns prospects is the cheapest method then finding the money to invest in such would be wiser than spending elsewhere. The cancellation of the reserve/u21 league was very short sighted. Yes it cut running costs at the time but now clubs are actually having to raise their own players more than ever in the last 15-20 years they dont have anywhere to nurture the ones who can go on to 1st team football. If they were to set it back up they'd have to ensure only players raised through youth systems or of elligible age could play. They couldnt fill it full of players who dont get a 1st team game as they are not 1st pick just for match fitness (arrange bounce games for that.) The league season could be alot shorter than the 1st team league. Play each other twice or divide it up regionally to reduce travelling distance. (say Inverness, Aberdeen, St Johnstone, Dunfermline, Dundee Utd and erm name from a hat please, Hibs or Hearts) Which ever are the overall shortest differences for teams to travel. Perhaps teams far away from each other could play each other on a neutral venue "somewhere in the middle". But someone has to take grasp of the situation to allow players to develop into the 1st team unless a significant loan system can be set in place.

Ok to ammend my team folowing news of Tansey being out. = Esson = - Piermayr - Tokely - Hogg - G,Shinnie - - Ross - Morrison - Foran - - Doran - Sutherland - A. Shinnie - Subs: Tuffey; Golabert, Tade, McKay, Space for fans wanting a better view...

Team for Killie is - = Esson = - Piermayr - Tokely - Hogg - Shinnie - - Ross - Tansey - Foran© - - Doran - Sutherland - Tade - Subs: Tuffey; Golabert, Morrison, A. Shinnie, Greig, Laing. Normally I'd go for my preferred 4-2-3-1 but we're pretty stretched on numbers at the moment so I think 4-3-3 is our best bet. Playing Doran right side of an attacking 3 allows for it to easily adapt into a 4-4-2 or 4-1-3-1 with anchor man. And playing Foran centrally hopefully will give the team the added bite required in the middle. As for the bench it picks itself due to the lack of players available.

Seemingly Butcher is going to sign an 18 yr old Dutch striker on saturday morning, he's only just left school but he shows great promise, and given 84 games could turn out to be another Rooney. Could be the biggest deal since Marius and sponsored too - Welcome to Sneck - Luc Castaignos. Erm really? Seemingly he had 15 goals in 34 for Feyenoord before signing for Inter this summer at the age of 18. Surely if he was capable of that they'd loan him back to Feyenoord.

Feel sorry for anyone who travelled down to watch that. Hey but we are only one win difference from last seasons start. We just need to get a result and soon. As after Killie we have Celtic, Hearts and Dundee Utd. 3 tough games.

This time I think I'll go for- - Tuffey - - Piermayr - Hogg - Golobart - G.Shinnie - - Tansey - Ross - - Doran - Sutherland - Foran - - Tade - Subs: - Esson, Tokely, Morrison, Hayes, A.Shinnie. Tuffey will get his run in goals. I'll go with exactly the same defence that started against the Dons. We need to get some consistency there and whilst it might not be our strongest line up in defence it will allow for bedding players in. In central midfield I think we need probably what are our 2 best and most experienced available. Having gone for an attacking midfield 3 I think Doran needs a start for match fitness and hopfully to gain some confidence and momentum. Sutherland and Tade need to start to see if they can grab a goal and relax a little. Earn their place in the team so I'll play the more composed Sutherland and his ability to shoot behind Tade who hopefully will make good runs in behind. He's caused 1st division defences problems before so here's hoping he hasn't forgotten how already. And I'll have Foran starting in a familiar position on the left but i'd fully expect he, Sutherland and Tade to interchange fairly regularly. Perhaps if Sutherland can be more static and hold a position whilst the others make the runs it will be profitable. Allow Ross and Tansey to run from deep when opportunities allow. We have enough kids in the team to name a fully experienced bench (as available) so went with above. i believe only 5 subs are allowed in the cup. But if it is 7 pick any other 2 available. Terry, Trust me. I play Football Manager.

Whilst I've only seen one full game and th full 2nd half of the Dunfermline game this season, everytime Sutherland seems to come on, the team as a wholes seem to offer more up front whether Shane is directly invloved in the move or not. His presence of being constantly in the forward position allows other members of the team to push up and thus exert pressure higher up the pitch which results in more opportunites. Both Foran and Tade seem to want to start deep and run. Good for hitting on the break perhaps but doesn't seem to be working in terms of sustained attacking pressure. Foran is very good in the air however isn't going to win that many against 2 centre halves straight down the middle as he lacks the height. This is agains something Shane has (though I dont really know of his aerial ability or not). Forans best aerial attacks seem to come from him attacking from runs from the left hand side. So whilst it would be a great amount of pressure to put on Shane and some might buckle under that I dont see what we have to lose. Give him the chance against Ayr. See how he does. He'll get the same pressure as Tade and there is no way of knowing how he'll deal with that. You never know, as a kid he could relish the opportunity and shine under pressure. We'll never find out if the boy will sink or swim if we dont let him get a little more than his feet wet. So my answer would be, Why not?

C'mon PLEAASE!

C'mon early goal back... please!

Ugh, more dire refereeing. No advantage in the SPL then? JOKE! Utter joke.

Not sure I can listen to much more of this. Turn it off and take a breather.

Sounds like we badly need either an attacking outlet or someone to unlock the door. We still have the same creative players as last season soooo I'm thinking a target man? Foran does his best attacking the ball from coming in from the left. Hard against too tall centre halves.

So a - - Esson - -Piermayr - Hogg- Golobart - G. Shinnie - - Tansey - Morrison - Ross- - Hayes - Foran - A. Shinnie - Or Shinnie or Hayes tucked in behind. We really dont have many options up front if we aren't going to use Sutherland much.