Council Juice

Having only watched the highlights, perhaps my opinion is a little squewed perhaps and not on the money, but looking at some of the defending suggests to me Tokely and Aldred are nowhere near a defensive partnership. There didnt seem to be any connection between the 2 at all. I'd like to reserve my opinion on Aldred as he's new and needs to get to grips with the game and get to know his team mates, however he did show a terrible tendency for backing off without having any impact on the run itself. That could, in fairness, be do to with the likes of Jamie Murphy who is very much a bit of a handful. Bit of a baptism of fire so to speak. The first goal was as lucky and as fortunate (or unfortunate in our and Essons case) as they come and the last was a peach. The second was far too easy and straight forward. I'd say the scoreline was a little harsh but Well deserved the points. (again this is based on match commentary and highlights and Im confident not too many will disagree) Anyway, it's over and done. Lets look on to next week and get some points on the board.

Wayne Rooney is supposedly quite good at scoring, both at home and away.

In fairness Wiki says he's a left back so dont know what to make of that. Though he does have a squad number (24). I'd imagine some sort of announcement would have been made if he had signed. Maybe by next weekend.

Tackling sub standard of Proctor? Please, the boys a professional footballer for heavens sake!

Butcher keen to add a defender (Grant Munro?) and central midfielder (Russell Duncan?) and a striker. Surely be releasing those 2 he caused himself more problems than he fixed if thats the case.

Wonder who the player we missed out on is (despite having a better financial package on offer)

With the start of the new season being so much earlier than before it creates the illusion that all is not ready. However it is only now in the last week that English clubs have really began pre season and therefore shut of many transfer option or more importantly loan options to other clubs as they need to assess their teams. I dont think we'll have anyone else come Motherwell but by the end of the window I'd like to think I can jet off to Oz with the knowledge we've brought in a couple (particularly in defence) to bolster the team. We really need a right back in my opinion. That has to be priority. I imagine Tokely, Aldred and Meekings can do the job in the middle with Proctor covering and Gilbert if need be perhaps but a Right back is a must. Preferably one who can bomb upfield and tackle.

Nice to see Doran spurring interest from perhaps more financially enticing SPL clubs to come back to somewhere who gave him a chance before and for a nice 2 year deal. I like the prospect of 1 year deals as they act as a lengthy paid trial. So Bill McKay has a chance to really launch himself.

Thats another 2 in today according to official site. Billy McKay and Aaron Doran All we need now is a right back and a centre half (or someone who can do both)

Another ex Leicester academy player (After Odhiambo, Eagles and Hayes I believe) in. Decent record for Northampton. 16 in 84 overall (doesn't sound spectacular but very few young players do, only the exceptional usually). He's only 5'7 so I imagine he'll be a nippy wee striker feeding off the likes of Foran and Tade. Delighted about Doran. Having him and Hayes tearing at defences, fully fit, will be joyful!

And on Pavels Mihadjuks. In case anyone is interested.

Make a good coach and could be used to fill in when needed but not a 1st team SPL player any more in my opinion. Should do ok at Falkirk.

I knew Scots fans were passionate but going to an under 11s football match in Poland is a bit much. And to take their flags with them...

goal scorers?

Duff should realise he is far from irreplaceable. Whilst I would want to keep him for continuity sakes I would say he is just a ever so slightly better version of Proctor and it is no disaster should he depart.

IMO I doubt Ross will play right back this season as he doesn't have the legs anymore With Grants departure the pressure on Ross in the middle of defence is going to be a huge and I have an awful feeling about the whole situation You only have to look at the Falkirk game when we got relegated three years ago to see how off the pace the big man was even back then Every one of us know we desperately need a new centre half so the question I ask is why doesn't Butcher??? dougal What?! Has he been injured and lost his legs? Ross Tokely could fit in at RB quite easily. He was never comfortable against the wee nippy winger and he never had exceptional pace. However his physicality and reading of the gamemore than make up for his flaws. However we do need another fairly experienced defender. Whether that just being 1 who can fit in at both centre half and right back or one of each. A striker or another winger (ie Doran) would be top of my list too. Getting in Doran would allow Foran to play up with Tade/Sutherland with Hayes wide right. That would cause many team a nightmare. I believe that Sutherland is reaching the point where he can take over from Rooney. He has the ability. Maybe about time to sign another County player. Did they not have a fairly decent defence last year (despite their lowly league position, I believe it was their lack of goals that was the issue- correct me if Im wrong)

I think when we did reject the opportunity to sign him he was in need of 1st team football at a lower level to get back in the flow of things after having been in reserves and having so many little niggles etc. He was not ready for the SPL at that point. However having proven himself and his fitness, his quality was bound to attract interest and thus an opportunity was missed. Good luck to the lad!

I like this idea. Doran, Foran, Shinnie, Shinnie, Tade, Nade and Cox: the ICT equivalent of the firemen from Trumpton*. *Those under about 35 will probably have to look this up, depressingly enough. Resign Liam Fox? And I had to look this up.

Our Terry does drink alot to be fair.. Didn't seem all that interested in the Hibs job when Hughes got the boot and no reason to think now would be any different. Poisoned chalice.

9/10. Q10 wrong typical. Get every one right until the last. Went for St Mirren.

Thats what they fear.

Makes much more sense to have a Christmas eve game than a boxing day one for starters. Players get to play then head home to the families and enjoy christmas. Imagine having to watch what you were eating on christmas day. Not have a litte too much to drink. They might be "professionals" but even they deserve a christmas break. And surely a match between ICT and Aberdeen is the best possible tie for such a date? Home or away. Everyone would be home by the back of 8 if they wanted and thats plenty of time to kick back and get the christmas cheer on. Stick to the fixture ICT. Dont let them get away with this needless whining.

Having most of the team all signed up for next season is great news. What with now only Rooney and Duff the remaining players yet to decide their futures. Whilst I'd like to keep Rooney obviously, I'm sure we all would, I dont see it happening. He's likely to go on to better things. Though I would like to think he would guard himself against moves to Hibs (as good as a sidewards step) or Fleetwood (a much lower level (effectively non league) where he could be forgotten). If he gets a good offer from the championship or league 1 even then yeah, by all means it'd probably be a good move but anything lower would seem to be more financial reward than anything. And at 22 he has plenty of time before he has to worry about a big pay day. On Duff, I'd like him to stay. Moreso for continuities sake as anything. But should he go, then I'd say a replacement right back rather than midfielder should be the priority. With the loss of 3 experienced centre halves (Munro - still dont know why, Hogg and Innes) we only really have one recognised centre half at the club in Ross Tokely now. Proctor and Gillet can play there but I'd rather not see that. Ideally we need 2 additions in that department. So in my opinion we need: Right back x1, Centre back x2, Striker or Attacking Mid x1 (and if Rooney leaves, one of each). They dont need to be all permanent, or signed as 1st team regulars but players need replaced. With Odhiambo, Sanchez and Bluhmenstien all having left, one replacement is definitely needed IMO (given the latter 2 rarely played). With Rooney likely leaving another striker will probably be needed there also. The centre backs are a must have. We have nothing there. This position worries me somewhat and I really hope Terry's got a few aces up his sleeve there. So what do you think?

Hope we can get Aaron back. Wee touch of class there.

I BELIEVE! Hey it's worked before for us. Just BELIEVE!