CaleyTennis

Don't you think that if Robbo wanted to talk to Dundee, he'd have resigned by now as that's usually what happens when clubs refuse other clubs permission to talk to another club! Anyway, I'm still not comfortable and am not sure that this is the end of the situation, until Robbo makes a statement himself!

I see Hibs have released a lot of players, one of which includes Ross Laidlaw so, if Ridgers were to leave (hopefully unlikely) I'd consider him as a replacement. He could even come in as number 2 behind Ridgers and ahead of Cameron Mackay but I don't think he'd want to be number 2 choice. Others released by Hibs that I'd consider are Thomas Agyepong and Lewis Allan. As you peeps know, I'm not good at this so I'll leave it to IHE lol.

I'm going to post something here which proves that I do listen to the mods lol (I spoke to Scotty a couple of months ago and promised to change. He will confirm this hopefully ? Anyway, I think we had a good season, draws were our undoing and silly late goals such as Queens game where we were 1 up with 5mins left yet lost 1-2 and Falkirk 3-2 defeat a month ago. For next season, I'd like to see Robbo retain our best players (if possible) and play the youngsters such as McGregor, Harper, Machado and Danny Mackay whilst also scouring the market for bargains like he has done before. I trust Robbo in the market and tbh, he's already signing players which is a bonus. My only fear is, he may be off if Hearts sack Level or Holt leaves for Kilmarnock if Clarke does indeed take on Scotland job. Please Robbo, stay another season and get us back to Premier league.

I am going to post this as a new thread because the other one was aimed at identifying positions we needed to strengthen rather than one where so called "rumours" can be posted. I will start with a rumour I saw on Pie and Bovril (that fairly reliable source, NOT) which is, ex County player Stellios.

Great news so hopefully more follow .

Maybe a loan or two because I'm not too keen on loans, unless we can eventually get them permanently because the players just go back to their club then get loaned back out somewhere else the next transfer market. I would far rather look at the lower leagues in Scotland, something that I know has been mentioned on here is that there is real prospects down there, or look to see what becomes available from down in England, I'm sure clubs may be releasing real talent or even experienced pros but, I would stress that I would only like to see seasoned pros signed if they improve the team, not just to sit on the bench or signed because their experienced. But, I do trust John Robertson to succeed in the market with what he has available . I still believe the Norwich strategy should be looked at by us, and many other clubs because they didn't sign players for fortunes, some were even on frees and signed a vast majority of their academy team in order to stay on a sound footing and Mr Webber didn't wield the axe, even when results were not great, he backed Daniel Farke and now look at them.

In my honest opinion, what we actually need is the same strategy that Mr Webber used at Norwich this season ? Norwich didn't have much of a budget so signed a lot of their academy players to the first team whilst going into the market and signing, mainly young players for hardly any money, so had to be patient with Daniel Farke, the head coach. So, I think that is maybe a strategy we can use, hopefully keep the core of our squad but if not, then go into the transfer market and sign a few young players that have a point to prove and also sign a few of our youngsters such as McGregor, Harper and Daniel Mackay (I've probably missed a few more) on full team contracts .

Updated with what I would do if I was managing ICT ;). So on that, I would sign 2 Strikers, one to replace Austin and possibly one from OFW wages. We need to replace Polworth too but I would like to see some of the youngsters get a chance, McGregor, Harper etc have been on the bench this past few games yet don't get on which is a shame. On signings, I'd be looking at players from the leagues below or possibly even loans from Premier League teams youngsters that aren't playing much, for example, the boy Kane at St J.

Can I ask what he has done to rile so many of our fans on Twitter, apart from be a useless footballer, who, in my humble opinion needs released or sold during the summer?? Another that should be ashamed of himself, and deserves as much pelters is Brad McKay but that is for another thread.

I would be more than happy to give youngsters a chance or try and recruit youngsters released by other clubs, especially if we hold on to the majority of the experience we have currently :). One thing I have never doubted Robbo on is his recruitment of players.

Our future?

Who else could replace White!? Is Austin not our only other striker plus what can he do when he is not on the pitch long enough to make an impact!!?

A point on Tuesday confirms the play off place ?.

Looking ahead to next season, regardless of the league we are in, today and most of this season has shown that we need to improve in areas of the park so the priorities in the next transfer market has to be defenders, especially centre half and right back. I think we probably also need a striker as well, preferably one that scores regularly. To be honest, this also depends on who stays or goes because players like Donaldson, Polworth and Doran will be linked away.

Well, now our attention can turn to our next big game against Hearts on Saturday. This is one that we should be confident of, despite the last meeting, due to the current form of both teams. I'd go with a 4-5-1 for this one. Ridgers Rooney McHattie McKay/McCart Tremarco Doran Chalmers Trafford Polworth Walsh White.

We have another big game on Saturday, win and we go up to 3rd and still clear of Dunfermline. Draw or lose them it gets nervy, provided Partick win against Dunfermline. We have Trafford suspended but hopefully McCart is ok after looking like he was close to being subbed after 10 min tonight. Ridgers Rooney, Donaldson, McCart, Tremarco Doran, Polworth, Chalmers, Walsh, MacDonald White. We need to keep Shankland in check if we are to have any chance in this one but I hope we get the desired reaction from tonight because the fans deserve a reaction imho. Oh and let's hope for a better ref because tonight's was beyond atrocious!!

???

Fancy driving me from Thurso down to Hampden lol?

I'm so tempted :).

I feel obliged to start this thread in praise of John Robertson and how he set us up today, imho, he got it spot on. As most of you know, I am not always Robbo's biggest supporter so by starting this, I'm kind of admitting my errors regarding that. I spoke with the site manager last week and basically apologised for some of my posts and reactions in the past and we came to a mutual agreement that, after a bad result, I will leave it a day or two before posting, in order to calm down. I thanked him and all the mods for being reasonable with me so, I promise them all that I will not be a pain anymore. Anyway, back to today, I say everyone involved with the club deserve credit for this cup run :ictscarf:.

I would like to see us go for by going with an attack minded 4-4-2. Ridgers Rooney, Donaldson, McCart, Tremarco Doran, Walsh, Chalmers, Polworth White and Austin. I think John is likely to favour the 4-5-1 though so something along the lines of : Ridgers Rooney, Donaldson, McCart, Tremarco Doran, Walsh, Chalmers, Welsh, Polworth White.

I see that Robbo is saying that he has to use his budget wisely ahead of next season, especially now that we have made a loss so, how should JR use the budget next season? I think it really depends on who stays and who goes but I am fairly certain that Polworth and OFW will be sold in order to free up some wages. I am thinking that we may see a few more of our youngsters get some match time too which is a positive. I can also see us try and get a striker in if possible and maybe another centre half. Let me know what you think, I'm I completely on the wrong tracks or am I about right ?

I this I should say that everyone, including the management deserve enormous credit for tonight . They showed great character coming back twice from a goal down and nearly won it before ET when Fox nearly scored an OG (I think) and we also hit the bar. As I said in another thread, Mark Ridgers is my new hero, for that penalty save alone :). With our record of penalties scored this season, it's even better that we win it without missing one. I am really happy tonight and am hoping this is the springboard to success in the league.

Yes lol but, MARK RIDGERS is my hero now ?.

A shame its not on tv again but its Champions League night so nothing we can do about that. Anyway, go ICT .