4ize

Maybe just me, but I think that for quite some time we've had some good players capable of taking us into the top six. People will remember that SFL Division One is no pushover and there's often not much difference between the bottom half of the SPL and the top half of SFL1 - and so on, down the divisions. Most will remember days in the SPL when we've outplayed so-called 'big' teams and looked like we were having a laugh at their expense. Almost everyone will recognise the commentator's standby - that the opposition were having a bad day - every time we've turned one of them over. Almost everyone will remember, too, that apart from one magical spell when confidence was high - breeding confidence - we've had ups and downs in the SPL but rarely a sustained period of results. With an Arabesque turnover of managers, particularly ones who either don't know the players, don't like the players, or in some cases don't appear to know what a player looks like, I just think we need someone to stay for a couple of years and get the squad back to the state where they know what's what. With the possible exception of another centre back we have the playing staff - now let's have a strong manager who'll mould a team. And not one who starts every sentence with 'Um...'. Remember that Stevie fella...? :016:

Various posts over the last few days point towards responsibility for hiring and firing the playing staff resting with people who are still in their job at ICT. In theory, then, Charlie's departure should make no difference?

Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou! It's not just me, after all... :001:

Warnock, then Paterson. Or both (one for the league and one for cup games :004:). None of the others float my boat, especially not Elvis. Player managers are beginning to be an albatross. Or possibly a big gull, I've never been too good at seabirds.

Eh? I don't recall Robbo's departure causing anything like the furore that Craigy Two-Faces' brought. The only significant differences between the two splits? Robbo didn't sound off about loyalty two months before effing off; and, in his first ever managerial post, he achieved something: he won the first division title. A little thing, I know... Parky - well, as Scotty points out, he's been offered control of his destiny and turned it down. He's been around plenty long enough to know how these things go and, whilst not pleasant, I expect in that sort of position you've always got one eye on the door.

Same as last time from Mee :009: and from me: Yes please :003:

sounds like a bonus to me :015:

Better him than Brew :017:

I wasn't sure you were doing the right thing in taking the job, Charlie - in the managerial merry-go-round, we haven't exactly seen playing legends coming up smelling of roses when they undertook to manage their own clubs - and if even some of the allegations on here are even partly true you've my deepest sympathy. What doesn't depend on things written here is my respect for you, which has only been increased by your decision today. In forty years few people will give a toss about Charlie Christie the manager, but I bet there'll be a **** of a lot who'd be very upset if you'd been sent to an early grave by the stress of a job. Your passion for, and commitment to the club have been amazing, but the true measure is in getting your priorities straight and realising what matters most. You seem to have got that one spot on. Thanks for everything, best for the future.

I remember a home game against Celtic last season where Rory made a bloody good case for him having what it takes at this level. What he seems to lack is physical courage; Graham isn't the most skilful player in the world but by god does he battle and put it about. Forget a loan spell, send him to Fort George for a month.

Rory, if you happen to read this thread, you can answer your critics by finding your effing bollocks. Case in point, the ball kicked across goal by Cuellar to Macdonald in the second half - you could have put the guy under pressure but did you run towards him to charge the ball down? Nah, you disappeared off up the park. The difference between you and Graham is that he puts it about and stands in the line of fire, whereas you just don't seem to have the confidence to take the fight to them. I've seen you prove that you can play at this level in one game only - but that was against Celtic last season, so I reckon you can. But you need balls to do the job that was asked of you today, and you seem to be missing yours at the moment.

Hmm... Not everyone's quite that blinkered - I remember a lot of criticism of Juanjo before he stopped falling over if someone breathed in his direction. At least with Juanjo I changed my mind when he toned down the diving, whereas for me Robson has always occupied, and always will occupy, a special place in my heart - right next door to Neil Lennon. If there isn't a circle of **** reserved for cheating ginger cnuts I'll be lobbying Auld Nick for one to be set up the minute I arrive: eternal torment's one thing, but having to listen to them bitching about it would just be too much.

<groan> :004:

Tickled me, seeing Dennis's one-to-one in the programme with the quote about Nakamura being world-class, then seeing Rankin leave him dead in the water: my ball, Shunsuke, cheers pal, see ya later. Marvellous :001:

Ffs, how often has the lad played 30 minutes, let alone a full SPL match? How exactly is he supposed to be match fit and, more to the point, match sharp when he's not playing matches? Not singling you out Davie - the bit about 'can't jump to save his life' is bloody laughable too, when you consider that Bayne couldn't buy a ball in the air until this season - but I must have been watching a different Rory to some folk on this thread. Give him a break... I'm with the Dons on this one.

If you'd any doubt, have a wee listen to his radio interview - he came to Inverness to resurrect his career (not we gave him a chance), we were struggling in the 1st division when he arrived and now we're doing well so [it's all down to him]. He had to be prompted to give us any positive mention whatsoever and then it was damning with faint praise. Best of luck old big'ead, hope the curse of Caley Thistle gets ya between the eyes. My favourite bit was when one reporter asked "you left Rangers because you weren't getting first team football - what's different about this?". Get in :021:

He was an absolutely fantastic stopper and consistent first choice for Oldham Athletic after coming up from the U21s to replace the injured John Hallworth - who then never got a look-in for the next four years till Joe Royle lured Gerrard to Everton for a cool £1M. Very much in command in the box, and a great reflex keeper for those last-gasp fingertip saves. Instrumental in keeping Oldham in the Premiership in - ah, there's the rub, it'd be 1993...

I hear Mark only signed on condition that Les Fridge accompanied him (on the banjo). Like a lot of folk I can't see much, if any, first team action for him, but I doubt he'll be happy warming the bench so he must believe there's at least a chance there. If it turns out that Boruc stays and doesn't get injured, or he leaves and Marshall takes the top spot, then Mark can always look for something else at the end of his current contract. For me it'd be - never mind the money (though that's very nice), I don't want to get to the end of my career and be wondering if I could have played in the Champions League, if only I'd taken a fairly insubstantial and lucrative risk (plus a few splinters in the erse).

RiG, it was clear from 15 mins in that their keeper was on the Night Nurse - we just couldn't capitalise on it. It's bad enough the media not giving Charlie & Parky credit without us shaking our heads too. Aye, there have been some dodgy moments but it sounds like they got it spot on last week; they made the changes today, when they needed to be made, and to great effect; and that's six games unbeaten. I reckon they're onto something now and, whilst tactical genius might be a moniker too far, at least they're showing better thinking than Brew's old 'get the ball to me, lads, then run like ****, oh and I'll only sub you if you're bleeding'. My, that was a long post after all these months - back in ma box :sleep01:

Sorry, but that's sanctimonious b0llocks. Neither you nor I would expect the same sort of treatment at work but then we don't have thousands of people paying good money to watch us work. If an actor consistently makes a balls-up of his lines and falls off the stage from time to time he may well come in for some pretty vocal judgements from the audience and some real vitriol from the critics. Why should a footballer, who's an entertainer after all, be exempt from that pact between performer and audience? Besides, all I heard when Golly finally came off was a smattering of applause from around the tunnel.

Also in jazz, as will be well known from his time as Arts editor on the Courier. What I hadn't realised, until Jim's illness was diagnosed, is just how highly regarded he was in that sphere. The offers of help and the support that came in from that quarter - and those only the ones I heard of - were as strong a testament as you could ask for to a man who'd genuinely touched the hearts of others who shared his passion and had earned their affection, admiration and respect. If only Nessie had been so supportive and agreed to give an exclusive all those years ago! Clearly a life well-spent, Jim.

I thought Campbell was excellent in the brief spells he got the ball on Saturday - well done, Proc, for ignoring the guy you'd been warming up with, who was shouting for the ball in acres of space, instead hoofing the ball into a crowded central midfield on at least three occasions. The lad won us two corners, put in at least one fantastic cross (Denzil, moment of brilliance past, stood off and looked at the ball as if a passing ferret had just expounded the Theory of Relativity in Urdu), fought for possession, was found back in defence as well as closing in on goal, and generally showed willing. He even juggled the ball with his knees, though I don't think he knew it was there. Give the boy a year :003:

New pay deal averts rail strikes, apparently.

He gave us a fairly graphic idea of what Neil Lennon's capable of, for one. Not wanting to sound too 'Pet Cemetery' but sometimes they come back - maybe he'll go back to Jaen, score a bagful and pine for those marvellous days in the Highlands after some dreadful Spanish summers, returning for season 2009/10. Or perhaps I should increase the dosage.

I'm with Gringo - Mark Brown. I spent ages touching up the red-eye on Grant's presentation last year, don't want to go through that again :roll: