big cherly

Just hope the accidental slip and pulled hamstring Musa had on Saturday doesn’t end up his last appearance for us. The guy has been immense for us and probably the one player than has had the most impact in where we are in the league. My player of the season by a Gambian mile. Alfie B draws attention for putting the ball in the net, but unfortunately injury again cut short his stint, (and boy, haven’t we missed him)! bc

The case for a hotel becomes more viable in that the new prison is being build on the other side of the railway and served by a new road bridge and footpath. There is a couple of budget hotels (at Howdens), however a higher ranked hotel with conference facilities would I believe be a viable addition. A lot of football clubs have included hotel facilities as part of new stadium developments. It need not be ICT own the hotel but are part of an economic case for attracting finance. bc

I don’t see the powers at the Scottish League turning down ICT moving to a new stadium as long as it meets the standards and criteria required. AS is well aware there needs to be other ‘drivers’ to facilitate any change of where ICT play their matches. The driving factor for moving from the current location is the cost of running the place far exceeds any income. There isn’t the numbers (fans) to change this, so it’s not sustainable. Simple economics. A sports facility at the UHI campus has been raised and kicked about for more than a decade, with ICT talked about at that time training there. The UHI are keen to have a sports component as an attraction to their desire to be recognised as a ‘real’ university. How it was financed (built and run) has always been the stumbling block. Ie always skint. The HIE (located in the campus) have just about run out of attracting major ‘life science’ businesses to the campus, so the idea of a sports facility could kick start athletic support consultancies and long talked about hotel investment. There is plenty of land on the east side of the campus. In due course the connecting A96 corridor to the Southern Distributor Road will be constructed on East side of the campus. Here I would propose / suggest would be the case to make a push for a campus sporting facility and car parking to be included in the road / site development. AS knows all of the above of course and he is a master of getting the best deal he can. (Ie get the taxpayer and others to pick up the bulk of the costs). Unless he can make the existing stadium viable then I can see AS’s logic to look at most likely option. tuppenceworth. bc

And ifs and buts! We will certainly see Kells see out the remaining (let’s hope 3) games. No question here and he deserves this for what he’s achieved to date. But let’s not be restricted or blind to ‘more of the same’ of Saturday’s game and tactics against Kelty. As I mentioned earlier (half time), why 11 ICT players in our own 18 yard box for at least a couple of corners? No outlet with at least one striker on the half way line to fight for any clearance (hoof) upfield. Surely that (11 men in box) was not a tactic? If it was then you would hope Kells or Billy would see it wasn’t working and effect a change next time round! As the game developed it was clear Kelty (a lot better than I expected {or a few here give credit to } in there set up and ability to break quickly), were able to transfer from a defensive position to attacking with players who could run, carry and pass the ball quickly. Danny and Remi whilst good in the air have no speed whatsoever and are exposed when faced with players of pace. I get it Kells wanted to go for a win, but it would needed to be an own goal on Saturday for us. Dropping a player behind D&R to lock up shop IMO would (should) have been made as a tactical decision. Hindsight’s a great thing and prepared to give Kells the benefit of the doubt here. Won’t be so forgiving if we repeat the same mistakes and don’t learn for the remaining games. bc

If nothing more let’s look to the AS era with a more demanding standard.

A bit alarming and bells ringing a little for me after that performance. I can put a 0-2 result as a one off (it happens for all teams through a season). The performance today however is not the first or second time this season where we have been flat and ‘not up for it’. Hate saying it but today was worse than what I’d see from Duncan Donuts games. I feel we would not have lost today with his tactics. It’s a game I’d hoped we would have secured our place in this division (3) for next season. Not to be, so we have three games to achieve that aim. Last Saturday at this time I was sure we would; today I’m less certain. I still believe it’s within the team however we cannot put in any more performances like today IMO or it will be a perilous few weeks for us all. I don’t want to criticise any player or the management for today’s performance or result. Collectively and to a man they are all responsible. As others have said here, we are a full time team and (on paper) be fitter, better prepared and have our tactics fully in place (and adaptable). If nothing more let’s look to the AS era with a more demanding standard. Can’t afford to put today of as (another) a bad day at the office, we need to learn fast and stop the complacency that affects our game. Fingers crossed for the remaining matches! bc

Half time 0-0. Yawn Game done at Kelty’s pace. Why do we need every ICT player in the 18 yard box at corners? Where does that tactic come from! Don’t tell me we’re playing for a point from this game. Looking for a lot better in the second half. bc

Great summary and artwork again tm4tj. The AI image got me curious however, do you know what the bridge is, (old forth road, Humber ?? ) PS 3-1 today, comfortable win! bridge nerd!!!

Congratulations to AS. He is now driving the bus ICT for a while. I look forward to see the details of how he will structure the non football piece of the club. Interesting that it appears one of the previous potential buyers retains an interest in possible involvement going forward. I am pleased that a non born and bred highlander now holds the reins. Can’t do any worse than the previous incumbents. Wouldn’t be surprised to see some deals struck with past individuals that got us into the mire reappear at the club. Expect to see us playing Championship football at the UHI campus within 5 years with a 20 year rental agreement in a more realistic sized ground. Wishing AS every success. He saved the club singlehandedly and deserves the chance to take it forward. Now the hard part - delivering expectations! bc

He definitely does!!

A lifelong buddy and pay role beneficiary if AS succeeds insisting on shareholders cheering AS over the finishing line on the 11th April. Now there’s a surprise! Wonder if the supporters trust will be next to share this endorsement! bc

21:30 Kelty looking for a new manager! No surprise really!! bc

Well done CaleyD for sticking your head above the parapet and actually putting forward a scheme or model for people to shoot arrows at! The investors ‘charter’ for me needs a bit of work as these guys invariably want something for themselves and infighting of the egos may surface. It also provides the ST with too much power (when with respect they have little or no business expertise, but can influence (loose fan opinion) on major financial decisions based on this model), not sure the trustees would suffer this practice too long! That said it’s imaginative the model you’ve put forward. It deserves applause as being positive and forward thinking. Maybe also plant a seed and send a message to the new owners (when they / he is announced) the fans support in future is not unconditional. bc

That’s where we differ. I repeat anything I read on this forum is, be it BM or just about anything else to do with our team, (that turd SG being the exception {broke my own rules}) is a beacon of light compared to the few other Scottish fans forums I have looked at, ie dons, hearts, hibs, Patrick to name a few (the old firm forums are lost for ever). The ICT boys in the P&B gave up CTO long time ago, considering it a church forum for auld gits (right in my case). Returning to the issue of BM, it’s simple to me, you ‘don’t like the heat, stay out of …………’, be that manager, player, fan or any of them running the club. Last word is yours. bc