big cherly

The agony of todays result is why we are addicted to this sport. It’s so unpredictable that we get high when we unexpectedly win well (Livi) and suffer when we fall short (today and more than we wish to admit this season)! I believe we were the better team today for 70% of the game but failed where it matters most (putting the ball in the net). Outcome, Hamilton scored and grew in confidence. Second goal killed the match as a contest. I’m no fan of BD but I’m not convinced he has to carry all the blame for todays result. Truth is our players failed to deliver (again) when required. There was no pressure against Livi (most hoped we wouldn’t be humiliated), but when we were expected to overcome lowly Hamilton the truth hit home (they couldn’t)! We all know scoring goals is the toughest part for all teams. Celtic and Rangers are so endowed that it’s less of a problem for them. When your the likes of ICT and don’t take the opportunities when they come along it influences both sides as the match progresses. We couldn’t handle it and lost our way - Wala 0-3! Had we scored first I personally feel we could have won the game! Outwith not scoring and loosing the two first goals, (don’t believe it was a penalty), my gripe from today’s performance was the reluctance to press up the field when we had the ball. Too many took the easy option to play the ball back - a pattern all to familiar for a lot of this season. I can’t and will not blame the kids if and when they make a mistake, that’s part of the learning and development of their match knowledge and abilities. So for me today’s shortcomings was down to the experienced players. Last week it was different and I believe, (and hope) the next match will also prove likewise. As has been mentioned in numerous notes throughout this forum, we are where we are in ways of money, players, board and manager capabilities and abilities! Our players are the best we can afford or attract to the area. Some will have to move on (age, money or too injury prone) once the season is completed. That’s just the reality we are in! The fan base is fragile however, and this is where I fear the CEO and board may make the biggest mistake by taking them again for granted. The current fan base is the core stock, and they are clearly thinning out as they don’t like the direction or what has happened to their club and state of disrepair to the ground over the past few years. Anyway - whilst no fan of him, for me todays loss is less blame of the manager and more for the players. just my tuppence worth! bc

It all depends on your viewpoint. You obviously think the record and standard you mention served the club (and fans) well. You are entitled to that view and I respect that. I personally have a different opinion. I believe our club benefits from open opinion and criticism. If you only want to hear and read one side of the argument that’s your right! It’s not mine!!

Wonderful, let’s all look back and luxuriate in the glow of past glories. It is also the point where we can see the start if the slow grinding decline of the club both on and off the park to the place we are now. Maybe we can put the Jan manager of the month in the calendar for 2024 to celebrate that also - double the joy!

Got to say I really had to dig deep on Saturday to attend the match. I ignored my brian saying you’re a mug to keep watching this excuse of a team and sit in freezing weather to boot. My choice to ignore the weather, but I’m dammed if I will turn up to buy lukewarm bovril, use toilets that have no lights, soap, hot water or paper towels, then enjoy 90 minutes of the best ICTFC can offer. Like most of the dinosaur fans that have followed the team from the highland league days, we can see just how shallow we are as a club! Whilst the young kids get our support as they break through, there is no way in my opinion this team could get into the top league. The fact is we don’t deserve it! I have to be upfront and honest to myself. I just can see myself continuing to think next season will be different!! And that’s where I drop out (like a lot of more others)!!

It’s a strange position I find myself. Such is the (poor) performance of the team this season I questioned the capability of the manager to affect the performance positively. When it was clear improvement on the field was not going to happen I looked to the Board / CEO to see a route for improvement! They are in full possession on the financial position of the club, so I expect they consider this in any decision as to whether Dodds can change things (the way we all want). Billy Dodds is no monster and wanted to see ICT succeed for sure! It just transpired that he, like 98% of other ex footballers turn out to be unable to translate personal positivity into actual team performance to match the board and fan’s aspirations. Billy Dodds I suspect would have taken an exit card in the past (and right now) but has been asked by the CEO to help steer the club to safety (that is avoid being relegated), this season. BD is a proud man and will I expect agree to this recognising most want him gone! So closing - I will turn up in Jan and try to give my team ICT support! If anything the fans are the club and we stick through the hard times! BD will do his best and ultimately be replaced in due course. Let’s give him and the team our support through to safety from threat of relegation! all the best for the festive season! bc

This is the reality! Get used to it remaining fans. The common denominator for any club is its fan base. If we want to ‘get real’ then we face the facts ICT have never attracted enough fans from the beginning. We struggled to get over 3000 when in the top league when the Hamilton’s of the world visited. The players and managers through the years knew this and apart from one or two that couldn’t get a better offer decided to live here as they got older. The real challenge of all boards was to make the experience of a match such an attraction that it would develop and increase the fan base. Simple fact is they haven’t managed to see or do this! Putting aside the team performance for a moment, getting to & the condition of the stadium is an off-put. Dangerous crossing of the A9 (main road for 100 mile radius) for pedestrians. Stadium view (seat rake & distance from pitch), is poor. i.e reference Tynecastle! I have some sympathy for the current board; their not idiots or have their head in the clouds, but maybe they thought a shuffle of the existing limits assets and resources plus a few concerts to raise a bob or two may be enough to get us into the cash haven of the top league. (We would almost certainly be soon back down ). So summing up, We are where we deserve to be simply on the fact that we don’t have enough fans to generate enough money to put a better team and game experience on show. Sorry to be so blunt about it but until we ‘get real’ we will continue to dream above our station. Just like 90% of other teams in Scotland. bc

There comes a time to stop digging when you are in a hole. ICT are not quite at the bottom yet (that’s relegation which is a distinct possibility), but the signs are clearly there! I stopped supporting Scotland when Craig Broon got the reigns and filled the team with 10 centre halfs. We’re still suffering from that legacy! Feel that ICT haven’t got over the Ritchie Foran experiment (due to an inept and visionless board)) and like Scotland are still suffering from small thinking boardrooms. Dodds is a product of this board and with the current philosophy things won’t change. We need a complete new structure and vision (5 year) fir the club. I am sure A Savage’s door has been knocked on a few times, so that boat has sailed. The recent podcast was a big improvement in the abismal communication with the fans, so their is some light. Best we can hope for is not coming bottom of the league this year. Part time team is a reality!! bc