Doesn't look like this season will have a happy ending. A hugely disappointing campaign and one which leaves lots of unanswered questions and finger pointing. However it is also got me to thinking that maybe it's just our time. We are real football fans who experience the highs and the lows. Apart from Celtic, every team in the split have either been relegated or flirted with it. The cup win and Romania tasted so sweet as we had already tasted the bitterness of relegation and look likely to again. I have enjoyed our journey and will continue to regardless of what division we end up in. Apart from Romania and the cup final, all my favourite away days have been in the lower leagues. Regardless of whether we go down or not I look forward to the next chapter.

 

Intriguing comment from CC:

Quote

There have been other issues at the club which have not helped and undoubtedly contributed to our current difficulties. It is frustrating at times to work at the club and yet not be able to contribute in areas where I felt I could help but have not been given the chance.

http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/Sport/Football/Charlie-Christie-top-level-officiating-in-Scotland-is-unacceptable-20042017.htm

24 minutes ago, RednBlackComeback said:

Intriguing comment from CC:

http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/Sport/Football/Charlie-Christie-top-level-officiating-in-Scotland-is-unacceptable-20042017.htm

It is indeed.  Charlie normally steers clear of saying anything controversial in his Courier columns but this comment is very telling.

I think it is very sad that the lack of youth development and progression has been a key note of this season. 

Richie as a former development coach and charlie as current incumbent cannot use simple statements to deflect from an abject failure in the youth system or belief in the calibre of players. 

I hoped at the start of the season an internal managerial appointment would result in progression for jason brown, blair,alisdair and many others i couldnt name. If this has been the case and relegation happened i would have accepted this as a long term change of focus with a belief we were building something stronger like united in 80s or even hearts. 

Instead jason won a cup and man of the match with cove ,youth keeper has been standout with elgin and others have dissappeared. 

 

 

3 hours ago, RednBlackComeback said:

Intriguing comment from CC:

http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/Sport/Football/Charlie-Christie-top-level-officiating-in-Scotland-is-unacceptable-20042017.htm

The last time he was allowed to 'contribute in areas where he thought he could help' he walked out as soon as the going got tough.

Strikes me as someone who's high opinion of themselves is very misplaced.

The opposite, actually. He had the honesty and self-awareness to realise that the pressure was too much for him and resigned. That took some guts and humility. Unlike many others.

14 hours ago, RednBlackComeback said:

Intriguing comment from CC:

http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/Sport/Football/Charlie-Christie-top-level-officiating-in-Scotland-is-unacceptable-20042017.htm

When someone who is devoted to the club and, without doubt, has it's interests at heart, goes public with such comments it is concerning indeed.

Something is seriously wrong behind the scenes. There is no point in burying hands in sand. Until that problem, whatever it may be, is acknowledged and addressed it's unlikely that our free fall from the giddy heights of just two years ago will end any time soon.

Get it sorted and do it now for everyone's sake.

2 hours ago, The Long Man said:

The opposite, actually. He had the honesty and self-awareness to realise that the pressure was too much for him and resigned.

Agreed. When Brewster left in 2006 there was a considerable hiatus during which the feeling was that Charlie was being leant on to accept, and eventually did. I think he did a very good job but am also quite aware of how his life outwith football was suffering from his place in the goldfish bowl.

Now that the minutiae of board business are no longer available in a certain, recently refurbished hostelry, Charlie's Courier column, coming as it did on the heels of Richard Smith's resignation, gave rare food for thought as to what may be happening.

Who knows exactly what the problems are, but I would imagine Charlie is saying that he feels he could have helped avoid some of the disastrous team selections and tactics we have witnessed this season. He does know his football. If the talent available to the club is not being deployed to maximum advantage, especially with a rookie manager out of his depth, then that is a great shame.