Matty-RCFC

It seemed from the outside that Carey was a victim of McIntyre’s antics - was simply just left to rot on the bench. He was one of our better players when he left and seems to have a had a good career since. I’m unsure what level he’s at now, he’s 33 and hasn’t played in Scotland for 8 years but he’s been playing in Europe consistently with CSKA Sofia so clearly an experienced pro. Wouldn’t jump to have him back like but he’ll definitely do a job for Saints I reckon.

According to twitter, Jake Eastwood has joined the team in Verona for pre-season. Wingers Kazeem Olaigbe and Owura Edwards from Southampton and Bristol City respectively are expected to join on loan imminently too. R.E. Eastwood - what do we think the goalkeeping situation will be; surely getting to the point where Ross Munro will be thinking of chucking it.

He was far too inconsistent for me. He’d come off the bench and give us some real drive one week and then he’d start next week yet the game would pass him by.

For me, I think we’re sorted in the middle of the park now. Loturi, Tillson and Callachan all capable of playing in the 2 and Callachan, Dhanda and Ben Paton all capable of playing in the hole. I think we need another winger or two (Akio and maybe a loan?), another left and right back, and then another striker. If we can get those in, this will be the most confident I’ve ever felt going into a season as a County fan in the premiership.

Another forward?

Certainly sounds like one for the future going off of Malky’s comments.

ITK as f**k.

Agreed. Cannot wait for Brora in a couple weeks.

Was that the keeper who was at Killie for one game, made an absolute howler against Hibs and was never seen again?

“Victor Loturi” joining the party. What a laugh the first pre season game is going to be.

But you’re team are trying to sign Ross Stewart who made his Scotland debut just last week. So if Scotland’s first choice strikers are 5th/6th choice (just simply not true but anyway), then what does that make Stewart? Also, what does that say for your lot’s recruitment? Also, Robertson, Tierney and Hickey are all far better left backs than Barisic. I reckon they would all get picked regularly for the Croatian National Team if he does.

Craig Gordon is the best keeper in the league and he plays for Scotland. John Souttar is one of, if not, the best centre backs in the league and he doesn’t regularly start for Scotland (albeit he should but that’s another debate). Callum McGregor is the best midfielder in the league and he plays for Scotland. Also, the idea that someone like Scott McTominay comes to the OF and doesn’t improve them is absolutely mental too by the way. Rangers are interested in buying Scotland’s 4th choice striker which is a fair reflection of their squad level.

No sign of Harry Paton in the training videos and photos that are across the club’s social media would suggest that he’s away too. Will be interesting to see if any other team is going to have a punt on him with his court case looming.

Imagine you didn’t have that windfall - you’d have to raise funds by doing something quirky and left field like putting a drive in cinema into the car park. I remember McIntyre getting having a dig at Caley when Draper had signed for County that he was extremely unfit after a whole season. Whether that was testament to the training methods of John Robertson or the failing physique of Ross Draper remains to be seen though. That being said, he’s my mate’s cousin and he does a decent haircut for a fair price so he has my best wishes.

Unbelievable how wide you get when your team are so mediocre. What a riddy!

Welcome to the club.

Was he? I’ve always had the impression that he was was a McIntrye signing. In fact I seem to remember someone on here correcting me about that in the past.

Style of play - Predominately played a 442 and we were generally pretty stubborn under him. He did however have a period where we played this weird 352 sort of thing where he played the best goal scorer the the clubs ever had in centre midfield so make of that what you will. Ability to recruit - signed Boyce and Andrew Davies. Also signed Terry Dunfield and Chris Konopka. You’ll probably sign some mad left field names you’ve never heard of. The main thing under his tenure was, and it was well known by the fans, that he lost the dressing room. He often threw the players under the bus in post match interviews and he was just very stubborn in general. Funnily enough, he actually signed Draper for County so I wonder if the Cove board have had a word to see what he’s like in terms of management style, although that’s probably unlikely. The end of his County stay was quite poisonous and he did deserve the sack but he gave me the best day I’ve had as a County fan so I generally wish him and Cove well, especially against Caley.

100% but the posts above were talking about “experienced players” coming on permanent deals. I highly doubt any experienced players playing at a level below will be on County’s radar.

Iacovitti is a player who looked like an absolute bombscare when Kettlewell signed him, but the Baldwin + Iacovitti partnership was absolutely pivotal to our finishing position last season. Well done to the club for getting these two deals done.

Common sense - young players with a point to prove coming at a fraction of the cost because you’re only paying part of the players wage.

Whilst I obviously agree with you, my point is attracting those “experienced players” in permanently is far harder for County than teams in similar league positions, and also a lot harder than some County fans generally make it out to be. Hence why we relied so heavily on the loan market last season and why I expect we will do the exact same this season too.

Players out of contract (Paton, Spittal, Iacovitti etc) will have waited till the end of the season to see where we finished which leaves us playing a waiting game before the windows even started, especially seeing as we didn’t finish 5th. You then have the issue of younger players not wanting to relocate to the Highlands (heard we were in for McInroy but signing for Killie means he doesn’t have to relocate). These two factors mean loan players are pretty much always going to be utilised because finding players of sufficient quality that are young enough on permanent deals is so hard for us compared to a Motherwell, St Mirren even a Dundee. Loan players are always going to move towards the end of the window because parent clubs are going to keep them for pre-season to see if they are of benefit to their first team before sending them out on loan and that’s probably why we’ve not signed any yet but I’m certain there will be another 4/5 join the club before the League starts (not opposed to this at all by the way). Understand this model isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but I trust in the fact that near every player brought up on loan was a relative success last season and other clubs seeing County progress loan players is only a good thing because it opens the door for us to sign better players on loan. Just my opinion and I know it’s probably not popular but I’m generally behind the loan model as I think it’s the best way for us to get the highest quality players we can get for as cheap as possible.

Aye I don’t think anyone expected him to be staying; just happy he’ll not be playing against us next season.

Hope we’re not going to be balls deep into August again before we hear anything about anyone.