fenski

If our players are fitter and less prone to injury, surely that's a good thing?

Fair enough. On the 2 year deal - no-one knows how that came about for quite a few of the players. Maybe Doolan believes players generally perform better when they have a more settled future, or maybe Doolan wasn't able to offer the same wages, and used the offer of a 2 year contract to soften the blow.

Exactly this. Keeping possession vs the hoof or speculative pass to a marked player... If both Docherty and Bannigan had gone, there would've been a massive gap in the squad to fill. And it's a position we have struggled to fill in previous seasons. With just Docherty gone, Bannigan's role becomes much clearer. One less thing for Doolan to worry about - he can focus on recruiting for other positions, some of which are arguably easier to fill.

Sad to see all three players go, but we all knew it was coming. Staying positive - every player seemed to find good form when Doolan took over as manager. They played with a real sense of purpose and knew their respective roles. Sure whoever replaces them will be similarly well coached.

Initially wasn't sure, but liking it now I've seen the full kit. And the goalkeeper top is a cracker!

Thanks - found the QR codes for both season tickets via the app.

I've just bought two season tickets - for me and my son. That's what I'm wondering too - assume we'll get email instructions or something in due course

I'm planning to buy one for the first time. Just need to decide if I should buy one for my son too, even though he plays rugby nearly every Saturday during the season. I would get in to trouble if getting him a season ticket led him astray!

Yes - it is definitely possible to recruit well on a reduced budget. However as a rookie manager without many backroom staff, who (rightly) will have been focussing on the promotion push, it would be easy to expect too much of Kris. Unless he's also got a magic wand. Time to be realistic, while trying to keep morale high.

I've always been in the 'it's only football' camp, but Sunday had much the same effect on me. Made worse by knowing that that team was about to be dismantled. Taking a break is probably a good idea for quite a few of us. I feel sorry for Doolan and the management staff, because he's obviously not going to get much of a holiday... Can't be good for him.

Agree with the poster above commenting on our fans not giving the County players the ball back at throw-ins. Toddler level stuff... And it was from people who should be old enough to know better.

Disagree. I think Doc will be very difficult to replace.

I think I saw the team bus heading up the A9 when I was heading down to Glasgow from Perth. Wonder where they're staying tonight? Inverness I assume?

There was reference to blocks of unallocated seating when I bought tickets for this evening's game. Was going to check specifically what blocks are mentioned when buying, however ticketing system has a 'you're in a queue' message just now. Think it's going to be a big, big crowd. Wonder if it'll beat the crowds towards end of 2013 season?

Despite the fact he was removed as manager, I still have a lot of respect for McCall. This is his squad. It won't happen but if only there was a way of combining his best attributes with a head coach like Doolan.

Think I'd prefer Killie, but not much in it. Killie know how to play on their shitty pitch, but County are the sort of big physical team we struggle against.

Just to echo the praise for Doolan. He talks so positively but it's obvious he backs it up with hard work away from the cameras. He clearly has the senior players in the squad fully onside too. It feels so much like the 2013 season all over again. I would be hard pushed to say which team I prefer and great there's 3 guys (Doolan, Bannigan and Lawless) linking them.

Brilliant. The sense of purpose to our play recently has been great to watch.

Think they were luckier to score 3 than we were to score 4, so by that logic we should win the tie on Friday. However, it's the championship - logic doesn't apply. Any result is possible. Would take a 4-3 over a 1-0 every time.

Meh

For me it's not just about the teams record in terms of results - unless you're Celtic or Rangers there is always an element of luck involved in Scottish football. What matters is the performance and I've seen enough to suggest that the team performance has improved significantly since the change of management. I also think we'd plateaued under previous management - we knew what we were going to get. That isn't the case now. However longer term, the coaching staff is only part of it. I'm still not sure what sort of club the new board wants us to be, and what the plan is to deliver it.

Two assists from Turner. Pleasing after the criticism last week.

I thought ICT defended really well and sometimes shit happens in this league. Brilliant save by their goalie in first half. From that point on pretty much knew it wasn't going to be our night. At least the manager tried to change things even if it didn't work out. Way too soon to be passing judgement.

Woops - starting composing that post after we scored the second!

Well when Doolan took over, I thought it looked a potentially really tough gig. 3 away games, against 2 teams near top and one we struggle against. Things could've been nasty... Unbeaten, 7 points from 9, zero goals conceded. And very clearly coming up with specific game plans based on opposition, weather and pitch conditions. What a start! Surely has to be confirmed until end of season, with his academy role backfilled and any holes in coaching staff plugged.